Chapter 8 A Piece of You

• For two days, Xander has a lot of opportunities to work on the case with Rebel while looking out for Erin's safety. Her husband did not show up again, it may be a good thing but he had ready himself if in case he will show up unannounced.
• Staring at the ceiling, he can't sleep wondering if he can see her tomorrow. Erin was working in her room and he never saw her even once after the training. His thoughts dwell on the memory while he was hugging her back.
• "Hmm..." He groaned and kept on tossing side by side. He can't sleep thinking of her, he decided to do some round check of the villa.
• The villa was too quiet as it is approaching midnight. He wondered how Erin could last in this lonely place. He was in the kitchen when he spotted her.
• "Erin?" He asked softly not to startle her, but he failed. The casserole dropped on the ground.
• "Jesus. Why did you not turn on the light?" He then switched on the light which made her closed her eyes to the sudden brightness.
• Xander was happy to see her sooner than tomorrow. He had a quick observation of her face while her eyes are still closed and stopped when she opened them. He then eyed the casserole as he moved forward. He could have scared her when he noticed her stepping back.
• "Should I reheat it?" He offered.
• "I can manage." Her reply.
• "It's alright." He walked toward the microwave oven.
• "I want it cold!" She said before he could press the number. Xander then decided to get some plates and serve her the food.
• He smiled hearing her stomach roared.
• "I do not think it's still part of your job," Erin commented.
• "It is alright. I do not think the beast can wait any longer."
• "That is enough." He then stopped and slowly slide the plate in front of her.
• There was a minute of silence before he finally opened up a topic.
• "I paint sometimes..." It was short but Xander noticed how her face brightened. He then shared his knowledge about art.
• He mostly does the talking while Erin gave few words in the air. She was quiet again while doing the dishes. How he wished she could talk more to him, but maybe she is already tired for the day or maybe not.
• "Xander, do you mind if I show you my art?" It was an unexpected invitation from her.
• "I do not mind." He replied quickly before she will change her mind.
• Erin led the way as he was following her. Her art is stored in one of the rooms of the villa. The door cracked open when Erin pushed it, the echo can be heard in the hallway as Xander sauntered the room. She then switched the light on, the bulbs turned on one by one giving a wow effect as her art is visible to him now.
• "Wow." He uttered and Erin stood beside him like she is embarrassed to show her piece.
• "You are good at this." He started to observe her piece.
• "Thank you." She said softly following him.
• "How many days it takes to complete a piece?" He asked.
• "It depends on how big the canvass and intricate the details are. This small one I finish it one day and a half." He saw her smile at that.
• "What's the most difficult one here?" He asked again, but she went silent at it as if not wanting to answer his question.
• Xander then continued his tour not expecting an answer from her. He is already grateful she invited him there.
• "This one." She spoke and Xander turned around to look at what she was pointing. It was a blank canvass with her name written at the very right down portion.
• "It took me two days for this piece." She continued and he does not know what to comment but says whatever he has in his heart.
• "Maybe it's more complicated to paint and leaving it blank was the best output you can have." He smiled at her. He knew how complicated her life at the moment. Xander just wished his words will comfort her a bit.
• "I just cannot figure things out." She said.
• "Then don't. Just go with the flow for now." His advice.
• "I think it is not okay to go with the flow." She sounds worried at that.
• "Why not?"
• "Because if I do, I will be doing bad." She looked at him, and he got confused by her words.
• What it could be? Was she thinking of ending her life again? Giving her two days alone in her room was not a good idea after all.
• "Please don't tell me you are thinking of ending your precious life again?" He could not help but ask. Erin cracked up in the next second.
• "I got you there!" He was seeing her quirky side for a short moment as her face was serious again.
• "Never mind. Don't worry, I don't have those thoughts for now. I will make sure to inform you if ever." She walked away after telling him that.
• Erin was in the middle of the room and stopped facing him again.
• "Thank you for appreciating my art. It's my first time to invite someone here in this room, of course except Melinda because she cleans the place." She said and turned her back at him again.
• "Please turn off the light. Have a good night Xander." She murmured and she was out of his sight in the next second.
• Xander was left staring at the room. How could Will waste this opportunity? His anger resurface remembering what he knew about him.
• He promised himself that he will free her from the pain and it starts with removing toxic people away from her.