The Arrogant Artist : A Billionaire Boss Romance (International Bad Boys Set Book 2), стр. 67

41

Louis

Breaking News

Yves Blanc and Elisabeth Bernard are embroiled in a multimillion-dollar art charity scandal. Their non-profit charity has been embezzling millions of dollars to support their lavish lifestyle. This information came to light as Yves is embroiled in a sexual assault case. Video footage has been obtained of him putting a date rape drug into a non-identified woman’s drink, then he’s seen walking the unconscious woman from the club to his car, and then through the front gate of his apartment complex.

Now that this information has come to light, more women have come forward recounting their tales of sexual assault via Blanc.

With the mounting evidence against Blanc and Bernard, many people in the art industry have distanced themselves from the two of them, and they have lost many of their multimillion-dollar endorsements.

It also appears that Blanc and Bernard have parted ways, with Bernard putting out a press release exclaiming her shock over the accusations about her partner. That she no longer feels safe around him, which is evident in the video footage that was shown of Blanc screaming at a cowering Bernard outside their Paris apartment a few nights ago.

“Revenge is a dish served cold.” Daniel laughs as he reads out the latest report about Yves and Elisabeth.

“They got what they deserved.” Not that I like seeing the demise of people, but they deserved it, so I smile.

“Everything she has is gone. All her assets have been seized. Everything. She’s going to have to declare bankruptcy and start again,” Daniel informs me. “Apparently, she’s in Moscow. Currently, she’s the guest of some film producer. A woman like her will always find a way...” Daniel trails off.

“It’s good news that all these women are coming forward to tell their stories of his abuse.” My blood boils reading about what he’s done, including ex-employees who he’s terrorized. I hated the fact that I was so blind to it and had no idea about any of his escapades.

“Have you heard from Emily?” I ask Daniel.

“Actually… hold on.” My heart begins to thump. What does he have planned?

Daniel walks back in with a canvas in his hand. “Emily gave this to me weeks ago, but I wanted to wait.” He turns it around, and I’m blown away. Instantly, I realize it’s us making love. “She thought you should have it. This was painted when she wasn’t in a great place. Before she said yes to New York.”

I have shipped all of my paintings to New York, and I fly out in the coming days. I haven’t spoken to Emily since that fateful night months ago because I know she needs time. If she hadn’t said yes to New York, I’d have gone to find her, made her see me, have her tell me face to face that she doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore. I would respect her wishes, of course, no matter what she wants, but if she rejected me, then my heart would be broken, and I’d understand. After everything’s Emily’s been through, I have no choice but to understand.

I stare at the painting, the colors, the imagery. What was she thinking when she painted this? Did she remember the good times we shared? Does she remember my feelings for her?

“Her other stuff is good,” Daniel tells me. “The gallery is so excited to have you both. The buzz surrounding your comeback and this debut artist’s work is intensifying.”

I want to be excited about making my comeback, but in all honesty, I just want to see Emily again.

“Is she… I mean how is she doing?” I hate the fact my brother has seen Emily multiple times. I hate that she’s okay with him and not me, but I have to accept her reasons and decisions.

“She’s turned a corner, especially now Yves is in custody, and that the world knows what he’s done. A great weight has been lifted off her back.”

I nod because I’m happy for her. I just wish the same weight I have could disappear so easily.

“She needed the time, Louis. She had to rebuild herself again.”

I nod while staring at the painting. I wish Emily would have let me help her rebuild. I’d have been there for her, seen her through those excruciatingly tough times I know she would have been experiencing.

“She’s excited about New York.”

Hope. His words give me hope that there’s a portion of excitement there at seeing me again. Maybe?

“The girls are all coming, too. They have been planning… I don’t know… some kind of Sex and the City meets Gossip Girl tour. They lost me somewhere between the mention of the two television shows.”

I’m glad she’ll have her friends there with her to share in this experience.

“I’m glad for her,” I tell Daniel. “I just hope she’s ready to see me.”

“It will all work out, brother. I promise you.” He slaps me on the back and leaves me to stare at the painting in front of me.

I can’t help but smile at the image and the memories it brings back to me.

42

Emily

New York

My friends and I flew in a couple of days before the event to have girl time in the Big Apple. We’ve explored everywhere. We’ve done a photoshoot in Times Square, and we sailed along the Hudson past the Statue of Liberty. We checked out the sex museum and giggled like teenagers at all the penises. We re-enacted Sex and the City by sipping cosmopolitans at some hipster bar. We ate lunch on the stairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as if we were some cool kids on the set of Gossip Girl, all while wearing our headbands like Blair. We took a carriage ride