Love in Colour

by JA Low

  “I thought we could paint together.” I look down at her. “Let me be your muse.” I kiss her neck as I wrap my arms around her. “Just paint what you see, what you feel.”

  “I can’t guarantee it’s not going to be X-rated,” she teases.

  “Then the painting will be for my eyes only.” I kiss her nose.

  Hours later both of us are finished. We’ve spent the day laughing, talking and taking in the beautiful scenery together. Now it’s time for the reveal, I made sure that I didn’t peak at her painting; I know she is self-conscious about it.

  “Okay, are you ready to see my masterpiece?” Emily smiles.

  “Hit me.” She turns her canvas around and I’m blown away again by just how incredible she is. “You are incredible.” Leaning in, I kiss her head. I stare at the couple making love in the lavender fields that she has painted. I’m used to Emily drawing modern, abstract kind of paintings, not something like this, so lifelike. “You’re giving me so many ideas.” She just wiggles her eyebrows playfully at me. “Don’t tempt me,” I growl at her. She just giggles as I pull her into my arms and swing her around. “You make me so happy, Emily.”

  “You make me happy too.” She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me. There’s an awkward throat clearing and we pull apart to see the waiter is here with our food. I forgot I had organised that. He sets down a new bottle of wine, another cheese board, some fries and a selection of appetisers. Emily takes a seat and pops some fries into her mouth; I thank the waiter and send him away.

  “It’s so beautiful here. I’ve had such a great day. Thank you.”

  “That’s what happens when you start dating your favourite artist.” She throws a bread roll at me, giggling. We fall into a comfortable silence, indulging in the great food, and maybe one too many glasses of wine.

  “Does anyone else in your family paint like you?” Emily stills. I realise she hasn't spoken much of her family.

  “Well, um…that’s a bit of a long story.”

  “Lucky we have all day, plus lots of wine.” I hold up the bottle, she rolls her eyes at me.

  “Fine,” she groans. “My mother’s French.” This surprises me, but it does explain why she speaks impeccable French. “She was an artist. From what I remember, the years have kind of strained that view, but I remember she was this bohemian woman, she didn’t fit in. I come from a small town in Devon. You know the kind, where everyone knows everyone. But everyone is more interested in fishing or farming or having a few pints down the pub than culture and art.” I nod. I’ve never been somewhere like that, but I hear these places exist. “My mother met my father when he was on holiday in Paris, it was supposed to be a holiday romance. It wasn’t until my dad came home that she found out that she was pregnant.” Something that could happen between Emily and I since we have stopped using protection. “She wrote to him, telling him about her pregnancy. He sent her money to catch the next ferry to England so he could marry her and they could be a family. Of course my mother not having much and wanting a better life for herself, did just that. She loved it at first; the quaint little fishing village with the most idyllic views, but the locals didn’t understand her, they were not as open to new comers as she thought they would be. My father was a fisherman, he would be away a lot, so my mother had to fend for herself. She had her art and would paint to keep herself from becoming lonely. Things went downhill when she had my brother, from what I hear I think she suffered from postpartum depression. Things quickly turned sour between my parents, but then she became pregnant with my sister six months after the birth of my brother. She knew she was stuck then. Of course my father went away fishing and she was left at home with a baby and a stomach that was growing bigger each day. Art helped her again, but when she would lose herself in her art she would forget about Ryan, my brother. Neighbours complained to my father that they could hear him crying all day and that he looked dirty while she was busy with her artwork.” I reach out and hold her hand, I can see this story is upsetting her, she gives me a weak smile. “He banned her from painting. He took all her art and threw it away. She must have been devastated, but he was a simple man, he didn't understand her world nor cared to. Of course, after the birth of my sister, Sara, mum took a turn for the worst. At the time the doctors didn’t know what the problem was, but eventually she was diagnosed as bipolar. Her moods became erratic, so much so that my father had to find another job because he was too scared to leave her alone with the children. But that didn’t stop them bringing me into the world.” I squeeze her hand letting her know everything is going to be okay. “I came at the worst time in their relationship and I just added more fuel to the fire. Mum’s moods and behaviour became more and more erratic. Once they had prescribed the right medication for her it seemed a little better...but the damage was done, even though I got what I thought was a normal mum, in reality I got a shell. My father decided, in a last ditch effort to save his family, to encourage her to get back into art. Once she held those brushes in her hand everything changed. She was so happy or so we thought. In reality, it wasn’t the art that she was happy about, she was happy because she was having an affair with a local French artist. A couple of weeks after my fifth birthday she left and I’ve never seen her again.” I feel for her. “Once she left my father demanded we stop speaking French, he outlawed art and anything to do with her, but I couldn’t give it up. Speaking French and art were the only links I had to my mother and I held onto them tight and in secret. My father passed away just after my graduation from high school, and as sad as I was, I was also relieved because I was able to accept my scholarship for art history, something he would have never let me do if he was alive.” Wow, what a story.

  “And where is she now?”

  “Here.” I frown. “Apparently she lives in the South of France somewhere, married to the artist that she left my father for.”

  “And you haven’t tried to seek her out since arriving.”

  “Well, I’ve been kind of busy.” She gives me a look.

  “Oh, that’s right, you have an asshole boss.” She giggles.

  “He’s growing on me,” she says flirtatiously.

  “I’d do more than that on you.” I bite her neck which makes her squeal. “Do you want to find her?”

  “What would I say?”

  “Maybe hello would be a great start and how have you been?”

  “You make it sound so easy.”

  “It can be. I’ll be by your side.”

  “I like this Louis.” She waves her finger in the air. “He’s much nicer than the other one.”

  “That’s because he’s crazy about some English woman.” I pull her chair toward me so she is almost sitting in my lap.

  “Is that so? You are crazy about her?” I nod with a smile on my face.

  “Yep. And I have a feeling she might be crazy about me too.”

  “That’s a little full of yourself I think.”

  “Well she did tell me I have a big ego as well as a big…” She kisses me silencing my words before I can finish.

  “Yes, this woman is crazy about you.”

  “Good. Now let me help.”

  “Fine.” She doesn’t put up much of a fight.

  “Perfect. Now can I take you home and fuck you.” A huge smile falls across her face.

  “I’m all yours.”

  28

  Emily

  There is a knock at the front door, the staff are still on an extended vacation while Louis and I explore each other, and I’m really glad we have had this time together with no interference because I feel closer to him. Not because we hate leaving the bed, but because we laze around and talk and paint. I don’t think my life could get any better than what I have at the moment.

  “Daniel, hi.” I’m surprised to see him at the front door. Louis told me he had told Daniel that he and I were a thing, but actually seeing him here kind of makes it real I guess. We’ve been living in our own little bubble, just the two of us for a whil
e now.

  “You look happy.” He smiles kissing both cheeks.

  “Um.” He chuckles.

  “I’m not upset, Emily. I’m happy that you two are together, I think you’re good for him.” I wasn’t expecting that.

  “He’s come a long way himself.”

  “I know my brother. He wouldn’t be making a comeback if it wasn’t for you.” Tears begin to well in my eyes. “Anyway, I actually came here as I have a surprise for you. Well, Louis has a surprise for you. I can’t take all the credit.” What’s going on? “Come.” Daniel takes my hand and pulls me out the front door, and that’s when I notice a limousine parked out the front. The door swings open and I scream. My three best friends jump out of the car and rush straight into my arms. We are all crying.

  “We missed you,” Georgia tells me.

  “I missed you girls too.” I hug them.

  “Wow, that’s loud.” Louis comes out resting his shoulder against the door. I’m a mess, tears are falling down my face. I untangle myself from my friends’ arms, run to Louis and jump into his arms and kiss him.

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I kiss him, much to the hollers of my girlfriends behind me.

  “Your welcome. I thought you might be missing them.”

  “I was. I just…” The smile on Louis’ face says it all. “Tomorrow we will take you to my Paris apartment and you can have a girls’ weekend there. I’ll stay with Daniel, get some business stuff done.” This man. I bloody love him. I untangle myself from him and go back to my girls.

  “This is the life.” Georgia lays back on the sun chair as we laze by the pool.

  “Seriously, Emmy, that man is fucking hot,” Rosie whispers beside me. We may have had one too many bottles of champagne catching up with each other.

  “His brother is hot too.” Ava lifts her sunglasses as she ogles Daniel who is walking back with Louis from his studio.

  “You look happy though,” Rosie adds. “France suits you.”

  “I’m painting again.” The girls are all shocked. “I know. I started in Ibiza and then Louis took me on a date to this castle in the countryside which was surrounded by lavender fields and he set up a private painting session, we talked and painted, it was great.”

  “I can’t believe he got you painting again. This is phenomenal,” Ava adds. I’ve known these girls all my life, we all moved to London from our tiny little town seeking adventure and fun.

  “I know. It took me a little while to warm up but once I lost myself in the stunning views, plus the great conversation and maybe a couple of wines, it felt good to be doing it again.”

  “He’s your muse.” Georgia winks.

  “Maybe he is.” The girls all ooh and aah then burst out laughing, sending us into fits of giggles. Maybe we’ve had way too much champagne.

  I’m surprised to see Gabriel here, Louis has had the staff on leave since we have been together, he wants us to have alone time together, which is code for screwing me on every surface of his home. I walk up and give him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, I’ve missed him.

  “Long time no see.”

  “Bossman has been keeping you busy.” Gabriel looks over my shoulder. I can just imagine the looks he’s giving him. “And he looks mighty jealous too,” he chuckles, flipping Louis off behind me.

  “Ignore him,” I giggle. “How’s things with the girl.” Gabriel’s cheeks flush.

  “Good. She’s good. But I have to finish getting dinner ready, we’ll catch up when you get back from Paris.”

  “Okay. I want all the details.” He gives me a salute and heads off back to the kitchen. I make my way to where everyone is seated and take my seat beside Louis.

  “Everything okay?” he whispers in my ear.

  “Are you jealous, Mr. Marchant?” My hand moves across his thigh, grazing his lap. He lets out a frustrated huff, those blue eyes flaring at me. “We are just friends.” Louis holds my stare as my fingers wrap around him giving him a tight squeeze. “How could anyone compete with this.” I squeeze him harder. He leans into me.

  “Keep teasing me like that Miss Chapman and I will bend you over this table and fuck you in front of everyone to make sure that they all know you are mine.” I swallow, damn that is hot.

  “Would you two cut it out. Us single people don’t want to lose their appetite before dinner,” Georgia groans but gives me a wink. Oops, she totally heard Louis’ dirty threats. Louis ignores my friend and pulls me toward him and kisses me, making my friends and Daniel gag.

  Dinner was spectacular of course, Gabriel made a traditional Provençal. We all ate way too much and drank too many bottles of wine, but the conversation around the dinner table never faulted.

  “Daniel, did you know Emily’s mother is French and an artist too,” Louis tells his brother, he’s tipsy, we all are. I notice the girls look over at me a little shocked that Louis knows about my family’s past.

  “Really? I guess it must be in her genes.” Daniel takes a sip of his wine, he’s lost his suit jacket, he’s rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt. Ava hasn’t stopped flirting with him all night. Where did this confident woman come from? Ava rarely makes the first move on guys.

  “She lives here too, somewhere.” Louis waves his arm around the room. The girls look over at me again, questions lacing their faces.

  “Have you seen her since you have been here?” Gabriel asks. I shake my head.

  “I haven’t seen her since I was five.” The table goes quiet at my confession.

  “Would you like to meet her?” Daniel asks. I shrug, I’m not really sure. “Because I know people, who can, you know…” His voice lowers. “Find you anything.” My eyes widen, as do Ava’s.

  “They could find her?” I look over at Georgia and Rosie who are staring at me with their mouths open.

  “Yeah.” Daniel waves his hand. “I could have her address by tomorrow if you want.” Wow that’s quick. My pulse quickens up, that doesn’t give me much time to process it all.

  “You wouldn’t have to meet her, but you could write her a letter if you had her address,” Louis adds. Maybe I should write her a letter to start off slowly, that way if she rejects me it’s not face to face.

  “Okay,” I tell them, a hush falls across the table.

  “Are you sure, Emily?” Rosie asks.

  “I think I need to know why she didn’t keep in touch with us, especially after dad died. She’s had so many chances and I guess I just want to know. Maybe then I can have closure.” My friends nod in agreement. They’ve been through all of this with me my entire life, they know what my family was like growing up. Louis kisses my forehead, with him by my side, I feel like I can conquer this last hurdle in my life.

  29

  Louis

  We have just dropped the girls off at my apartment, thankfully Daniel organised cleaners to tidy it up since I haven’t been there in over two months. The last time I was there was during one of my many benders.

  “We need to talk.” Daniel looks serious as I take a seat in his office. “It’s about Emily’s mother.”

  “Is she dead?” I ask.

  “No. But…” Daniel fidgets, he never fidgets. “You have a connection to her mother.” I look at Daniel. Is he high? Then panic fills me, did I sleep with her? During those four months of darkness there were some rich older ladies that I slept with and, oh fuck! How can we move on from that?

  “I didn’t sleep with her, did I?” Daniel bursts out laughing at my question, which can only mean I didn’t.

  “Seriously, Louis?”

  “Look, I was in a bad place.” I roll my eyes at him.

  “Not sure if it’s worse, but Emily’s mother is Ellie or also known as Eloise.” Oh shit.

  “Victor’s wife?” Daniel nods. I stand up and begin to pace, shit. I’ve spent more time with her mother than Emily has. Shit. I still catch up with Eloise and Victor, not much since my hiatus but before that just without Elisabeth. I rake my hands through my hair.
Shit, shit, shit.

  “Should we tell her?”

  “I don’t know, Louis.”

  “Eloise never said anything about having kids. She and Victor would always say they were devoted to their art; that the artists they mentored were like their children. Shit, Daniel. How can I keep this from her?”

  “Give her this weekend with her girlfriends, then maybe slowly broach the subject then.”

  “If Emily doesn’t want to know then how can I keep this from Eloise and Victor?”

  “This isn’t your secret to tell.”

  “Yeah, and if that was true then we would never have met.” Daniel and I share the same father but different mothers. I grew up as an only child to a single mother who struggled to make ends meet, apparently the apartment we lived in was paid for by my father but that was as far as his generosity went. Just before Daniel’s mother passed away she confessed to Daniel that he had a brother a year younger than him. His father had an affair with his secretary. She was sworn to secrecy by his father, not wanting to destabilise his company with the bad press an affair would cause. He threatened Tina, Daniel’s mother, that if she ever told anyone he would divorce her and leave her penniless. So she told his secret on her death bed, where he couldn’t blackmail her anymore. Daniel looked for me and found me. He ignored my father’s request, gave up his family legacy by choosing me. He has no relationship with our father and I’ve never met him, but at least I got my brother out of the whole messed up situation, and he has my mum, who adores him.

  “I know but this is tricky.” I rake my hands through my hair.

  “Of all the women you could have hired as my assistant.”

  “Sounds like fate had some plans for you both.” Maybe’s he’s right. If Emily had one day come and found her mother, we would have eventually met. Would we have fallen for each other then? I probably would have been in a better place and not been as mean as I was to her when we first met. But I think I would have maybe pursued her if we were introduced.