Chapter 8

Startled, Iris promptly tried to free her hand out of Thomas’ grasp and quickly tried to pull her hand away. However, malice was written all over Thomas’ face. Iris was caught by surprise—he must have mentioned it because he found out about her conversation with Sean. "I didn't say yes. I promise I won't paint anymore!" she said urgently, shaking her head as her face paled. "You like it?" Thomas asked. Iris was confused—was it a bait question or an actual one? While he continued to stare at her coldly, he suddenly said, "I'll arrange for an instructor. You'll practice on the third floor of Lunar Peak." Iris was taken aback. She knew Thomas would never let her learn painting from Sean, but she did not expect him to personally arrange for an instructor for her! - The next day, she received a message from Fiona to visit Lunar Peak in two days, and she did so punctually. Fiona led her to the third floor and into a room. She opened the door, only to find that they were in a drawing room, equipped with everything from papers to oil paint. Fiona told her, "This is your room now, Iri. Mr. Franklin personally told me that you didn't have to do any work in Lunar Peak now. You just need to stay here and text me to send food if you get hungry." "What was this room used for, Fiona?" Iris asked out of curiosity. "Just a normal break room—nothing special. That's why we were closed for two days while this room was being renovated. Kenny brought someone here too and told them everything they needed to prepare. You should tell Kenny if you need anything since I'm not familiar with any of this." "Thank you." "You're welcome. Just get yourself used to this place. Your instructor will be here later." As Fiona left, Iris looked at the tools in the room, noting that they were all expensive—she remembered how she had to save up just to buy a box of oil paint and cherished it so dearly. She took out her phone and stared at the number on the screen. Still, she did not dial it. - Iris sat through the two-hour lesson, listening attentively. When it was over, she found Thomas standing at the door. Her instructor, Yvie Rogers, told her, "Do your best, young lady. While Mr. Franklin did hire me, you carry inspiration to succeed." Iris nodded repeatedly. "Thank you, Ms. Rogers." Yvie left, leaving Iris unsure what to say to Thomas. He closed the door, standing towering as he said in his alluring voice, "Come." Iris walked over to him nervously and said softly, "Thank you." He lifted her chin with a finger, grinning. "And how are you going to repay me?' Iris was left flustered. She lowered her liquid eyes as she pondered. "I could draw you a portrait. I'm good with that." Thomas' brow furrowed in response, and he snapped, "You're really stupid!" With that, he kissed her fiercely. - When Iris returned to Franklin Manor in the evening, she heard laughter from the parlor before she stepped through the door. She entered and immediately found a woman in a striking red dress, her very presence extraordinary and entrancing. A handsome man sat beside her, and she smiled when she saw Iris. "You must be Iri—your Aunt Ida is already beautiful, but her niece somehow eclipses her." Ida smiled and introduced her. "This is Sue Stanford, your second aunt. The gentleman with her is Josh Franklin, your cousin." "Hello, Josh, Aunt Sue." Iris greeted them politely. Sue said then, "Here—I brought you a present." Iris glanced at Ida, who nodded. She walked up to take the gift box, opening it to see that it was a beautiful set of jewelry. Josh held out a gift box to Iris as well. "Here, something from me as well." Iris opened to find an exquisite bracelet, while Sue smiled, "Jo thought you looked beautiful in your photos, and that you would be a perfect match for that diamond bracelet. He's certainly a good eye—I certainly won't stop him if he's interested in you." Josh merely reclined against his seat, his lips curling up in a vague smile. His eyes were as entrancing as Sue's, and he was studying Iris from head to toe. "You are beautiful, Iris," he said. "Not even the stars signed under Stanford Media hold a candle to you. You have my support if you want to try your luck in showbiz—I'll definitely make you shine." However, his stare was making Iris uncomfortable—he was objectifying her, just like how the boys back in her school days would ogle her with abandon. "Aunt Ida, Aunt Sue. I would like to go to my room now." "Of course. Go on." Iris hurried upstairs to her room and turned pale when she realized someone was following her. Josh's smile never seemed to fade. "Are you scared of me?" Iris did not say a word and promptly got inside her room. However, before she could close the door, Josh said, "My room is right across yours. You can come to me anytime you want—my door is always open to you." - Afterwards, Iris heard knocking on her door and an attempt to unlock the door. Whoever it was, they kept quiet. She had no idea who it was, but she was sure it was not Ida, who would usually call out to her loudly or just call her number. Iris was left shuddering even as she locked her door, and she headed to Thomas' room at 9 PM. He returned half an hour later to see her curled up under the sheets. She must have bathed recently—A cascade of hair fell down her back. She was staring blankly into the air as she hugged her legs. Noticing him, she stared at him with her dewy eyes as she murmured in fear and insecurity, "Thomas, I'm afraid of Josh Franklin." Tommy took off his suit and threw it on the couch as he strode up to her. "Will you protect me?" Iris asked nervously. Thomas brushed a tear out of the corner of her eye and said, "That is if you are mine." Iris blinked, her eyelashes twitching and wet as she murmured jitterily, "I searched about him online. Josh likes to fool around with female celebrities and frequents nightclubs and all sorts of parties." Thomas smiled coolly. "Are you mine?" Iris pursed her lips. "I just don't like that kind of thing…" There was fear in her eyes, her quiet voice audible in the quiet room. "I've seen the men my mother's been with when I was a child. She kept me in the next room, but it was not really soundproof—I get nightmares because of that. And since middle school began, all I seemed to hear was dirty talk from the boys. All the way up to high school, there were many of them who wanted to get to know me, just as many were interested in something else. I could almost read their minds. I had to hurt people to protect myself… and I hurt myself, too." She then slowly unbuttoned her pajama blouse with shaking hands…