Chapter 28
***Ada***
The next afternoon, while Kendall was at camp prepping for her play, the boys and I decided to play hide and seek.
They were done with camp for the rest of the week and we had plenty of time to kill.
Milo was sleeping in his room and I had a baby monitor attached to my hip so I’d know as soon as he woke up.
Because of it being just the twins and me, it got extra competitive.
It was Alex’s turn to seek and I was hiding in a nook of the hallway.
We had to make it back to base before we got caught and Alex was shockingly fast. I didn’t want to be the seeker again so I was determined to make it.
I saw Alex turn down the hallway, away from me, so I pushed away from the nook and started creeping along the wall.
I sucked in a sharp breath, though, when I heard Alex’s footsteps stop and shuffle backwards.
I was next to a door and without a second thought, I slipped inside and shut the door as silently as I could.
Pressed against the door, I held my breath and listened to see if he went by.
It was impossible to hear footsteps through the door, however, so I was blind.
Frustrated, because I truly did not want to be the seeker in a massive mansion, I turned around and gasped.
I was in some sort of storage area. It was just a normal room but there were hundreds of canvases lined up on the wall, against the walls, and even stacked high on shelves.
Deep down, I knew I should’ve left the room and minded my own business. I knew that Jud’s studio was off-limits but I didn’t think the room I was in was a studio. Maybe I was splitting hairs, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the art surrounding me.
I ventured deeper into the room, heart lodged in my throat as I took in piece after piece of Jud’s art.
It was stunning. Dark colors smeared across canvas to create portraits that oozed sadness.
I didn’t know how long I’d been in the room when I made my way into a back corner of the room and froze.
My hand came up to cover my mouth and stop a scream from ripping out of my mouth.
Staring back at me from the walls were dozens of. ..me. Well, fetishized younger me.
I stumbled farther into the corner and saw stacks of them, all of me.
Hundreds of paintings of me, all painted by Jud.
My heart thumped painfully in my chest as the creepiness of it all settled deep in my bones.
I wanted to run but my feet felt frozen to the floor. I wanted to shout for Alex and Avery.
A creak of a floorboard behind me had me spinning around and screaming when I saw Jud standing there, furious. I’d never seen so much animation in his features and I didn’t like it. He wasn’t happy with me, at all.
“What the fuck are you doing in here? This room is private! Get out!” He marched towards me and tried to grab my arm to pull me out but I slapped his hand away, letting anger replace my fear.
“No wonder it’s private, you giant creep! Why the hell are you painting me? This is weird, even for the reclusive rich guy, Jud!” I shuddered and pushed past him. “Stop painting me, asshole!”
When he didn’t react, I stopped and studied him. He’d gone pale and was staring from me to the paintings and back.
I stomped out of the room, slammed the door shut, and was immediately grabbed by Alex.
Swearing under my breath, I made my way back to base to take my turn as seeker, but I couldn’t get Jud’s face out of my head.
He’d looked shocked. If I didn’t know better I’d say that he hadn’t known he was painting me.
It was beyond creepy and I wanted to avoid him for the rest of time.
I also immediately felt guilty for being so mean to him, but I couldn’t help it. He’d scared me.
I was able to avoid him until dinner that night.
Somehow, the Carringtons had gone from working through their meals to having their meals all together in the dining room once the island wouldn’t fit all of us.
David was thrilled about it but it was still tense at times.
The kids had gotten used to meals just being our time and suddenly their dads were there, stiffening up the place.
That night, I was sitting next to Kendall and Milo with Jud straight across from me.
I could feel his eyes on me and I wanted to poke him in those pale blue eyes with a toothpick.
He normally didn’t come to dinner. He was the brother who would take time with Milo if I handed Milo to him but he got so lost in his studio that if no one went and reminded him that he had a family, he’d never know. Yet, that night, there he was.
Kendall cleared her throat next to me and squeezed my hand under the table.
I jerked my attention to her and smiled back, unsure of what was happening because I’d been so lost in my Jud thoughts.
She stood up and blew out a shaky breath.
“On Friday, I’m performing in a creative reimagining of Cinderella.
I’m playing Cinderella and I’m inviting everyone to come and watch. ”
She sank back into her seat after sending a long look to her dad. I grabbed her and hugged her instantly. “That’s amazing, Kenny! We’ll all be there, of course. Right?”
Collin grinned. “Of course, Kendall.”
My creepy stalker Jud raised his glass. “Congrats, kid. I’ll come support you.”
“Get ready to be so embarrassed, Kendall. You should’ve seen the way Ada screamed when we finished our presentation!” Avery laughed. “All my friends were like who’s that crazy lady?”
I scoffed. “Your friends sound like they need to liven up a bit.”
Collin laughed into his napkin. “I mean...we did get some strange looks.”
Kendall was focused on her dad. “Dad? Will you come?”
The room went silent and I held my breath until Joe nodded. “I’ll be there, Ken.”
Everyone exhaled and I felt a wave of happiness. Even Jud’s constant looks couldn’t bring me down. I even made David let me help serve dessert. When all the plates were cleared, we all stayed in our seats, a new sense of comfort amongst the table.
That was until Milo looked up at me and grinned. It was his mischievous grin and I knew I was in trouble the second he opened his mouth. “Shitty! Shitty!”
I palmed my face and shook my head at him. “No, no, Milo. We don’t say that.”
“Aya say shitty!”
I gasped. “Don’t tell on me, bud! I thought we were closer than that.”
Kendall cackled from beside me. “When he learns the rest of the English language, we’re all doomed. No one will be safe.”