Page 51 of Sparks of Insanity
Like I’d fuck about with her sense of style. The sweatpants and t-shirt were unusual for her, but I’d noticed them in the drawers in my room too. I had no idea why this house was fucking equipped like this, but I wasn’t about to ask.
“Yeah. Okay. Rewards and punishments, since we’re locked in here, I’m struggling a bit with that. You have the replacement phone your dads gave you?” She nodded warily, reaching into her pocket to show me. I reached for it.
“You get it back when you’re done with your art goal for the day.” She rolled her eyes, but handed it to me.
“Remember when my dads call that they expect to talk to me alone.” Not a problem.
I shoved it in my pocket, after checking the time on it. Mid-morning and my stomach was growling, so I headed for the door.
“We’ll eat, and then we can discuss your subject for today.”
“What about the naked form?” She asked sassily, like my little student thought that thought hadn’t crossed my fucking mind already.
“We’ll see.” And by that I meant, not a chance in hell.
29
Ember
If Ethan thought hewas winning this bullshit, he couldn’t be more wrong. Of all the things my parents had taught me, did he really think I’d missed out on learning how to manipulate a person?
He might think he’s the one making the rules, but I’ve already subverted them with my demands. He’d see that in time, but for now, I’d play nice, and give him a little grace before I pulled the rug out from under him.
He made breakfast for us; porridge with some fruit, and honey. I had no idea this kind of healthy shit was the preference for him, but again, I’d change that in time.
“Today’s subject will be something scenic and pretty, to go up on the wall in here. These white walls are fucking unbearable.”
On that fact, we were in absolute agreement. White walls were like a blank canvas, desperately waiting for art to adorn them, and it made the artist in me itch to get started.
“Scenic and pretty? Those things are subjective. What if what I find scenic and pretty is black and desolate, and you’re expecting fairies and flowers?”
Ethan snorted, rolling his eyes at me.
“You do what appeals to you, Ember. This is about you exploring your art, while you’re stuck here with me.” We were supposed to be exploring each other actually. This isn’t what my dads meant when they locked us in here.
“Why are you doing that, Ethan? Why call me Ember, when you know I hate it?”
His jaw clenched at my use of his name, but he fought the urge to correct me yet again.
“Calling you Em is something you’ll have to earn again, Ember. You just need to do as I ask, and you’ll get that back too.”
What a wanker. Suddenly everything is by his directive, and I’m expected to just follow along like a good little girl? Well, fuck that.
I pushed my half eaten breakfast aside and stood up, flipping him off as I passed him.
“Ember, you should finish your breakfast.”
“You should go fuck yourself, but apparently neither of us are getting what we want today. I’m ready to paint. You’d best hurry, because you’re supposed to spend that time with me, remember?”
I heard him cursing as he hurriedly finished his food, and took the bowls to the kitchen.
“I’ll bring coffee with me. Go and get set up.”
Oh, I’ll get set up. You’re about to learn that my ‘demands’ weren’t quite as straightforward as you thought…Mr E.
I went to my bedroom first, changing into my chosen attire for painting, to give me range of movement, and ease of working. Once I reached the art studio, I selected a mid-sized canvas, andstarted preparing some of the acrylic paints. He wants scenery? That’s what he’ll get.
“Jesus, Em!” I turned to smile innocently at Mr E, while he stared in horror at my clothes, or lack thereof.
