THE BALDWIN'S POSSESION

THE ARTIST SKY

Sora smiled softly and said, "Let's go..."

I nodded my head softly and glanced back, where the guards were also seated in the cars. Sora and I sat inside the car, with her driving. She looked at me for a few seconds and sighed. I looked at her with confusion on my face when she suddenly shook her head.

She started the car, and the others began following us.

"Do you know Ray Baldwin?" Sora asked me suddenly, catching my attention. I looked at her, completely bewildered by the question, then answered, "Yes, he's Azar's big brother. I've heard a lot about him from Azar."

Sora nodded while looking straight at the road.

"But why are you asking about him? Interested?" I said teasingly, a mischievous smile on my face.

"Nah, he's just too popular here. I've heard he's more popular and more handsome than Azar."

"Everyone is popular in that family," I said with a sigh, looking out the car window.

Sora glanced at me and said, "Wanna run?"

I chuckled at the question. "Can't."

"Eve, I can help you, you know that, right?" she said, her tone suddenly serious.

I looked at her for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. "You want to die early?"

"I'd die for you, my beauty," she laughed at her own words.

The conversation was serious, but I had started to take it all as a joke, accepting the fate and the cage the Baldwins had made for me.

We both arrived at the beautiful, grand hotel where the painting exhibition was being held. We entered, greeted by the loud noise of music and cheers. The hall was filled with people—some dancing, some enjoying food and wine, others chatting. When we entered, everyone turned their heads toward us, and the reason was clear: the guards. Everyone knew whose guards they were because of their red, royal attire. We ignored them and silently walked into the hall where the exhibition was.

"There's our seat," I said, spotting the number eighteen. We sat in the middle row, which was completely empty.

I was looking at the stage with sparkling eyes, while Sora was looking at my masked face. I knew what she was thinking, but I chose to ignore it.

Sora's POV

I had no interest in art, but Eve did. This bestie of mine was crazy about it. Eve had only one love, and that was art. The cage made by Azar and the Baldwins had only one window to breathe, and that window was art. She loved it more than herself.

The paintings Eve created were like dreams that could speak, and this exhibition was for her own paintings. But no one knew who the artist "Sky" was—this masked girl, kept hidden by the Baldwins. There were only a few people who knew her face, people the Baldwins had chosen for Eve to meet, but they never approached her or talked to her, as per their orders.

I looked at Eve, her eyes sparkling every time people bid on her paintings, explaining why they wanted that particular piece. Every one of Eve's artworks was connected to the bidders' emotions or lives, which made them bound to buy them.

Eve's POV

"Feeling good?" Sora asked, a soft smile playing on her lips.

I nodded happily. We both got up from our seats and walked out of the hall.

"Thank you so much, Sora, for bringing me here. This was my last chance. Mrs. Win said after this, I'm not allowed to go anywhere. Thank you so much, Sora. Thank you!" I thanked her over and over again.

We got back into the car, and the guards followed us as before.

"Will you come to meet me?" I asked her, tears filling my eyes. I was scared—scared of losing her. The Baldwins were taking away the last bit of freedom I had, caging me completely in their mansion.

Sora nodded, but she didn't look at me. I knew what it meant, so I quickly turned to look outside, wiping away the tears that kept flowing.

Sora was the daughter of Mr. Win's (Baldwin's) partner. The only reason I was allowed to be friends with her was that her family was wealthy. But suddenly, Mr. Win broke off their partnership. What about our friendship? I couldn't break it. She was the only good thing that had happened in my life over the past two years. And now they were demanding I leave her. How could I?

The car stopped in front of the mansion—the place I wanted to escape from. We both walked inside silently. I was looking down, and Sora was looking straight ahead. I wanted to hold her hand tightly and say, "Don't leave me."

Suddenly, we both heard the sound of heels. A woman in her fifties was coming down the stairs, her posture that of a rich lady—the kind I had only seen in movies. Her black dress, with its collar and floral embroidery, hugged her curves perfectly.

When her green eyes met mine, I quickly looked down, too scared to face her. I found my feet far more interesting than her gorgeous, pale face.

The lady stood in front of me with a straight expression, then looked at Sora with disgust.

"Your name is Sora, right?" she asked in a honeyed yet mocking voice.

I quickly looked up and said, "Mrs. Win." She gave me a cold stare, making me drop my head in submission again. I clenched my hands tightly into fists.

"From now on, you don't have to come here anymore," she said coldly to Sora, and I felt my heart shatter. Tears welled up.

Sora hadn't said a word since leaving the exhibition hall. She knew this was coming, and she was powerless against the Baldwins, just like me. Even now, she said nothing, nodding silently before leaving without even looking back. I watched her walk away, hoping she would stop or at least turn around. But she didn't, and my heart broke into pieces again. How many times would they take my happiness from me?

"Go to your room, baby," Mrs. Win said sweetly, though her smile was chilling. I nodded, a whimper escaping my lips as I cried, and hurried upstairs to my room. I threw myself on the bed, curling up and clutching the pillow tightly in my hands.

"Why? Why only me? Why is this happening to me?" I sobbed. I wanted to leave—leave this hell that was toying with my mind, heart, and body. But I was scared. Not for me, but for my family, whom I hadn't seen in fourteen years. I had a mom, a dad, and a little brother. They loved me so much, always treating me with care and making me happy. I still remembered every moment with them. My parents worked for the Baldwins as servants. We lived in a small house away from this cruel mansion, away from this cruel life. But then they came—Mr. Win and Mrs. Win...

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