Painted Angels- Oh hold.

Running late

"Girlfriend," Rey answered coyly to the artist. "I noticed it."

He made sure Connix wasn't around and walked back over Rey. "She's always being like that with my models so don't worry about it."

"Oh, that's fine," Rey said before looking at a nearby alarm clock placed on one desk. "Well, up to get changed now!" Rey went back inside the room to get changed into her clothes. She found the whole thing hilarious as she put on her glitzy bandana, fixing her hair with both hands. Before leaving the apartment, she handed the folded robe back to Ben.

Both agreed on meeting again the next day since he wanted to get the painting all done. He had big plans with it and finishing the piece was a must. As she closed the door, he turned to walk back inside the studio.

Putting the robe aside, he began to organize the studio by taking the brown curtains off. He was a neat man and hated leaving things out of place. Connix, on the other hand, was the opposite. Her clothes would be spread all over the bedroom and bathroom floor. It was no use to talk to her about changing her tendencies, so Ben gave up. They met two years ago in an exhibition held at the Arkanis Gallery. It was owned by no other than Armitage Hux, who Ben always had a dislike. It all happened so quick that Ben doesn't even remember the first time Connix moved in. She was a secretary working for a magazine company but received a low income. Ben helped her economically. Seeing her crying because of her work salary upset the artist. As he cleaned each one of the brushes, Ben thought about how energetic their sex life was before. Now, Connix spent more time outside or visiting her family who lived outside the city. They weren't spending too much together lately.

"Ben," She called out to him from the kitchen. "Just hurry up or the food will get cold!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." When he was about to turn the lights off, Ben gave the painting's outline a last look. He smiled and was positively sure that this girl was a perfect choice. She will also be his winning ticket in the exhibition. How he loved winning and be recognized.

Luke was sitting at the dinner table reading the local newspaper that evening. Classical music was playing in the background as the middle-aged man drinks from a glass of red wine. Looking at his watch he saw that it was getting late and Rey wasn't home yet. He knew his adopted daughter was a strong woman who could defend herself, but this was the first time Rey was not home early. There was no phone calls or text messages either. Unless she was seeing a boyfriend, Luke thought. Rey seemed determined to concentrate on her studies instead of dating for now.

As he scrolled the pages, the door to the apartment was unlocked. Rey stepped inside, closing it behind her. The music in the background let the brunette know that Luke was nearby, expecting her arrival as usual. Removing her jacket and throwing her purse aside, she walked over the dining room area. "Hey, sorry I'm late."

"Oh, but looks here!" Luke said putting the paper aside. "I thought for a minute that some thugs kidnapped you."

She looked at his plate of food and sighed. "You know I'm not a frail maiden, Luke. Besides, I'm starving."

Luke chuckled at this, "Of course you aren't, Rey. However, next time just call or leave a message. It's the first time you arrive late."

"Well, I promise you it won't happen again," Rey reassured him with a smirk. "Now, I need to eat before hitting the bed sheets."

They spoke about their day and how Luke was planning a trip to visit his twin sister Leia. It was going to take two weeks and he invited Rey to join them. She kindly declined the invitation since the painting was not going to be finished yet. Ben needed more time and they had an agreement too.

After she was done eating dinner, Rey wished Luke a good night sleep and stepped into her bedroom. Turning the lights on, she threw herself on the bed after a whole afternoon session. Rey was unsure to tell Finn about the painting ordeal. Sooner or later he was going to find out, though. Luke would obviously freak out, but it was art. He was an art lover and who knows what would be his initial reaction.

Yawning and stretching, Rey climbed out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. She needed a hot shower before bed.

Ben set everything in place and had his brushes ready. The table, curtains, and the rest were all in place. He was wearing a dark blue V-neck shirt with long sleeves and dark jeans. While in the comfort of his home he preferred to be barefoot. The outline was almost done except for Rey's lower legs. All it was needed now was the model to arrive. Looking at the alarm clock, she was already three minutes late. Perhaps the girl changed her damn mind at the last minute. What if she had a boyfriend that discovered about their agreement? Of course, the boyfriend wouldn't be too happy about it, especially when his girlfriend was posing nude in front of an unknown male.

"I have to leave now," Connix informed Ben as she gave him a back hug. This startled the tall artist not expecting it. "Waiting for someone?"

Rubbing the blonde's hands, Ben turned around to meet her. "Same model as yesterday. This painting will give me the recognition I deserve."

"She's pretty... don't you think?" Connix asked him, not in a jealous way which surprised Ben. His girlfriend was the jealous type but this time it sounded different, as if Connix would encourage him to do whatever he pleased.

Ben shrugged, looking for the right words to say. "I think she's a normal looking woman, yes."

"Such a cute liar," She said rubbing her hands on his hard chest. "Accept the fact our relationship is not going too well, Ben."

He then gently pushed away her to continue fixing his brushes, "There's no time for games, Connix. Why bring up a simple model into the fate of our relationship?"

Sighing, she quickly took his hand on hers. "I'm sorry, Ben, and you're so right. This stupid jealousy can harm us in the long run."

"Then control yourself, please." He chided, pulling his hand from hers. "Now, if you excuse me, there's some work I need to do. I'll see you later." Unless she stays with her parents that evening.

Rey knocked on the apartment's door but there was no answer. Global society class took so much time that afternoon. Rey decided to leave the classroom before the instructor could told the students instead. She was extremely late for the afternoon's painting session and Ben must be very impatient. When she was about to knock on the door again, it opened, and Ben's girlfriend stepped outside. She had an unfriendly look on her face, just like the other day they met.

"He's waiting for you. But because you're late, he is not in the best mood." Connix lied, trying to make Rey feel like crap.

Snapping both brows together, Rey put a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then I should personally apologize to him? It's Mr. Solo's decision, not mine to stop the sessions."

"Good luck then." Connix walked past through Rey, got inside her car, and drove away from the small neighborhood. Rey stood there like an idiot confused by the whole situation with this woman. If her presence was bothering Ben's girlfriend, then Rey thought about quitting before endangering their relationship.

"Are you going to stand there all day long?" Ben's manly voice startled the brunette. His large hands were stained with dry oil painting. "We have a painting to finish off. Come in."

It was better to discuss things inside the apartment with Ben Solo, so Rey stepped inside. The door slowly closed behind her.