Key to my heart

A New day

A week has passed , it was a Friday again , it seemed pretty lonely at the work . Both Stella and Liam looked to their sides to find Alex hadn't come back from lunch . "Sorry guys , Alex had a little family emergency , so he won't be with us the rest of the day ." Mia said to the employees as though it wasn't a big deal but to the people who actual knew him , knew it was bigger than she made it out to be .

"Liam do you think he's alright ?" Stella asked him softly so no one else could hear them . 

"I have no idea ." Liam said with a worried tone of voice , for once Liam didn't know if Alex was going to be okay . If it was truly minor he wouldn't have left . 

"I"m worried about him ." Stella's eyes diverted away from Liam . 

"Let's go see him after work ." Liam told Stella seriously , it was the least they could do . "Lets just try paint our feelings out ." He finished the nude then began painting a dark back ground which would complement the body and make it stand out more . 

"Once you guys finish your painting , you may leave , I have a function to attend to ." Mia walked around handing out pamphlets . "This is a show held in Germany next Saturday . It's for emerging new artists ." speaking with such passion and so enthusiastically . "If any of you want to enter , please read the bottom of the page ." This business wasn't just like fun or something it was serious , it was an odd business too . Some specialized in photography , some would help draw cartoons for magazines , some had bigger dreams to inspire others , to speak out . 

"I'm done , Liam you ready ?" Stella said standing up taking off her apron then fixing her grey dress  , she of coarse was in a rush . 

"In a few , let me just out line this." Liam said picking up his thinnest brush and carefully outlining the body with black . "Okay , lets roll ." he stood , putting his white long sleeve back on after taking off his apron . 

Stella giggled a little at Liam's humor , but she couldn't keep the smile for long without thinking about Alex . "How did your wife die ?" she asked , Liam looked up in surprise . "Oh sorry , I feel so insensitive now ." she covered her mouth and bit her lips . 

"She died a tragic death , 2 months ago . it feels like a life time ago ." Liam let out a sad laugh , covering one of his eyes trying not to cry . "I didn't realize how hurt she was , I loved her , I really did . We never fought , not once . I got home from work one day ..." before he could finish his sentence , he covered his mouth and started puking , he still couldn't handle the image in his head . It haunted him . 

"You don't need to force yourself to tell me ." Stella began comforting Liam , rubbing his back . "We are right here , you can clean up once we get inside ." Stella grabbed his hand and held it . it felt warm and it felt like it was only full of love . 

Knock knock 

"Alex , it's Liam , are you okay ?" Liam spoke from outside of the door , not expecting a reply  . 

"Alex , please talk to us ." Stella shouted , it was still silent and the lights inside were off . "Maybe hes not home ." 

Liam pulled on the handle and the door seemed to be unlocked . "It's open . Let's go in ." 

"Don't turn on the light ." it sounded like Alex's voice which was coming from the living room . It sounded broken like he had been crying but he also sounded like he was drinking . 

"I'm turning it on ." Stella said angrily , flipping the switch . "Alex ." she began crying at the state Alex was in . 

"Alex what happened ?" Liam said , Alex lifted his head , his eyes were blood shot red , he had a beer in his hand and about 15 more empty bottles around him .