With every stroke, I try to focus. The last thing I want is to mess up another potential masterpiece. Beads of sweat form on my forehead and I use my free hand to wipe it away. I stop painting and take a look at what I've created, slightly happy with what it looks like.

"Not good enough!" Gio calls out from behind me, giving me a fright. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying my best not to yell at him.

I slowly stand up from my stool and turn to face him, exhaustion written all over my face.

"Gio, can I take my break now? I just need a few minutes" I ask, hoping he'd agree.

He doesn't say anything, just looks at his watch and nods, giving me permission to step out.

I take a seat on the front steps of the old building and pull out my phone. My mind is busy with so many thoughts, distracting me from my work.

I exhale loudly and dial his number. I just need to hear his voice. Just once.

"Darling" He says cheerfully soon as he picks up the phone. My mood suddenly changes when I hear his raspy voice. A small smile creeps it's way onto my face.

"I miss you, Ash" I tell him, hoping he'd come home soon. Maybe that's why I can't focus. I miss him too much.

"And I miss you too, love, you know that. I'll come home soon as my job is done" He tells me.

I take another deep breath and hang my head down. These past three weeks have been absolute crap without him. It feels so lonely at home.

"Kaia? Are you still there?" He says, and I realise I haven't said a word.

"Yep, I'm here, but I have to go back inside. Gio is moody today" I tell him.

"When is he ever not moody? I swear he always has something stuck up his ass" Ash comments, making me laugh.

I missed this so much. The way he made me laugh, especially when he bickered with Gio.

"Shit, gotta go now angel, someone's calling. Love you" He says before hanging up.

"Love you too" I mutter to myself, not sure whether he heard it.

I pull the phone away from my ear and shove it back in my pocket. Ash and I hardly ever got a chance to have a decent conversation since he's left. It was either bad timing on my end or his, mainly because of classes and him with his work. The timezone was a real pain too. Sometimes I'd be texting and not realising that it's two in the morning.

Shoving more thoughts to the back of my mind, I stood up and made my way back inside eager to go home.

I need wine.

"Gio!" I call out, peeping my head round the corner of the room.

"Yes darling?" Gio answers, arms wide open as he struts towards me.

"Can I go home now? I'm drained" I ask politely, hoping he would say yes if I ask nicely.

"Well..hmm.. you're not quite done yet and you haven't mastered any techniques--"

"Gio, please" I beg him, feeling my right hand go tingly before going numb.

"Fine, go, but be here by eight tomorrow or I'm telling your mother I'm cancelling your classes" Gio warns me, arms crossed infront of him. The stern look on his face made me realise he wasn't joking around. That he would actually do it.

"By eight. Promise" I told him before grabbing my jacket and bag.

"You're the best. See ya" I reminded him before leaving the room. Gio grinned and waved me off, returning to his desk in the other room.

He may come off as harsh and unbearable but underneath all that he's really a big softy. Well, only sometimes.

♡♡

My walk through the park was pleasant as the cool air filled my lungs. I was tired and craving a nice bubble bath and a glass of red wine.

I was bored out of my mind on most nights, especially since both Dani and Todd were busy. Last night I facetimed my sister till she fell asleep. We both needed a good catch up.

I decided on taking the bus today, which would get me home in about twenty minutes. I didn't mind the ride, there was no one waiting for me at home anyway.

Am I really this miserable without him? Get a grip on yourself Kaia, he's only been gone three weeks - not three years!

I roll my eyes and chuckle quietly to myself as I think of my sad life. I really need to find more things to do other than go home, wear Ash's clothes and sit by the phone all night. It's getting pathetic.

《》《》

Yooo! Guys :D I'm so excited that this book has finally kicked off! I've finally found time to work on it & I'm excited! It's been sitting in my drafts since August 2018 looollll it's about damn time. Ifkr? ! I hope you guys enjoy it. Thank you so much for the continued support & the reads on life of Kaia. I wouldn't be starting on this second book if it wasn't for you guys💕 so thank you loves!!! Xoxox