Bee and Dony were Ryan's only family apart from his aunty and her husband. He was really overprotective of the girls when they were with him, but he had a special penchant for Dony because she loved painting and drawing.

   Bee was more like a rebellious, untamed girl. She was wild and loud, she never backed down from something she badly wants, she was cunny and sneaky. Unlike her twin sister who was the quite opposite, reserved, shy, timid, quite and talked less.

     "Jacob? Jacob Allen?" Ryan frowned.

   "How would I know?" Bee folded her arms.

"She's your sister you should know. Your parent entrusted you girls in my care and I can't let anything happen to you, do you understand?" Ryan was not happy about the news.

    "You're right, she's my sister but she's not my soul. I can't stop her if she wants to see the person she likes? Come on, you've been a teenager before, you know how we roll." She smirked. "Given with your good looks, you must have been hot in your highschool days." She wiggled her brows at him.

  Ryan was quite amused by this little girl's guts. She was the only one that could get away with saying whatever she liked apart from Alex of course and maybe David and Layla.

       "Keep doing what you're doing." Ryan said to her.

   "Keep doing what? You mean running my mouth?" Bee asked him. She was a bit confused.

    "Yes. Since you like talking." He chuckled, returning back to his work.

   "Okay then." Bee smirked. "You asked for it... So, how's Alex?" Bee asked him.

    Ryan pretended not to have heard her. Bee had this undying crush on Alex even when she knew he had a girlfriend. Ryan didn't want Bee having funny idea about Alex because she was still a minor. But Bee remained adamant on winning Alex.

   Ryan arrived at TWF {The Webster Foundation}, accompanied by Bee and Olivia.

   "Good afternoon sir." The man in-charge greeted them.

    "Good afternoon." Ryan could see the preparations going on in the hall, every art was already displayed for view and auctioning. "Everything seems to be going well." Ryan nodded as he inspected everything, he was pleased.

   "Yes sir." Harry, the man in-charge nodded.

    The Webster Foundation was created to help young orphaned kids who have potentials in arts, be it sculpting, painting, crafting or photography. So many investors donated to the Foundation to help the youth and the kids.

     TWF started three years ago and today was its annual fundraising event themed :THE HEART OF ART. The money gotten from the fundraising was for kids suffering from heart diseases. This annual event was opened to the public and aspirants who want to be great artist, so they could let the world see their works. Prominent and influential artists from all over the world were all going to be present too.

   "Olivia, see to it that everything's in order." Ryan told Olivia.

   "Right away sir." Olivia walked away.

    "Do you know where Dony is?" Ryan asked Harry.

      "She's with the others, this way." Harry led the way.

   Ryan and Bee are led into a room full of kids and teenagers. They were all getting ready for the evening' event. Bee spotted Dony with a blond haired dude, she smirked.

    "There's Dony." Bee jerked her head towards the direction of Dony. Dony looked nothing like Bee, they were distinct twins. Her face was more peaceful and calm not like Bee's mischievous looking face.

   "Dony." Ryan walked up to her.
Dony had her back turned when she heard someone call her name, she turned to see who it was.

   "Sir, Mr Webster." The blond Jacob guy backed away from Dony quickly.

   "Oh! You're here already?" Dony walked over to him, giving him a hug.

   "How are you?" Ryan's eyes scanned Jacob.

   "Fine, I was just preparing for the evening." Dony smiled.

   Bee wasn't interested in listening to them talk, she walked away to find something interesting to do.

"We weren't expecting to see you so early Sir." Jacob said to Ryan.

   Ryan nodded at the nineteen years old boy... "We still have to inspect your paintings, let's go." Ryan said to Dony.

     "I was just telling Jacob here that -" Dony gets interrupted.

"Let's go, we'll talk about that later." Ryan said to her. He didn't care what she wanted to say.

   "O-okay." She was taken aback by the way he cut her off.

   "I'll see you later." Jacob smiled as he watched them leave.

    "Where did that sister of yours disappear to?" Ryan glanced around to check for Bee.

"That was rude." Dony eyed Ryan from the corner of her eyes.

"What?" Ryan pretended like he was lost.

"Ryan you know what I'm talking about." Dony rolled her eyes.

   "You look nice." Ryan smiled. Dony was dressed in a sleeveless romper playsuit.

    "Thanks but do not change the subject." She elbowed his arm.

   "What? Bee told me you have a crush on him." Ryan said to her, making her blush. "You're a kid, he's gonna take advantage of you." Ryan said to her.

"Oh please. I'm allowed to have crushes, I'm allowed to have boyfriends... You're not my dad." Dony shook her head.

    "Hmm... Bee actually said the same thing."

"Relax, we're safe. Nothing bad is gonna happen, don't go being the over protective big brother. Oh! How about Layla? Is she coming?" She held his arm as they walked away.

    "She's busy." Ryan shook his head.
......................................................

    Mia checked her wristwatch, it was 5:55pm. She'd stayed too long in the baby shower trying to set everything up with the help of Julia. Mrs Evans had asked her to stay for a while too.

   "Are you in a hurry? Have some cake dear." Mrs Evans said to Mia.

   "Thank you." She received the plate of cake from Mrs Evans. Mia sat down trying to relax a bit.

   Back at TWF, people flooded the place, celebrities, business men, artists, regular citizens, the paparazzi and media weren't left out as they appeared to cover the event, the security was tight and guest without tags were not allowed in. Ryan had returned in a brand new outfit but the same one-piece suit and pants, he was attending to guests.

   "Thank you." He stepped up to the podium. "Good evening everyone," The cameras kept on flashing lights. "I want to thank you all for coming to our annual fundraising event themed :THE HEART OF ART. As we know, this event is to help support the kids in hospitals with heart diseases, and also to showcase what the beautiful talents of these wonderful kids to the world. I personally supervised this year's artwork and I can tell you that the kids are geniuses. Feel free to pick whatever you like, thank you." Ryan smiled, as the whole hall is filled with applause. Ryan stepped away, walking towards his guest. Takashi Murakami.

   "Mr Webster. Wonderful job you're doing." The world renowned artist Takashi Murakami commended Ryan.

   "It's a pleasure to meet you again this year sir." Ryan smiled, giving Mr Takashi a handshake.

   There were other renowed aritst stars, Jenny Saville, Cecily brown, Dana Schutz... Wow? He could see a representative from Microsoft Corporation. There was Kylie Jenner with her mom-Kris, Jada Pinkett Smith, Chris Brown, Bella Hadid... So many A-list stars decided to grace the day! Ryan couldn't have been more proud.

  Ryan strolled around with a glass of champagne in his hand, it's been almost an hour since the event started and it's been tremendously progressing... The kids were having fun and young talented artist had the chance to advertise their work. His eyes caught a particular jigsaw puzzle portrait.

  He went closer to the portrait and his blue eyes sparkled, he was shocked and dumbfounded. It was a jigsaw photograph of a blonde sterling grey eyed girl with a striking resemblance to... Sophie? He batted his lashes, getting a better view of the portrait.

   "My..." He couldn't speak, too much emotions in one place. He saw Harry pass by and he quickly called his attention. "Harry! One moment please." Ryan looked back at the portrait.

"Sir?" Harry walked up to Ryan.

"This. I want to know who took this." Ryan looked at the portrait.

    "Oh this? A friend of mine sir." Harry smiled at him.

   "Bring him to me." Ryan couldn't tear his eyes off the portrait. He was staring at a photo of a look alike of Sophie.

    "Yes yes of course." Harry hurried to find Andrew.

   "It's okay, just get here when you can." Andrew spoke to his phone.

   "Andrew!" Harry called him. "Mr Webster is looking for you."

   "Mimi I'll hang up now, bye." He hung up before following Harry. "Why? Is something wrong?" He asked a little concerned.

  "I'm not sure." Harry said to him.

  They walked up to Ryan who's fingers were tracing the portrait.

"Sir. He's the one." Harry called Ryan's attention.

It took awhile before Ryan backed away from the portrait to notice the men standing before him.

"Him?" Ryan eyed Andrew.

   "Yes sir." Harry nodded.

"Good evening sir." Andrew greeted him. He was nervous as he was in the presence of the mighty Mr Webster.

"Excuse me sir, I'll leave you two to talk alone." Harry nodded before leaving.

   "You took this photograph?" Ryan asked Andrew.

"I did Sir." Andrew nodded. "I'm Andrew, Andrew Petereli."

   "So," Ryan picked his words carefully. "Who is behind the inspiration?" He narrowed eyes at Andrew.

   "Well a friend of mine." Andrew smiled.

"She's beautiful." He looked at the portrait again. "I want it." He wasn't asking, he was demanding for it.

      "Sir?" Andrew wasn't sure of what he heard.

"I like the portrait so, I want it." He repeated again.

"Sir," Andrew cleared his throat. "I feel so honored that you complimented my piece."

   "Good." Ryan looked at Andrew's reaction. He was going to pay Andrew money for it and also give the same price to the his sub-organizers. It was a win-win for him and Andrew.

    "Well, I have others you might like." Andrew wasn't giving Ryan the piece.

"That's very considerate but this is the one I want." Ryan always had his way.

   "Actually sir, this piece is not for sale. It's just for the exhibition." Andrew said to him.

    "Name your price, I'm willing to pay any amount." Ryan knew money could get him anything he need.

    "Well that's not the issue sir. I just don't want to give it out." Andrew shook his head.

"Ten thousand?" Ryan took out his chequebook and a pen from the front pocket of his jacket. He held it up to write.

   "Sir I -" Andrew frowned at the enticing offer.

         "Twenty-five thousand?"

   "I can't do that, I'm sorry sir." Andrew gulped nervously.

   "Fifty? No?" Ryan looked at Andrew. "Mr Petereli, I'm doing you a huge favor by buying your work. You should be happy I'm doing this." Ryan was getting impatient as Andrew didn't seem to accept his offer.

    "It's not that sir, this was a-"

"Mr Petereli, I'm going to give you a hundred thousand dollars for the portrait. I'm not always this generous, I think you should accept this offer." Ryan knew he was spending lavishly, but he wanted the portrait at all cost.

    Andrew's legs were about to give out. A hundred thousand? For Mia's jigsaw portrait?! Shit! Taking this deal was gonna hurt Mia because he had gifted it to her, but Mr Webster's offer was something that came once in a life time. It was a dilemma!!

  "I really think for an upcoming artist like you, you'll need the money." Ryan said to him. Andrew had to be persuaded.

  There was no time to think. Shit! Mia would forgive him, beside he'll make it to her.

   "Do we have a deal Mr Petereli?" Ryan could see his hesitation.

Andrew bit his lip... "It's a deal." Andrew nodded.

   A sense of relief washed over Ryan, he quickly signed the cheque, handing it over to Andrew. "Good choice." He shook Andrew's hand. "I hope to see more of your work in future." Ryan nodded. Indeed, money could change everything.

   "Thank you so much Sir." Andrew thanked him but still wondered why Ryan was hell bent on buying the portrait. "Sir, if you don't mind me asking, why did you want this particular portrait? There are tons of professionals who presented their works here tonight and yet, you chose this one."

   He continued... "The portrait isn't so different from any other one but yet, you spent such a huge amount just to have it. I don't understand." Andrew was curious. Mia's jigsaw portrait was nothing, compared to others.

   "I know what I want when I see it. Excuse me." He walked away leaving Andrew with an invisible question mark floating on his head. Ryan didn't owe anybody explanation, it was his money afterall.

   Mia finally arrived, dressed in a nice green halter neck, high-low dress with ankle strap heels. The security at the entrance didn't allow people without tags to enter, good thing Andrew had given her one. Andrew kept calling her number like crazy, trying to ask her where she was and now he was coming again.

  "Shit." Her hair fell to her face as she looked for her phone in her bag.

   Ryan had his own phone over his ear, he was looking for someone with his back turned as Mia approached.

   "Sorry." She had shouldered him accidentally, but she didn't turn to see who she hit.

Ryan turned to see who it was but he only saw her back.

  Mia finally saw Andrew, giving him a big hug. "Congratulations!" She was so happy for him.

   "Thank you Mimi." Andrew smiled.

  "I can't wait to see your works." Mia pulled him along. Andrew gave her a nice tour around and Mia was really excited. She'd even taken selfies with Kylie Jenner!!

   She loved all the paintings and artistic designs too. An hour later, Mia and Andrew kept staring at the painting of a bleeding half-swan, half-woman.

"This is so beautiful." Mia looked at the painting.

   "It really is." He couldn't agree more.

   "Andrew, I noticed all your works but I didn't get to see the one you gifted me." Mia said to him.

  Andrew cleared his throat. "Well, the thing is, I didn't bring it for the exhibition." He couldn't tell her now. "I left it at the apartment." He lied.

      "Really? But it wasn't in my room." Mia turned to him.

   "Y-you might have been in so much hurry that you missed it." He was gonna break the news to her when they got home.

   "Oh," She shrugged. "You're probably right." She nodded. "I love this painting." She admired it.
✴✴✴✴✴

   As soon as he arrived home late that night, Layla was already asleep. He didn't want to wake or disturb her, he took a cool shower and proceeded to his study where the jigsaw puzzle hung on the wall.

Who was the blonde lady in the portrait?!
✴✴✴✴✴

    "You what?! How could you?!" Mia smacked his arm.

"I'm so sorry. He made the offer and I had no choice but to accept, I'm sorry." Andrew begged her. When they got home, Andrew had told Mia that he had sold her jigsaw puzzle portrait.

"I can't believe you agreed! Why did you agree?!" Mia was very angry with Andrew.

   "Mia he owns the Foundation, and he had me by the neck. Please understand." Andrew held her hand.

"But you knew how much I loved the portrait." Mia was sad. "Who bought the portrait?" Mia asked him.

"It's the CEO of Mi-Tech Empire." He answered her.

   Mia sighed, it was useless fight someone who could throw a hundred thousand at an instance. "How do I get it back?"

      "Mia, I don't think that's possible. Mr Webster doesn't look like someone who'd give it back. Don't worry, I'll take another photo of you, just for you." Andrew hugged her. "I promise."

Mia really loved the portrait and now, Andrew had given it to someone else.
......................................................

"Did you sleep well?" Layla walked up to Ryan with a cup of coffee in her hand.

    "Yeah." Ryan nodded. Honestly, he wasn't able to fall asleep so he occupied himself with his work.

    "Gooooooood morning!! Layla, Ryan." Bee entered the dinning room.

   "Morning Bee." Layla smiled at her.

   "What's for breakfast?" Bee asked, propping up her legs on the table.

    "Feet off the table Bee." Ryan eyed her.

    "Scrambled eggs and veggies." Layla replied.

   "How about frozen chicken with hot, spicy Thai food." Bee proposed, ignoring Ryan's statement.

   "We'll have that later." Layla nodded. Dony strolled in, looking tired.

    "Good morning you guys." Dony took her seat beside Ryan.