UNDER THE CANVAS

CHAPTER TWO

The endless ticking of the wall clock sounded through Elle’s art studio as though it was trying to convey a message to her, and each sound increased the heaviness of the skeleton in her cupboard.

It had been almost two weeks since Lily’s disappearance and the world outside buzzed with different speculations.

Inside the atmosphere was thick with unspoken truths.

Elle stood before an unfinished painting, brush in her hand, but her mind and thought were far away.

The vibrant colors she once possessed with great interest now feel like it's fading reflecting the turbulence within her.

Her thoughts revolved around Lily who was hidden upstairs, recovering from an attack meant for her.

The irony was cruel; their oddly physical similarities had saved her but had left Lily fighting for her life.

A sharp knock on the studio door brought her to reality.

Before she could give a response the door flanged open, revealing Ava her assistant, and the public face of Elle’s art empire who walked majestically with her perfectly built body like a model with her long wavy chestnut hair.

“Ma’am, we need to talk.”

Elle turned to face Ava looking agitated.

“Ava please tell me you’ve got good news for me.”

Ava’s countenance was a mix of both concern and frustration.

“Ma’am I have something for you but I don’t think it’s enough just yet.”

“What do you have for me, Ava?” Elle replied with her teeth gritted together.

“Your resemblance with Lily is so uncanny, how come you both have the same physical features you’re size five she's size five you both have the same blue eyes and the same blonde hair I had to run some background checks on Lily.”

“So what did you find?” Elle asked Ava straight in the eye expecting answers.

“It seems this is her first time in the city and ironically she’s obsessed with your work. All her social media shows that she has all your pieces. She’s a huge fan, Elle.”

Elle became even more agitated than she was a few seconds ago.

“The doctor also said she’s not waking anytime soon,” Ava said, still scrolling through her tab.

“No matter what, the public must not know what happened to Lily until she gains full consciousness.”

“Got it!”

Just then Ava’s phone beeped and it was a notification.

“The media is in a hysteria and the police….. They're starting to look our way.” Ava continued.

Elle’s grip stiffened around her brush.

“From the information I have here, Damien made a post about his missing girlfriend, he also mentioned that Lily disappeared a moment after she said she was going to the exhibition, and from the look of things he’s got the backing of the police.”

Ava pressed on taking a step closer to Elle.

“If we do nothing now things will end up badly. We need to act fast before the police connect the dots, Elle.”

Elle's heart skipped a bit.

“The CCTV footage must be edited. Anything that is incriminating must be wiped out. It mustn’t show Lily at the exhibition in any way, everything must be wiped clean.”

Elle replied, now visibly shaking.

“Elle I also think your silence is making the whole situation worse too.”

“What do you propose I do.”

“Make a statement or at least show yourself to let people know the real you.”

“My identity has always been hidden and we’ve made money out of it so why the sudden change now.”

“You have to see this for yourself,” Ava said stretching her tab towards Elle.

@luciaping: How come billionaire Damien's girlfriend disappeared on the same night of her big reveal after so many years of being unknown?

@diegolip: Missing Cinderella. Does Elle have a hand in the disappearance?

Elle read the comment out loud for Ava to hear.

“This is exactly what I'm talking about Elle, you have to debunk this news please,” Ava pleaded.

“I will not give them the satisfaction of revealing myself just because of a scandal.”

Ava moved close to Elle this time with a firm approach to pass a serious message across.

“There is also the situation of the investors,” Ava said.

“They are losing faith in us, and with Lily still missing….. Well, they’re starting to pull out.”

Elle’s heart broke. “We have to act smart and cautiously so this doesn’t blow up in our faces”

Elle instantly felt like her apartment was closing in on her.

“We need to put up a brave face,” Ava implored, moving forward toward Elle.

“We need to make a statement that is reassuring to let everyone know things are under control.”

Elle became restless and started pacing around and then she suddenly stopped.

Ava walked up to her held her wrist and spoke calmly to her.

“Lily's situation stays hush-hush for now. But you still have to consider making a statement it will help soothe things.”

Elle stood still but the heaviness of it all weighed heavily on her. She could feel the tension in the atmosphere, she looked at the door to the bedroom where Lily was wishing all this was just a bad dream that she could wake up from.

But for now, all she could do was to put up a pretty face, be brave, and hope that their plan works until Lily wakes up.

“Well I think that would be all for now.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Just as Ava was leaving Elle’s apartment her phone rang and it was from the venue manager.

“What do you mean Damien Chase is demanding CCTV footage?” she said, turning towards Elle.

“Ava you have to go and make sure things are under control and ensure nothing goes wrong.”

Ava remained quiet as Elle spoke to her.

“Ava! Make sure the CCTV footage of the parking lot is wiped out, nothing must get out,” Elle said amidst fear and guilt.