The Man In The Garden
529 Words
The words hidden beneath the painting replayed endlessly in her mind.
If this painting is uncovered, the truth survives.
And Adrian’s reaction had unsettled her even more.
Fear didn’t suit a man like him.
Men like Adrian Vale were supposed to cause fear — not feel it.
Morning arrived cold and grey over the hills surrounding the estate. Thin fog rolled across the vineyards while staff moved quietly through the massive villa.
Elena stood on the balcony outside her guest room, wrapped in a cream-colored sweater, trying to clear her thoughts.
That was when she noticed him.
A man standing near the garden gates.
Watching her.
Still.
Motionless.
Her stomach tightened.
Before she could react, the figure disappeared behind the trees.
A knock suddenly sounded at her door.
Elena turned sharply.
“Miss Rossi?” a woman’s voice called softly. “Breakfast is ready.”
⸻
The dining hall looked like something from a royal palace.
Long marble table.
Crystal glasses.
Fresh flowers.
Silence.
Adrian sat at the far end dressed entirely in black, reading something on his phone while coffee steamed beside him.
He looked calm again.
Too calm.
Elena took her seat slowly.
“Did you sleep?” Adrian asked without looking up.
“Did the last restorer disappear before or after asking too many questions?”
His gaze lifted immediately.
Tension filled the room.
But instead of anger, Adrian leaned back slightly, studying her like he couldn’t decide whether she was brave or reckless.
“Curiosity can be dangerous here,” he said quietly.
“That sounds more like a threat than advice.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“You’ll learn there’s a difference.”
Elena hated how attractive he looked when he said things like that.
⸻
Later that afternoon, Elena returned to the gallery despite Adrian’s warning.
She told herself it was professional responsibility.
Nothing more.
But deep down, she needed to know what the hidden message meant.
The massive painting stood exactly where she left it.
Waiting.
Carefully, she continued cleaning another section of the canvas.
More hidden markings began appearing beneath the paint.
Then—
A folded piece of paper slipped from inside the frame and landed on the floor.
Elena froze.
Slowly, she picked it up.
Old paper.
Faded ink.
A letter.
Her hands trembled slightly as she unfolded it.
But before she could read a single word—
The gallery door slammed shut behind her.
Elena spun around.
No one.
Then the lights flickered violently.
Her heartbeat quickened.
A sudden voice echoed through the darkness.
“You shouldn’t have touched that.”
Not Adrian’s voice.
Someone else.
A figure stepped from the shadows near the doorway wearing black gloves and a silver mask.
Elena backed away instinctively.
The stranger moved toward her slowly.
Then suddenly—
The doors burst open.
Adrian stormed inside.
The masked figure ran immediately.
Adrian chased after him down the hallway while Elena stood frozen, clutching the letter tightly against her chest.
Seconds later, silence returned.
Adrian came back alone.
Breathing hard.
Angry.
His eyes dropped instantly to the letter in Elena’s hand.
And for the first time since meeting him
He looked terrified.
- Writer
