Disclaimer: I do not own Bloodline/Vampire Academy.

Author's Note: Sorry, it had taken me a while to post the next chapter. I've been busy with work, and I had a funeral-well today. So I had the day off, but yeah.

Chapter 2- The Artist

It wasn't unusual to wake up sore and bruises forming on my body. Usually Keith tried to stay away from my arms, just tying them up and out of the way- and so I couldn't fight, but apparently that didn't matter last night. The purple and blue bruises had already formed on my lightly tanned skin. If they were on my upper arm it wouldn't have been a big deal, I could wear sleeves that went to my elbows. But now I had to wear a long sleeve shirt in the middle of the summer, during an extreme heat wave.

I had a meeting today I knew I could not postpone. He was willing to pay a large amount of money to pay me for making him his dream Art Gallery. I wasn't going to risk losing that type of client. We were going to go look for land first, then I would work around the size of it. He wanted multiple levels, I knew that much from what he told me. But he didn't go into detail, when we did find the land was when I was going to question him more. But for right now, my main concern was finding the land before I worry about any other details. Which I didn't really have to worry about finding the land, because we were seeing a relator about that. I wanted to be there to see what I had to work with, and help him decide which land would help fit his needs.

I quickly got out of bed and took a shower. I wore beige slacks with a white blouse and the matching jacket to the slacks. I fixed my hair so that the ends would flip out and added a little mascara, but lastly I put on my cross necklace I wore everywhere. Well that was not last, I still had to foundation on the bruises that were playing peak-a-boo under my shirt on my wrist. Making sure the bed was made and the lights were all off I locked the door and walked to a Starbucks, where I told him we would meet.

It was about thirty minutes after the meeting time, when a voice sounded. "You must be Ms. Sage, correct? Sorry I'm late."

I was going to say it wasn't a big deal, but when I looked up I couldn't even form those words. What I saw was the most handsome man, I've ever seen. He was tall, maybe 6' 3. Brown- no, a Deep Chestnut color hair and the most greenest eyes I've ever seen anyone have. Through his tight fitting purple button down shirt, I could tell he was fit. Like Marcus fit, but different at the same time completely different. Almost like his body was way too perfect to even be human. Somehow, he screamed money but having a look that screamed tortured artist.

Me, looking him over took a few minutes. He didn't seem to mind my staring. Actually he seem to like it, appreciate it even. Like he was god's gift to women. Then I realized why he seemed so perfect, he was a player. And surely women wouldn't go for him if he wasn't good looking. Clearing my throat, I took out my work binder.

"Mr. Ivashkov, I-"

"Adrian."

"What?" I looked up puzzled.

"My name is Adrian; I want you to call me that." He said clearly amused by my reaction to his interruption.

"O-okay? Um. Adrian, I was thinking that in order to help you more. I need a better understanding of the building plans you wanted. Like a pre sketch if you will."

He raised an eyebrow at me, but nods his in agreement. He tilted his head to the side, as if he were thinking seriously about the building he wanted. He should already know. A voice inside my head whispers. Isn't this his dream?

Yes, but that doesn't mean he knows the full details. I answered back.

"Five floors."

I blinked, a little shocked by his answer. "So five above grou-" I began.

"No, five total. Basement for storage, two floors for viewing, the third for offices, and the top my art studio. Is that good enough for now?"

"How many people do you plan on fitting?"

"As many as I can for viewings, auctions, heck even little parties for my victories."

"So, no more than 1000 people total, at once. That's including workers, by the way."

"Sounds good to me."

"We would need a space big enough to park all these people, so you can receive any shipment, and for the garbage. You do realize this is a lot of money you'll need."

"Very aware." I give a tight nod and closing the section of my binder that had a tab with his name on it. "Shall we meet up with the realtor?"

I stood up, questioning. He nods and walks with me out the door.

"How'd you get here?" Adrian asks. I had walked since it was not that far for me, and since Keith had taken my car keys away from me as another form of punishment. My office, was inside the city. At least two hours by car and that wasn't including whatever traffic there may be that day. Meaning Taxis, Taxis that I would have to pay for and hope we don't get stuck in traffic because I leave an hour earlier than Taxis run to get to work to avoid all of the traffic.

But if I took a Taxi that meant that I had to wait an hour later, and hope I got to work on time. Though I was my own boss, I tried to stuck my rules I set for my employees. And I didn't like them being late to work, so I shouldn't be late.

"I walked." I commented, staring up at him. I was short, about 5'7 meaning I went to about his shoulders, maybe I little lower. He nods and takes my arm lightly. Though I still hurt, I tried not to wince when he did. Steering me to his car, I tried to pick which of the ones we were heading was his, but I didn't see anything that would. Most were grey, black, or a dark blue car 2014 varied type car. They were different makes and models that didn't fit right with his 'Play Boy' personality.

It wasn't until he turned the corner and I saw a convertible. And not just any convertible a 1967 Ford Mustang. I froze, this car was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It was Springtime Yellow, if I remember that correctly. Adrian chuckled at my awe struck face.

"Like the car?" He questioned, all I could simply do was nod. Mom was a mechanic and loved her cars, in a way it the love for them was passed down to me. I remember helping my mom fix up many cars when I was younger-before I started dating Keith, of course.

"Like? I love it." I gently ran my finger over it, worshipping it.

"You could afford something like this?"

"Yes. Spending dad's money is a great stress reliever for me." He commented, getting inside. He waited for me, before he even started it and took off. I was far too happy about riding in the car to even pay attention to how far out of the city were heading.

I hadn't noticed until we were half way away from it.

"Where are we going? I thought the realtor was in the city."

"Yes, but we're meeting her at one of the places. It's just actually around the corner." Oh. I thought. I nod slightly and turned my head to look out the window. The land, was probably an empty lot, and when I looked around more I realized it was fairly close to where I live with Keith. Almost down the street.

I started to play around with the hem of my jacket. Nervous like. I suddenly didn't want Mr. Ivash- Adrian that close to my home. I didn't want any of my clients near me. My life at home was completely secrete and I would like to keep it that way. Before I knew it, we pulled up to the lot. The Realtor standing in front, waiting for us.

Adrian and I got out of the car and introduced ourselves. The realtor then proceeded to talk about the lot, but I was already yelling that he didn't need this lot in my head. Guessing, Adrian saw my face at the end and nicely asked to see another lot. The realtor didn't make any more views for today as she wanted to see exactly what Adrian was looking into more.

We thanked her, I think her name was Julie, before we headed back to the car. "Do you want me to drop you off somewhere?" Adrian questioned.

I mentally thought about what I had to do, which I had cleared to make sure I worked solely on Adrian's project. I knew I could work more at home, and make sure Keith had nothing to get mad at me about…

"Home." He nods and starts the car.

"Where exactly is home?" He questioned looking at me, when we came to the stop sign at the end of the street.

"Four blocks away." He chuckled, nodding. I gave him directions to my home, when I got there, I saw that Keith's car was already there. I looked at the time, he was 4 hours home early. I gave a shaky nod of thanks to Adrian and told him the next meeting will be when the Realtor has another lot viewing for us. He agrees and I get out.

Taking a deep breath, before I headed up to the house. I tried to think up all the reasons Keith would be home early. Keith was in Shady Business, I wasn't sure with what exactly but I knew he was. He would get all these strange phone calls or he would get mad when I would move a file or two because he didn't want me seeing inside. I didn't know where he worked, or where he went during the day, but I knew the times he should be home at it was his routine.

I unlocked the door, silently looking around for him as I went to the bed room and changed clothes. I hadn't seen him yet. Changing quickly into shorts and a t-shirt, knowing he'll want to see all the damaged he caused me last night. I found him on the balcony, looking down at a file with furrow eyebrows. I decided to leave him alone and start cleaning up and fixing him something to eat, just in case he was hungry.

Anything to stop him for hurting me more tonight.