Thanks again to the new followers and favorites! As always thanks to those who have left me reviews! I hope you enjoy the installment of Murder Love! Please leave a review at the bottom!

Lies and Patrons

Sarah sat on her bed, biting her nails as her feet bounced up and down as the dean stood above her in silence. In his hand was a small bag filled with white powder. Sighing, the dean looked down at her, "You're sure this is Ms. Lowe's?"

Swallowing, Sarah nodded, "Yes Dean Marshall. I've been suspecting Lenore of doing drugs; she's so...strange sometimes. I found it in her drawer when I went to borrow a shirt. I thought you should know right away."

"You did the right thing, Ms. Engels," the dean said just as the doorknob jiggled and opened to reveal Lenore.

Jumping to her feet, Sarah stood as Lenore walked in. She felt guilty as Lenore gave her a small small, "Hey, I was won-der-ing..."

Trailing off, Lenore stared at the dean in surprise.

Dean Marshall turned to Lenore and held up the bag, "Care to explain what this is Ms. Lowe?"

Blinking in confusion, Lenore stared at the bag and shook her head, "I don't know what that is, sir."

Raising a brow, he asked, "So this isn't your bag of cocaine?"

Her mouth fell open as she shook her head venomously, "Absolutely not! I don't do drugs!"

Dropping the bag to his side, Dean Marshall said, "Until we can clear this up, I'm going to have to suspend your attendance at this university."

Gasping, Lenore looked over at Sarah, "Tell him he's wrong! You know I don't do drugs Sarah!"

But Sarah looked down at her hands and remained silent. Lenore stared at her, an ill feeling overcoming her as her friend didn't say a word, "Sarah?"

"I'll allow you to pack your things but you must be off the premises by morning," the dean said before leaving the dorm room.

As the door closed behind him, Lenore scoffed and sat on her bed, her eyes darting across the floor. Sarah hesitantly stepped towards her, stuttering slightly as she said, "Y-you really shouldn't be doing drugs, Lenore."

Lenore's head shot up and she stared at her roommate in disbelief, "I don't! You know I don't! We've been roommates for two years, when have you ever seen me?!"

Sarah turned away and crossed her arms, "Well it certainly isn't mine!"

Jumping to her feet, Lenore stared at the back of her head as she hissed, "So you just call the dean without talking to me first?!"

When Sarah didn't say anything, Lenore shook her head and bent down to pull out her suitcase from under her bed and snapped it open after lifting on top of her bed. She began stuffing the suitcase with clothes as her eyes began to burn.

She didn't know if it was the fact she was being kicked out or the fact that it was someone she considered a friend was blaming her for the cocaine and not standing up for her. Lenore didn't have many friends. Actually she didn't have any other than Sarah. But she supposed that was never true apparently.

Sarah looked over at her and saw the tears in Lenore's eyes and felt her chest tighten. She didn't want to do this but she had no choice! If she didn't do this then that man would kill her! What was she suppose to do?

"Don't cry Lennie!" she begged, taking a step towards her.

Lenore looked at her sharply, "Don't call me that!"

Taken aback, Sarah's mouth flopped open and closed, unsure of what to say. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the card she had been given. Holding it out, she jumped when Lenore snatched it from her hand.

"The Cortez?" Lenore asked

"Uh, yeah, you're gonna need a place to stay right? It's cheap and close to the university," she said, attempting to sell the hotel to her.

Lenore snorted, "Yeah? Well apparently I'm not attending school at the moment, so that's kind of pointless."

"It's art deco!" Sarah suddenly said, "Don't you like that artsy stuff?"

Rolling her eyes, Lenore shut her suitcase and began filling her backpack with her books and art supplies. She stacked a couple of various sized drawing pads on top of the bed near the suitcase before sighing.

Turning to Sarah, she said, "I thought you were my friend."

Sarah couldn't say anything. Looking away, she sat down on her bed and remained silent as Lenore continued to pack. In less than an hour, Lenore was done and without a word, carried her belongings with her as she slammed the door behind her.

Sarah let out a sob as soon as the door was closed and fell backwards on her bed before pulling her knees to her chest and cried.

Outside, Lenore's cell phone rang causing her to stop and pull it from her bag. Looking down she saw Professor Warren's number flash across the screen. Curious, she answered, "Hello?"

"Lenore! I was wondering if you could come by the studio..."

"A student painted this?"

Will Drake turned to his old friend, Brent Warren, who nodded. Lachlan stood beside him, staring at the painting with interest before looking up at him, "I like it."

Will placed a hand on his son's shoulder, "I do to. It's very...impressionistic. Something haunting about it."

Will Drake had been searching for inspiration for a long time. It was the reason why he had moved to L.A. New York didn't have that energy anymore that he craved. The music had long died out for him there. He needed a muse and he thought...maybe I've found it.

"Lenore!"

Coming out of his thoughts, Will turned and saw a small woman standing in the door. He couldn't help but frown at what she wore. It was very...vintage and did nothing for her figure. It was almost frumpy. But she had a pretty face and smooth, near flawless skin with large brown eyes that were somewhat weary and sad. Her hair fell down her back in straight tendrils which she pushed behind her ear as Brent walked towards her happily.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," Brent said, bending down to plant a kiss on her cheek.

Taken aback, Lenore pulled away just as Brent's lips touched her cheek, "You said it was urgent."

Looking over to Will, Brent said, "Yes, this is Will Drake. He's an old college friend of mine as well as an amazing fashion designer. He's interested in your painting that you showed me yesterday."

Surprised, Lenore looked up at her former professor, "That quickly?"

Will put on a smile and extended his hand as he continued to look at her, "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Lowe. And yes, I am interested in the painting. It's stunning, really."

Blushing, Lenore took his much larger hand and shook it, "T-thank you Mr. Drake."

"How much were you looking to sell for?" he asked, straight to the point.

Stunned, Lenore was lost at what to say. She had never sold a piece of art before. Will looked over at Brent when he saw her confusion before turning back to her, "Say $5,000?"

Eyes wide, she shook her head, "Oh no! That's too much! It really didn't take me that long and the material isn't that expensive."

Will couldn't help but smile. It was clear she wasn't business savvy by the way she was spewing out the truth. Most of the artist he met overpriced their work. He thought it was endearing.

"$3,000?" he asked, lowering the price.

She bit her lip and shook her head. He crossed his arms and said, "You've never sold anything before, have you?"

She looked up at him and winced, "It's that obvious?"

"Transparent!" he chuckled.

She let out an airy laugh before shrugging, "I'm not sure what to ask for."

Will nodded, "Alright then. I'll offer you $2,000 and not a penny less. It's a good offer, you should take it."

Lenore looked over at Brent, who nodded encouragingly. Turning back to Will, she nodded, "Okay."

Will clasped his hands, "Wonderful!"

Turning back to the painting, he said, "I'm thinking about hanging it in my new hotel here in L.A. I think it'll go perfectly if the hotel is what my realtor says it is."

Brent placed his hands in his pockets as he approached Lenore, "Will's just bought an old hotel, the Cortez. He's planning on bringing his work out here from New York."

At hearing the name of the hotel, Lenore was surprised, "The Cortez?"

Will looked at her, "Yes, it's very art deco, though I'm thinking of doing a bit of renovation. Have you been there?"

She shook her head, "No."

Lenore looked at Brent and said, "I've been suspended."

Surprised, Brent's mouth fell open, "What? Why?"

She felt the familiar burn itch behind her eyes as she blinked the tears away, "It's ridiculous! My roommate called the dean and said I had drugs! But it's not true Professor Warren! I swear! I've never done drugs, ever!"

Brent reached out and laid his hands on her shoulders, "It'll be alright Lenore. I'm sure this will blow over. Besides, didn't you decide to leave school? Maybe this is a blessing in disguise?"

Lenore shook her head, "I do want to leave school, but not like this! I don't want it to be based on a lie."

Lachlan looked up at his father and said, "She can stay at the hotel, with us."

Will smiled at his son and nodded, "Yes, we'd be happy to have you stay at the Cortez."

Lenore shook her head, "I don't...I can't afford it."

Rubbing his chin, Will thought for a moment before saying, "Don't worry about the money. We'll think of some arrangement."

Shaking her head, she said, "I can't do that!"

"Patrons allowed artists to live with them all the time during the Renaissance," Will explained.

He didn't know why but he felt inspiration when he looked at her painting and somehow thought that if she continued to paint, maybe he could break out of his own dry spell.

Lenore couldn't help but laugh lightly, "This isn't the Renaissance, Mr. Drake. I don't want charity."

Holding out his arms, he said, "Don't consider it charity, consider it working for your room and board. I'll even pay you."

"What?" she asked, confused.

"I'm thinking of hiring you to do a few more pieces for the hotel if you're interested," he said with a grin.

Shocked, Lenore stared at him, "Really?"

Will merely nodded.

Biting her lip, Lenore considered his offer. It seemed too good to be true and somewhat odd since this was the third time she had heard of the from Alex, then from Sarah, and now she was talking to the new owner of the hotel.

But she needed a place to stay and Will was offering her an amazing opportunity for her career! She knew she couldn't go to Alex, she wouldn't want her in the same house all day with Scarlett. Her brother was at the Cortez so she wouldn't be alone, but he would probably be angry with her after he learned what had happened.

Finally she nodded and said, "Alright, thank you Mr. Drake."

Smiling, the fashion designer said, "Please, call me Will."

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW!

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V