Falling For The Biker - Chapter 97: Chapter 97

Sierra's POV
I sat on my bed, staring at my blank phone screen. It's a new day, yet I couldn't take those words out of my head. Even though I had Richard send the recording, I didn't have the courage to listen to it again.
No matter how much I wanted it to be false, but there was a small inclination in me that wanted me to see it as the truth. A soft knock came on the door. “Hey, Rea,” Jackson said behind the door.
“You have a visitor,” he added.
“I'll be down in a minute. Thanks,” I said and heard walk off.
I wasn't particularly expecting anyone, but I had already told Jackson I didn't want to see Arthur, so he wouldn't have told me about the visitor if it were him.
Once I got to the living room, I found Elvis and Mum knitting, with Dad chatting with Jackson. Then the visitor… Richard. He gave me a big smile as he wrapped his arms around me in a hug.
With a small smile, I pulled away. “You didn't tell me you were coming,” I said.
Richard nodded. “Yeah. I wanted to surprise you,” he said, and I nodded. I quickly introduced him to everyone, but only Mum gave him a polite smile.
Elvis ran over to me, holding up a knitted sweater. “Mummy, grandma and I made you this,” he lifted the sweater, over his face then lowered it with widened eyes. “Can you wear it when you paint? I saw people doing that. It's so cool, mummy. I'll make another for Uncle Arthur,” he said, handing it over to me and rushing back to Mum, who smiled.
I turned to Richard and for a moment, I thought I saw sending daggers Elvis' way, but it disappeared before I could understand what it truly was. His smile was bright as he turned to me.
“You're back to painting. That's wonderful,” he said.
“How do you know that?” I asked.
He paused for a moment, shock spreading through his face, but it was washed off with a smile. “You told me,” he said.
“Did I?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, the day you were drunk. You said a lot that day. I just happen to remember them,” he said.
I hummed, nodding. That made sense. “Can you show me some of your paintings? I hope I'm not overstepping,” he said with a polite smile.
I shook my head and led him down to the basement. Once I got it all spread out, Richard picked it up with awe. “So you are the new artist everyone seemed to be talking about?” he said, and I nodded.
“I knew you were great,” he added. “But why did you start painting again anyway?
“Arthur helped me,” I said and again, I saw that look in his eyes.
It has happened so many times in a roll. Could I really be seeing things? Richard placed the painting down on the table. “At least he did something right,” he said.
“Richard, did he really say those things?” I asked.
Richard snapped his head to me. “You doubt me?” he asked.
“No,” I quickly said, then sighed. “I just find it hard to believe he would say that. He often said the opposite and-”
“You're letting him deceive you,” Richard interrupted. “Listen, he is wrong for you. There are so many people out there, but you can't be with him,” he exhaled, squeezing the bridge of his nose.
“Arthur is a playboy. Didn't you watch the video I sent? Didn't you see what he was doing? Kissing some rando in the hospital while you were away,” he said.
“Wait,” I held up my hand, racking my brain. “The… the video? The video was sent by…” I raised my head, locking eyes with him as I searched them. “You sent the video?” I directly asked.
“Um…” he paused, his eyes darting around. He swallowed them, nodded. “I did,”
“It was… it was sent from an unknown number. Why would you-”
“I didn't want to upset you even more. That's why I sent it from an unknown number. It would seem ad though I'm stirring up trouble when all I want is for you to see the truth,”
"But-”
He grabbed my shoulder. “Trust me, Sierra. I didn't mean any harm. I just…” he swallowed. “Arthur is a horrible man. I saw you suffer in the hands of Vance. I'm just trying to look out for you, okay?”
I stared at him, the panic boldly written in his eyes, but I didn't want to believe it. Maybe, he truly cared, that was why he did it. After all, he was the only person who had my back when Vance did all he did to me.
I nodded and Richard smiled, letting go of my shoulder. He picked up the paintings again, admiring them. “So, what else would you like to paint? I heard you'd be having an exhibition soon. You should have it in the city. It has more prospects. A few of my friends would definitely love to meet you in person,” he said.
“I haven't decided yet. Plus, I haven't made any new paintings,” I said.
“I have ideas,” he said, winking at me.
“What?”
He sighed, placing the canvas down again. “The village doesn't have a lot you could get inspiration from. I know numerous places in the city you could use as some reference,” he said.
“I don't think I want to return right now. The village actually has a lot I could draw inspiration from,” I told him.
“Really? I haven't seen any. Could you take me?” he said.
Why did I feel uneasy? I've known Richard for a while, yet today, it felt like he was a completely different person. I nodded. “I will, but not today,” I said.
He seemed disappointed, but eventually accepted it. “Alright. I'll head out now. I need to do prepare,” he said.
I accompanied him back to the living room. He tried to hug me, but I took a step back before he could. He gave me a smile before leaving. The moment I saw him leave the gates, I released an anxious breath I didn't know I had been holding.
I grabbed my phone and put a call through to Eve. “Hey, let's meet up,”