Chapter 2 The Art of Deception

Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that Landon Ryder was hiding something from her. She had tried to brush off the strange encounter at the gallery, but the memory of his piercing eyes lingered.

As she worked on her latest painting, Ava's mind kept wandering back to Landon. Who was he, really? And what did he want with her art?

Just as she was starting to lose focus, Ava's phone rang. It was Sophia, her best friend and confidant.

"Hey, girl! I did some digging on Landon Ryder," Sophia said, her voice barely containing her excitement. "And let me tell you, he's got secrets."

Ava's ears perked up. "What kind of secrets?"

"I'm not entirely sure yet, but I found out he's connected to some shady art dealers. And get this - he's been buying up art pieces left and right, but not just any pieces. Ones that have a...let's say, 'dark' history."

Ava's grip on her brush tightened. What was Landon's game? And why was he so interested in her art?

"I need to see you," Ava said, her mind racing with possibilities. "We need to talk more about this."

"Meet me at the coffee shop at 2 pm," Sophia replied. "And Ava? Be careful. If Landon Ryder is involved in something shady, we don't know what he's capable of."

Ava's heart skipped a beat as she hung up the phone. She had a feeling that her life was about to get a lot more complicated.

Ava sat at the coffee shop, sipping her latte and waiting for Sophia to arrive. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Landon was watching her, but every time she turned around, there was no one there.

Just as she was starting to relax, a hand brushed against her shoulder. Ava spun around, her heart racing, and found Landon Ryder standing behind her, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice low and husky, as he slid into the chair across from her.

Ava's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here, Landon?"

He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Just enjoying the view. And the company, of course."

Ava felt a flush rise to her cheeks as Landon's gaze lingered on her face. She tried to look away, but he seemed to be everywhere she looked.

Sophia arrived, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. "Landon, what are you doing here?" She asks looking at

He shrugged, his smile never wavering. "Just making sure Ava knows I'm always around. Watching. Waiting."

Ava's skin prickled with unease. How did he know she was investigating him? And why was he teasing her like this?

As they left the coffee shop, Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that Landon was playing a game with her. And she was just a pawn. But she was determined to uncover his secrets, no matter what it took.

Landon appeared again at her art studio again the next day, leaning against the doorframe as she worked on her latest piece. "You're talented, Ava. But you're also curious. Be careful what you dig up."

Ava spun around, her brush dripping with paint. "What do you want from me, Landon, don't you have something to do, ?"

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, Ava. I just want to be around you. You're so... entertaining."

And with that, he disappeared, leaving Ava frustrated and confused. But she refused to back down. She would uncover Landon's secrets, no matter how much he taunted her.

Chapter 2: The Art of Deception

Ava tried to focus on her painting, but Landon's words lingered in her mind. She couldn't shake off the feeling that he was hiding something, and she was determined to find out what.

As she worked, she noticed a small note on her easel. It wasn't there before, and she knew she didn't write it. The handwriting was familiar, though - it was Landon's.

"Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight," the note read. "Come alone."

Ava's heart raced as she crumpled the note in her hand. What did Landon want with her? And why did he keep appearing everywhere she went?

She told Sophia about Landon's message and asking her to meet him alone, but she did not trust Landon he's kinda creepy at times, so she told Sophia to come get her n the next 30 minutes if she doesn't come out of the warehouse, after that she went out.

Despite her reservations, Ava found herself at the old warehouse at midnight, her heart pounding in her chest. The building loomed before her, its windows like empty eyes staring back.

She stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. And then, she saw him - Landon Ryder, standing in the shadows, his eyes fixed on her.

"You're curious, Ava," he said, his voice low and husky. "I like that. But be careful what you uncover. Some secrets are better left hidden."

Ava took a step forward, her heart racing with anticipation. "What secrets, Landon? What are you hiding?"

Landon smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "All in good time, Ava. All in good time.

Landon stepped closer, his eyes locked on Ava's, his voice dripping with seduction. "You're so curious, Ava. I can see it in your eyes. You want to know my secrets, don't you?"

Ava tried to step back, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. Landon's gaze was hypnotic, drawing her in with an otherworldly pull.

"I'm not interested in your games, Landon," Ava said, trying to sound firm, but her voice came out barely above a whisper.

Landon chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, Ava. You're so wrong. You're very interested. Your body gives you away."

Ava felt a flush rise to her cheeks as Landon's gaze roamed over her, lingering on her lips, her neck, her breasts. She tried to resist, but her body betrayed her, responding to his teasing gaze.

Landon reached out, his finger tracing the curve of her jaw, sending shivers down her spine. "You're so responsive, Ava. So sensitive. I can only imagine how you'd react if I really touched you."

Ava's heart raced, her mind screaming at her to push him away, but her body seemed frozen in place. She knew she should resist, knew Landon was trying to play her, but she couldn't help the way her body responded to his touch.

"No," she whispered, trying to sound firm, but Landon just laughed, his breath hot against her ear.

"Oh, Ava. You're so easy to read. You want me, even if you don't want to admit it."

Ava's eyes flashed with anger, and she finally found the strength to push him away. "I'm not playing your games, Landon. I'm not some toy for you to manipulate."

Landon's smile never wavered. "We'll see about that, Ava. We'll see about that."

Ava stormed out of the warehouse, her heart racing with anger and frustration. She couldn't believe she'd let Landon get to her like that. She knew he was trying to manipulate her, but she couldn't help the way her body responded to his touch.

As she walked away from the warehouse, Ava felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around, ready to confront Landon again, but it was Sophia, her best friend.

"Hey, girl, what's going on?" Sophia asked, eyeing Ava's flushed face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Ava took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "It's just Landon. He's playing games with me, Sophia. And I don't know how to stop him."

Sophia's expression turned serious. "We'll figure it out together, Ava. But first, let's get out of here. This place is giving me the creeps."

As they walked away from the warehouse, Ava couldn't shake off the feeling that Landon was still watching her, waiting for his next move. She knew she had to be careful, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She was drawn to Landon, even if she didn't want to be.

And then, her phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number. "You can't resist me, Ava. I'll always be one step ahead."

Ava's heart sank. Landon. He was still playing games with her. But she was determined to stay one step ahead. She wouldn't let him win.