Chapter 2 The stolen art piece

Lisa sat with Tabitha at the cozy café on Beach Street, sipping her latte. "You won't believe what just happened," Lisa said, her eyes sparkling. Tabitha leaned in, curiosity piqued. "Try me." Lisa took a deep breath. "Jayden, this ruthless businessman, walked into Jacobs Art Studio and offered to buy it." Tabitha's eyes widened. "Wow! What did you say?" Lisa shook her head. "I told him no, of course." Tabitha grinned. "I bet he wasn't expecting that." Lisa frowned. "And, oh, Tabitha, he's so arrogant. Thinks he can just buy everything." Tabitha's eyebrows rose.

"Sounds like you're in for a fight."

Across town, Jayden sat in his office, staring out the window. "Rachel, I met Lisa, the owner of Jacobs Art Studio," he said, his voice low. Rachel looked up from her notes. "And?" Jayden's gaze narrowed. "She's stubborn, refuses to see reason." Rachel smiled. "Sounds like a challenge." Jayden's jaw clenched. "I'll make her see reason. One way or another."

*FEW HOURS LATER*

Lisa and Tabitha huddled in the studio,

Lisa answered her phone after two beeps,worried expressions etched on Lisa's face. What? She shouted!

She turned to Tabitha.

"We have a problem," Lisa said, her voice laced with concern. "The Smithson's art piece was stolen during delivery."

Tabitha's eyes widened. "How did that happen?"

Lisa shook her head. "The courier said it was taken from their van."

Just then, Alex strolled in, a charming smile on his face.

"Hey, ladies! What's wrong?"

Lisa hesitated, unsure how much to share.

"We're dealing with a stolen art piece," Tabitha said, eyes narrowing.

Alex's expression turned sympathetic. "That's terrible. Can I help?"

Unbeknownst to them, Alex's phone buzzed with a text from an anonymous person"

Alex's smile faltered for a moment before he regained composure.

"I'll do some digging, see if I can help track down the thief."

Lisa's gratitude was palpable. "Thanks, Alex. We appreciate it."

........*........*........*

Lisa and Tabitha were busy prepping for the evening's class when the phone rang. Lisa answered, her smile faltering as she listened.

"Hello, Mr. Smithson. I understand your concern."

Tabitha noticed Lisa's expression and mouthed, "What's wrong?"

Lisa gestured for her to wait.

"I assure you, we're doing everything possible to locate the stolen art piece," Lisa continued.

Mr. Smithson's angry voice echoed through the receiver.

"Everything possible? You've ruined my exhibition! That piece was the centerpiece."

Lisa empathized.

"I understand the importance, sir. We're working tirelessly-"

"Working tirelessly?" Mr. Smithson's tone turned menacing. "If I don't see results, I'll storm your studio and make sure no one sets foot in there again."

Lisa's grip on the phone tightened.

"I understand your frustration, but please, let us handle this."

Mr. Smithson's response sent a chill down Lisa's spine.

"You have 48 hours. After that, I'll take matters into my own hands."

The line went dead.

Lisa's face paled as she turned to Tabitha.

"He's furious. Threatening to storm the studio."

Tabitha's eyes widened.

"What can we do?"

Lisa took a deep breath.

"We need to find that art piece."

Just then, Alex walked in, a concerned expression on his face.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Lisa filled him in on the conversation.

Alex's face darkened.

"Don't worry, I'll increase my efforts. We'll find it."

Tabitha nodded.

"We have to."

As they brainstormed, Lisa couldn't shake the feeling they were running out of time.

Mr. Smithson's threat lingered, casting a shadow over Jacobs Art Studio.

Alex hesitated, his eyes locked onto Lisa and Tabitha.

For now, the package remained hidden.

But for how long?

**** ******

Two days passed since the case of the stolen Mr. Smithson's art piece and still no clue

Lisa strolled backwards and forwards continuously, thinking of what she could do to stop the impending storm ahead.

Just then, Alex crossed her mind,

" I should ask if there's any lead with his investigation"

She picked up her phone and dialed his number

First beep..second beep...third beep... But no response. She decided to visit him at his studio apartment,

He owned a little art exhibition studio for kids to which she usually contributed few of her paintings to.

On reaching there, she was told that he had taken a stroll outside,

She was asked to wait inside his office-like space

Inside the office, Files scattered across his desk caught her attention.

One file read: "Smithson Art Piece - Sold to Victor."

Lisa's heart sank.

Alex was the thief?.

She rummaged through more files, finding incriminating evidence.

She saw a document which shows his sales, all the paintings she donated to his studio for kids to watch for free were for sale???

Lisa felt betrayed.

Tears pricked at her eyes.

Suddenly, Alex entered.

"Lisa, what are you doing?"

Lisa stood, her voice firm.

"You stole the Smithson's art piece."

Alex's expression changed from shock to calm.

"You'll never understand," Alex sneered.

Lisa's anger boiled over.

"You used me."

Alex shrugged.

"Why?" Lisa asked!

"For the money, of course."

Lisa's world crumbled.

Tears streamed down her face.

She turned to leave, but Alex's words stopped her.

"You're just mad because you're losing everything."

Lisa ran out, tears blinding her.

Rain poured down as she walked home.

Suddenly, an umbrella appeared above her.

Jayden's deep voice asked, "Need help?"

Lisa looked up, tears mixing with raindrops.

Jayden guided her under the umbrella.

As they walked, Jayden's voice could be heard faintly

"you're such a fool," Jayden whispered.

Lisa sobbed, releasing her pain.

"You may be daring and rude but I can say.... you deserve better," Jayden whispered.

Those words began echoing in Lisa's head as she remembers her memories of her father,

When she first experienced betrayal by her best friend in highschool

********FLASHBACK***********

10 years ago

16 year old Lisa walked out of her classroom to meet several piercing eyes outside waiting for her,

She was shocked but kept walking

She got to the canteen to eat lunch, that was when she heard that familiar voice

"There she is" Melinda says

Lisa turned and saw Melinda her best friend with a group of unfamiliar girls, senior students probably.

"What is going on" Lisa said

Those words brought a sound slap to her cheek.

"How dare you?" Jina one of the seniors said

"What do you mean by that?" Lisa said with a shaky and tear filled voice.

" How dare you write a love letter to my boyfriend!"

The quiet looking one among the seniors asked.

" I swear I didn't" Lisa protested but that fell on deaf ears as she was beaten up mercilessly.

After narrating the whole ordeal to her father, the bullies were punished

And it was known that Melinda wrote a letter to Michael ( Shima's boyfriend) but after she was confronted by the seniors she framed it on Lisa's head....

After explaining to her Dad

Mr Jacobs ( Lisa's father)

Said

My dear... You deserve better....

******END OF FLASHBACK********

Those words brought her strength, and immediately she ran off headed back to the art studio...