Free Illicit Canvas: political romance and stand alone romance by Joanna Mazurkiewicz Page B

father? What?" she repeats. I nod, so she brings her hand to her mouth, staring at me in horror.
    "But how—oh my God. You went to meet him and he was the one?"
    "We both pretended we didn't know each other. I felt terrible that I didn't tell him that I was seeing someone."
    Maja sits down next to me, probably trying to get her head around it.
    "I don't understand, Arwen. Didn't you figure out that they had the same surname or something?"
    “I never asked Ethan his full name, and Colin doesn’t look much like him. I had to sit through this dinner pretending that I was having the best time of my life. Oh God, I shouldn't have gone through with that date. I knew that he was older."
    "Shut up, Arwen, and pull yourself together. You're a strong and independent woman. The solution is simple. Tell Colin the truth and date the father. "
    "Ethan said that he’s serious about me, but he can’t be with me, even if I break up with Colin. Ethan’s job would be on the line if the press found out that we're dating."
    "Okay, I guess that complicates stuff."
    “I'm going to talk to Colin tomorrow and tell him that it's not going to work between us.”
    “Maybe you should tell him the truth. Colin should understand.” Maja is shaking her head, and for someone who isn't very experienced with men, she seems to have a valid point. Technically Colin should understand, but I have no idea how he would react if I told him the truth. Ethan has already rejected me, stating that there can’t be anything between us. He obviously doesn't feel so strongly about me, but he still wants to help me with finding the painting. Maja doesn't know about my dad and how important this is for me.
    "So you're just going to give up on him, because of Colin?" she asks.
    "He made it clear that there can't be anything between us, Maja, but he’s going to help me find the painting, so I'm going to be forced to see him either way."
    "Well, that’s good and if he has any sense in him, he will try to seduce you."
    "Ethan is too much of a gentleman to do that. He likes me a lot and he loves Colin," I tell her, knowing that there is no way that I could ruin this just because I can't control my own feelings.
    Maja doesn't look convinced.
    "Well, we are going out tomorrow, remember? I guess you’ll have to talk to him before then," she reminds me. "I would like both of us to get a tidy boyfriend. I'm not that bothered anyway ‘cause I’ve got my science, but you, on the other hand, you're the kind of girl that needs to be loved."
    Of course, I had agreed to go with Colin and Maja to that party, but since meeting Ethan, everything has fallen off my normal routine.
    "Yeah, I will talk to him before tomorrow night."
    Maja leaves me alone with my own thoughts and I pick up my phone and consider calling Mum. We spoke briefly today and she knows that I'm dating Colin. Francois is taking her to the South of France for a weekend away.
    She’s dated many men since my dad left, but not one those men ever paid much attention to me or replaced my dad for either of us. In the end I decide not to call her and just get to bed and forget about this day once and for all.
    In the morning the realisation that I lost someone special hits me all over again.

Chapter Nine
     

Arwen
     
    The class is dragging and I can't seem to focus on anything today. Even tasks like taking notes seem meaningless. After a sleepless night, I woke early and I started thinking about Ethan. I thought I would feel better after breakfast, until I realised that I have to break up with Colin in a couple of hours.
    It seems that Ethan has invaded my mind. I can’t get away from thoughts about him. I texted Colin in the morning letting him know that I would like to have lunch with him.
    Ethan will probably call me soon, to confirm our meeting with Antoine. I’m not sure if I can handle seeing him again, knowing that there is never going to be anything between us other than friendship.
    When the class is