Uncanny painting
Arriving at the front of the house, they heard screaming voices filled with rage coming from the sitting room. Alexa glanced at her husband. He was standing rooted to his spot. He wouldn't take a step forward nor let her as he held her hand tightly.
Alexa looked towards the entrance. The argument was getting heated.
"... I am your son!"
"My son died on the day Chloe took her last breath!"
"Father! haven't you punished me and your grandchildren enough for that mistake I made? You forbade us from using the Clinton name, you wouldn't refer to me as your son, nor would you acknowledge my children. You chose Aiden over all of us, isn't that enough punishment?!"
"Mistake?" the old man chuckled dryly, "what you did was not a mistake and you shouldn't call it that… as for punishment, it is beneath me to punish you and your family."
"Father, when will you stop being so heartless? I'm your only child!"
"You ceased to be my son from the day Chloe died, so, whatever you and your family is going through now, is as a result of your doing."
"Then, what about Aiden? He's my son too. If I cease to be your son, he should also not be your grandson! You've held him by your side ever since he was born! Return him to the Wilfred mansion. It's time he starts to interact with his siblings."
"Aiden is Chloe's son and he's going nowhere. Now, get out of my house!"
"When will you get tired of treating me this way? I've been very patient with you. For the past 40 years, you've treated me like an outcast! I tried to understand you… But not anymore. I stayed silent and endured your wickedness over the years, and this time, I refuse to stay silent and allow my children to continue to endure your torment! If you don't take back your words and make Aaron the CEO, you will bear the repercussion."
Alexa felt Aiden's grip around her wrist tightened. She slowly looked up at his face– he didn't look angry, but the distant and sharp look in his eyes made her shudder. But the next second, his eyes were back to normal. He looked down at her and said with an apologetic tone.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that."
Witness what? His sudden change or the fight going on inside?
Alexa didn't think much into his reaction. If she was in his shoes, she'd have barged into the house with indignation and defend her grandfather.
Suddenly, Mr. Wilfred stormed out of the house. He paused when he noticed Aiden and glared at him before marching off.
"Let's go in, it's late."
That was all Aiden could say, much to Alexa's amazement.
Alexa didn't debate him and just followed him in. She had witnessed Aiden's easy-going nature first hand and could tell he was going to let the threat from his father slide.
Entering the sitting room, Old Man Clinton was on a phone call. When he heard the servants greet his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, he turned around and waved at them, gesturing for then to go rest.
It was 10 PM.
"Alexa, see me tomorrow morning in my study room," the old man said. Without waiting for her response, he walked away.
Alexa had no idea what the old man needed her for, so she turned to her husband for a hint, but Aiden was staring at his grandfather's back as he moved further and further away.
It seem Old Man Clinton was upset... From the little she heard just now, Mr. Wilfred must have poked the old man's sore.
"You should sleep early. Grandfather detest waiting for anyone."
"Oh, alright," Alexa said and followed behind Aiden as he made his way up the stairs.
The two walked in silence until they arrived at the door, opposite the room they were earlier.
Aiden unlocked the door and pushed it open. The room was dark, so he strode in and turned on the lights.
"Ahhh!"
Alexa cried out in shock and fell on her butt.
"Save me! Help! Don't come near me!!"
Aiden turned around to look at her with a puzzled face, "What is the matter?" He questioned.
"Th– that... " she pointed at the wall above the headboard then froze and took a closer look. "Fuck!" she cursed and clumsily helped herself to her feet– face flushed with embarrassment.
Aiden glanced back at what she pointed at and then, it dawned on him.
"Hahahahahaha....!!"
Alexa almost threw something at him for laughing at her, but stopped herself. He had such a fine and contagious laughter. Suddenly, she also burst into a fit of laughter.
The two laughed for a while until he pointed at the wall and explained, "It's not a live beast... It's an art."
"I can see that now," Alexa inched towards the wall and stretched out her hand to touch it. Suddenly, her hand stopped moving.
Aiden gripped her hand and shook his head, "Don't touch it. You can only admire it from afar."
Alexa frowned slightly but nodded. She was scared to touch it anyway. Even though she had reconciled with the fact that it was an art, still, it looked too real and savage.
On the wall, above the bed was a ferocious fire-eyed, dragon, glaring back at Alexa with its jaw slightly apart to reveal a feel of flame. Its scaly huge head was tilted down and Its massive wings spread out and covered a large portion of the wall.
A full wall was dedicated to the dragon and a background that gave Alexa the illusion that it crawled out of a pitch black hole.
Above the dragon's head were words written in blood drippy font:
'KILL OR GET KILLED... KILLING WHEN THEY LEAST EXPECT... I TERRORIZE FOR FUN.'
The spooky font stood above the dragon's head like a crown, spreading a particularly disturbing feeling that couldn't be ignored.
Alexa took a step back and glance around the room– plain and dull, with thick gloom shrouded the room.
She was carried away by the incident of her embarrassment, otherwise, she wouldn't have stepped her foot into this room.
Everything gave her the chills.
"You don't like it here?"
His calm voice was like amnesty sent to wash away the terror that was slowly starting to build up inside her.
"I think I'm more attached to the other room."
Alexa didn't want to diss or dismiss his love for this uncanny art and eerie room, so she chose her words carefully.
"I thought so too," he uttered and led her out of the room.