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Alle Kapitel von OWNED BY THE GHOST: Kapitel 31 – Kapitel 40

50 Kapitel

The Slip

Elliot’s POVThe journalist’s camera flashed again, catching the light on the painting hanging behind me. I leaned back in my penthouse chair, answering questions about Zenex’s latest exhibition that’ll be coming up soon. Scott made me agree to the luxury magazine interview, he said we needed social media paparazzi to create awareness for our exhibition. Before I knew what was happening, the journalist interviewing me got attracted to one of my favorite paintings.“And this piece?” the woman asked, gesturing to the canvas of tangled shadows and light. Scott’s painting. The one I’d bought anonymously for fifteen thousand dollars.I didn’t think clearly. The words just slipped out. “Fifteen thousand. A strong investment in an emerging talent.”Her eyes lit up. “Fifteen thousand for an unknown artist? That’s quite the statement, Mr. Travis. You clearly have a deep love for supporting upcoming creators.”I realized my mistake too late. The journalist’s smile turned predatory. She twiste

Spotlight

Scott’s POVThe gallery doors opened and the crowd poured in like a wave. Cameras flashing everywhere. People gasped. Social media was already exploding from the luxury magazine interview that had gone viral overnight. “Billionaire CEO Drops $15,000 on an Unknown Artist.” Zenex exhibition was everywhere. People who had never cared about art before were suddenly here, phones out, whispering about the mysterious painter who caught Elliot Travis’s eye.I stood near the entrance in a simple black shirt and jeans, heart hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat. This was my first exhibition. I had my paintings on the walls with other art pieces. Finally a chance to showcase my creativity. But all I could think about was Elliot watching me from across the room, his eyes burning into me like he wanted to drag me away from all of it.Jayden tapped on my shoulder. “Bro, you did it. Look at this turnout. Celebrities. Collectors. Even some TikTok influencers are live-streaming. You’re famou

Rising Star

Scott’s POVThe email dropped into my inbox at 9:15 AM like a lightning bolt.Subject: Promotion Announcement – Scott McAllenI clicked it with shaky hands. The words blurred for a second, then sharpened.Effective immediately, Scott McAllen is promoted to Junior Curator. His leadership on the record-breaking exhibition has been instrumental in driving revenue and elevating Zenex’s profile. Congratulations to a rising talent.My heart slammed against my ribs. Junior Curator. Wow. Elliot didn’t tell me I’ll be promoted. This new growth felt fast. I stared at the screen, with a stupid grin spreading across my face. After everything, the debts, the humiliation with Raymond, the nights I sold my body just to survive, months of endless job hunting, this felt like winning the lottery.The company-promotion announcement went out ten minutes later. Cheers erupted across the open office floor. Some colleagues clapped, some were genuinely happy, others forcing smiles. Jayden ran over and pulle

The Viral Storm

Elliot’s POVThe gossip post exploded and managed to get to the executive platform. Someone called my attention to what was happening.I was in the middle of reviewing a quarterly report when my phone started buzzing nonstop. I opened the notification and my blood turned to ice.Anonymous Office Insider: Lead Curator Scott McAllen: From struggling artist to overnight star. Could this be a Special attention from the CEO? Or just “talent”? The $15k painting says it all. Congrats on the promotion, Scott. Must be nice.Attached were screenshots of the viral magazine article, side-by-side with photos of Scott smiling at the exhibition. Comments flooded in instantly. My dad called me immediately to ask, I don’t know how he does it but he manages to get every information happening in my company.“Hey, son. What is it I’m hearing?” He sounded so serious. “Dad, I’ll handle this.” I hated my dad trying to make decisions for me in my own company. This was one of the reasons why I decided to pu

The Mistake

Scott’s POVThe meeting room felt a bit uncomfortable the moment Laurent walked in. Tall, confident, with that lovely French accent and sharp suit that screamed luxury, rich people sure do know how to show off. He smiled at me like I was the only person in the building.“Scott,” he said, voice warm as he shook my hand a second too long. “I’ve been looking forward to this but as a private session. Your vision is… captivating.”I smiled professionally, ignoring the way his eyes lingered on my lips. Someone had clearly told him I was gay. The flirting started subtle, compliments on my “artistic hands,” light touches on my arm when pointing at sketches, low laughs at my jokes. I stayed focused, talking about art in general, my belief, and the exhibition flow, but my cheeks warmed anyway. It felt good to be seen. To be wanted. Not hidden like Elliot kept me.“You mean this was supposed to be a private meeting?” I was surprised. I was too excited to read the memo carefully. “Yeah, I asked

The Big Offer

Elliot’s POVLaurent’s words wouldn’t leave my head.“I insist on working exclusively with Scott. He has a rare eye. The kind I want on my side for future projects.”I kept walking up and down in my penthouse like a caged animal, with a glass of whiskey in hand, staring at the city lights. The French investor wasn’t just talking business. The way he looked at Scott, the lingering touches, the unnecessary smiles made my blood boil. Was it really just work? Or was there more? The thought of Scott spending hours alone with him made me want to break something.“That fool, he agreed.” I hit my hand on my head, Scott didn’t care about how I’d feel. He just agreed instantly . Was he trying to make me jealous? I gulped the whiskey and poured another. Am I going crazy? One man having this kind of power over me is crazy. But Scott did. He always had.Then I dashed my foot on the wall and that made me have a flashback, like it always happens whenever my fear got too loud. I was sixteen and full

London Or Paris ?

Scott’s POVThe email from Laurent sat open on my phone like a loaded gun.Full-time position. Paris or London base. Generous salary. Creative freedom. Travel the world with me.I stared at it in the parking garage after work, leaning against my old car, heart racing. This was everything I had dreamed of, to be recognized in the art industry, to make good money so I can clear all my debts, to finally escape the poverty that had chained me for years. No more Raymond. No more selling my body for scraps. No more depending on anyone.But every time I thought about accepting, Elliot’s face flashed in my mind. Those steel-gray eyes. The way he held me after fucking me senseless. The way he defended me publicly even when it was risky. He pushed me away with words, but his actions screamed something else. “ Scott, don’t be an ingrate. You’re supposed to be happy, not sulking.” I muttered trying to encourage myself because this is what I have always wanted.But I can’t deny that a part of me w

The Defense

Elliot’s POVThe boardroom felt like a cage.My father sat at the head of the long table like he still owned every chair in it. Anytime he attends the board meeting, he takes up my seat. I feel like it’s his own way of showing he still has power over me. His cold eyes scanned the room before locking on Scott, who stood at the front accounting for everything that happened at the exhibition, the expenses, the sales, the new deals we had. The success was undeniable, record breaking sales, tourist lines outside the gallery, media coverage that had Zenex trending for days.But my father wasn’t impressed. Victoria must have reached out to him. She’s always been manipulative.“Mr. McAllen,” he said, voice smooth and sharp, “your promotion seems remarkably fast. From junior assistant to lead curator in such a short time. Care to explain how that happened?”The room went dead silent. Board members shifted uncomfortably. Nobody dared to say anything. Scott stood tall, but I saw the slight tremb

You’re Mine Alone

Scott’s POVThe mini exhibition opening was supposed to be my day. Lights flashing, people clapping, my paintings on every wall. But all I could feel was Elliot’s eyes burning into me from across the crowded gallery.We’ve had too many people troop into the gallery that we had to plan an impromptu exhibition at the gallery to showcase some of our artwork that wasn’t displayed during the exhibition.Lewis leaned in close, his hand brushing my arm as he smiled. “You’re shining tonight, Scott.” Then he lifted my hand and kissed the back of it slowly, right there in front of everyone. Cameras clicked. I could see Ms.Victoria’s prying eyes.My stomach twisted. I forced a smile, but my eyes found Elliot. His jaw was locked tight, he stood there like a statue with his fists clenched at his sides. He was explaining the inspiration behind some of our ancient inspired art works but it’s clear he wasn’t concentrating. Before I could pull away from Lewis, Elliot was there. He grabbed my wrist, v

Stay

Elliot’s POVI was walking past the break area when I overheard two board members talking. “Scott McAllen might leave Zenex. Laurent’s offered him a major gallery partnership, international shows, big money, his relocation cost will also be taken care off. He’d be crazy not to take it.”My steps faltered. Scott is leaving. The thought made something inside me twist painfully. He didn’t need this job anymore. He didn’t need me. The promotion, the attention he’s been getting, the anonymous payments I’d been making, none of it mattered if he walked away.I acted indifferent in the meeting that followed, nodding coldly when someone mentioned Scott being a rising star. But inside, I was panicking. The fear was worse than anything my father had ever done to me. I couldn’t lose him. Not now. Not when he was the only person who made me feel something real.I left the office early and drove straight to his apartment. I didn’t even bother to call him. No warning. I just needed to see him.Scot

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