Chapter 18: I'm sorry

Grace made it back to her building. ‘What just happened there?  Was that Sean’s girlfriend or a potential girlfriend that he has been courting?  If so, why was he acting like he was interested in me?  Was he hedging his bets?  That girl was certainly not happy to see me with Sean, so maybe they are in a relationship.  Oh dear, Sean is just like the other men I have dated. He’s a good for nothing liar trying to hit on a girl when he already has a girlfriend.  I need to keep my distance from him’, she thought.

During the coming days, Sean couldn’t take his mind off Grace and the staff knew well enough to.  He was frustrated as he didn’t have her mobile number and wasn’t sure if he should go and see her at her work.  Since she worked in the building next door, every time he left his building, he hoped that he would bump into her but that that never happened. He decided to call Carter to meet up with him for some words of advice. He couldn’t talk to Sebastian about this because he also had some feelings towards Grace.

Sean met Carter in Carter’s office. Both Tyra and Kiara were there because they were going to be having a family dinner at Carter and Kiara’s family home with their mother and father Connor and Martha and were therefore going to head there together. Sean explained the situation from getting spilt coffee on him to having breakfast and even told them that it was her that had brought Arlo and his family company down with the videos sent to the police and also some other ones released onto the internet. He also told them of his exasperation about what Claire did and Grace’s reaction.

“Sean, I’m really impressed that you managed to get a date with Grace in the first place.  Well done buddy, I knew you had it in you. The man that has so many women throwing themselves at him and the one woman he tries to woo is playing hard to get. Grace is very capable and independent just like my beautiful Tyra”, he said as he caressed Tyra’s face and then planted a kiss on her lips.  “I haven’t ever seen you this way before.  You just need to talk to her and explain your relationship with Claire.  I told you a few weeks ago Claire was trouble and it would cause problems with any woman you would be interested in”, added Carter.

“Sean, I don’t blame Grace”, said Kiara.  “If I was having a breakfast date with a man that seemed a bit interested in me and then some woman barges over to him and acts as if they are in a relationship, I’d be pissed too.  I get the feeling Grace thinks you and Claire are together and that she is just some side-kick.  I am sure by now, you know she has sworn off men because she has been burnt a few times.  If she thinks you already have a girlfriend and are trying to hit on her, she would be mad and would be steering clear of you”. Sean was frustrated and it clearly showed in his demeanour. He didn’t know just how Grace managed to get under his skin.

“I agree with Carter, you need to explain to Grace what you were doing there.  You need to tell her that it is a relationship of gratitude and that’s all, although, if it was me, I’d just pay Claire off and cut all ties with her.  Grace has had two not so good relationships and has sworn off dating again”, piped up Tyra.  Sean pondered upon what Carter, Kiara and Tyra had told.  He then decided to ask Tyra something he already knew the answer to, “Tyra, can you give me her mobile number please?  I have no way of getting in contact with her except by contacting her assistant who’s the contact for the Lease for the space they are renting which is unprofessional for me to do that, or going to the reception at her office to ask for her. I just don’t know what to do”, he said in an exasperated voice.

“No Sean, I cannot give you her number and you know that or you would have asked me for it before.  She gave it to me in confidence and I don’t want to break her trust. You know what to say when you see her.  Try going to her office and asking to see her or we could bump into her at the ‘Shore Café’ on Monday. 

Sean pondered on all that was said to him.  His friends were right, he just had to explain the relationship between him and Claire. He knew he couldn’t wait for things to happen, so he decided to go to her office. Maybe once reception contacted Grace, she would agree to see him and he would explain his relationship with Claire.

That afternoon, Sean went to the building Grace worked in and approached reception.  The receptionists all recognised Sean as he was the famous Sean Harper, not only rich, but also good looking and very successful. They were happy to assist him in any way. “How can we help you Mr Harper”, an elated receptionist said to him as she fluttered her eyes at him.  “I’m here to see someone from the Messi Group a Miss Grace Messi”.  She smiled a bright smile at him, hoping to get one in return, but Sean didn’t even notice.  His mind was occupied on what he would say to Grace if she decided to see him.  “Thank you, Mr Harper, please take a seat whilst I contact Miss Grace”, she said to him.  A few minutes later, she called Sean over and told him that Miss Messi’s assistant had advised that Grace was busy and would not be taking any appointments. Sean thanked her and headed back to his office. 

The next morning, Sean returned with a big bunch of flowers and asked him to pass them onto Grace before heading back to his office.

Back in her office Grace had just finished a meeting with the ‘Del Mare Hotel’ site manager.  Her personal assistant Mara knocked on her office door and brought in a big bunch of flowers.  Grace received them, they were magnificent.  There were Juliet Roses, Gerberas and some Australian Natives.  “Miss Messi, these are gorgeous.  Your boyfriend is very considerate.  He even made sure to pick flowers that are native to Australia.  You are very lucky”.  Grace told her, “Actually Mara, I do not have a boyfriend, but thank you for bringing them in”.  Grace was really unsure on who could have sent her flowers.  Perhaps they were from one of her clients as a thank you gesture. She reached out for the card that read:

Dear Grace, I just want to say I’m sorry for what transpired at the Café.  I want to explain everything to you.  It is too hard to explain in writing.  Please give me a call so that I can explain. You have my number.

Sean

Sean waited for a phone call from Grace but it never called that day.  The next day, Sean returned with an even bigger bunch of flowers.  The card read:

Dear Grace, I just want to talk, nothing else.  

Sean

Once again, Sean did not get a response from Grace that day.  Sean was not one to ever give up.  If he was, he would not have been successful. The next day with an even bigger bunch of flowers was sent to the Messi Group for Grace.  This bunch had the Australian Natives he had given her on the previous two occasions with the addition of Lillies, Poppies and yellow Roses. Yellow Roses signify ‘Friendship’. The card read:

Dear Grace, All I ask is 5 minutes of your time. I hope you have lots of room in your office because if you don’t talk to me, I will keep sending them and the bunches are going to get bigger.  My grandad instilled into me that I will only fail if I stop trying. You have my number.

Sean