Chapter 4

4 : Bridges, Coins and Attractions

New York was busy as usual, people walked through the streets , trying to get to their destination as soon as possible, Cars and Taxis drove speedly across the busy streets, the annoying sound of horns and cars screeching were heard, the familiar garbage smell polluted the air, While the passerby’s walked in oblivion. Grace was still anxious, even more anxious than she had been at home, though she was seated in her mother's 2010 ford model car, fidgeting with her fingers, she couldn't help but panic a little even with her mother  sitting by her side. She was about taking the biggest step in her life, and she could either come out a victor or a loser, the thought of loosing this opportunity gave her a shock and she didn't think she would be able to handle it if it were to happen. 

 Her mother, Eliene was driving, paying strict attention to the road,  to notice her panicking , she couldn't blame her mom for her lack of attention, it was alright since her mum wasn't a particularly 'Sound Driver' and it showed with how slow she drove and how scared she got when a car sped past her, Grace found her cute though. It was the perks of having a scaredy cat as a mum. 

She noticed the car stop abruptly, making her heart race quicken thinking they had arrived, but she her  thoughts changed otherwise when she noticed noticed the car still vibrating a little, she turned to her mother who was already observing her.

"There's traffic, that's why we stopped". Her mum said looking concerned.

"Oh okay". Came her short reply as she went back to fidgeting with her fingers. Eliene noticed her daughter's uneasiness, it was expected though, she was about to take her first big decision as an adult, she stretched her hand a little grabbing her left hand that was shaking a continuously,  in a soothing but firm grip. 

"Grace!, Baby Stop Being anxious and scared, everything is going to be fine, and even if it isn't it's okay to loose".Grace turned immediately to face her mum, Her anxiety kicked in hard, she couldn't believe it, was her mum already giving up on her?, the thought scared her more. 

"Mum, I'm going to get this part, I really will, are you giving up on me already?" Grace sounded scared and it didn't escape Eliene. A concerned Eliene went further to hold her daughters both hands. 

"Look at me Grace, in life you can't win all the time, you learn to put in your best but always have it at the back of your mind that there's a 99% chance you are going to loose, because there are so many people who are also putting as much efforts as you are and are praying to the same God, you are praying to, if they win it means they put more effort than you or were just lucky. You loosing doesn't mean you're a failure, or a looser, it just means to try harder and do better, it's okay to loose sometimes. "

Was it really? 

"So do the best you can today, if you come out successful, then I'll be happy, but if you don't I'll be even more happy and willing to help you get it next time, Okay!, stop panicking Honey". Grace nodded, Hugging her mum, accepting that whatever happens she had to accept it though it would be hard. Her mum returned the hug rubbing her back in the process, after a while they separate as her mum opens her phone to keep herself busy.

The traffic lasted longer than expected and Grace was getting bored, she looked around seeing that no cars were still moving, she scanned the area, noticing a group of people gathering together facing the sea. Then it clicked to her , they were at the Long Express Bridge, She had always heard about it , and knew it was most popular for it's bad traffic. Her mother couldn't avoid it today, as it was the only way to get to Black entertainment. 

"Mum can I have a coin?". She asked her mum, who nodded, Eliene knew what her daughter wanted to do and she really didn't plan on stopping her, she was too invested in her phone to stop, she was currently watching a video and was laughing so much from it. She hands her the coin, before focusing her attention on the phone again.. Grace thanked her, though no reply was heard, just a small chuckle as her eyes remained fixed on the object in her hands.

Holding the coins, Grace opens the door banging it softly after her and heading to the the other side of the bridge. The wind blows through her hair covering her face, she felt a bit chilly, her short dress wasn't helping matters, not being able to do anything, she sighed now concentrating on the sea above her. The sea was beautiful and from where she stood, she could see the trump tower in its glory, it was a nice feeling standing there, the cold being the only disadvantage. She always loved the sea growing up, it was the part of nature she connected to the most, it was always peaceful to her seeing the sea. Back then  her parents would take her on a trip to London , and she would always beg her dad to take her to the bridge, where she would throw coins and wish for good things. Now she had just one wish, and she hoped the three coins would grant her that wish. 

Closing her eyes, she held her hands above the sea, staying far away to avoiding tripping. "I wish to get this part, so my mother can stop working as a cleaner ". She immediately throws in the coins with a proud smile on her face. With her hands clasped together, she prayed for it to come true. 

The sound of  horns bring her back to reality as she notices cars starting to move, she runs to her mother's car after hearing her mum calling for her to hurry inside. Seated, she buckles her belt, with a smile on her face, and a new found confidence. 

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Grace Winters

He stared at the girls picture, he couldn't see much since it was a passport, but he could tell she was very beautiful. She had a small smile on her face like she had seen something so beautiful, it was like she wanted to laugh but didn't want to spoil her passport, she looked stunning. Her deep green orbs held a beautiful gleam in it. He read her bio that said nothing more than her dreams of getting the role. He looked at her picture again, his lips curving to a slight smirk, he couldn't wait to see her at the auditions. He turned of the iPad placing it on the seat, not wanting to look more at the mysterious but enchanting girl. He collected a bottle of water from his fridge, taking a sip from it. He let the cold water cool him down.

"Why has the car stopped Vincent?". He asked noticing the car not moving.

"Sir, There is a traffic Jam?". Vincent replied from the drivers seat. Melissa looked up from her laptop now noticing the jam . 

Leonard Frowned. "I thought you are passing Freeway road, Traffic Jams never occurs there". 

"I took The Bridge this time sir, I got news from my friends that an accident occurred at that road." Vincent stuttered a bit, shaken. 

"Fine, how long is the traffic going to last?". Leonard sighed.

"Thirty Minutes Sir". 

"Thirty Minutes!, that's a lot of time To spend doing nothing". He sighed Muttering under his breath . 

"I'm sorry sir". Vincent said quietly. Leonard dismissed it, not wanting to hear an apology from him, knowing he wasn't at fault. He adjusted his tie before laying back on the seat. 

"I'm so sorry sir". Melissa spoke up calling his attention, he looked up to see her visibly shaken as she stammers a bit to get her words correctly. 

"What is it?, Speak up?". He said impatiently. 

"Well Mrs Black has scheduled a meeting with you today, I forgot since I had-". 

"Such incompetence!!, This information should have been passed yesterday”.  He huffed slamming the iPad on the seat frightening Melissa .

"I'm sorry sir, I had to arrange-". Melissa tried explaining further. 

"Your apologies won't solve the problem now would it, call Justin, Now!". He ordered massaging his temples. He couldn't believe such incompetence coming from Melissa who had worked with him for over five years. A meeting with his mother is a must meet, and he had the auditions to take care of too. He always emphasized being told things before hand considering his conflicting schedules. 

Melissa handed him the phone which he collected speaking to the receiver, Justin his manager.

"Postpone the auditions by two more hours-".

"But Mr Black almost 350 Ladies have already arrived, we can't postpone it, there would be an uproar and the media is already waiting." Justin said in a low voice as if not wanting others to hear, his voice sounded strained, probably scared. 

"I wasn't done talking Justin". Leonard said curtly.

"I'm sorry Sir". 

"Postpone it but don't tell the contestants,  let it seem like a challenge a part of the auditions to see who is the most patient and determined. I have something to take care of". He spoke before ending the call and throwing the phone over to a still scared Melissa. 

"I'm so sorry Sir". Melissa said again but Leonard ignored her. 

"Vincent, when the jam is over take a turn to The estate, then call for a car for Melissa now." Melissa looked at him confused. "Go and supervise the company till I get there". 

"Okay sir". Melissa said a bit relieved. Leonard ignored her rolling down the window to observe the area. Cars lined up around all patiently waiting for the jam to be over. Leonard's eyes however focused on the overlook of the sea, though he was never interested in the sea, he was however fascinated by it. He looked around, till his eyes rested on a girl whose back was turned against him. She wore a black short gown that hugged her large backside, but perfect for her slim body. Her long black hair was in huge waves cascading all the way to her hips, the wind blew through it spreading it further, she wore  small black heals to match. He could only stare at her, Though he couldn't see her face he could tell she was beautiful, he wondered what she was doing at the bridge.

Was she thinking of sucide?

He doubted, seeing as other people stood around her watching the sea too. He noticed her holding something in her hands, she said something to the thing before throwing it to the sea, she jumped a bit after, presumably Happy Making him get up from his seating position with his hands on his car door, scared for her falling. He sank back to his seat when he noticed her stopping. He tried looking further to get a clear view of her face, but he is distracted by the sound of continuous sirens and horns blowing at the same time, the mysterious girl then runs towards a black ford slow enough for him to get a small glimpse of her face. The car then zooms off leaving Leonard puzzled. 

His  winds up the window, falling back into the seat, he lets out a sigh resting his head and gently closing his eyes, he thinks about the long discussion he would have to entertain with his mother, But The thought of the mysterious girl in black stays dominant in his mind as he tries to match her to Grace Winters. The rest of the journey consists of him thinking about the two ladies and how they could be related. 

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