*David*I leaned back in my leather chair, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the mahogany desk as my thoughts wandered to the one person I was dying to see. Despite the argument with Sarah and the uncertainty the relationship with my daughter held at that moment, my yearning for Grace only intensified with each passing day. Her laughter, her touch, the way she looked at me with those piercing emerald-green eyes–they haunted me relentlessly. I found it nearly impossible to focus on anything else, my heart aching with concern. How was she doing? Was she safe? The fact that I didn't know only served to heighten my anxiety.Grace's avoidance and silence only deepened my frustration and sense of powerlessness. I had tried reaching out to her numerous times, leaving voicemails and sending messages, but each attempt was met with an eerie void. The distance between us felt like an insurmountable barrier, and I couldn't help but wonder why she had suddenly stopped answering me.I need
*Grace*I stood by the building's entrance, watching as my parents' car disappeared from sight. They had come and gone faster than a blink, but I was so grateful that I had managed to get their visit. It made me feel at home, like I needed to be reminded that I had people who cheered and loved me no matter what.Now, I was alone again, but my mother's words echoed through my mind."Love can withstand any challenges." Was she right? Could the love David and I shared endure the obstacles we faced? My heart ached as I thought about Sarah, our friendship shattered by my love for her father.I wished she could see that and try to understand us. Was I being unfair by thinking like that? Was that selfish of me?My phone rang, surprising me, and I knew it was David before even glancing at the screen. He'd been calling relentlessly these past few days, desperate to get a hold of me. But I hadn't felt ready to talk to him until now. In reality, I was dying to hear his voice. To know how
*Grace*We left the coffee shop, walking side by side towards David's sleek, black sports car parked outside. The charged air between us seemed to thicken with each passing moment, the tension and desire intermingling like an intoxicating brew. As we approached the car, David opened the passenger door for me, and I slid into the leather seat, my heart pounding in anticipation. The smell of his cologne intoxicated my senses as soon as he closed the door and rounded the car, and I took a deep breath, trying to keep my heart from bursting out of my chest."Thank you for agreeing to talk to me. It means more than you know," David said softly as soon as he sat in the driver's seat and started the car.His words were sincere, and for a moment, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, we could rekindle what we once had.His hand reached out to mine over the gear and he gently squeezed it, his fingers warm against my skin. The gesture was tender, but caused me to swallow har
*David*The scent of aged leather and paper filled my nostrils as I sat behind the heavy oak desk in my office surrounded by documents and contracts that seemed to have no end. But as much as I tried to focus on the words before my eyes, my mind wasn't having it.My body still tingled from the sex with Grace the previous night, and my brain was occupied with memories of her moaning and squirming beneath me. She fitted so perfectly into my arms–it felt like she was made for me. Finally having her in my arms again felt like a dream. After being ghosted for days, I had started to believe she would never talk to me again. I was convinced that my days with her were over, only the memories of our time together lingering behind for me to hold onto.Yet, yesterday renewed the hope within me that what we had wasn't lost. Finally confessing my love for her made me feel more alive than ever. It gave me a determination to fight for her that, just a day ago, was threatening to disappear and
*Grace*I had anticipated his call, my heart fluttering erratically every time my phone chimed. But David's voice never came through the other end, leaving me to ponder in an unsettling silence. Had our night together been a goodbye for us? Or was he simply too consumed by his busy life, unable to find a moment to reach out to me? That had never happened before, David had always found the time to call me, but what did I know? Maybe he was too busy. Or maybe I was just trying to find excuses for his disappearance.Doubt gnawed at me, clouding my thoughts and dampening my spirits.Determined to shake off the cloud of uncertainty that loomed over me, I threw myself back into work with a fervor that left my colleagues wide-eyed. My extended absence had left a conspicuous void, but thankfully my boss hadn't taken any drastic actions and fired me."Grace, you've been working nonstop," Maria, one of my co-workers, remarked as she entered my office that morning, concern etched onto h
*David*The conference room was already buzzing with tension as I walked inside, a palpable energy prickling my skin and making me suddenly nervous. I had summoned a select group of individuals—employees, stakeholders, and trusted family members—to gather at this crucial meeting, aimed at facing the looming threat of the Reynolds' hostile takeover.Among those present were my sister and her husband who had returned to the country after several months away, just in time to be present for the board meeting, and their presence provided within me a sense of solidarity and reassurance. It had been a long time since I last saw them, but having them now here, supporting me, meant more to me than they probably knew.My mother, on the other hand, wasn't invited. I made sure the meeting was as confidential and secretive as possible since I didn't want her meddling into things and making them harder than they already were. Her penchant for turning any situation into a chaotic ordeal was the
*Grace*The workweek had kicked off to a bustling start, with the anticipation of an upcoming event filling the air. My heels clicked against the polished surfaces as I stepped through the hallowed halls of the museum and headed to the kitchen, a place that had become a haven of sorts in the chaos of the day.Around me, colleagues chattered excitedly, their voices blending into a symphony of activity that resonated throughout the ancient building. The very walls seemed to absorb their enthusiasm, and for a moment, the weight of my personal turmoil lifted.In the kitchen, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted me like an old friend. I filled my cup to the brim, hoping the caffeine would work its magic and jolt me out of my melancholic stupor. As I sipped the rich, steaming liquid, I observed the vibrant buzz of the museum staff. It was infectious.Returning to my tasks, I carefully arranged the informational brochures for the upcoming event on the welcome desk. Each
*Grace*Caught off guard, my mind raced to comprehend why David's mother would be lingering in my building's entrance, claiming we needed to talk. I didn't even try to guess how she got my address. I assumed something like this was a piece of cake for someone like Margaret Anderson.Her imposing figure and her piercing blue eyes were fixed on me, making my blood run cold as I took a few more steps towards my building. Dressed immaculately in a tailored black suit, Margaret exuded an air of authority that was impossible to ignore.The cold air stung my cheeks and my heart beat erratically with anticipation and fear. The world seemed to pause around me, a silence enveloping the space between us. The distant hum of the city outside only served to heighten the tension that crackled in the air, and I had to clear my throat to utter a coherent sentence without looking like a scared kitten."Mrs. Anderson... I-I didn't expect to see you here," I stammered anyway, failing to hide my inse
*Grace*-Nine months later- David, Daniel, and I gathered in Sarah's hospital room to celebrate the joyous arrival of the precious little life into the family. Balloons adorned the room, their colors dancing in harmony with the soft lullaby playing in the background through Sarah's speaker. The room buzzed with anticipation as we all anxiously waited for the baby to be brought back to the bedroom."Why is it taking so long for them to bring her?" David asked impatiently, pacing back and forth in the room.Daniel chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "She will be here soon. They just had to take her to run some routine exams.”David groaned in response, and Sarah and I suppressed a laugh to avoid annoying him further.David and I came running as soon as Daniel called to let us know Sarah was about to give birth. David left everything at his company and drove as fast as I was certain was legally allowed to pick me up at the museum and bring us here.It took a while for the h
*Grace*Moving in with David proved to be even better than I had dreamed of. As he promised me, he hired someone to take everything from my apartment and bring it back to his penthouse, but that wasn't really necessary. At the end of the day, I only kept my clothes and some small objects I had emotional attachment to. The furniture and everything else inside the apartment wasn't mine anyway, so I didn't have much to carry on with me.David had insisted that we went shopping so I could give the apartment a bit of my own touch, but truth be told, I already loved everything about it and didn't feel like changing anything, risking ruining its professional and chic decor. The only thing I did buy was a huge Christmas tree I had always wanted to have, and a collection of antique maps that I stumbled upon in a quaint little shop a while ago, but had no room to put them in my old apartment.Of course, David insisted that we grab a whole box of tree decoration ornaments so we could ass
*Grace*The faint hum of the gallery's air conditioning was a soothing background noise as I studied the latest collection of paintings that had been brought in for display. The vibrant colors and intricate brushstrokes captivated me, reminding me of why I chose this career in the first place. It had been a few weeks since David and I had returned from Switzerland, and I had to confess that this one trip made me go back to work with a different enthusiasm. It was like taking that time to ourselves after everything that happened was all I needed to feel a renewed will to live my life to the fullest.I was so engrossed in my work that when my phone rang, I nearly jumped out of my skin."Grace Harrison speaking," I answered without looking at the ID Caller."So formal, huh?" David greeted, his velvety voice on the other end making my heart race instantly. "I came to pick you up. I'm outside the museum right now. I've got a surprise planned for this evening.""Really?" I replied,
*Grace*After a thrilling second day on the Swiss Alps, where David and I had spent hours skiing down the powdery slopes, and visiting a thermal spa afterwards, we finally returned to our cabin. The sky was a dark, velvety canvas punctuated by shimmering stars as we entered our cozy home for the night. My body hummed with exhaustion, but my heart overflowed with happiness.The embers in the fireplace cast an intimate glow over the room, their warmth inviting us to relax. David and I chatted casually about our adventures on the slopes, the adrenaline still coursing through our veins, as we prepared to go to bed.We had showered at the spa, so I was glad I didn't have to get into the shower now."Your skiing skills have certainly improved since yesterday," David teased me, his features sparkling with mischief. I couldn't help but laugh at the memory of my countless falls on the previous day. Today had been a bit better, but not enough so I could consider his words as the truth.
*Grace*When David surprised me by saying he wanted to take me on another trip, I immediately accepted, although he didn't want to tell me where we were going.What I would never have dreamed of was that it would be the majestic Swiss Alps.As David and I arrived, we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of snow-covered peaks–a heart-skipping, jaw-dropping kind of scenery. My excitement was through the roof as I took in the grandeur of our surroundings through the window of our rented car, and I couldn't help but get all giddy with anticipation and pure joy.This trip turned out to be a surprise-packed adventure, and I was already loving every second of it."David, it's absolutely stunning here," I breathed out as we reached the resort we'd be staying at, my voice filled with awe."Isn't it? I knew you would love it," he replied, his sharp blue eyes reflecting the mesmerizing landscape. I couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected escape from reality, a chance to expl
*Grace*David’s tongue danced with mine, making me moan against his mouth as he pinned me to the wall of my living room. "I missed you so much," I repeated against his mouth, my fingers instinctively threading through his hair."Me too. I couldn't sleep without you all these days," he replied hungrily, his arms pulling me closer, his gaze so intense that made my knees weak. His mouth found the curve of my neck and he began to place soft kisses against my skin, making me unconsciously tilt my head, granting him better access.David slid his hands up the sides of my body, softly grazing over my curves as his lips continued their path down my neck. When his fingers slipped under my shirt, finding me completely comfortable and loose without a bra, I flinched under his touch, preparing myself for his next move. He groaned against my skin, his tongue continuing to caress my neck as he took each breast in his hands, kneading them gently and brushing his thumbs across their sensitive
*Grace*I stood by the window of my living room, staring out into the darkened streets below as I grappled with my emotions. My heart swelled with hope and happiness after Sarah's unexpected acceptance of my relationship with David, yet Margaret's chilling threats overshadowed my newfound joy. A knot tightened in my stomach, churning with doubt and fear. Could I ignore her warnings and choose to stay by David's side? Was he strong enough to protect us from his own mother's venomous wrath?As if summoned by my thoughts, my phone vibrated with an incoming call. The screen displayed David's name, my heart skipping a beat at the sight. He'd been silent for days, handling what I now knew were business issues. I felt anxious to answer his call, not knowing how to address him yet, but I was dying to hear his voice for so long, I couldn't simply not answer him now."Hello?" I answered hesitantly."Grace," his voice was a mix of urgency and anxiety, "can you let me in? I'm downstairs.
*Grace*Needless to say that the following days after Margaret came to my building to threaten me were awful. Especially after I read David's answer to my text message. I didn't reply to him, of course–too scared to do anything and have Margaret on my doorstep again quicker than a thunder.For the thousandth time that week, I found myself rambling through my mind, trying to decide what to do. I spent the next few days as if my relationship with David was over. Because that's what it was, right? There was no way I could continue fighting for this love when everyone around us seemed to want to break us apart.I was being weak, I knew that. I could almost hear David's voice telling me to be brave, that our love was worth fighting for… My mother's words replayed in my mind over and over as I tried to convince myself that I should just ignore Margaret and live my life as I pleased.What would happen if I did that though? I would be lying if I said I didn't consider the implications be
*David*As soon as I finished planning my upcoming weekend with Grace–assuming she'd be free and willing to go along with my plans–I decided to head home. After the confrontation with Victoria, I started feeling emotionally drained and my head was pounding like hell, so I felt like I should just go home for the rest of the day.I got home before sunset and headed to the gym to work out. Maybe exhausting my muscles and body would make me sleep a bit better tonight. I hadn't been sleeping well lately, and I was eager to have a tranquil night of sleep for a change.The sudden sound of the doorbell ringing made me almost jump out of my skin. I got out of the treadmill, grabbing a towel to wipe my sweat as I headed to the living room. I wondered who knew I was home already. I hadn't contacted Grace yet, so there was no way it could be her. Right?My heart pounded in my chest as I reached for the doorknob, deep down expecting she had come to surprise me and I would be able to see her