*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
*David*Stepping into the conference room that fateful morning felt like walking into the lion's den. My heart drummed a rapid beat, echoing in my ears, as I zeroed in on the man seated across the table.William Reynolds–my longtime business adversary and the thorn in my side that had plagued me for decades."You know, Anderson," he said as a greeting, a tight smile on his lips and his eyes glinting with malice. "I never expected to be summoned here. I must say you have surprised me."His words were laced with sarcasm, a dagger aimed directly at my heart. It was as if fate had conspired to intertwine our lives in the cruelest way possible–through our children. When I accepted Sarah's wedding to his son, I could never have foreseen the twisted turn of events that would bring us to this point.As I took my seat, I couldn't help but feel the weight of decades of rivalry settling between us. "Surprises keep life interesting, William," I quipped, attempting to diffuse the palpable te