As Long as I Got You

ch.13

As Gracie and Audrey entered the elevator after their encounter with sam , Gracie couldn't shake off the unexpected encounter. Audrey's revelation about Samantha's past connection to to Bella that audrey found on instagram left Gracie intrigued and slightly puzzled about why she had to introduce herself to her Gracie to begin with and what her intentions may have been. She decided not to dwell on it for the moment being, she was focusing on the upcoming evening with Bella and she was excited at the thought of it.

••••

Back at the penthouse, Sophia and Lauren exchanged glances, sensing the nervous energy that lingered in the air. Bella's attempt at balancing her genuine self with the expectations of an extravagant date was evident that she had never done any of this before no experience at all whatsoever . The two friends shared reassuring smiles, knowing that Bella was stepping out of her comfort zone only because is was someone special if it wasn't she would've never pushed herself to do it.

tho Bella made her way down to the lobby after getting ready leaving lauren and sophia upstairs excited for her. bella's nerves were a mix of excitement and uncertainty. The grand gesture of renting out the met museum for the evening felt extravagant and scary. She hoped it would all be fine because her fitness said it would be so she took a deep breath, reminding herself that authenticity was all she needed, cuz gracie deserved to see the real Bella not the bella with a huge front, just bella without the mask of parting and covering her feelings and no walls .

The hotel staff greeted bella with familiar smiles as they always did to their bosses daughter, and Bella stood near the entrance, checking her phone for any updates from her uncle or gracie for that matter but still no word of her uncle being anymore upset than he was. As she waited, her mind couldn't help but wander to the encounter with Sam also, it was unexpected and just so random she thought she might as well help out a friend but it seemed weird. bella didn't think  about it much, or as much as gracie thought about it being sam introduced herself to them separately.
bella just kept replaying the plan for the night in her mind in hopes she get it all right. The Met had been chosen, and the tickets were secured. The ticketer would recognize her, and the private evening in the museum was set in motion. Although an overwhelmingly amount of self-doubt fueled her thoughts.
•
Gracie made her way downstairs as audrey wished her well. she entered the lobby, unaware of Bella's presence anywhere as she looked around for her until she caught a glimpse of bella waiting by the door on her phone next to her limo . gracie felt a sense of excitement building as she walked toward bella outside but Little did bgracie know about the everything Bella had planned for, unlike anything she had ever done for anyone.

As gracie was approaching the doorman to leave the hotel, he opened the door for her to the loud busy streets of new york. bella looked up from her phone now aware of the door opening for whom she had been waiting for and she smiled at gracie's presence. Their eyes met, and a subtle smile crossed Bella's face began to arise. gracie walked towards bella, ready to embark on their evening that held the unexpected surprises for gracie in which bella had in store

bella: nice to see you again
gracie: same to you

bella smiled going to give gracie a hug as gracie stomach began to turn with butterflies at the slight interaction and touch they shared briefly

bella: let's get going?
gracie: yeah lead the way

bella's chauffeur held the door open as gracie got in first then bella behind her and the limo started to drive off