When It All Comes Crashing Down (Ongoing)

Tables Have Turned

"Hey you!" greeted Grace with her radiant smile as Malcolm answered the door.

Dumbfounded, he looked on, yearning to pinch himself to see if this moment was only a dream. When he still hadn't replied, Grace's smile faltered, replaced with a puzzled look. Worried that her unexpected visit was not a great idea, she began to explain herself.

"When you didn't call me after your wife's father bumped into you at the bar, I became concerned. I made sure to call you before I came, but there was no answer so I had to see you. Is everything okay?" Grace asked with an anxious tone.

Finally coming to, Malcolm stuttered out, "Y-yeah, everything's fine. I was just in the shower so I didn't hear anything," he lied.

Looking down, Grace had an inkling that maybe this visit wasn't the brightest idea. Same as the kiss she desperately wanted that night, but was interrupted before she could receive it. Sighing heavily, she plastered on a fake smile.

"Since I see you're in one piece, I'll see you another time. Take care."
Before she could turn around completely, Malcolm's hand gently wrapped around her arm, forcing her to face him slightly.

"Forgive me, I'm not acting like myself," he admitted as Grace nodded, agreeing with him.

"Believe me, I am not avoiding you, okay?" Malcolm reassured her as he placed a finger under her chin to keep her gaze on his. "I will explain, but not now. It's just bad timing."

Grace's heart squeezed a little as she heard the sincerity in Malcolm's voice. But deep down, she wondered what was going on and why she had to wait for an explanation when she was standing right in front of him. Before she could reply, the front door opened slightly, followed by Rochelle's head poking out to see who her husband was speaking to. When Rochelle realized the familiar face, she smiled genuinely.

As Malcolm stared ahead, Grace's eyes turned from shock to sadness, causing him to look behind himself. As his eyes came into contact with his wife, his breathing quickened. "Shit!" he thought to himself as he looked on helplessly at the moment unfolding before him."

"Hey there, Grace!" smiled Rochelle. "It's been some time since I've seen you. What brings you over here?"

Grace returned the gesture, "I was just in the neighborhood, thought to see how you two were doing. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything, being it so early in the morning."

Rochelle giggled, her cheeks slowly becoming a slight pink hue.

"There's plenty of time for us to finish," she replied, her arms gently wrapping around her husband from behind.

Malcolm knew Grace enough to know her hunched shoulders meant she was highly upset, even close to breaking down in tears, but he watched as she inhaled deeply, putting on an act as if what she just heard didn't bother her.

"Well, don't let me stop you two," Grace stated with a sly grin. "I'm late as it is, I need to meet with one of my clients. I'm glad to see you two are doing well. Hope you two have a blessed day," she waved as she made her way down the steps towards her car.

"You too!" Rochelle yelled back, smiling from ear to ear.

She turned her head, focusing on Malcolm.

"I'll be inside, it's a little chilly out. Hurry up, I don't want you catching a cold," she replied, giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek before entering the house once again.

As soon as the door closed, Malcolm finally found the strength to uproot himself from where he was standing to run down the steps after Grace. Before she could pull off, he waved his hands frantically in front of the car, signaling for her to stop. Quickly, he ran to the driver's side tapping on the window.