"Ahem" Grace cleared her throat.
Freddie kept on twirling a strand of her hair while glancing at the menu set upon her eyes.
Liam put a palm on his cheek in bore
"So was it your idea?"
"What?" Grace diverted her attention to him
"I said, was it your idea that we hang out today and here?" He murmured with half closed eyes
"Oh, uh huh" she gulped "Where's Christophe?"
"Clearly not here..." Liam rolled his eyes
"Exactly, that's why I'm asking!!" She snapped
"I don't know" shrugged Freddie
"I thought you're the one who'd know" Grace popped an eyebrow at Freddie
"Who? Me?" Chuckled Freddie "No, he said he had to do something and he'll come soon"
"He didn't tell you anything else then?"
"He didn't tell me"
"Actually, Christophe said that in front of you Grace. Or should I say boss?" Giggled Liam, giving a reassuring smile to Freddie, promising to keep by her side
Dinging melodies echoed as Christophe passed by the glass door and allowed himself in. He searched with his eyes till landing on his 'friends' and he gave them a wave.
"Here he comes" said Liam, straightening his back in the chair
"Sorry for the delay" Christophe said, pulling the chair and seating himself
"No prob..."
"Where were you?" Breathed Grace
"I had some paper work that I didn't finish"
"Though both of them finished" whispered Grace under her breath
"What do you mean?"
"I meant" she glared at him "that if you weren't fooling around, you'd have finished earlier" she then made a side wicked glance to Freddie
"Grace you know quite well how hard I work!" Christophe raised his voice
"Oh sorry, did I really annoy you with the truth?" She laughed "If the person who made you procrastinate you work did that to his work too, that person wouldn't be here as well"
"I am sorry , did I miss something?" Coughed Liam
"Who are you referring to?" Christophe eyed her with angry eyes
"Nobody"
"I guess we should order something" suggested Liam, not waiting for an approval. He called the waiter and asked for their orders. Once they all gave up the fight and made up their minds about what to eat, Grace got back to her silent mode. She stole glances now and then on Freddie and Christophe, merely ignoring the presence of Liam. She didn't know what took over her, but she knows that once you entered a game, the only option preferable is to win.
Freddie tried as hard as she could to ignore Grace and her occasional harsh and blaming remarks, but with every word she says , Grace would find the best reply to hit her with. Liam soon understood what was going on, and once the conclusion made it self visible in his mind, he held himself away from the discussion and just observed.
"Excuse me, I'll go the restroom" smiled Freddie innocently then walked away
Grace started tapping her nails on the table nervously. At that moment, none of their talks seemed important or woth listening to. After a minute which seemed like a whole hour to Grace, she too excused herself and went after Freddie, feeling the burning stares of both men on her back.
The door was powerfully opened by Grace's hand as she stepped inside, noticing the slim figure of Freddie standing by the sideways-long mirror. Freddie was applying lipstick on her already moist lips, and adjusting some strands making them fall on her eyes. She approved the approach of Grace behind her, but she didn't interrupt her actions.
"Oh you look good, no need for all that" smirked Grace
Freddie was astounded by the sudden change and sweetness of Grace; thus, she turned around and drew a smile. What Freddie failed to make out was the wickedness dancing in Grace's eyes, contrasting her perfect smirk.
"I mean, who are you trying to look good for?" Grace widened her grin
"I don't get you" Freddie hesitated. She blinked several times , watching the paused look on Grace's face, then she faced the mirror once more to ensure what she did
"You seem to love the company of guys" Grace smirked at her evilly
"Funny..." Chuckled Freddie while wiping some excess lipstick around her lips "I thought that was you"
Grace's expression hardened that Freddie's eyes immediately met hers in the mirror "Stay away from him!"
"From who?"
"You know who!"
"You're out of your mind" said Freddie in anger and astonishment as she put back her lipstick in her bag and headed to the door
"I said stay away from him" repeated Grace
"Sometimes I wonder whether it's Eric you're in love with , or it is Christophe" snapped Freddie leaving Grace with wide hateful eyes. No immediate response was given, so Freddie turned again to leave
"Beware Miss Garret!" Threatened Grace
"You're surely out of your mind!" Hissed Freddie before she slamed the door behind her
Smoke can almost be seen rising from Grace's red face as she cursed and swore under her breath. She took a look at her self in the mirror, and saw the fire dancing in her eyes with rage. She tried to contain herself, but soon enough she slammed the door open and walked angrily on the concrete behind Freddie towards the table. She passed by her and whispered in her ear
"Stay away from him"
Freddie came to a sudden stop, and turned heels facing Grace. She gave a vexed sigh then spoke loudly , almost shouting
"You should stay away from him! Are you insane?" She hissed "I'm leaving, I can't stand you"
"You heard me.Remind me how did you get your job?!!"
"What's going on?" Liam sat up
"Shut up" Grace pointed a finger at him
Freddie took that as an opportunity to leave. She eyed Grace up and down, then made her way to the glass door. Liam cursed and went after Freddie calling her name, while Christophe took two steps toward them , then looked back at Grace with looks of mixed emotions. Hatred and disappointment.
"But you didn't eat, guys!" She chuckled loudly. Christophe shook his head in disbelief, then ran after Freddie and Liam, leaving Grace right in her spot.
Grace looked around her, finally aware of the fact that people were staring at them, then she too held her bag and left.
* * * * * * * *
Red drops splashed on the inside of the transparent glass. The sound of pouring wine was rhyming with Grace's drifting soul.
She raised her well black-lined eyes to scan Daniel's face as he held the bottle between his hands confidentially. It was the first time for her to notice how warm he seems closely than the mysterious man she thought he was.
She smiled thankfully as she took the glass, then her eyes followed him as he went back to the opposite chair.
"It became a habit, drinking my wine here"
"You're welcome anytime, Miss Lawrence" he raised his glass in welcoming
"Grace" she took a sip "just say Grace"
"Okay, Grace" he gave her a quick glance then gave a queer smile "You seem happy today"
"I feel powerful"
"Powerful is a strong word indeed" he nodded " Mentaly and Physically"
"The state you be in, when you finally are able to think clearly, and know which direction you're pointing at" she said in pride, rolling the glass in front of her eyes slowly. A long pause had taken over till she finally put down the glass and faced Daniel with more determined stares.
"You're wondering aren't you?"
"I am flattered" he confessed "for the sudden change"
"Knowing is the reason"
"A lady of your age would have more pointless reasons, it startles me that you talk in riddles" he burned a hole in her with his glare "I bet you have thoughts"
"You opened my eyes to many things, Dr." She chuckled "All I did was show them that I'm not blind anymore"
Daniel nodded understandably as earlier talks swam to the surface of his memory
"And how do you feel about it?"
"As I told you, powerful"
"How could you know you're pointing to the right direction?" He suggested "You could be insisting on the wrong path, all due to a trick of the mind"
"When people feel offended and do not stand up for themselves, they probably have no alibi"
"Or disappointed" he sighed "How's Eric?"
"It's not him I am talking about" she crinkled her eyesbrows
"And I did not say so"
"He'll be fine" she smirked bitterly
* * * * * * * *
Clouds seemed to thicken the next morning. Cold mist filled the air, though they already got into summer.
Grace stroked her arms as she took hurry steps on the front stairs to 'The Hailey's' building. She pushed back some strands behind her ear while getting into the elevator. She gave questioning looks to the lady beside her, noticing her queer glances and gloom all over her face. Once she got out of the elevator, she tightened her grip around her bag's handle, and walked through the hall to her office.
"Morning Laura" she beamed
Laura smiled faintly at her then looked away, with the same gloom possessing her.
Grace knitted her eyebrows in puzzlement as she passed by Laura and two other women who whispered to each other then looked at Grace sympathetically.
"What's wrong with them?" She whined. Reaching the office near hers, she rolled her eyes and followed her curious instinct of poking inside and have an idea of what they may have done. As soon as her figure appeared by the door, Liam and Christophe snapped away from each other and shot worried looks to Grace. She crossed her arms vexedly at them
"What did you tell everybody, Chris?" She hissed. Only then, she noticed his red eyes, and twitching glances trying as hard as they could to avoid meeting hers. Meanwhile, Liam pursed his lips, scratched his forehead and gave his back to them.
"What is it?..." She whispered, getting no respose, for Christophe bit his lips, holding on hardly the words that begs to be let out.
"Liam... What's going on? I hate that!" She cried loudly
Liam took a deep breath, then raised his eyes to meet hers with so much hurt in them, making Grace wish to crawl back to the corner. She scanned the room with her eyes, finally noticing the disappearance of Freddie, and realization hit her.
"Please tell me she left the company" she tittered. Chris frowned, still with his eyes fixed to the ground, while Liam hatefully glared at her.
"What's wrong with you guys! My God!" She rolled her eyes, turning around to leave
"She's gone" spoke Liam in a tired voice
"Oh, that's good news then" she laughed, still with her back to them
"Forever" added Liam
Grace froze and her face got pale, matching the color of the sky. She faced them both with widened eyes, hoping for a clearer response
"What?..."
"She's dead" Christophe gulped
Despite of the hate she held towards Freddie, and how alive she was the day before, it felt like a bullet has been shot through her heart.
Her jaw dropped, and blood flushed wildly in her cheeks while her eyes got watery. She took shaky breaths after she held them for long.
She laughed slightly, convincing herself that this wasn't real, that they're just playing with her for what happened yesterday.
"Guys, stop it" her teeth chattered
Christophe shook his head at her, letting her no that there's no good in denying. Freddie is dead.
She blinked at them with effort, trying not to give in to the dizziness that was trying to take over her. Her heart wrenched painfully in her chest, announcing a new level of the game.
Christophe knew what she was thinking, and such coincidence can not be called coincidence anymore.
He finally was able to lock eyes with her, but as soon as he did, he knew he better catch her.
Late, he was for sure. Grace ran quickly out of the room and out of the whole building.
~ Eric glanced at the person in front of him, then held his ringing phone. He read the caller ID, and a chill went down his spine
"Hello?"
"Eric...." The voice whispered
"Chris, how are you?" Eric's gentle voice said soothingly. Yet, there was no reply, only deep breaths
"Chris what's wrong?"
"It's Grace...." Chris blurted out as Eric's eyes widened~
The air seemed to revolve around Grace as she limped on the pavement along the streets. Matching her lost soul, she didn't know where she was, she just kept on walking and walking to be away from the dreadful place she was in. Death, a word that accompanied her throughout her life, and housed itself in every place her feet have landed on.
A tear rolled down her cheek, but she wiped it away hurriedly then crossed her arms tightly. She was still unable to fully make out what had happened, neither she was willing to.
Dead. Freddie was dead
Is it a dream? Or is it real? She wondered with blurry eyes and a dazzled mind. After walking for long, she stopped in front of a bar. After reading the name, her eyes dropped and were laid on its doors.
On entering, she made her way to the chairs opposite to the bar's counter, and ordered a glass of vodka . one shot, two and three. Nothing stopped her, for by every glass she took , she felt she was slowly drowning her sorrows and slipping herself away from reality that keeps caressing around her throat like a knife, smoothing itself on her warm skin, waiting for the right time to strike and dig holes between her bones.
Minutes and hours passed, and she still sat there, with a light head of a drunken soul. She glanced at the bar guy with half closed eyes then smiled
"So much sadness you hold" he commented, shaking a bottle of cocktail of alcohol in his hands
" 'You held' " she corrected pointing a shaky finger at him" I barely remember how I came here" she chuckled
He gave her a wide grin "Better then"
"Funny" she drunk the glass in one gulp "Who am I again, mr...?"
"Landon" he chuckled "you drank a lot"
"Oh no no, give me another shot"
She took the glass and stared at the liquid with wandering eyes. Life, it feels like it was slowly slipping away from her. Preparation of deah is awaiting. Ceremony, that's what should happen, threatening and a testimony by the destiny confessing dealing with death over her life.
Her fragile body swayed with the background music that played inside her head, and she began giggling to herself with an absent mind.
"Grace!!" A familiar voice cried at distance, closing by each second the distance between them. She didn't move her face, she just kept on giggling and circling the glass with her pointer finger.
"Damn Grace! It's almost evening! We kept looking for you" the man's voice shoke and echoed in her eardrums. They sounded familiar, so familiar that she couldn't help but divert her eyes to lock them with his. The green eyes looked so deep in dim light, like a raging ocean in a misty storm. The kind of ocean,that its breathtaking greenish color contrasts its state.
The man took away the glass from her hands as she was about to take another gulp, and he set it away from her
"That's enough Grace" he gritted his teeth
"Oh please" she whined "Why do you come and...and" her head swayed to the right and left "yes, and disturb my leisure"
"You need to stop that! Let's go" he grabbed her by the hand which she snatched away
"Hey!" She shouted with a weak drunken voice
The man sighed and sat beside her sadly. He held her chin with one hand, making her face him once again. Her hazel eyes stared into his, and he could see the twinkle fading with time. What was making her the person he knew was fading away with it too, making him mourn silently.
Grace pushed his hand away with a weak one, then laid her body on the counter in attempt of reaching the set away glass of hers. Once she reached it, she threw her body back on the chair, and laughed loudly telling Landon to get the man a drink as well.
"No, thank you" he addressed Landon, then looked back at her
"Grace, don't do this to yourself" his smooth voice went like melodies in her ear. A tone, she remembered hearing along with the exact words before. She closed her eyes as a weak sad smile found its way on her lips, then faced him with puffy eyes
"She's dead" she tittered "She's dead , Eric"
He bit his lips, unable to reply to her words. Truth is speaking and forcing itself on the top of the conversation , and facts are applying themselves as theories before them. Nothing can be said to ease the pain Grace thinks she holds.
"She was killed" her face darkened "weren't she? She was killed!!!!"
"Grace, no, stop" he pleaded "don't do this"
"He killed her! He..he.. Catrina!" She cried loudly gaining the stares of whoever was there "He did that to her, just like Catrina!" She sobbed
"Please Grace" his voice cracked as he held her hands
"Catrina!! He killed Freddie, Eric! He.. He.. I will die! I will die! I will die!" She shouted and screamed as Eric hugged her tightly trying to calm her down. He tried hardly not to cry with her, how could he when he was supposed to be her support?
"I will die!" She sobbed "Why? w..w...wh..why" her voice stuttered and tears were soaking his shirt. She started shaking in his arms, feeling that one more second and she'll fall to the ground if he wasn't holding her well. The noise and voices around her started to merge together, creating a non-understandable language that she doubt she ever heard. Lights extended themselves in her sight, blinding her form the surroundings as she was held by strong arms and carried away. All she was aware of was the sound of an engine, and the feeling of leather fabric on her cheek. She closed her eyes slowly while hearing her name repeat over and over again, lower by each time, till they faded away.
When she opened her eyes again, she was resting her head on the warm chest of Eric. He was carrying her gently and walking with beige walls behind his head filled with portraits. He reached the wanted room, then laid her on the soft bed.
He scaned her with pitiful eyes then planted a soft kiss on her forehead. The alcohol was still felt running through her blood wildly, stealing whatever was left from her balanced mind. Her cheeks burned red as she grabbed Eric by the collar and pulled him down again strongly, kissing his lips longingly. Her hands were pulling and stroking his curly brown hair.
Eric's mind told him "No" that this is wrong and that he shouldn't take advantage of her state. And although his brain fought with effort, his body rebelled and obeyed his heart instead, the heart which was bewitched by the sweet tatse of her lips, along with vodka on them.
He kept stiff, only bending by the bed, giving in to the unbreakable kiss she forced over him, stealing his feelings away from sadness to total drenching.
The kiss went on, as Grace absently pulled him harder till he finally got on top of her with his hands roaming themselves through her entire hot burning body. How to break such a moment, such passion, when not only was her awarness stolen, but also his. He fell under her spell that he finally wasn't able to fight it, wasn't able to stop.
The kiss deepened and flew them away, with his soul leaping breathlessly.
Grace gazed mindlessly at the ceiling, feeling the wet kisses all over her burning body, her mind drunken by the sweet taste of forgetfulness, the sweet taste of ignorance to the bitter reality.
The ceiling was caught on fire, lighting up her dull eyes. She hung up to the eyes of herself up there, the eyes that were filled with pain. She can see her same agonized face, and suddenly her lips twisted in amusement.
Feathers
Floating all around
Catching flames
She was surrounded with them, as her white wings stretched in pain from the burning skin of hers, the skin that the flames have licked harshly without any sign of mercy.
The white matching dress was blown by the hot air up there, and soon her eyes reflected the flames and she adapted herself. A burning angel.
Grace smiled faintly to the ceiling, felling the strokes and the tingling touches on her skin that send electricity all over her body. The vision blurred again, and she was lost deep in darkness with her mind still recalling one word "Dead"