Harry's POV.
I've been sited into the corner of Lee's place for hours, watching Grace going back and forth like an obsessed person, always smiling, always trying to be as fast as she can manage to do. She has her hair up and her face is fully noticeable. Her eyes are so bright and big under the lights of the enormous chandelier. It happens when she's too busy to even stop and think for a second. She likes it. she likes losing herself into something so she can forget about problems. I watch as they slide away from her face and she puts on the same mask as ever. This coldness smile on her face is scaring, too fake. This is just not her.
She talks to the rich family and politely tries to act like a true waitress, asking things and nod every time they talk. I see in her eyes she wants to scream and punch their faces one by one, especially of the one site right in front of me, with the Barbie Plastic boobs and the makeup that looks more like a Halloween mask.
She's making the difficult, trying to embarrassed Grace and put her in a bad position so she will lose control and make a mistake that will cost to Lee this place. She wants to ruin her; I can see by the way she glares upside down Grace's body with disgust. If she doesn't stop, I'm going to cause a scene and kick her out myself. dumbass of a bitch. On the other hand, the man or I should call him the son, is staring at Grace with curiosity and, may I add, eager eyes. I can't stand him, I truly can't. Grace blushes a little for the rage and turns to look at me, I leave my gaze inside her soul for a bit of time and then, when I see that she can't take it away from me, I dart my eyes far from her and giggle. So she still likes me. I think to myself.
''Hey...'' I rise my head to find Lee taking a place next to me with a menu in his hand to hide from the family he's so afraid of.
''Hello little clever spy hidden behind a plastic paper trying to hear boring conversations from a snobby and also rude family to know if they are gonna make you more rich'' I say and Lee shushes me with an harsh glare. I smirk and lean back against the chair.
''You're gonna make me close this place, smartass'' he scolds me and I chuckle not to loud.
I'm about to open my mouth but something in their conversation catch my attention.
''That girl is not pretty at all'' the dark haired girl scoffs waving with her hand.
''You can't say that Cat, I will not accept it because it's a lie'' the old woman fires back and then the younger man jumps in pointing his hands on the wooden table.
''You're just jealous. What's your problem Cathy, you're afraid she will steal your crown because she's way better than you?'' He's way too angry for a person who is talking about his waitress, and I'm starting to worry. Does this man want something from my Grace? and where is Grace by the way.
''Oh, but please,'' she dismisses her brother rolling her eyes. ''She will just be another hole in your belt and soon you will forget about it. careful not to make her pregnant this time brother'' she harshly states and I move my head towards Lee. He's staring with a red face too.
''Who does she think she is?'' He says with gritted teeth. I ignore him, I need to find Grace, because my blood is turning cold and I'm starting to fear she's in trouble.
''Where is Grace, Lee?'' I ask and he smiles at me pointing to the changing room. I quickly stand up and make my way jogging to the room, my blood is slightly dying, not moving. It happens since she pushed me away. It's a mechanism of defence, to prevent me from hurting myself any further.
''Harry,'' someone calls me from the counter and my head snaps in the direction of the female voice. She gestures for me to come closer and I do that, stopping right in front of the register. ''You're Grace's boyfriend right?'' she asks knowing already the answer, I nod hesitantly and she licks her lips.
This girl has blonde hair, blue eyes and a very pussy attitude. I think I've seen her around Grace a lot these past few days when she just ignored me. I had a bit of time to watch and study every mood she has, every movement she makes. The way her head swings from a side to the other when she's tired, the way her eyes stares into the nothing when she's alone and thinks no one is watching her. how her stomach moves under the tank top when she breathes. Every little thing that made me love her even more, and also augment the pain for the loss of her touch. A week straight without kissing is a week for me where I died every moment a little more. A vacation to the hell.
''And Alex's friend?'' she calls me out of my dream and I tilt my head to her again, I didn't notice I was staring the floor anyway.
''Yep, what do you need woman?'' I tease and she smirks, her nose is pierced. Did she just ask me about Alex? Is she the girl he has been talking about every day, non stop, annoying me to death?
''I was wondering if you...if you had his number. I had two tickets for the Coldplay and...'' she stops feeling embarrassed but I don't ask. She's cute when she blushes and darts her eyes away, I can see why he likes her so much. They are a lot alike. Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside.
I stand there awkwardly before waking up and taking my phone out. I search through the contacts before touching Alex's name and open up the number. I turn the device to her and she grins to me before typing it into her phone.
''Thank you Harry. Grace is right, you really are a good person'' she says and I freeze in my position looking straight into her eyes.
''What? Grace talks about me?'' I ask carving for the answer, my heart beating fast, my hands sweating.
''Soes she need too? I mean her eyes are pretty convincing'' she replies and turns her attention to the costumers who asks for a drink. I path towards to the changing room and finally step inside, walking down the corridor. I place my hand on the handle and my forehead against the cold door. Am I truly ready...for this? for her? am I enough for the girl with the ice in her eyes and the cold in her heart? She's gonna push me away again, I know that but, it's Grace. I can't let her walk away; I can't live without her. I love her and that's the only thing I'm sure of, the only anchor that keeps me with the feet on the earth. The only bound between me and my dreams. So I push the door knob down and...walk in.
*
Grace's POV.
''I'm sorry'' I say jumping on a sited position. He smiles at me closing the door behind him. his dark hair falling on his face, a little too long, his eyes studying my every move. So familiar.
''I...'' the man says and I tense, massaging the back of my head in embarrassment.
''I'm so sorry. I'm truly am, Mr. Fitz, I will come back to your table please don't take this out on Lee. It's my mistake. I was just chilling out. '' I rush into the words and his grins grows. He rises his hand on his face and presses his finger on his forehead amused.
''It's okay, you can stay here. I wanted to have a word with you in private.'' My blood turns cold, my head starts to spin and I get panic. What does he want?
He takes a step forward and points to the bench where I'm currently sited.
''May I have a seat'' my head is screaming to go away and ask for help. It reminds me that I'm alone with an older man, in an isolated place where no one can hear me.
I gulp and watch as he takes the place opposite from me anyway but still too close, so I slowly pull a little back, looking around nonchalantly.
''You were talking about yourself early, about the school and things but I .... Couldn't help but notice you didn't say a thing about your family?'' he asks and I widen my eyes. this is not something I like to talk about to be honest, not with a stranger, not with anyone at the moment.
''Are your parents good with you?'' He inquires and I look away, I want him to stop, I don't want to talk. Who is he? a fucking caseworker? I don't need to be psychoanalyzed, I'm a wonderful mess by myself.
''I don't live with my parents sir, and we should really get going. Yours will wonder where you are'' I try and embrace myself with my arms, he's taking in every inch of my skin, searching for something but he can't manage to find it. neither do I. what are you searching for Mr. Fitz I ask to myself.
''You're pretty young, why? Did...did they do something to you?'' he demands and leans closer to touch me. I stand up like a bent and gulp down the lamp in my throat.
''I insist. We must go'' I can punch him; I can fight him back anytime I want but I don't want for Lee to lose everything because of me. I own him this.
''You're afraid of me.'' then he stops and thinks better ''No, not of me only, of male in general, aren't you?'' how does he know? This man is creepy, really creepy who is he my personal stalker?
''This is none of your business Mr. Fitz." he softens his hard glare and breath out, coming a little closer to me.
'' Am I right baby girl? If I am, you have problem, it's obvious and I just want to help'' I shake my head and sense as his hands make their way through my jacket. I can't move, this is happening again. It can be possible, I'm so tired.
''Why, I don't need help nor did I ask for it, leave me alone.'' The jacket is folded perfectly before being placed on the bench. Then he turns towards me and starts to unbutton my right sleeve.
''Because you remind me a very brave girl I once met. She was just like you. long hair, blue eyes, wild heart trapped with a husband she didn't want.'' He stops breathing and I stare into his dark eyes as he scans the skin that is slowly appearing while he pulls the sleeve up. Is he talking about her? He says girl this means she was young; my mom was young when she was with my dad.
''She had such big dreams, about school and her future. I've spent most of my university years obsessed with them. when she spoke, you found yourself enchanted by the sound of her voice. But she hidden a big nightmare behind those pierce blue eyes.'' and then my bruises come into view and he cringes, his chest starts to breath in and out fast, his face becomes slightly red.
Is he talking about my mom? It's him the man who got her pregnant and then refused to take care of my big brother? Or should I call him step brother? I don't know.
A part of me wants to ignore these questions, wants to run away and never turn back but the other wants to know so badly the truth. At least if this person, who claims to care about my problem, it's the same person who broke my mom's heart I need to know. Because I don't trust him, I don't trust his gentle finger brushing on my skin, and his eyes full of pain as he watches what my dad had done to me.
I don't trust anyone anymore. Humanity disgusts me.
''Tell me Grace? Did anyone punish him? The man who have done such things, deserves to die. He never learns baby girl, after all these years, he never learns'' he states more to himself. He knows my family. How? I can't find answers because I only now notice he's dangerously close, but his eyes don't leave my skin for a second, even when the door cracks open.
''Back off you, fifth piece of fancy tapestry '' Harry growls and jogs towards us, jerking Damian's hand away from me. he abruptly stands right in front of me, giving his back to me but I can picture his eyes burning holes into Damian's body
''Grace'' Harry calls and I tilt my head up to meet his dark green eyes but they are not staring back at me. ''Did he do something to you?'' It feels odd, hearing Harry's voice. It's only been a week but it feels like a life time ago. That's way it takes me so long to answer.
''What?'' Damian screams, taken aback from his words. ''Are you fucking insane boy? I won't touch her. You're a fool if you think this, she's just a girl'' he defends himself then adds again ''I'm not a fucking abusive monster who plays with baby girls'' I lower my head, ouch this hurt. I grab my jacket and storm out of the changing room, feeling like I wanted to cry for his words. he only said the truth, why am I feeling so bad about it then? Because it hurts when they remind you that the one you could have loved more than your own life is just the worst person you could have ever met who corrupted your life and which memory will haunt you for a very long time.
I recompose myself and then keep to watching out the Fitzgerald. Damian comes join us a little later and acts like nothing has happened, always searching for my eyes but I ignore them, for the whole night. I keep professional and swallow down all the snobby remarks from his sister.
I eventually make it through the dinner and Mrs. Fitz congrats with Lee, assure him that she will talk about this place with her friends. I guess we all win tonight.
***
My head lays on the glass of the car while I discover that I've fell asleep during the car drive only to be awaken by Harry's hand on my thigh. I pretend to be asleep as he rises it up and down not to touch my crotch but to caresses me. he brushes his finger on my jeans and squeezes it gently when the cars stop.
I hear the door shutting close and footsteps, then my passenger door opens and I sense his fingertips around my skin. He unbuckles the belt but doesn't pull me in his arms. Instead I feel his head dip under my chin, breathing my scent. Then a moan lives his lips and I shiver slightly, while his mouth presses on me. He sighs in relief and his arms embrace my body lifting from the passenger seat. I wrap my arms around him and smell his cologne, I've missed so much.
Again footsteps, a door closes, footsteps, a door opens then I've been placed on the mattress. His scent is everywhere so I assume this is his room. I deepen my face into the pillow while hearing his clothes shifting away from his body.
His cold hands reach for my belt and take it off along with my pants. He's careful in the move, his fingers linger on me for too much time to be only a casualty. My shirt is pulled up and after a little break, his lips brush on the surface making me go goose bumps. I'm pretending I'm asleep and even though I'm basically shaking, I think he's too busy tasting me around to notice it. he's in trance, too hungry to care.
My tee goes off as well and suddenly I feel his almost bare body against mine. His breath is heavy, fanning some strands of hair off of my face. His lips, I can feel them closer to mine because they cause mine to stings for the need of brushing them together.
Don't kiss me Harry, don't force me. this it's already enough.
The sheets move under my body and he comes closer. It will be so easy for me to erase his pain, I only need to touch him, just move a finger and make it all disappear. Instead I stay quiet and focus on his movement. His head comes join mine on the pillow and one of his hands disappear from near my body. soon after I hear him moaning my name. is he? Oh My.
''I...I think you need to stay with Alex for a while Grace. I ...'' he stops and gasps. Oh grace, you could help him, you really can but yhy don't you? I'm afraid that if I touch him, he will disappear that's the truth.
''I can't protect you Grace, I'm not enough stronger for the both of us. I'm sorry, I can't live with this weigh on my chest, I feel so guilt'' I widen my eyes and he snaps his head back to me, surprised and shocked.
I feel suffocated, his words...I'm not ready for them, at all. I storm on my feet, sprinting in the bathroom and jumping in the shower. I take off my undergarments and hear him curse while I turn the water on. Is he tired of me already? Is this what love at all costs means? He simply gives up on me, so easily. I find myself sliding down while tears start to stream down. I thought I could have love him but I was right for once. Love doesn't exist, or better as my dad says, not the kind he tried to sell me. I rise my head and look up at the razor. He's in love with my body, everyone is in love with it...so...maybe.