Locked Hearts

Chapter Sixteen

GRACE POV

I finished up my meeting and made my way back to my office. Before I got there, I remembered Lena so I made a detour to Kelly's office.

"Knock knock." I called out, opening her door.

She was sat behind her desk working. I noticed the news was on again.

"How was the meeting?" She asked as I sat down.

"Good, I need to talk to you about something." She gestured for me to go on. "There's this girl, she's seventeen and interested in journalism. She's still in high school but-"

"Yes, bring her. Oh goodie, a baby to mentor." She cut me off with the most excited expression.

I laughed at her rapidly clapping hands. "I thought you'd agree."

She scoffed. "Of course, I took my chance on you and look where we are. My best writer I have here and not to mention my dear friend." She winked playfully. "How do you know her?" She asked after.

"Rae introduced us." She raised a brow so I quickly added, "long story, I'll let the girl know."

"Okay, how's things with Rae?" She asked with a mischievous smile.

My mind drifted to the hazel eyed woman. Things were really good lately, so good that I worried I was dreaming. I hadn't seen her since that day she introduced me to Lena, work consuming us both. She did make the effort to call me everyday which I greatly appreciated. I liked reassurance and she always gave it to me without having to ask. Something my ex never seemed to get.

Mentally groaning at where my thoughts was taking me, I pushed away the temptation to compare them. I didn't want to compare her to him. But sometimes it happened without my consent. I'd compare the way she held me, kissed me or even talked to me. It was weird, I thought I was in love him, this man. Yet a woman I wasn't even with, was treating me better than he did. I agreed to marry him and now thinking about it, I wasn't even sure he knew my favourite color.

"It's fine." I replied but then thought better of that simple answer. "Better than fine actually. Rae is so much different than I thought. That girl I just told you about. Her name is Lena and Rae took her in. Does that sound like something she would do?" I asked hoping she would shed some light for me.

Kelly studied me silently at first. "No, I didn't see her as the type. Some people just surprise us that way." She shrugged.

Yeah, they do.

The people you thought would never hurt you, often did the most damage. Then the ones you never thought would come through for you, are the one putting you back together. They broke me and Kelly put me back on my feet. Now Rae, as much I tried to deny it, was opening the part of me that I had shut off. I didn't want her too, I wanted her to stay far away from my heart. I couldn't have her destroying what was left of me.

But, that was all bullshit. The pass few days without her was restless and drawn out. The time I spent with her was always so enjoyable, that time often seemed to be insufficient. I always craved for more but it was never enough. I was falling for the intimidating woman...

"Gracie?" Kelly's voice broke my train of thoughts.

"I'm not sure what to think anymore, Kel." I murmured. "Rae isn't the relationship type and you were right. I am falling for her."

Admitting that out loud, lifted a huge weight off of my chest. It also brought a wave of anxiety and doubt. I fell for my fuck buddy. We had two rules, no sleeping over, that was fucking broken a long time ago. And no feelings, I was breaking that right now. I couldn't be mad at anyone but myself. I broke the stupid rule.

Kelly must have seen my panicked state because she rushed to my side.

"Hey hey, breathe Gracie." She encourage, holding my hands.

It was then that I realised I was having a panic attack. I felt like throwing up while I broke out in sweats. It's been a while since I had one. Six months to be exact. Kelly kept comforting me until it passed. When it did, I broke down.

"I-I don't w-want to, Kel." I cried. "I don't want to f-fall for her."

"Breathe, babe." She rocked my trembling body side to side. "It's okay, just breathe."

I couldn't go through that pain again. My heart wouldn't make it this time. I fell so hard and I truly believed he was it for me. If Rae didn't feel the same way, I could make peace with that. Although at times I felt like she did. What would utterly destroy me was her saying she felt the same way now, only to change her mind later on.

I felt the sudden urge to pull away before it got too late. Before I completely fell for the dark haired woman. I could get out before my heart was shattered yet again. Picking myself up right now, wouldn't be as hard as it would be later on.

I moved away from Kelly, wiping my tears away and fixing myself.

"I'm sorry for always falling apart." I told her in a quiet voice.

"Do not ever apologise, Gracie. I'm always going to be here for you. I'm your friend before I am your boss." She replied sincerely.

"I know." I stared blankly at the wall. "Why are you watching the news anyway" I tried to divert the attention from me.

She gave in without a question. "Vincent Milano is back, I'm just keeping up with it."

My head snapped in her direction. "The mafia leader?" I asked in shock. She nodded with her eyes on the t.v. "Didn't he leave years ago?"

"Yeah, but his business still carried on even after he went into hiding. Something must have been important enough to bring him back." She replied worriedly.

It's been years since that name had been mentioned. No one knew why he went away, he just left. The man was a terror and known to be brutal in his actions. Whatever reason he came back, had to be paramount. The city could only hope that a war between him and the cops didn't break out. Despite knowing who he was, they've never gathered any information to bring him down. That surely didn't stop them from trying.

Maybe we'd get lucky and nothing bad would happen.

-E