Locked Hearts

Chapter Thirty Eight

GRACE POV

I froze.

I couldn't move even if I wanted to. For a second, I thought I was imagining it but I heard her come closer.

"Grace." Her voice came again, softer and yet huskier than I remember.

The hand that held my purse gripped the strap tighter, finding some sort of grounding. I shook my head as if getting rid of the fog she brought with her, and slowly, I turned around. My breathing momentarily stopped when our eyes locked. She looked the same, but then she didn't. Hands stuck in her pockets, eyes trained on mine and only a few feet away. My right hand came up, with every intention of making sure she was real. I thought I'd just poke her shoulder or face, to ensure I wasn't going crazy right now. My love struck heart could very well be conjuring her up or I could finally be losing it. But instead my hand swung back and landed harshly on her cheek.

The hazel eyed woman head whipped to the side. Her hand came up to rub the sore spot. "I deserved that." She chuckled nervously and for some reason it pissed me off.

My hand came up again and slapped her harder this time. I felt accomplished when she stumbled back with this one.

"Have you been working out, tesoro?" She grunted holding her face.

Without a word I turned around and made my way to my apartment. Her footsteps could be heard following me and I sped up.

"Grace wait, let me explain." She held the elevator door.

Too pissed off to answer or listen, I kicked her shin making her let go of the elevator to hold her foot. Before it closed, I saw the pained look on her face as she bent over. Thinking she deserved it and with the hurt I felt for so long, it drowned out any guilt on my part.

It was only when I reached my apartment and locked the door behind me, did I allow any emotion through. I slid down the door and broke down. My hands around my knees, I folded into myself and cried like a baby.

"Amore, please let me talk to you." She didn't knock, just spoke softly.

One of my hand covered my mouth realising she could hear me. "Go away." I choked out.

"Please."

Getting angry again, I got up and opened the door. "Please? Please what Valerius? You left me!"

"I know and I'm sorry-"

"You know what, forget me. What about your mother, your brother or the girl you took in. Did you just abandoned all of them." I shouted, jabbing my finger at her chest.

She shook her head coming closer. "No, just-"

"I don't care. Leave!" I slammed the door in her face.

I waited to hear if she'd knock or leave. When I heard her footsteps retreating, I broke again. I spent the rest of the night staring at the door in tears, hoping she'd knock and try harder. It never happened.

The next morning I laid in bed wondering if last night was a dream. It had to be. But then I felt the sting on my palm and I cringed. If my hand hurt then I didn't want to think about her face. I reluctantly got up and got ready for the dreaded day. I finished getting dressed and tied my hair up. I needed my best friend.

I opened my front door to see the Italian sitting there. She was leaned against the wall, eyes closed. I took a minute to study her, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, still as breathtaking as ever. I could see the impact of my hits on her face, I allowed the guilt this time, some shame for actually doing that came too. My heart begged to reach out for her but my hurt mind refused. So I stood staring down at her, mind and heart waging a war within me. I watched as her eyes fluttered open and locked with mine. She seemed to be confuse before jumping up and straightening out herself.

"Buongiorno, amore." She greeted quietly, looking down at her feet, which wasn't like her.

I slammed my door shut and walked away ignoring the woman that followed. She silently trailed behind me until I got to my car. She didn't say anything, not when I unlocked the door, not when I got in. Before I drove off, my eyes fell on her. She kept looking at me longingly but I was still too butt hurt to care. I drove off leaving her there.

●●●

"She's back. Val is back." Kelly muttered. "Why are you here then? Why aren't you with her, finding out why the fuck she took so long to get back to you?" She asked appalled.

I didn't say anything but looked at her. I was crying again. I couldn't stop crying since last night, I cried in the shower, I burst into tears on the drive here. It's like a dam broke through in me.

"I can't, Kel. I c-can't." I buried my face in my hands.

"Okay, alright." She came closer and held me to her. "Let it out." She rocked me back and forth.

When I pulled myself together, I sat up and wiped my eyes. "Why are you always putting me back together?" I asked her seriously.

"That's not true. You're here when I need you too." She tucked some hair behind my ear.

"When?" I asked bewildered. "Something always happens and then I'm crying on you. You're always the one to make it easier."

"That's why I'm here." She poked my cheek. "I'm you're best friend, and you're here for me too. When I'm on my period, we all know how that goes. When Peter's mother is getting on my nerves and I need to vent about that or co-workers who can't seem to do anything right. You my friend, are my favorite drinking buddy and snuggle buddy. Honestly,"she leaned in dramatically. "Peter's only here for the physical stuff, everything else I get from you." She winked leaning back.

I laughed as she followed, both knowing she was crazy about that man. Just as he was crazy about her.

"I missed her so much." I mumbled.

"I know you're not ready to hear her out, but you need to. Whether it's for reconciliation or closure." She held my hand in hers. "For your own well-being you need to know."

"Closure? I don't know what I want. What do I do?" I asked looking up at her.

"Babe, you have to figure out that one on your own. Do you want to pick up where you left off or say goodbye? Maybe," she smiled before continuing. "Start over."

"She hurt me. I never thought she would but she did and it somehow feels worse than anything I've had to endure. Because what I feel for her is so much more than anything I've ever felt for anyone. I'm scared, what if her reasons aren't good enough?" I asked hoping she'd give me an answer to my problem.

"I don't know. Only she can help you out with that one." She sighed, squeezing my hand. "Grace, do you still love her?"

I let a dry laugh, shaking my head at myself. "I really know how to pick them, don't I?"

"Well, for what it's worth, I actually like this catch of yours."

"Yeah, me too." I groaned.

-E