Falling for the Leclerc's

4. Mistake

                             Grace's pov

I wake up to the sound of my phone going off. Half awake and half still sleeping I lazily reach towards the night stand, pick up my phone and see lots of messages clouding the screen.

CAMI🫶🏻
Grace where are you
Hello???
*missed call*
Are you okay
I'm seriously considering calling the police.
 
                                                                       ME
                                                             I'm fine.    
                                              It's a long story.
                                              I'll explain later.

"You're awake!"

I hadn't realised that Arthur had walked in the room. Startled, I turn my head to look at him but I wish I hadn't done that because I'm greeting by him standing in front of me with only a towel.

"Good morning." I mumble looking away, staring out of the window. He probably realised that I'm avoiding eye contact with him.

"Ehem....I had a shower so I was gonna grab a few things to change into." He clears his throat uncomfortably while putting his hand through his wet hair.

"Okay...I was going to leave now anyway." I stand up to leave when he interrupts me.

"Oh..."

Oh? Was he disappointed that I was leaving? No it couldn't be that. Not after the way he reacted last night.

"I ordered room service and I was hoping you'd stay so we could maybe talk?" Arthur says, looking everywhere but at me "Chocolate pancakes are still your favourite right?"

And with that my heart melts a little. I'm surprised that he remembered that little, unimportant detail about me. I can not help but think of the way things used to be just a year ago. Back when I and Charles were dating. Charles used to always make the most delicious chocolate pancakes for me. Sometimes, Arthur would sneak in the kitchen and steal one while putting a finger in front of his mouth telling me to be quiet. I'd never snitch on him. It was always our little secret.

At that moment, my phone rings, bringing me back to reality. Camilla is calling me. I immediately reach for my phone and turn it off.

Arthur looks at me as he says "You must be busy, sorry for not asking if you'd stay for breakfast first."

"No, I can stay. We can share the pancakes." I smile at him but he grabs his clothes and leaves the room to change.

I get up, and go to the little living room area still in his shirt because I don't feel like wearing the dress from last night.

Not too long after Arthur returns into the room. He's all dressed up this time, looking more put together than before.

"Eat." He invites me to the coffee table and takes a seat opposite me.

We both eat in silence. I pick at my food more than I eat even though I haven't eaten anything since last night and chocolate pancakes are my favourite food in the entire world. I want to say or ask him something but I don't know where to even start.

What did you think of what happened, or almost happened, between us last night?

No I can't ask him that.

"Grace." I look up at him and I realise he has stopped eating his pancakes.

"Arthur..." I begin to say say "About what happened last night-"

"It was a mistake." He finishes.

His words feel like a punch to my stomach. I surely wasn't thinking that he would react any differently now, was I?

"It shouldn't have happened. We were both drunk and I had no idea who you were otherwise I wouldn't have even approached you." He continues, making me feel like a child being scolded by their parent.

I just stare at him not knowing what to say. Maybe I had imagined it. Maybe I was more into it than he was. I still feel butterflies thinking about it. I had heard that Arthur had a reputation with girls but I hadn't believed it. I didn't want to believe it. But I'm also not stupid. I know that it was wrong and I don't need him to tell me that.

All of it was so confusing to me. A year ago I thought of him as my boyfriend's little brother, as a friend but last night....last night was different. He was different. He had changed so much since the last time I saw him. But so had I.

"I need to ask you something." He says, grabbing my attention.

"Anything."

"Did you know who I was last night?"

I suddenly feel rage build up in me. Why would he ask or assume that? I admit I felt attracted to him but that doesn't mean that I would have gotten with my ex's little brother if I had been in the right state of mind.

"Is that really what you think?" I snap.

"Please, answer the question."

"Of course not. I wouldn't have left with you if I knew who you were."

Arthur looks at me for a few minutes as if he's trying to tell if I'm telling the truth. Then he breaks the eye contact we were holding.

"You should go." he says but his tone is...sad?
It's almost like he doesn't want me to leave.

"Alright then...I'll go." I stand up suddenly after the change in his tone and go back to the room. I quickly put my dress back on, not wanting to stay here any longer because I feel uninvited.

When I walk to the door, Arthur is standing next to it. As I am about to leave he reaches for my forearm and stops me from leaving, holding me in place.

"Grace." Arthur says from behind me and I turn around to look at him.

"Don't worry Arthur, I won't tell anyone."

I search his eyes, expecting them to be cold but this time they have turned back to looking sweet.

"I was just going to say that it was nice seeing you again." he says as he drops my hand.

I offer him a sweet smile. No matter what last night brought for us, I still cared about the man in front of me once, but now it's time to say goodbye.

I leave his hotel room without looking back.

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