Behind those icy blue eyes

Chapter 17 Fatally attractive

     Grayson

              One and a half years ago: 

         Grayson, exhausted of a long day of work at the Foundation, decided to call it an early night. (Though early night for him was near ten thirty.) Sinking beneath the silk sheets, he began to fall asleep when the sound of his phone buzzing beside him jolted him awake.  For a moment he considered ignoring it, but after the fourth buzz he decided to see how it was. Sitting up, he grabbed the phone, looking at the call screen. Emily Laughlin. 

         His breath caught in his throat. Why would she be calling him at this time at night?  Concerned, he pushed the button. "Em." he said, using his pet nickname for her.

      "I choose you." her sweet, yet underlying manipulative voice rang in his ears, consuming him momentarily with a sense of peace and joy. It then turned to confusion. 

      "What do you mean 'I choose you?'"

      "I broke up with Jameson. I want you and only you."

        Grayson's heart skipped a beat. Could it really be true? He had dreamed of this moment, but after a while, he thought that's what it would only be: a dream. This girl, who he loved with his whole heart, was finally choosing him. All the waiting and sleepless nights now seemed worth it in that blessed moment. If only he knew of the tragedy that would befall them in just a few hours!

      "You sure?" he asked, still trying to comprehend what he was hearing.

     "Yes. Let's go celebrate."

     "It's late Em. Why don't we wait till tomorrow? I'll plan something out for the whole day."

     "I don't want to wait for tomorrow. I want tonight. Besides, I already picked out what we will do."

      Grayson's curiosity got the better of him. "What do you have in mind?"

         One hour later he and Emily stood near the base of Devil's Gate: One of the most famous and dangerous cliff-diving locations in the world. Uneasiness settled in Grayson's stomach.

      "You sure you want to this?" 

       She turned toward him, her emerald, green eyes shone in anticipation.  She gave a small almost spiteful laugh. "Don't tell me your scared."

     "Certainly not! But you should be careful in all with your heart."

     She grabbed his hand, leading him up the steep hill.  "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

     They had made it up halfway, when Grayson stopped at one of the lower cliffs. "This would be a good spot."  But Emily wasn't listening. She kept going up higher. 

     "Emilly!" He cried out. "Where are you going?"

     "Come on, Grayson!" she shouted, "We are almost there!" He followed he up, his uneasiness growing more as he saw Emily go pass the danger and keep away signs. After twenty minutes of walking up the steep and forbidding cliff, they made it to the top. 

      Emily turned toward him, smiling. "We made it." she breathed. 

      Grayson nodded. 

      "Before we jump there is something I want to say." he said. She looked at him, expectingly.

     Taking her smooth, pale hands in his, he stared in her eyes. "I love you, Emily Laughlin. You mean more to me than you realize, and I promise to make you as happy as I can."

     She smiled. "Oh, Gray," she breathed, "that's so sweet, but unnecessary."

     He shook his head. "I mean it Em." He then leaned down and placed a kiss to her lips. They were warm, even in the cold night air. She returned the kiss. Grayson wished it could have lasted all night. 

     Once they parted, they got ready to jump. Grayson took hold of her hand. Standing over the edge, it felt unreal and electrifying. Adrenaline running through their veins, they jumped.

      Wind screeching in their ears, shooting downward in alarming speed, Grayson felt free. Emily screamed in excitement beside him. It was unreal.

      They hit the bottom with a large splash. Swimming to the surface, Grayson scanned the area for Emily. He sighed in relief when he saw her resurface. She was beaming with joy.

      "We did it! I knew we could!" 

       Grayson smiled. "Yes, we did. You were right."

       Emily shook her head, "Of course, I am!"

       Taking their time, they swan toward the shore. "I'll go get our towels." Grayson said, hopping out the water to retrieve them. He was only gone for three minutes at the most. When he got back, he saw a scene that would haunt him for the rest of his days: Emily lying on the shore, still and lifeless. 

     No! He thought, Oh, no! No! No! Running with lightning speed, he reached her side in seconds. Turning her over, with shaking hands, he felt for a pulse. None. He tried again and again. Nothing.

     How can this be?! He thought in anguish, she was fine! We were fine! Holding her lifeless body against his, he cried into her. The girl, who had chosen him over his brother, Jameson, was dead. The feeling of guilt and sorrow overwhelmed him, almost to the point of insanity. 

      What would her parents and sister think? He thought fear gripping him of what would happen next. What would Jameson say? But most of all, what would his grandfather think? That thought was almost too much to bear. Grayson sought his grandfather's approval. He craved it. But this time, he knew he wasn't going to get it. Quite the opposite. He expected a tongue lashing, and he would deserve it.

     Standing to his feet, he gave a shaky breath. As much as he wanted to run and never come back, that was not the right or proper thing to do. He was still the Heir Apparent, which meant he needed to act like it. 

     Taking his phone out of his jacket pocket, he dialed 911 and then Nash. He was the only person Grayson could bear the thought to look at. 

      It was going to be a long night. 

    SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! I DON'T LIKE EMILY, SO WRITING THIS WAS TRICKY. I DECIDED THAT I WOULD START WITH EMILY'S DEATH AS THE FIRST OF GRYASON'S NIGHTMARES. 

    SPOILER!! NEXT GRAYSON CHAPTER IS THE DEATH OF TOBIAS HAWTHORNE!     ENJOY!