Catch me when I fall (Rúben Dias)

Bonus chapter 6

Protection (Grace's POV)

Visiting my parents was great. They accepted Rúben right away too, which means the world to me. I know how he is and how much he looks after me. But, after everything, seeing my parents acknowledge that too is so important. They never liked Abel and I could understand them being worried about me ending up with someone similar, who could hurt me even more. But they could tell Rúben isn't like that. And if they were with him right now, they would be even more convinced.

"Lay down next to her, Luni. Mummy needs you".

I keep my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep, but can't help but smile hearing him whisper to my cat while he places her next to me in bed. He's so scared I'll go back to a dark place after what happened with Abel. And the truth is, I was scared too when it first happened. But I have Rúben now. And he makes it so much easier to stay strong. So I have to play along a bit as a thank you to him.

"Luni? What are you doing here? You never sleep next to my face. Did you miss me?"

I bring my cat closer to me and kiss her head, which makes her purr immediately.

"I think she just wants you to know how much she loves you", says Rúben, coming back inside the room.

"Did she tell you?"

"Yes. We have a lot of conversations just the two of us. Jealous?"

"You have no idea".

"I'll be right back. You stay here"

"Ok...".

I see him disappear and hear him move around the place but have no idea what he could be doing. Until he shows up in my room, holding a tray with food.

"Breakfast in bed?"

He nods and places the tray next to me. "I got a bit of everything so we don't have to be going back to the kitchen".

"Thank you", I tell him, pouting so he knows I'm asking for a kiss. "What are you having?"

"I'll have this omelette and some fruit...unless you want it?"

"I don't like eating eggs in the morning. It's fine. You have it".

You know he's in love with you when he's willing to give up protein in the morning. But those muscles deserve it.

"You've got work today, right?"

"Yes. So do you. Back to the routine...".

I can see him looking at me out of the corner of my eye, expression serious. "Maybe you could ask for a day off. You're tired. Or you could work from home...".

"Rúben", I say, facing him and smiling at him. "I know what you're doing and, as cute as it is, it's not necessary. I'm fine. I'll be fine. Actually, staying home wouldn't be good for me if I wasn't fine. I want to be with people, see Andy and Bella. I'm an introvert but not when it comes to them".

"And when it comes to me?"

"You can be a bit exhausting but...I guess you know how to compensate for it".

"I'll never get bored of that sense of humour of yours".

I kiss his cheek and he turns his face to kiss me properly. "And I'll never get tired of you treating me like a princess".

I didn't lie to Rúben. Being back at work is great. We have so many projects to work on that it's a day of non stop action. Definitely one of those where there's no time to think about anything else. Or anyone else.

"So, how was London?", asks Bella.

"Mostly good".

"Mostly?"

"We saw Abel".

She gasps. "How? Did Rúben punch him?"

I laugh. "My mum slapped him, actually".

"Damn! I love her".

Me too. "He...he was working at the restaurant my parents chose for the night. They didn't know and feel so guilty. And when he saw me, he insulted me and I didn't let him hurt me again".

"That's my girl", says Bella, squeezing my hand.

"But he didn't like that and pushed me against the table when he walked behind me. He made a horrible mess and when Rúben asked him to apologize, he got all cocky and then my mum got there and...long story short, she slapped him while I tried to stop Rúben from punching him".

"You stopped him?", Bella scoffs at me. "You're no fun, Grace".

"Yeah. Seeing him take advantage of that to ruin Rúben's career wouldn't be fun either".

"I guess...", her expression changes after a couple of seconds. "You ok, though?"

"I actually am".

That was the biggest realisation for me. Of course I was affected when it first happened. That was the shock mostly. But then, I was fine. I'm still fine and I'll be fine. It's been such a long journey to recover from the damage he did, I'm so glad a little encounter didn't bring me back to that.

"Can I punch him if I see him?"

"You can, babes".