Shattered Asylum

Chapter 57

I tried convincing Grandpa to let everyone sleep over last night, but he wasn't having it. He's been incredibly stressed out, barking orders at everyone, and I didn't dare risk getting on the receiving end of that.

Lately, they haven't had any time to spend with me, and I haven't been allowed out of the house. I've been stuck in my room for weeks, bored out of my mind.

To pass the time, I've been playing with makeup, trying to get better at it. Today, I put on a plaid mini skirt that flares around my upper thighs and a cropped, long-sleeve sweater with a zipper between the chest. It's cute but casual, perfect for lounging around.

Slipping into my cozy slippers, I head downstairs, craving some pasta. I make my way to the fridge, pulling out last night's leftovers. Grabbing a plate, I pile on some pasta and garlic bread, then pop it into the microwave.

As I wait for the microwave to beep, hushed voices catch my attention. The sounds are coming from Grandpa's office, and one of them sounds an awful lot like Grayson.

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I find myself inching toward the noise, careful not to make a sound.

I stop at the edge of the kitchen, close enough to hear but far enough to dart away if someone comes out.

"She needs to know," the voice that sounds like Grayson insists, low but firm. "Keeping her in the dark puts her in more danger."

"No," Grandpa counters sharply. "She will not know about this. She's been through too much already. This will traumatize her."

There's a pause before Grandpa adds, "I brought you into her life to watch over her, not to fall in love. You're the one putting her at risk."

My heart skips a beat, and before I can process what I've heard, footsteps sound from the living room. Panicking, I scramble back to the table, plopping into a chair and pretending to be fascinated by the houseplants in front of me.

"Hi, Nonna," I say quickly as Grandma enters the kitchen, her face buried in a stack of papers.

She glances up briefly, and the heavy bags under her eyes, poorly concealed by makeup, tell me how little sleep she's been getting. "Hello, dear. Any plans for today?" She asks, setting the papers down on the counter and rummaging through the fridge.

"No, Nonno won't let me leave the house," I reply with a frustrated huff, slouching in my seat.

"Invite some friends over," she suggests, pouring a green smoothie into a glass. "You could play laser tag downstairs."

"They're busy with their boyfriends today." I try to sound nonchalant, but the truth is, I wish I were with mine. I just don't want to seem clingy.

"How about this: tonight, Nonno and I take you out for dinner, anywhere you want," she offers with a warm smile.

My mood instantly lifts at the thought of spending time with them. "Okay! I'll start looking for a place right now!" I giggle, hopping out of my chair to grab my phone from my room.

Nonna chuckles softly as I skip out of the kitchen. Turning the corner, I smack straight into a solid wall of muscle, one of those damn bodyguards.

I grab onto the person in front of me, trying to steady myself. When I look up, I see Grayson standing in the hallway.

"You okay?" He asks, his hands still lightly holding me.

"I thought I heard you voice. What are you doing here?" I ask, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

As I step back, my eyes drift over him. He's wearing a white silk long-sleeve shirt that subtly shimmers under the hallway light, clinging to his broad shoulders and muscular arms. The fabric accentuates his physique with an elegance that's hard to ignore.