I knew it, I know you

Is that a song?

Albert POV

-Gracie- I took a step back- I...

-Come on, it is a good idea to take you both out of here. The paparazzi are going to be here soon. – Taylor burst into the room. She was with her karma jacket, her expression a mix of relief.

We nodded. Taylor ran to the back exit, and Gracie followed her immediately. I headed behind them letting myself look around the stadium one more time. Thousands of fans were leaving it. My eyes rested on the security guard talking to Chris. He was waving his hands furiously and arguing with them.

I shook off reality and followed Gracie and Taylor.

Her car already waiting for us. We climbed in, and as the vehicle pulled away, the gravity of everything that had happened began to settle in.

Gracie leaned against the window. Tay drove swiftly.

-We are going to my place. It is safe enough for both of you.

The silence after was heavy. Filled with unspoken feelings and many questions.

-Chris is going to make this difficult, isn't he? - Gracie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

-We will handle it. Together.

Taylor glanced at us in the rearview mirror, her eyes soft with understanding.

-You two have each other, and you have me. We'll figure this out. Come on, Gracie. Chris is nothing you shouldn't be scared. I can make one call and...

-Thank you, Taylor. I don't want to make you more problems.

As the car sped through the night, I couldn't help but replay the kiss in my mind. It had felt so right, yet it added another layer of complexity to an already overwhelming situation.

When we arrived at Taylor's place, she ushered us inside quickly. The warmth of her home was a stark contrast to the cold, chaotic night outside. We settled into the cozy living room, the tension slowly easing.

I sat down on the couch and Gracie sat on the one across from me.

-"Do you need anything? - Taylor asks and looks at us, -I'll get you some tea and then we'll talk about what happened.

She walks out the door followed by one of her cats.

Gracie lay down and curled up on the couch. Her expression was haggard and tired.

- Thank you, Albert. - she whispered, her voice drowsy.

-Always, Gracie.

Gracie's steady breathing was a small comfort amidst the turmoil of the night. I watched her sleep, her face peaceful, the earlier tension finally slipping away.

Taylor sat across from me, her expression thoughtful.

-I'm glad you were there for her. - she said quietly, breaking the silence. – Gracie needed someone to stand up to Chris.

-I just couldn't let Chris act like that with her. Hurting her. She deserves so much more. - I take a breath. - I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't invited me to the show.

She smiled and took a sip of her tea.

Taylor's eyes softened.

-She does. And so do you, Albert. What you did tonight... it meant a lot. Thank you.

- I didn't expect all of this. Chris, the show, the kiss and...

-But it is clear that you care about her. - She interrupts me.

-Yeah, I do. I care more than I realized.

-Al. – she laughed. – I can see. From the beginning, I knew that you two gonna be something. And believe me, I am more than happy to see her with you. Not Chris. This man is a pain in the ass. But Gracie is more than strong.

-I know. – I answered.

Taylor looked at me.

-Nothing can get between you and her.

I laughed and looked at Grace, then back at Taylor.

-Is that a song?

-One of hers.-Tay gets up and grabs her phone. - You should hear some of her songs. She sings and writes brilliantly.

-What was that about the song today? Labyrinth. Gracie looked surprised.

Taylor giggled.

-You know it was for you. It was part of my plan. - ' She winked at me. - Help me get her into one of the rooms.

I nodded and took Gracie from the couch into my arms. Taylor led me to the room and opened the door. I left Gracie on the bed, and she turned on her side and continued to sleep. I walked out of the room. Tay showed me mine and stopped at the door.

-Do you have any work tomorrow? - she asked me.

-Yes, I have pictures for the magazine I was telling you about.

- Good luck. - she smiled and patted me on the shoulder, then I settled into my room.

I sat on the bed and the kiss popped into my head. Again. Followed by the sound of Chris slapping me. I shook myself and laid back down. My head hit the pillow and I immediately fell asleep.

I left the mansion very early in the morning. Taylor provided me with her private jet to get there in time for the shoot. I was not able to see or talk with Gracie. My mind was on her.

As soon as I landed. I got a message from Gracie.

'We need to talk. Taylor and I are coming home tomorrow."

I liked her message because I was in a hurry.

I walked into the magazine office ready for the shoot.

- Mr. Christian, what are you doing here?

My gaze lingered on the secretary.

-I'm here for the shoot.

The woman looked at me, then bent her gaze.

-We've received information about what happened at Miss Swift's concert and we judged that you would not reflect well on our reputation.

My hand clenches. I hit the desk.

-How so? Why? It wasn't my fault. I defended...

-Please. Mr. Chris Thomas has already contacted us.

I stormed out of the office, anger simmering just beneath the surface. I couldn't believe Chris had managed to get me blacklisted from the shoot. As I made my way back to the hotel, I replayed the events from the night before. The kiss with Gracie, the confrontation with Chris, and Taylor's unwavering support. It all felt like a blur.