Heal my heart.

1

Seven years later,
Washington.

"And the award for the CEO of the year goes to..." The host makes a dramatic pause. "Alastair Kerr!"

There is a huge round of applause and I walks up to the stage. The ladies look at me in awe and their men eye their wives suspiciously. I am hardly interested. I walk upon the stairs and come in the spotlight. Taking the award from the host, I smile for the camera.
The host asks me to speak a few words.
"I would like to thank Mr. Roberts who trained me to become a successful entrepreneur today. It's a matter of his belief in me that I'm standing here today. All the best and thank you everyone."

All of them clap again. I flash a smile and walk down the stage.

On reaching my seat in the second row, I sit down. Paige Roberts, Mr. Robert's daughter places her hand on my thigh. "Love, you did not mention my name in the thank you speech?" She says in her singsong voice.

"I wanted to thank your dad at this meeting specially. So I did not mention your name." I say, smiling extra sweetly at her.

And dumb as she is, she becomes happy and grins. She roams her hand on my thigh once again. Some cameras are pointed towards us. I gently push her hand away. She pouts at me. I look away. It reminds me of someone.
"Don't pout." I say to her.

"Why can't I?" She says in her overtly sweet voice.
"Because I don't like it." Because she used to do it a lot.

The show gets over and we walk out of the hall, she wrapping her fingers around my arm.
Near our car, the media hounds us again.

"Congratulations Mr. Kerr, on achieving so much at the young age of 25. Can you please tell us the name of your new foundation set up in California?" A young reporter asks me.
"The name is Alace, it will be inaugurated soon." I say.

"Alace is a rare name, has it got something do with your personal life?"
I smile. "It was my life back at 18."
The car comes and the reporters are pushed away by my chaffeur. I put my shades on and sit in the car.

Another journalist asks,"When are you leaving for California sir?"
"In another twenty days." I say before shutting the door.

The car starts to move. The voices shut out as the windows of the Mercedes roll up. All I hear before moving out of the foyer is a voice,"Congratulations on your engagement with Ms. Roberts, Mr. Kerr!"

Seven years later.
California.

'Ma'am, please check out this article on the recent hike in stock markets." Clara walks around me in the office.

"Please keep it on the table Clara. I'll surely review it and get back to you." I say, chewing my pencil, not looking up.
"Ma'am there is also-"
"Clara please later."
"But ma'am-"
"What ma'am ma'am? I'm doing some important work here!"
"Ma'am your father is here!"
I look up. She is looking flushed. I take a deep breathe.

"Anyone from my family comes here, you have to send them straight in okay? No matter what I am doing."
Dad comes in. I automatically grin and go upto him.

"Aww dad." I hug him.
"So does the the editor in chief of California's top newspaper and publishing company have time for me?"
"Dad, I'll always have time for you." I say.

I pick up my phone and call,"Clara, get some black coffee and sandwiches for dad." I hang up.
"Grace, I'm proud of you. So proud. I recently read about California Tribune's success in the newspaper. You're the force behind it young lady, the newspaper itself said so." He beams.
I grin at him.

"When are you coming to Seattle?" He asks worriedly.
I flinch. "No dad, I don't want to go back there. I have a flat under consideration, just check it out, you might love it here."

"Just move on. I know you don't want to come back to Seattle because of the memories but-"
"Dad." I say cutting him off, but not meeting his eyes. "It's not that. I'm just busy."

"As you wish though. Tell me about your new business venture." He says, plopping himself on the bench.
He's an elderly man, but he still possesses that young boy charm. I smile widely at him.

"Roberts and Co. , the biggest entrepreneur tycoon company is joining their hands with us. We will promote them through our newspaper and publish their magazines and catalogues through the publishing company. It's marvellous dad." I end super happy.

"That's brilliant. Listen, I'm going back to Seattle right now. My flight is in three hours from now." He says, getting up.

My eyes start to water. Come on Grace, there's nothing to cry about. I miss my family, that's all. I miss having people who care around me. I hug dad tight and call Clara to clean my cabin. I go down with him and kiss him goodbye. He waves to a taxi and climbs in it.
I keep watching the taxi as it moves away, until it is out of sight.

I turn to walk back into the office. The receptionist and workers greet me with a smile. I'm respected here. I head towards the elevators.

Out of nowhere, Ben Jameson appears and hugs me from behind. I stiffen.
He kisses my cheek and asks me,"How are you baby?"

Uh. Don't call me that. It sounds good from only one person's mouth.
I don't say that out loud ofcourse.

"It's all good. How are you?" I ask him.
"I was just missing you. That's why I dropped by to check up on you."
"That's so sweet."
"Not sweeter than you."
And he leans in and kisses my cheek again.

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