Sounds of Fire

4

Lady Grace paced throughout the living room, wringing her hands and chewing on her bottom lip. It was against her 'lady' teachings overseas, but when she was worried, the habit came back full force. She had woken Derek and asked him to get Anatolia so that they all could go to office headquarters. Anatolia had wanted that, but Lady Grace didn't want to ask directly. Derek had agreed to wake up Anatolia with a firm nod and tight lipped smile. Lady Grace was glad for it, but she was still nervous. She was afraid that Anatolia would refuse and stay home. Their conversation the night before had not gone so well and she thought it would affect Anatolia's decision this morning.

From the scent of burning carpet, Lady Grace realized that, in her stockinged feet, she was burning imprints as she paced. She was nervous about what Anatolia would think of her, the burns betraying her emotions, but she kept pacing anyway. She stopped cold when Derek and Anatolia finally strode into the room. She wanted to ask how they were, if they slept well, if they were okay. Instead, she said, "Are you ready?"

Derek shrugged. He looked away, his body drifting closer to Anatolia's. Lady Grace laid eyes on Anatolia and raised an eyebrow, waiting for an answer. She mentally berated herself for acting so boss-like, but moved on. Anatolia cocked her head. She looked down at the blackened bits of carpet scattered throughout the living room with barely there interest. Lady Grace ignored Anatolia's gaze, silently voicing that the carpets were of no importance.

Anatolia sighed and adjusted the waistband of her dress pants. It didn't go unnoticed by her that Lady Grace was watching her movements intently. "Sure. Let's go." She grabbed Derek's hand and made her way to the front door, not even waiting for Lady Grace. This is rude. Anatolia grunted at Derek's tone of voice and stopped as she opened the front door. She took a step back and sighed, waiting for Lady Grace to pass through the threshold. When she did, Anatolia gave Derek a look, but he only smiled. That's better. The growl in Anatolia's throat died before it could come out.

It arose again and slipped out when Derek slid into the car first, taking the seat opposite of Lady Grace. He smirked, spreading out to take up the whole seat, and turned his head away. Can't get away from her now. Stubborn, Anatolia shoved herself beside Derek, pushing against him unnecessarily roughly. She didn't want to sit beside Lady Grace, and Derek wouldn't force her to, she wouldn't allow it.

Lady Grace frowned at the display, feeling like a leper. She crossed her legs and placed her hands on her thigh, looking out the window to avoid the twins' eyes. Anatolia noticed how troubled Lady Grace looked, and she wanted to say something, but her pride kept her mouth shut tight. She gave Lady Grace one last look before focusing on the outside world and the calmness of it all. You're going to have to talk to her soon. She pinched Derek's thigh and twisted, satisfied when he squeaked and his voice no longer was in her head. The rest of the drive to office headquarters went smoothly.

Anatolia squinted in the light of the sun when she got out of the car. It wasn't hot yet, but it would be. She moved to let Derek out, then Lady Grace, who graciously waited until the twins were on the sidewalk. The three of them walked up to headquarters, side by side, Derek in the middle. Before anyone could get inside, though, Derek stopped, his eye catching something interesting. Usually the office's entryway was all concrete, but now there were two square boxlike protrusions at each side of the office's doors. He knew for a fact that they weren't present before Lady Grace's arrival. Inside of each protrusion lay patches of grass, adding a modern look to the entire building. Derek leaned over and rubbed his hand, palm down, over the tips of the grass blades. Dew coated his fingers and gave him a slight chill, though his face remained blank.

When Sir Den was in charge, he wouldn't ever have allowed something so 'weak' to be the face of his firm, and Derek knew that. He wondered what other changes were implemented around the building since Lady Grace took over.