Having Grace

3.

My heart pounded harder and faster every time I made myself aware of the time. I felt like a little girl about to get in trouble from the school principal.

The minute hand slowly moved closer to the twelve.

I was holding my breathe as three o'clock came.

But nothing happened. I sighed. Maybe my calendar has been blocked so I have time to catch up on my work with no distractions.

But I was done. Earlier and quicker than what I thought I would be.

I nervously looked away from my wall clock and tapped away on the laptop. I hadn't allowed myself to think about this, till now. I slowly browsed through the photo collection from my photo shoots.

Then I found myself pulling up my personal photos.

There were hundreds upon hundreds of photos of me. My friends. Random shots. I miss Dean. I haven't seen him all week, but I have spoken to him on the phone.

I sighed as I closed all the programs and sat back in my chair, turning to the window.

I watched the city before me, the people on the ground and the cars flying by.

I jumped when the office phone rang and I turned around and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Miss Griffin." Katie.

I had a small feeling I was expecting this call.

"Mr Parker wants to see you."

"Okay." I answered and hung up. I may as well finish for the day. I usually do between 3 and 4 not including this week.

I picked up my purse and went to the coat rack for my jacket.

"You can finish up." I told Toni as I pressed the elevator button.

I waited as I went on the elevator.

What am I going to say to him? How do I thank him? Come on Gracie, I said to myself. You said thank you to Roman on Friday. You can say it again. It's just two words.

I watched the screen ascend in numbers as the elevator got higher in to the building. My heart, I was sure, was echoing so loudly that if some one got on, they would hear it too.

"The thirtieth floor." The elevator sung out as the doors opened. I kept my head down as I stepped out, but someone grabbed my arm, putting me back in to the elevator.

I looked up in surprise as Roman stood beside me.

"I was coming." I told him.

"I know." He pushed the garage button.

"What did you want?" I saw his frown as he stared ahead. Was he displeased I said that?

Roman never answered me.

I turned to him. "Roman," I spoke, "I want to say -"

"Save it." He muttered out and my eyes widened.

I turned back to the door and I could feel his eyes on me.

It was making me feel uncomfortable. I sighed and turned back to him. "What?"

Roman was looking straight ahead again and kept ignoring me.

The doors open and Roman stepped out, expecting me to follow.

"Let's go." He snapped out.

I groaned as I walked behind him to his car.

"Get in."

"What about my car?"

"Don't worry about it for now."

Oh God. Here we go again. I puffed out my cheeks as I exhaled and got in his car.

"Where are we going?" I asked him.

But silence.

I rolled my eyes. "Are you going to answer me?" I looked at Roman's side profile. He was concentrating on the road.

"No Grace. I'm not. I'm going to sit here and drive. You just sit there and be quiet, doll." I mimicked him as I sat back in the chair and crossed my arms.

I didn't need to know where we were going. This path looked very familiar.

I inwardly groaned as the tall house came in to view.

Roman stopped the car and got out. I didn't want to get out. He walked around and opened my door as I sat there, staring at the wall of the house in front of me.

I felt a hand take mine and a tug as I got out. He didn't let go off my hand and took me inside.

"What are you doing?" I eventually asked him.

"Go get dressed for dinner." Was all he said.

I frowned. Dinner?

I slowly went up the stairs, constantly checking behind me.

What is he up to?

I went to the closet and opened it up. Some of my clothes still there. I have to pull my finger out and do something about this.

I pulled a cute little floral skirt and a black shirt and changed my bra to a strapless. I was avoiding the bright colours.

I sat on the bed and did my heels up and combed my hair, letting it stay down.
That's when I noticed something on the floor, sticking out just under the bed.

I frowned as I picked it up. Roman doesn't keep random things like paper on the floor. I turned it over and my eyes went wide.

It was a photo. Of us. From the markets. How did he get that? It wasn't in the bags when I emptied them.

I placed the photo on the dresser thinking. Why does he have that? Why am I here?

What is Roman up to?

I picked up a black little handbag and transferred my phones and wallet from the one I had today at work.

I grabbed a white lacy shawl that I had Roman buy me from the markets and placed it over my shoulders, letting it slip down a bit.

I gave my reflection a small smile as I walked down stairs.

Roman barely looked at me, he just sat on the couch on his laptop when he noticed me. He shut the device and stood, putting his phone in his pocket and fixing his jacket.

"Let's go." I said as I went to the front door. Let's get this over with.