Having Grace

19.

Grace's P.O.V

I stretched out lazily in my chair. I was at the local second hand shop, helping them sort out the books for their upcoming bookfest.

I didn't realise how much I had missed helping people till I started doing it again.

I grudgingly got up and continued what I was doing.

I chatted among some of the other volunteers as we sorted out what book goes in what pile, pushing trolleys up and down the makeshift aisles.

I got carried away with the time and when I saw it was three in the afternoon, my stomach growled.

"I'm heading off now." I told the supervisor. He looked at me with surprise.

"I thought you left hours ago?"

I shook my head. Does it look like I left? I wanted to snap at him, but instead I just smiled.

I left the huge shed as a breeze of fresh air blasted me. I inhaled it and the coolness, not realising how hot it was in that shed. I turned to the left towards my car when I saw a group of people nearby. I got closer, wondering what it was all about when suddenly I stopped.

They had their phones out, some had cameras, some had microphones. Over the past three months, I have avoided this. I use to welcome it. But I no longer wanted this. The small hometown girl, Grace Griffin, a local minor celebrity, one article called me. Another headlined me as the local Instagram model, fashionista and socialite.

But now, I didn't want a run in with them. I quickly turned with my head down, walking away from them and my car. I walked back past the exit of the shed and a few more metres before looking behind me.

They didn't notice me. Good. I sighed in relief as I looked in front of me. Then my heart pounded in my chest as I saw the familiar black BMW in front of me.

I stopped walking and assessed the situation.

Media or Roman?

He is going to be pissed with me.

I decided to take my chances and I once again turned on my heel. I heard the car door closing and footsteps behind me as I tried to hasten my pace.

Maybe if I just go back inside the shed.

I felt hands on my shoulders and all ideas of hope vanished.

I sighed as I was forced to turn back around to the car.

"I need to have a word with you princess." I heard the familiar voice.

Roman ushered me to his car and opened the passenger door for me. I slipped in and sat there, waiting for him.

Roman got in the car and we took off.

"I haven't done anything wrong." I told him. "So there is no need to call me princess. Besides I didn't go to any parties, I didn't socialise. I did what you told me to do." I crossed my arms as I slouched in the leather seats. "Besides, we are no longer married, you no longer can order me around and expect me to obey." I said the last word sarcastically to him. "So why are you here? Why are you so interested in me? Why...." I stopped talking. Why is he so interested in me?

"Why did you quit?" Roman asked.

I blinked several times as I looked at him. He didn't snap or yell. Then I realised he didn't drag me either, he softly pushed me to the car like he wanted me to lead.

"Why did you quit?" Roman asked again without looking at me.

I noticed we were on a motorway, heading to the highway.

"Uh," Don't falter now, Gracie. I said to myself. You knew he would eventually find out.

"Answer me." Came his soft demand. I watched as we left the motorway. We weren't going to a highway, we were heading back in to the suburbs, but where?

"I can drive all day. But you aren't leaving this car till you tell me."

I sighed. Of course. "We aren't married any more, Roman." I started. "Usually when two people divorce, they part ways."

"We weren't married under the usual circumstances."

Wait, what? Is he actually having a conversation with me? "I know. But you are still here."

Roman frowned. I watched as we turned another corner. "What do you mean by that?"

"I can't seem to shake you." I let out a nervous smile. "We are divorced. Our ties should be cut. But instead, you are everywhere. Making me leave parties, having people watch me. I have seen you over the past few weeks, looking at me. Like you are guarding me. What is that?"

I wasn't surprised when he didn't answer.

"I quit because you are suffocating me." I finally said.

Roman scoffed. "I'm suffocating you?"

I heard it as a question. Roman didn't talk after that as I started to recognise where I was. Roman had drove in a large circle. I was back where I had started.

My car next to us. The large group of people gone. I sat there for another minute, waiting for Roman, but I gave up, sighing.

I got out off the car, my hand on the door, ready to close it.

"You suffocate me, princess." Is what I think I heard as I closed the door, watching the black car disappear.