Lover's passage

chapter 6

Quin's P.O.V

August 3, 2019

Rayview housing for the mentally ill.

We pull up to the Rayview mental hospital that's basically a massive mansion. Walking up the steps I reach the door and open it. The smell of cleaning products hits my nose and I quickly walk over to the receptionist's desk.

"Hello, I'm here to see Aileen Raven." The receptionist looks up from her computer and gives me a smile.

"Q! I haven't seen you in a while. Oh, honey, I saw in the paper you're marrying that Brooks kid, He better treat you right." Anne the receptionist which I've known since I was 13 gives me a warm smile again.

"Yea-uh he's great." I stamper out not knowing what to say about Grayson. "When we get the wedding invitations I'll be sure to send you one."

"I think I can work on the paperwork for your mom to come too since I'm going it shouldn't be an issue."

"Oh, I-ok do you think that would be a good idea?"

Anne's face falls "Oh honey I forgot, if you rather her not go then that's fine."

I just lightly shrug not trusting my mouth to make the right decision. I give Anne a small smile "Can I go see my mom now?"

Anne types on her computer "Yes she is in...Hold on...ah yes she is outside near the lake right now."

I nod my head and wave thanks and bye as I walk out the door with my dress wrapped up. I head down the pathway leading to the back of the facility. Seeing tables scattered across the yard I try and find my mother. Letting out a small grin when I see her in front of a canvas painting the view I rush over to her.

"Salut, mama." I give her a grin when I see recognition cross her face.

"Ah, ma petite fille." She whispers back to me. I watch a tear run down her face "Haven't seen you in a while."

I go back to the last day I had seen her were she had lunged across a table and tried to rip my eyes out because God had told her to. Knowing she had forgotten I just smile and say, "Yes well, I've been busy, see mama?" I show her my engagement ring and she looks at it then back up to me and lets out a massive grin. "Who's the lucky man." she gives me a wink before her eyes land down on my dress.

I let out a laugh "Not so sure he considers himself lucky. Remember that boutique we used to talk about when I was younger?" My eyes widen at my slip up and my moms face falls. I shouldn't have brought it up she can't remember. I try to lighten the mood "Well mama, I went to this cute boutique that you had gotten your wedding dress at and look." I unwrap my dress and show her. "With the sewing skills you taught me, I'm going to fix it up a bit."

"Oh bébé, I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle." she gives me a heart warming smile and I swallow down my guilt

"Yes I'm excited," I say because I know within a day she will not remember.

"Now, you have a picture of this man?" she gives me a knowing smirk

***

I look at Grayson's driver with a confused look. "I thought Grayson lived in a house, not a hotel."

"His father designed this hotel for business and clients that come into town. Grayson was in charge of the project so he had them turn the top level into a large flat."

"So he lives at the top...of that." I point and my eyes trail up the beautiful hotel that had people walking in and out of their swinging doors.

"Do you need help bringing your stuff up?"

I look at the backseat and see my small suitcase. "uh I should be ok. Thank you for the ride." I walk out of the front seat and grab my bag in the back before heading into the hotel. Walking to the elevator I press the button and hear the bell ding. Not thinking about the fact that people could be walking out of the elevator I continue in and end up bumping into someone. "Watch where you-

The familiar voice stops and I look up, Grayson.

"You've got to make a habit of not running into people," he mutters before pulling me close to him as the rest of the people file into the elevator. I whisper so only he can hear "I thought you had work?"

"I just finished up a meeting with someone and was going to your apartment to see what was taking you so long."
"Yea I stopped by to pack up some clothes and colon was binge watching greys anatomy so I left as fast as possible."
I feel Grayson's chest rumble from chuckling. Soon we are the last ones in the elevator headed up to floor 45.
"Oh uh, I had a spare bedroom before I made it into an office so you can sleep in my bed or the couch." Grayson gives me a cheeky grin before the elevator opens and he walks away leaving me to follow.

***

Stepping into the flat I take notice of the sleek black design set up everywhere. "Go ahead and look around. I'll make us some dinner. Bedrooms upstairs." He motions to the open spiral stair at the corner of the open floor plan. I silently walk up the steps halfway up Grayson yells "if you want to swim there are suits in a drawer in the bathroom."
Swim? I ignore him and climb the rest of the way up where there's a halfway. I open each door the first being a closet second his office third gym and I reach the end where the last door is. Opening it leads into a massive master bedroom with two doors that I assume are where the closet and bathroom is. I let out a small gasp when I see the front wall is made of glass where you can see the city lights off in the distance. The glass wall has a door leading to the roof where the pool is. It glows blue and steam rises from it from the cold night. The lights cause it to look majestic and now I understand why Grayson knew I'd want to swim. Rushing into his bathroom I open every drawer until I find the swimsuits.
"For fucks sak- whatever" I hold up the skimpy swimsuit. Contemplating putting it back I quickly put it on instead it will be worth it. I'll be underwater so there won't be too much showing. I skip out to the pool and grin when I step down into the steaming water.

***

Grayson walks out in his swim trunks and a tray of food in his hands. "I hope you like kraft mac n cheese." He winks before setting it down near the pool. I swim over and let out a chuckle " it May be Kraft but you've made it look gourmet." I see the bowl of sliced fruit next to the bowl of cheesy noodles. Grabbing the fork next to the bowl I grab the cheesy noodles and start eating. "In reality, I have a cook that meal preps all my food at the beginning of the week but late night cravings are the reason why there's no fancy dinner tonight."

"I'll keep that in mind." I let out a chuckle before munching on the fruit. I pull away from the food and float in the pool. Grayson's toned body walks around the pool. The glow of the pool casts off of his handsome face. He looks up at me and flashes a devious smirk before jumping into the pool.

yay, yet another chapter is done. I hope all of you enjoy this chapter. Quin and her mother are speaking french up above, bear with me because I'm a little rusty when it comes to French.