The Ties that Binds Us

Chapter 20 "I'll keep you safe"

“Hey sleepyhead. Wake up. Time to go to work.” I squirmed as I attempted to sleep once more.

“Hmm.”

“Come on, Syd. Wake up. You’ll be late.” Luke was gently shaking me, as he tried to wake me up. Given that we stayed up all night, discussing about us and laughing and joking about anything, I was tired.

“Hmm.” I turned on my front so that my face was against the pillow, hiding away from Luke who was pestering me to wake up.

“If you don’t get up now, I’ll do something you’ll regret, Syd.”

“No, you won’t.” I put the pillow over my head.

“Are you taunting me, Syd?”

“Yes.” After a beat, he was on top of me, seated on my behind while he tickled me relentlessly. I squirmed under his heavy weight trying to pry him off me but I failed miserably. He was too heavy for me.

“Luke, stop! No—“

“Are you kidding me? This is fun!” he laughed wholeheartedly as I struggled to release myself from his torture. I giggled and laughed as he continued his tickling. I felt my face and my body heat up, as fatigue crept up.

“Stop! Stop! I can’t breathe!” he stopped tickling me, his eyes filled with concern when I told him that I couldn’t breathe anymore.

“Are you okay?” he was now seated beside me as I waited for my breathing to return to normal. I didn’t answer him and closed my eyes. I put my hand over my chest, where I felt the fast beating of my heart after our little fun. “Hey.” He looked at me more intently this time trying to assess me. I stood up from the bed and turned my back on him. Luke grabbed my arm and turned me to him.

“Hey. Are you mad?” I stared down at him and tried to look hurt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. Did I hurt you?” I turned my head to the other side to avoid his gaze. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Luke staring down at the bed looking contrite. I cannot contain my giggles anymore, so I let one go.

“I’m kidding!” I laughed louder that time when Luke lifted his gaze to me, looking surprised and astounded by my laughter. “You’re fooled too easily, Graham.”

“Wow.” He frowned after my confession. Suddenly I felt guilty.  Oh no. I looked down to the floor to hide my guilt. “Back at you, Grant.” I lifted my eyes to look at him as he tried to hide his smile by biting his lips. We both laughed at each other.

“Good morning Ms. Grant.” Stacey greeted me from her desk.

“Good morning. Any development in Germany?” We were expanding our company internationally now starting with Germany. Our telecommunication department spread all throughout the United States and now in Europe thanks to my papa’s company.

“Still nothing, ma’am. But your father called just a few minutes before you arrived.”

“What did he say?”

“He didn’t leave any messages ma’am.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I sat down on my chair behind my desk and checked my emails. There was an email from my papa saying that he was on his way to Germany and that there will be an impromptu meeting online with the Schmitz Corporation tomorrow morning. Suddenly there were loud thumping sounds coming from outside my office.

“Ms. Grant, someone’s here to see you.”

“Who is it?”

“She says she’s your mother.” My heart skipped a beat when my biological mother came inside my office.