Drifting Grace [An Alastor Fanfiction] [PROOFREADING]

Chapter 5 [PR]

I squeaked, falling off my stool and hitting the floor with a loud thud. I hissed in pain the moment my back made contact with the ground and shut my eyes. Alastor's smile falters slightly in worry.

"Miss Lovett, are you alright?" He asks. I simply stare at him in shock.

"U-Uh, yeah," I nodded hesitantly.

I heard soft footsteps nearing me and Alastor. I turned around and saw Alvin, looking refreshed and confused. I stood back up with a wince as pain shot up my bottom.

"Ma'am, is he your friend?" Alvin asks, looking at Alastor's seemingly tall stance. He glares at Alastor, as Alastor does to him.

"I-In a way, yes," I told him, shyly. Alastor squints his eyes as he smiles wider.

"And who might this be, Miss Lovett?" Alastor asks me. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I'm Madam Lovett's student," Alvin answers himself. I sigh in relief, the boy sure knew when to speak.

"Ah, I see. Where are your parents, boy?" Alastor asks him. I felt my nervousness crack.

"Madam Lovett is my parent," He sneers at Alastor, holding my hand. Alastor's eyes widened, turning from me to Alvin, then back to me.

I sighed heavily, going back to my seat and picked up the menu. Ignoring their stares, I flipped the pages until I settled with three seats of chicken chop from Esmerelda and waited. I glanced at the two men from my left who gave curious expressions.

"If you boys are going to argue, then I'll stay at the sidelines," I told him. "Sit with me when you both have calmed down."

They looked at each other with confused looks but ended up sitting on either side of me. Alvin to my left, Alastor to my right. With a relieved breath, I smiled.

"You can speak now."

In a second, I was bombarded with questions.

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We ate the meal, finished up. I ended up paying, much to Alastor's pride (which was quickly gained back when he grabbed the shopping bags and turned quick enough before I got to protest). They still asked me questions about each other and me.

Example(s):-

"Who is he?" -Both
"How did you meet?" -Both
"Why him?" -Alvin
"He acts nothing like a gentleman!" -Alastor (I responded with a glare)
"He looks like he has a stick up his butt," -Alvin (To which I answered with a frown)

In the end, I smacked them both at the back of their heads and continued walking. Their questions just turned into thoughts and opinions of each other, and I was too tired to care. I turned around and watched them both messaging their scalps.

"Alvin," I spoke up. He raises his head. "Although I am always here for you, I will not condone rude words to another party unless they deserve to be called so," Alvin nodded shamefully, hanging his head downwards. Alastor had a triumphant look on his face.

I turn to the tall, well-dressed man with a disapproving frown.

"And Sir Alastor," I called him. He raises his head cheerfully. "We barely know each other, and for some reason, you seem to be enemies towards my son. Is there a problem?"

I raise an eyebrow. Alastor stares at me blankly, his smile faltering slightly. I sigh.

"Sweetheart, can you go sit at the porch? I'll be there in a minute," I asked Alvin. He nods and walks away, head still hanging low. I raise my eyes and met Alastor's. He seemed to be deep in thought.

"And you, Sir Alastor--."

"I would love to get to know you," Alastor cut me off. His grin was gone but it was replaced with a smile -- something genuine. He drops the bags gently to his sides and holds my hands, caressing the tops of them. "You are an extraordinary and rare woman. I've never met a gal like you in this lifetime. I've given up interest in falling in love and whatnot. I've never even felt emotions other than..."

He trails off, piquing my curiosity. He shakes his head and gives me his usual smile, making me frown.

"Anyways! Would you mind if I join you for tomorrow's activity? If you have any that is," He asks, expectantly. I frown at him and sigh, closing my eyes.

"Sir Alastor, you do know I don't accept the company of men as love interests," I told him, softly. "I am not that kind of woman. I don't want intercourse unless it is for a child, I do not want to spend my time with other men, hoping they would drop the four-letter question every woman dreams of."

"And now, I do not want to spend time with a man while I have to care for a little boy," I told him, trying my best to pull my hands away from his gentle grip.

"Yes, I do know that Miss Lovett," He tells me with a nod. "I've heard many stories of the dream girl in Barnabel Street, many men have tried courting you and many men failed," He explains with his usual smile. "I'll be honest, at first I didn't know a single thing about you. Damn me, I've never even heard of Barnabel Street until a few weeks ago for a business trip."

"If you do not want me as a love interest, then please see me as a friend,"  He smiles. "We can start from there."

My eyes widened and I felt my cheeks burn slightly. Never had a man used the word 'we' for courting. An 'I' or 'You' is to be expected to show some sort of dominance and singularity.

And never had a man ever asked if I could start from scratch. It felt lovely to be heard.

I sigh and finally smile at him.

"Good night, Sir Alastor," I said to him with a soft tone. His grip on my hands loosened and he had a look of pain in his eyes. I chuckle.

"I will see you tomorrow," I told him, my smile slightly widening. "Does 8 in the morning sound alright?"

He seems bewildered and nods eagerly. Smiling wide, his eyes squinting. For once, he looked happy. Genuinely happy.

"Yes, Miss Lovett. It sounds just right," I smile and pick up my bags, turning around and walking up the porch. With a final look at him, I urged;

"Call me, Emma."