Chapter 01
{ G R A C E }
I felt a wave of nostalgia hit me as the breeze brushed against my skin.
My eyes wandered around, a warm feeling in my chest as I took in my surrounding. Everything felt so different and it looked so as well. The house next door was now painted a different colour and the red jeep which was always parked out front was no longer in sight. The tree which was just across the street looked bigger and healthier.
A lot of things had changed.
Which was only right and understandable; it had been over two years since I stepped foot here.
So much changed since I left for England. My first book, which I had later named Sandalwood, was published and rapidly became a bestseller. The amount of recognition and publicity it got was a shock to even me. It really got my name out there and was a great start to my career.
The first few months were kind of tough, to be honest. It wasn't easy trying to adjust to a system I was new to and in a place where everyone was literally a stranger. It wasn't easy trying to get used to a completely different environment. I felt homesick almost every single day.
Working at Spring Publishing House was a great joy, really. I loved my job and I had a great passion for it. My co-workers were very welcoming when I had just newly started and I eventually formed great friendships with some of them. Everyone was older than I was but that didn't make them treat me any differently. In addition to my book blossoming at the time, working as an assistant editor was a major accomplishment for me.
Kendra was the sweetest person to me. She was one person that made me feel encouraged and loved through the whole adjustment period. We became really close as time progressed and she was like a second mother to me. Her friendship was very important.
I tried my best to keep in contact with my loved ones back at home. They were all really supportive and always made sure I knew I had them at my corner no matter what.
Chris would always make sure we talked frequently. Between the phone calls and numerous FaceTime sessions, it was safe to say that we never stopped being best friends. Although sometimes, both our busy schedules would get in the way of our communication, it didn't really seem to affect us that much.
Due to one reason or the other, it wasn't possible for me to travel back for any of the holidays over the past two years. It was either never convenient at the time or something important would come up.
But not this time.
I had been planning to travel back to LA for spring break for months and when I was given a brief leave of absence at work, I wasted no time in jumping at the opportunity.
Pushing my thoughts aside, I let my legs begin to move, strolling my suitcase along with me.
I had barely reached the front door when it flew wide open, revealing my brother, Tommy.
"Grace!" He shouted excitedly. His voice was so loud that I'm certain it could've been heard by half the block.
"Tommy!" I launched for him in a matter of seconds. "You've gotten so tall, Jesus. What has mom been feeding you?"
