Escaping Mr. Grayson [UN-EDITED]

Chapter Twenty.

"Why, you must be the famous Nailea", his strong voice booms. I wasn't sure if the sound echoing loudly in both my eardrums was my heart pounding or the ground starting to crack open. Because I felt both veryvery vividly.

It's him, Xavier lunatic Grayson. Here in my childhood home. He's dressed in dark blue jeans and his signature white button up shirt. His sleeves are rolled up and he's even without a tie. I know this isn't the time, and I probably shouldn't be saying this but I must admit, he looks delicious.

"Nice to finally meet you", he says, extending his arm. His voice is husky and low.

I stare up at his serious dark eyes. His jaw clenches as if he seriously expects me to play along with his little game. "Yes. Yes, it's nice to meet you as well", I seethe. I guess I am playing his little game.

Game on.

"Oh, pray tell, we're practically a family now, give her a hug", my mother annoyingly murmurs

I gulp as he bypasses my handshake and gives me a tight hug. I melt into his deliciously seductive scent and for a second I forget how unhealthy he is. I try to pull myself away and instead, he doesn't fully release me.

"I'm so glad we're doing this. I've heard"—he breathes deeply—"...so many glorious things about you", he says to me

Bile creeps up in my throat and I'm starting to feel sick. I don't know what to do. I can't tell my mother. Can I? Should I? No. The last thing I want is for my mother to get involved in my mess. All I need is to get through this dinner and talk to Mr. Grayson. Privately.

"Aw, I'm so happy", mother snorts, "alright then. Dinner is just about ready, shall we head to the dining room?"

I march hurriedly towards the dining room where Daisy, Asher, Chase and Kayden are placing forks besides each plate.

"Uh...guys", I speak up, gathering their attention. "This is...uh...this is my mother's...urgh...friend"

"Anthony", mom adds. Anthony? Of course, he didn't tell her his real name. Of freaking course.

"Nice to meet you all", Mr. Grayson says with a half smile

Everyone is visibly confused and just about lost for words. Daisy's eyes are filled with concern and Kayden looks territorial. The atmosphere is dead silent and no one is really sure how to react. At least I'm not.

"Well then...", mother starts, breaking the silence. "Why don't we all sit down?"

We all sit down. Painfully, Mr. Grayson plops down in the seat across from mine and I feel myself cringe when his long legs brush against my own under the table. Dinner is quick and lifeless. My mother seems to be the only person speaking. Anthony, as he's chosen to call himself, comments from time to time and sends me hidden winks. I'm uncomfortable. I really am. But at the exact same time, deep down, I know that I'm not. I'm really not.

By the time we finish dessert, everyone has basically lived through an hour long oral documentary of my mother's life story. The boys, Asher, Chase and Kayden, leave, and Daisy and I decide to stay behind. Only to keep an eye on my mother. She's been sleeping with a maniac and she's had no idea. If only she knew the half of it. If only she knew the half of Mr. Grayson

"How long has this even been going on? That's what really creeps the hell out of me", Daisy whispers as she puts her hair into a braid for sleeping in. We're now up in my room.

"I don't know but it needs to end tonight", I tell her as I pace back and fourth

"Wait, you're not gonna tell her, are you?"