GRACEA short laugh and I gave in to her pulls. I hurried after her little figure and as we approached the elevator after closing the door, I wondered what could be so exciting about the pool.And when we arrived at the pool site, I saw what the rave was about.The swimming pool, while having a bit of gold in its features, was accompanied by a freaking huge slide that was positioned at a height I would not dare to reach without the assistance of the attached ladder.As my widened eyes scanned the grandeur of the indoor pool, I began to wish that I brought my swimsuit. The peaceful water was tempting enough to pull me. But so was the largeness.Gosh... This is what I’d like to call a proper display of money.“I don’t think you will shwim,” Ruby commented as she put down her juice box.“I wish I could right now,” I mumbled to myself. And when I realised Ruby was still waiting for an answer, I looked down at her. “I wish I could. But, don’t worry, I’ll roll up the legs of my trousers and
GRACE“I feel like I should prank Daddy.”Swiftly, I faced Ruby who sat still, nibbling on what was left of her cookie as if she just didn’t say something about pranking her father.We were at her ballet academy, waiting for her session to begin.“Ruby, why do you want to prank your Dad?”She clapped her hands to shake off the cookie crumbs, swinging her legs which barely touched the ground.“He doesn’t play with me at all. And I want him to. So, I’ll prank him to get his attention.”Aww. That’s weirdly... cute.“But, do you have to prank him?”She frowned and looked up at me. “Uh?”“Why don’t you try talking to him first? Tell him how you feel.”After looking up thoughtfully for some seconds, she faintly groaned, “I don’t know. Daddy doesn’t talk to me after he comes back from work.” Her gloomy expression saddened me but when it briefly wore some brightness, I became intrigued. “When Fiona was here, I talked to her about many, many things. But my Daddy doesn’t talk to me.”I reached
GRACEI faced Bethany who stomped her foot on the ground because others in the room agreed with the voice that replied to me.“Listen to me, Bethany. If Ruby tells me that you pushed her again, I will do the same to you and you will not like a bit of it.”I don’t like that I am speaking to a child this way, but this Bethany girl was able to get on my nerves with her annoying attitude.“Miss Sands! How dare you threaten my student?”“Well, freaking tell your students to stop pushing people their size.”I spat at the woman beside me, snatched the box in her hand, and walked back to Ruby.But before I made it to Ruby, a force pressed against my back, and before I knew it, my forehead was kissing the tiled floor. My entire body felt intense pain for some seconds but I was able to get rid of the feeling after seconds.While I swore at the person who pushed me within my soul, I managed to get up.I maintained my grip on the nod and turned to see a huge smirk on both the teacher’s and Bethan
GRACESince rushing up the stairs with an injured child was not advisable, I left Ruby on the couch and found my way to the upper floor to find out what could have warranted my name being shouted the way it was.“Miss Sands! Fucking come up here this minute!”Uh...okay? Now I am more than curious.And that made me hurry my steps. I skipped some of the stairs to that effect.“Miss Sands...” The man in front of me was very, very angry and... covered in flour and egg yolk!It took every inch of self-control in me to not burst into laughter at the sight of my employer.From the top of his head to his face, he was covered in the whiteness of flour and some drippings of yellow decorated him here and there. The gooey part of the egg trickled down his chest which he had somehow managed to make bare in barely a minute after walking out on me and his daughter.The strange thing was that he looked sexier.How on earth does one still manage to have such sexiness even after being furiously attacke
GRACE“I finally have your time.”I narrowed my eyes at Mr. Powers’s sturdy figure which was dressed casually, the fact that he went out dressed that way making it more surprising.As he settled on the couch opposite us, I felt like a little girl that was about to be scolded, especially with the way he was staring hard at both Ruby and me.It has been two days since Ruby’s little prank- which she has refused to tell how she did it- and since Mr. Powers’s accusation of me.And it has been almost two nights since the... encounter.I was about leaving after my job for the day when Mr. Powers called me, saying that we needed to talk.And now... he has not even said a word.His eyes kept darting between me and Ruby who had her back leaned into the couch, with her elbow resting on the arm as she waited patiently for what was about to go down.But on my side, impatience was growing and I checked my phone to that effect.Mr. Powers must have noticed my little action, so he cleared his throat
GRACEMy hand came in contact with my throat which was feeling extra dry. I tried moistening my mouth with some saliva but that didn’t do any good. I needed water.And I needed to get off this seat before my buttocks became flatter.“Mr. Roberto.” The fairly young man who looked way older than his age because of his grumpiness and mostly because of his receding hairline, sneered at me, and I got an answer before I could ask my question. But I asked anyway. “Can I get a bottle of water, please?”“How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t...”“... like strangers touching your stuff. I got it, sir.” Oh if only the two hours spent could just be the end of this torture. I got up and received a deeper frown from Mr. Roberto. But I successfully ignored him and walked to where they were seated. “Ruby, I need to get water upstairs.” She nodded, her mind more focused on the book in front of her. “Do you need anything?”I finally caught her full attention. “A juice box please.” Her grand smi
GRACE “Well, what was your response?” I got off my bed and went to help Sam with the zipper of her red lace dress. “I did not give him an answer.” “It has been two days, Grace. Give him an answer already.” She looked into the standing mirror to fix a smudge on her chin. I gave a dramatic sigh. “It is very sudden and unusual. I have only worked there for two weeks. But why want me to move in? I don’t know.” Sam looked away from the mirror and placed her hands on my shoulders. “What exactly is the problem, Grace?” “Nothing. I just think it is not proper.” “It is not as if you begged to be let into their home. They want you there. Mr. Powers must have noticed something in you. Why else would he have made such a request?” A smug look found Sam’s lips. “Maybe he finally noticed your prettiness.” Contrary to the warmth that sentence brought to my insides, I rolled my eyes. “Oh please. He has a girlfriend.” “Girl, she doesn’t sound like he sees that woman as a girlfriend.” “What o
GRACE “Here, let me help you.” He bent to pick the gown. “No, it is fine. It is not...” But he had already picked it up. He stretched it towards me in my crouched state and I grabbed its tail. He was holding the gown with a little force, as though it was a game of tug of war. So I had to get up and pull harder. Bit by bit, I took the cloth into my hands, the silkiness flowing nicely. During the transfer, my eyes were settled on his fierce ones and I was held down, I was just held down. When the cloth finally made it into my hands, I subconsciously hugged it to my stomach. I was still drowning in the blueness of his eyes. But soon I got out of the trance or moment or whatever you want to call it. I cleared my throat and gathered the rest of my clothes into the bag. “Thanks,” I murmured as I locked the bag, properly this time around. Mr. Powers exhaled loudly but I did not make the mistake