SEVEN

Juliet

Just as I was about to give up and go back, the door pulled open, revealing Grace in her nightwear. She frowned at me in concern.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“I’m good. I just… couldn't sleep”.

After the message I received, I had tossed and turned, unable to think of anything else but Declan. And he was the last person I wanted to occupy my mind.

While I was on my phone, I realised Grace had unblocked me, and I texted her impulsively.

“Okay. Come in then”.

“Thanks”.

Grace shut the door behind me, while I walked inside her hotel room.

“I’m sorry for bothering you”, I said, turning to Grace.

“It's fine”, she said, walking towards her bed where her laptop laid on.

“I know you aren't a big fan of movies, but I was just about to watch one. Want to join me?” She asked.

I smiled at the fact that she still remembered that I did not have the attention span to watch anything longer ten minutes.

“Sure”, I nodded, willing to sit through anything rather than be alone with my thoughts.

“Come sit then”, Grace invited, making space for me on her bed.

I sat beside her, as she scrolled through her options on N*****x. It reminded me of the nights when she would drag me and force me to stay awake through her favorite movies.

“You unblocked me”. I suddenly said.

Grace turned to me. “Yes”, she answered coldly.

“I tried to reach out to you after the wedding but…” I trailed off.

At that time, I was upset that Grace had blocked me on all her social media, after the wedding that I did not invite her to. It was at that moment I realised our friendship was truly over. I had thought it was for the best.

“You know you could have reached out to me somehow if you really wanted to right? You knew where I worked and where I lived”, she said with a bit of spite.

I tried to say something, but I couldn't. Because I knew she was right.

“I sound petty. Forget it”, she said dismissively, slightly frowning at the screen.

I said nothing, letting the silence drown out the tension as Grace continued to search. I understood her enough to know that her movie hunt could take hours.

“Look at us, we allowed a man to get between our friendship and ruin it”, she said softly, turning to me.

“I’m sorry about that”, I said, full of regret.

“I thought you were out there living your best life, forgetting that I exist. If only I knew…” she trailed off.

“I know you haven't watched the new season of stranger things”, she added quickly.

“No”, I shook my head. I hadn't even watched the previous ones.

Grace hummed, as she clicked on it.

“Are you free tomorrow?” I asked.

“Yup!” She popped.

“So, do you want to go out with me?” I asked, mentally crossing my fingers.

Grace looked at me blankly.

“We could go shopping, the spa, anywhere. For the whole day”, I quietly added the last part, praying she would say yes. I desperately needed it.

“I would love to, but I’m kind of broke right now”, she gave me an awkward smile.

“That’s great!”

I cursed silently.

Grace’s eyes widened in humour, before she chuckled.

“I’m sorry. I mean it's great that you want to go out with me, not that you're broke. Which isn't a problem, because bills are on me”, I pointed to myself.

Grace grinned. “Then I know a place”.

“Good”, I agreed with a smile.

The next day, Grace and I went to the hotel she suggested. I later came to know the suggestion was from an ad she saw about the place.

They had a massage parlour, so we started there. And then we went to the spa, had our hair and nails done.

From there, we went shopping.

I stood in front of the mirror, watching how the short, body hug dress fit my body. I couldn't deny that it looked good. But I felt it was not for me. If only I had a flatter stomach.

Grace whistled behind me, holding a black outfit in her arms.

“Tell me you're buying that”, she said, eyeing me with awe.

I chuckled awkwardly. “I don't know. It's a bit too tight. I don't think body hugs are my thing”.

Grace frowned. “I know that look, Juliet. I can't believe I have to tell you this again, but not everyone has to be thin. Look at me”.

I turned to her.

“You have the build of a goddess. You need to show off those curves, come on. I wish I had that ass”, she pointed out.

I knew Grace was just trying to make me feel better, and I admit she did.

“I guess I’ll buy this then”.

And then we went on to buy a hundred other outfits. Halfway into our shopping spree, I caught Grace eyeing a silver necklace.

“Go ahead”, I encouraged. “It will look good on you”.

“Did you see the price tag? You've spent too much already today”, Grace shook her head. “I'll come back for it later”.

“It's not my money Grace”, I said.

Her brows drew together.

“So don't feel guilty about spending it. Think about it as compensation for everything he has done”, I told her.

Grace blinked, and for a moment, I thought she wanted to complain about using Declan's money.

But then she smirked. “You should have led with that”.

And that was how I unleashed Grace Marshall, the shopping maniac.

It was late into the night. Grace suggested we visit the club nearby, but I was exhausted. And then she dragged me to the luxury hotel rooftop lounge.

Grace wasn't wrong. The hotel did live up to the hype. The view was spectacular, plus the soft music.

“Jason was a good guy, but he bored the hell out of me. Plus, we were too busy for each other. So then I thought, why not be single? I could hookup with whoever I want without the commitment”, Grace said.

“Hm”, I nodded, sipping my drink.

As if she had ever been the commitment type. I had always known her to change boyfriends every few months. She got bored too easily.

Grace's phone beeped. She picked it up. And then her expression froze over.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked.

Without answering my question, she typed on her phone. And then she sighed, jaws clenching.

“What is it?” I asked.

Grace finished her drink in one gulp. “I'm sorry but I have to leave. Something just came up”, she said.

“I hope everything is fine”, I said worriedly, wondering what text suddenly made her upset.

“It's all good”, she forced a smile, picking up her purse.

Four years ago, she would have not hesitated to tell me what was wrong.

“Okay then”, I nodded.

“I’ll call you okay? Take care”. Grace left, her steps quick.

I sighed once she had disappeared from my sight, looking around the lounge. There were other guests, but the place wasn't crowded.

I contemplated on going back to the hotel, but I didn't want to leave just yet. The soft music and quiet chatter was better than the silence of my room.

I stared at the view from the rooftop, watching the tall buildings and skyscrapers. One thing I loved about Stanton was the architecture, and how the buildings seemed to have a creative touch. It added to the city's beauty.

At one point in my life, I had dreamed of working in Stanton as an architect, where my creativity would not be restricted. And if I was lucky enough, I might get to work with the architects that built the city.

But dreams were only dreams. I had long made peace with the fact that I was not good enough to be out there.

“Hi”, I flinched softly, looking up at the baritone voice that snapped me out of my thoughts.

I tried to say something, but I was tongue tied.

The man was wearing a black suit, with a white shirt and no tie. His hair looked like it had been styled in the morning, only a bit tousled.

Sharp jaws, perfectly trimmed beared. And…

Oh God, he's good looking. I thought with a bit of panic.