Chapter Five

SARAH

“Act as my partner, and I'll increase your driver's pay threefold.”

My eyes dart upward. He’s dead serious about this. leaving me tongue-tied and swallowing hard.

“Mr. Grey, uh…"

“Call me Grey, please,” he says, and even cracks a smile.

“Eddie has to pay for what he's done.” His jaw clenches, and the chill sets back in.

My heart races a mile a minute.

Grey motions for me to park my butt,”Have a seat. Let's discuss this, father.” The atmosphere lightens somewhat, but there’s still an undercurrent of unease.

I check out the comfy gray chair, then plop my behind into it.

Heels click-clack, grabbing our attention. A radiant woman descends the stairs, wearing a sunny yellow top and a lively floral skirt. Her graying dark hair frames a face full of warmth.

Grey can’t hide his happy grin when he lays eyes on her. His chocolatey eyes twinkle, forming adorable wrinkles at the edges.

She wraps him in a warm hug, peppering his cheeks with gentle kisses. “Oh dear. What'll it be for breakfast, huh?”

Grey giggles and turns a little red, responding with a playful “Please ma.”

She gives a stubborn headshake. “Nuh-uh, Nathan, I’m not taking no for an answer.”

I can’t help but smile at how adorable these two are together.

Grey relents with a chuckle, proposing, “Alright, just some toast, eggs, and tea. And make enough for two; my guest is joining me.”

The kind elderly woman shifts her focus to me, and I promptly stand up and greet her respectfully with a bow.

She studies me. “Yeah, sure thing." I don't miss the sight of her eyebrows doing a little dance as she spins around and saunters down the corridor to the kitchen.

Grey breaks in, redirecting my attention. "That's Gabriella, my godmother,” he introduces, before gesturing for me to sit. “No need to stand on ceremony.”

I sit back down.

A melancholic haze settles in as he continues, “I've had health issues since birth. Too much for my biological mother, she left when I was only six. A Catholic orphanage took me in, and that’s where Gabriella stepped in. She was present at my baptism, gave me the name Nathan, but I’ve always identified with Grey.”

My heart aches for Grey, realizing the hardships he’s faced. Abandoned so young, it’s heartbreaking.

Now I’m overwhelmed with guilt, wanting to confess everything, my crimes, my lies.

I should own up to my mistakes. At the same time, it’s… scary. If I tell Grey about hitting his uncle and lying about who I am, he might turn me in. That means jail time. For life.

But what about Grandma?

I chew my lip, anxiety spiking. If I go to jail, who’s gonna look after her? She needs someone, and I can’t just leave her hanging.

“Keep her locked up. No bail. No mercy.” Grey’s urgent tone catches my attention.

He grabs his keys off the glass table mid-call, his jaw clenched. “She’ll lie, but we’ll crack her. She’ll pay for what she did to Leonardo. I swear it.”

He strides down the hallway, his voice fading as his footsteps grow distant. The final sound is his car roaring to life, then dwindling into the distance.

Before I can even wrap my head around his sudden exit, Gabriella emerges with breakfast. She sets the table, hollers, “Breakfast’s ready!” and motions for me to join.

But then she scrunches her face, puzzled. “Where’s Nathan?”

I explain, waving my hand awkwardly, “He, uh, took off a few minutes ago. By himself.” I’m just as baffled as Gabriella, and part of me wishes I’d tagged along.

It’s weird, but now I regret not going with Grey. Earlier, I was counting down the minutes till my shift ended, craving some downtime. But after his intense exit, I feel a pull to be with him, to understand what drove him away and ensure he’s okay.

Gabriella scrutinizes me now, her frown getting serious. She points to my upper lip, right where my fake mustache is—or should be. “There’s something off here.”

I glance down, and my stomach drops. My fake mustache has loosened, dangling awkwardly. I frantically fiddle with the mustache, trying to reattach it.

Gabriella’s eyes lock onto mine, her brow furrowing deeper. My embarrassment turns to dread—I might literally die from humiliation or, worse, exposure.

***

Breakfast is super awkward, like cringe-level uncomfortable.

I’d rather be stuck in a car with Grey, navigating his moody silence, than sit across from his godmother while we munch on eggs and toast.

The tension’s thick; every bite feels forced. Gabriella’s suspicious stare doesn’t help, making me wish I could vanish into my plate.

It’s like she’s trying to solve a puzzle, and I’m the missing piece. Every time our eyes meet, she quickly looks elsewhere.

Grey storms back in, his face all intense and worried.

I’m so glad he’s here; I practically drop my fork like it’s hot and get on my feet. Gabriella’s now fixated on Grey, which is a win for me, letting me chill for a second.

She hurries over to him. “Nathan, so glad you’re here! What’s with the quick exit?” She clutches his arm, her face stern now. “Listen, we have to talk.”

Grey cuts her off, “Not now, Mother. We’ve got Leonardo’s attacker in custody. I need to pick up some documents and head to work.”

Then he turns to me, his expression stern. “ I’ll be ready in 15, and we’re out of here."

Gabriella starts to protest, “Nath—” but he’s already stepping into the elevator. The doors slide shut, and he punches the button to ascend.

Grey’s words replay in my head: Leonardo’s attacker is in custody.

How can that be? I’m the one who…

This new info has me second-guessing everything, and my guilt starts to swirl with confusion.