JODY
I hurried into my home after work so I could drop off the work stuff with me before rushing to NK’s place to see Grace.
I called NK first as Gracie’s number wasn’t reachable to know the situation of things but NK told me Grace had left after Connor came to her place persisting that he must talk to her.
Connor Shelby went to NK’s house? Jeez! I’m just surprised, not really impressed because he was still a two timing bastard.
I said I was going to see Grace at home then, but NK advised against it, saying she needed some time by herself.
“What about Laurel?” I asked,
“Grace had gone to pick her up earlier than normal,” NK told me.
“Alright then, let’s just keep trying to reach her on phone and by tomorrow or next, we’ll go see her.” I suggested and NK agreed.
I ended the call and sent Grace a voicemail and text messages to ask how she was doing. No pressure. She didn’t need to talk now, we can always do that whenever she was ready. I just wished I could punch Connor in the face for hurting my friend again.
Hell, it was like he took pleasure in bringing her pain whenever he came into her life. I was happy that my friend was finally happy, being with the only man she had always loved. Unlike me who fell in and out of love like getting drunk and sobering up.
Not my fault though, not every man can handle how much attention I’m capable of giving to someone I was in love with. That was my only problem and the reason I decided to take a few steps away from relationship thingy.
Grocery was available, so I decide to make dinner before throwing myself into the articles and research I was meant to finish today, and then watch an emotional Korean drama capable of making me weep buckets till sleep calls.
A loud banging on my door interrupted my cooking preparations. I walked to the door, wondering who it was as I wasn’t expecting anyone at this time. Grace and NK must be at home now, so who could it be between either of them?
I threw on my transparent nightie with hopes that I wouldn’t need to open the door wide for whoever was knocking. The banging came again so I just padded bare feet to the door.
I released the door knob slightly to see the dark-haired and brown-eyed Marcus standing in front of my door. He was looking calm as usual but I had no idea what he was doing in my house. Like how did he even know where I lived? Because I could remember vividly that I didn’t give out that much information in our last meeting. We only agreed to meet each other outside and after making arrangements.
So what the hell was he doing here?
Hol’up, I thought realizing his reason for coming to my house unannounced. He was obviously looking for Grace despite that calm demeanor of his.
Irritation formed a lump in my throat as I shoved my head through the small space in the door, sending him a nasty glare. He and his boss were birds of a feather at the end of the day.
“Hi, Jody,” he finally said as it dawned on him that I didn’t have plans of letting him in.
“What do you want?” I snapped at him, “Grace is not here, Marcus, you can try the next room.”
“I know,” he answered too quickly with his deep throaty voice, throwing me off guard.
“Oh,” I managed to let out. He knew?
“My boss called me even before I drove into your apartment that he has found her and I would have turned back but decided to come see you since I was close already.” he explained patiently but hearing him call that two-timing jerk resumed my irritation.
He noticed my mood but took a step closer so he could see inside my apartment. But he was staring at me. He looked from my head down to my toes in a way that suddenly began to make me feel conscious.
I curled my toes in and wrapped my arms around my chest. I had no idea he was the one knocking, I should have covered up more.
His intense gaze was making me forget my anger, which shouldn’t be.
“Open the door,” he commanded, bending his body so his head could reach my face. My hand obeyed on their own accord, opening the door knob totally and my legs took few steps backward into the room.
What the hell! I wheezed, reprimanding myself for being so impulsive. Urgh.
I instantly turned and went into the room to get a coat I’ll wear over the transparent, white nightie. I inserted my bare toes into my indoor sleepers but Marcus was all over me, before I knew it. He grabbed my arms and twirled me to face him.
“Why the hell would you answer the door dressed like that!” he demanded with a growl, his raging eyes burning holes into me. “What if I wasn’t the one who was at the door, what if…” he exhaled, dropped my arms and raked his hands through his dark-hair in frustration.
I was almost melting at his voice, his gestures, and even his look of frustration was so arousing, I felt weak in my knees.
I snapped out of my daze, deciding to feed him his own side. “And why the hell did you come to my house without any prior notice? How would I have known who it was when I wasn’t expecting anyone.” I lashed at him and watch his maddening glare melt into mystery.
“Seeing you like that makes me want to protect you, dammit!”
“Well I don’t need your protection or anyone else’s for that matter!” I yelled, feeling relieved that my walls were sound proof. “I’m not a damsel in distress, Marcus, look what your so called boss did to my friend! You know, you’re actually the last person I want to see right now, so please leave.” I finalized and was going to open the door for him when he suddenly grabbed my shoulders and engulfed me in the warmest embrace ever.