Chapter 17

After the inspection from the Urban Management Bureau ended, Mia told Grace. “We’re having a reunion with our high school classmates this weekend. Come and join us.”

“A gathering?” Grace laughed. Given her current condition, she would be mocked if she were to go. No doubt, that was exactly what Mia intended. “You’re so kind to think of me,” she said.

“But, no. I’m not free, and I won’t be going.”

“Oh come on, Grace. These events are impossible to pull together. It’s a rarity. What is it you’re busy with? Come and join us!” Mia tried to persuade her.

Did Mia think that Grace was born yesterday?

This woman had been rude, spiteful, and petty. She could just imagine how a ‘reunion’ would play out-with Mia, no doubt, telling everyone how Grace, former beauty and valedictorian, lost it all, went to jail, and was currently working in Sanitation.

Nope. Not happening.

“I need to work over the weekend. Do you really think that weekends would be rest days for me given the scope of my job?” Grace asked.

Mia was speechless when she heard that. Indeed, she had forgotten.

“However…”

“I’m clearing the rubbish. Let’s talk another time.” Before Mia could finish her statement, Grace turned to leave.

She was not stupid. And, seriously, Mia was so obvious.

It’s okay. You’re okay.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Grace repeated her mantra and pushed the negative thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t control the mean or shallow people around her, but she could control herself. And she could choose to meet experience with positivity.

Two days later, the Vice Director instructed her to send a document over to someone from the Urban Management Bureau, only problem was it was the weekend, and the Management Bureau representatives were at a country club luncheon.

Ordinary sanitation workers were not allowed to enter such a place, and more than one employee at the prestigious club tried to intercept her as she entered the lobby.

Grace caught the odd stares of other wealthy people, their looks saying clearly, ‘what is SHE doing in here!?’ Like she was some other species or something.

Grace had been to this particular club many times before for

dinners and charity events. Sean belonged to this particular country club.

One of the staff nodded to her. “We’re expecting you,” he said.

“Follow me.”

“Sure.”

The sooner she could hand off this paperwork, the better.

Then she could leave.

The staff member led her down one hallway and into another. Then he opened the door to a ballroom. Many people were inside.

When Grace stepped in, she heard a familiar voice, saying, “Look who’s here!”

Grace saw Mia Jenkins, Maria, and some of her high school classmates.

“There you are, Grace!” Mia called out loudly.

Grace knew immediately that Mia had deliberately made this arrangement. As she was from the Urban Management Bureau, the supervisors would be eager to get on her good side. As long as Mia wanted a document and specified the person she wanted to bring it to her, the Vice Director would accede to her request.

“See! I didn’t lie to you. The prettiest girl in our class has become a sanitation worker!” Maria said, looking snobbish.

Grace’s uniform completely stood out from the classy attire of the rest of the people in the private room.

“Is this our beautiful super scholar? You were imprisoned for three years and I almost couldn’t recognize you.” Greg looked down his long nose at her. “Aw, what’s wrong, Sean didn’t want to dote on you anymore after you killed his sister?”

Between the mention of Sean, the horrible accident that ended Jennifer’s life, and seeing this man in front of her, Grace froze.

The pain of so many memories slammed into her like a flood.

so high

been a rich and entitled jerk back then and

him at a charity auction when she’d gone outside for a bit of fresh air. Greg grabbed her arm and assaulted her. If Sean hadn’t come out to find her, she knew it would’ve been worse.

had taught him a lesson that

one here to protect

corner of his eye. “Your ex is untouchable… but you aren’t. And I still owe you for what he did

like this was the greatest show they’d ever seen.

Greg. She walked a few

“This is the document

After taking the document, she said, “Grace,

Sure, she was.

way Mia grinned, this had been better

of her arm. “Why are you in such

lips. “Come on, drink up. Back then,

She turned her head and pushed him away.

tight slap in the face, shouting, “Ugh! Do you think you’re still Sean’s girlfriend? You’re an ex-con and a sanitation worker.

took up the bottle of red wine beside him and poured it over Grace’s

soaked her body, embarrassing

heads and cringed, but no one called Greg to stop.

Maria laughed openly.

“Grace, apologize to Greg quickly. He may forgive

the idea ridiculous.

assaulted, but she was expected to apologize

jokes and she might have to deal with being looked down upon

her

I’m giving you a chance to apologize to me. Even if I raped

was horrified as the other guests filed out

entirely.

her flying. She hit the ground hard and her shirt tore open,

screamed as he

for her, let alone stood up for

her skin?” Maria

the accident,” Mia

sunlight during her three years of imprisonment, making her fairer than anyone. And the

scars had not faded away,

to stand up, and though she pushed to her knees, her hand remained anchored to the ground.

on her right hand

dramatically. “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? You have not yet apologized to Gregory,” Maria said. She looked as if she couldn’t wait to see Grace in a more pathetic

reminded her of her prison days when her finger bones had been broken

had been unable to defend herself and was forced to accept the treatment.

she wasn’t going down without a fight. She used all of her might to push Maria’s foot away from her right hand. Then she lunged to her

out of this place.

her torn clothes around herself and ran forward. However, a strong force came from behind her, catching her by her hair and yanking her backward. She screamed, feeling hair ripped from her scalp and then she gasped as her body connected with the

me alone!”

the room remained closed and no one came to help

hand he held in her hair. “Are you trying to run away? Don’t you know that my

as he made that statement.

a familiar voice saying, “Greg, what

That’s… Sean’s voice.

Grace shivered.

Sean again-let alone in such a sorry stale after

a coincidence. Your ex-girlfriend is here to have a meal with me too. However, your ex-girlfriend doesn’t know what’s good for her and she has agitated

Sean replied

thinking I owe her

Grace’s hair, forcing her to

face Sean.

like a chasm of grief was boiling up to swallow her

there, besides Sean… Lily Atkinson.

her bones. Who’d stood beside him and goaded

at the mercy of Greg, was like

go,”

looked at Sean as if

shrugged. “We’re here for dinner,” he said. “How you choose to…entertain…yourself is up to you, Greg. I have nothing

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255