▫️Nine

Ginelle's pov

"Elle, I want this." Dalton pointed at the fries on the menu that had some sort of flavoring making them look more appealing.

"Me too," Mayella piped in beside him on the large round table. I smiled as I framed a fallen strand out of her face.

Exhausted from running around in the park, they had gotten hungry and we'd come to one of the nearby restaurants.

"Okay," I gave into their requests as my eyes ran over the entire place. It looked classy and expensive.

"Look the cutlery!" Leila whispered beside me as she nudged my side to the right. Everything was of quality too.

Reece called the waiter who took all our orders. Leila and I took fries just as the children while Reece ordered something I didn't hear. Grey hadn't spoken so I assumed he'd taken a similar order.

"You have to wash your hands," I reminded Dalton who seemed to have forgotten all the etiquette after meeting Mayella.

"I'll go with Maya," he stood up from his chair much easier and helped Maya get off hers. I held onto them just incase they slipped.

Leila raised her brow to ask if I was fine alone but Reece pulled her into a conversation before I replied. It was just washing hands anyway.

I pointed to the sinks near the entrance and before I realized it, they dashed ahead with Mayella giggling as Dalton rushed after her.

"Slower." My steps faltered at the command and my stomach flipped at the deep authoritative voice that came up behind me. Mayella and Dalton too stopped running.

Grey had come with us.

He gave them a pointed gaze and they began to walk normally to the sinks. It wasn't that demanding but his voice was one that needed attention. Who could resist such an order?

His eyes flitted to mine as I looked up at him in wonder. He appeared beguiling, making one easily give in to every of his command.

"Let's go," he stated lowly since my feet seemed to have stuck on the marble floor. I blinked twice then speed walked to ensure that the kids weren't playing with water.

Grey easily caught up to walk beside me. I gave him a small smile which he attempted to return because the corners of his lips turned up just the slightest.

"Masha, look!" Mayella rubbed her hands quite aggressively as foam spread all over her arms. She clapped her hands that the bubbles landed on Dal's face.

Masha

"Don't play here," Grey spoke as softly as possible and they both nodded simultaneously. I smiled at their discipline as I helped Mayella reach the tap to rinse her hands.

Dalton quickly washed his and I helped both of them dry their hands. They were back to join the rest as soon as I was done. At least they weren't running.

I applied the bluish detergent on my left palm then my eyes went up to the mirror. This was an habit of mine everytime I came across one, making funny faces.

This time however I was met with the familiar yet hypnotizing grey colour. My breath caught up in my throat when he came closer, closer that his chest almost touch my back.

His gaze remained on me, calm yet a thousand emotions seemed to swirl across his eyes. He slowly extended his hand to me and I stared at him confused through the mirror.

"Cream," a shiver went down my back when he whispered close to my ear and the jar almost slipped out of my hand. I pressed a decent amount to his palm all the time feeling his eyes on me.

He took his time cleaning his hands, never taking a step back even as I handed him some wipes to dry his hands too. Good thing there wasn't anyone watching.

Grey led me back to our seats and our orders came shortly afterwards. Leila gave me a questioning eye but everyone ducked in and we ate quietly.

I was almost done when I received a call. It had been so silent that all eyes went to me. "Excuse me," I smiled sheepishly as I rose up to take the call.

"Hello Lora," I replied once I got to a good spot. I could still see the rest, mostly Mayella and Dalton. I turned to the opposite side when her alarmed voice came through.

"Where are you? Is everything okay?" She panicked, speaking into the phone all at once. We were usually back by now.

"Yes, we're having lunch." I explained to her as I turned to watch over Dalton. Lora always closed the store at around noon then we'd return from the park and hang out at her place.

"Uh, but we-" she sounded confused and I interjected before she worried further. "We're with Grey's friends." I whispered the last part, my fingers subconsciously tracing an irregular pattern.

"What do you mean?" She went silent for a moment then continued, "Uh-huh, your new friend?" I was convinced that her tone changed and that she sounded excited.

I nodded then laughed at myself since she couldn't see me. "Yeah," I looked back to the rest to see that Dalton and Mayella were almost done.

I assured Lora that we would be back the soonest possible and she ended the call happily as I went back in.

I took my seat, placing my phone on my lap as I picked up my fork. There's no way I was leaving these fries.

Leila kicked my leg mid-chew and I refrained from hitting her back. "Lora called." I replied once I had swallowed.

"Ooh shoot, we were supposed to be back my now." Leila looked at her wrist watch as she exclaimed loudly. That caught everyone's attention.

"Mama is waiting?" Dalton's eyes widened and he quickly ate the remaining fries on his plate. Mayella too began to eat as fast, mimicking his actions.

"Don't eat so fast," Reece urged them before they began chocking. I poured down two glasses of water and helped Mayella drink up after passing Dal his own.

Reece offered to pay the bill saying it was an apology for taking our time. Leila didn't argue much but promised to buy them a meal next time. I wonder when.

Leila walked out first holding Mayella's small hand. I followed closely behind as Dalton came up behind me with Reece and Grey.

The tremor from the horrifying ride earlier had died down and I was still trying to figure out why Reece looked so surprised after learning that Grey had been with me.

"You're leaving?" Grey came to my side as Reece and Dalton followed Leila to her car. I guess this was where we parted ways.

"Yeah," I watched as his eyes dropped down in a sigh. I too hoped we could hangout some more. I loved their company.

"It was nice meeting your friends," I perked up at Grey swinging my hands back and forth. I had known three new people in a span of three weeks.

This was all new.

"Mmh," Grey stared down at me, his eyes lingering on my form much longer and I noticed that he'd been shaking his head quite often.

"You okay?" I remembered he hadn't been himself during the ride and I wonder if it was still affecting him.

He pocketed his hands and nodded down at me though his thoughts seemed to be so far away.

"But I want to stay with D-Dalton," Grey and I turned after hearing Mayella whine. She stomped her feet shrugging away Reece's hand that was trying to pull her away.

"They're adorable, right?" I laughed as Mayella stood by Dalton holding his left arm. I could already feel that they would be best friends.

"Right." Grey replied after a while and I tore my eyes from Leila's car. He was right beside me, his head tilted my way.

A breeze blew by us that his top hair fell on his forehead, obstructing one of his eye. His left hand slowly moved to sweep the hair up, his fingers running through.

"Adorable," my eyes stopped following the movement and I looked into his eyes. I stared back then swiftly dropped my eyes to the block of tiles on the pavement as my face heated up.

Where were we?

"Elle," Mayella shook my dress bringing me back to the present. She was still holding onto Dalton as Reece and Leila came behind them.

"Yes, sweetie?" I cooed at her, my cheeks still warm. I was reading too much into everything and I had to restrain myself before things got out of hand.

"I want to play with Dalton," she quivered as she bit her bottom lip and I could tell she was seconds away from crying. I knew that too well.

"Aren't you tired?" Mayella shook her head vehemently and I glanced at Reece who appeared just as helpless as everyone else.

"What game do you want to play?" I asked further looking between them. Dalton seemed just as attached and I knew he too wanted a play mate.

"Hide and seek!" She replied instantly and I involuntarily looked at Grey. He was observing us silently and his left eye dropped just the slightest.

"Um, how about you do some painting?" I suggested, looking back at them. They had been running for quite sometime so that was a better thing to do.

It would also be convenient since we were going to the store. Mayella perked up at the suggestion and nodded eagerly.

Dalton too brightened as he began to brag about his mother's store. Reece smiled at me once he'd made peace with his sister.

"Remember to tell Lora then," Leila patted my shoulder as she went back to her car. Dalton and Mayella ran after her in a single pair. Reece looked on both sides and after smiling at me one last time, he went after them.

"Just us?" Grey spoke and I shyly nodded at him. He pointed at his car on the opposite side gesturing me to lead the way.

We walked silently with him just behind me and I occasionally caught on the manly scent that came from him. The scent of the woods and I was secretly liking it.

Grey opened the passenger side for me and I gave him a smile as I adjusted my dress. Leila's car disappeared into a corner just as we followed after.

I took out my phone to text Lora before I forgot. She would get surprised if she saw us just show up with new company. I apologized for keeping her waiting too.

"Ginelle," I was startled by his voice having been so immersed in my phone. He was looking straight ahead though his attention was inclined to me.

"I-I will be-" he shook his head cutting himself short and his grip tightened on the wheel. He sped up a little bit and the veins on his exposed arm become more prominent.

"Grey?" I worriedly looked at his troubled face as we approached the bookstore. He didn't look at me once till he parked just next to Leila's white Tesla.

"Can, can we exchange contacts?" He breathed out as soon as he'd turned off the engine. He slowly turned to meet my eyes, not releasing the wheel from his firm hold.

I had realized he tended to grip on things when he was flustered.

"Of course," I extended my phone to him that he stared down at it then at me as if in disbelief. He seemed to exhale as he took it, his fingers brushing against mine.

Mine were as cold as usual.

He tapped on my phone and I tried not to stare at how fast his hands moved over the screen. He handed me back my phone when I heard a vibration, perhaps he'd texted or called himself.

Grey

I giddily stared at the new contact. He had simply saved himself by his name. It was quiet and I looked sideways to see that he too was staring at his phone, a dazed expression on his face.

He seemed to feel my gaze because he looked up and I ended up blushing. It was for no apparent reason but his eyes just made me shy.

"I will be away," he cleared his throat as he leaned back into his seat. I sat straighter turning to face him fully. Was there any problem? My face could clearly show how troubled I was.

"For work." He looked down at my hands that were moving up and down my thigh in nervousness. His right hand moved forward just the slightest and rested on the gear stick.

"Will you be safe? Is it very dangerous? You'll not get hurt right?" I spewed out all the questions at once, my anxiety picking up.

Grey had told me about his work though he didn't seem concerned about how dangerous it was. I knew it was risky, serving the country and putting your life on the line.

"It will be fine," his hand moved from the gear lever slowly to mine and I grasped onto his warmth. His hand seemed to encompass both of mine as he softly traced his thumb over.

"Will it be long?" I croaked out, my throat constricting. I had just began to get used to him. My eyes pooled in tears which I tried to shake away.

"I don't know," his voice was low, unsure of how things would turn out and I took in a deep breath. I could only hope that he would remain safe during that period.

My phone vibrated from my lap and I slowly detached my hands from his. "We should head in," I turned to the right to get off before my tears slipped.

I heard him close the door and come after me soon afterwards. I didn't know exactly why I was crying. Whether it was because Grey was leaving or because he might fall into danger, I didn't know.

He held the book store's door open for me and I walked in to Mayella chatting animatedly with Lora. Leila was furiously typing on her phone as Dalton walked Reece round the store.

"Oh my, you must be Elle's new friend." Lora walked over as soon as she saw us walk in. Mayella followed behind her smiling up at us too.

"Good afternoon, I'm Grey." He extended his hand at her which she happily shook. "Nice to meet you, I'm Lora." She beamed at me as Grey titled his head down.

"You can have a seat," Grey shook his head as he attempted a friendly face. He was leaving, I didn't know it would be this soon.

"I have to leave for work," he replied as Mayella skipped to Dalton who approached with Reece.

"Okay, you're welcome anytime." Lora smiled as she led the kids to some drawing books. Grey seemed to have a silent conversation with Reece who nodded in return.

He turned to me one last time, and I watched as his throat bobbed up and down. He hesitantly took a step back and reluctantly turned his back to me.

"G-Grey?" I called out softly before he left the store. I was afraid that something would happen to him when he was away.

"You'll come back?" I just wanted him to assure me that he would be safe. He was strong yes, but I was conflicted.

"Always, tulip." He gently stroked my hair as he extended his pinky finger. I extended mine too and his thumb pressed on mine in a promise and I relaxed slightly.

Even as I watched him walk out, my mind seemed to have the same thoughts over and over again.

I will be waiting.

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To everyone reading this, know that I'm always grateful. Show some love by voting and if possible share your opinions on this.

Any red / green flags?

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