▫️Thirteen

Ginelle's pov

We stood in line as people murmured loudly all around us. The school was flooded with students, parents and a few teachers.

It was the school's annual general meeting and the grounds were packed to capacity. From every corner, expensive cars were lined up as well clad ladies and gentlemen emerged from them with the latest bags on their arms.

Lora had invited Leila and I to this event since Dal was being awarded for being the best basketball player from his school team.

We were all proud and had come to celebrate him this very day. Louis was busy handling some sort of emergency at the company while Jordan wasn't able to make it thus it was only us three here.

Mayella too attended this school. I wondered if we'd see her or perhaps Grey. It was highly unlikely though. Her parents or Reece were probably the ones present.

An officer showed us the column we were supposed to occupy as Lora thanked him. The social hall was already filled as we walked in though we were lucky enough to get the front seats.

I guess we were seating according to classes. We were just on time.

Leila and I were supposed to get ready together this morning but after the sudden weather change yesternight, she had just dropped by to pick me up. She had waited for over an hour though since I was barely awake by the time she arrived.

With the sharp eyes she possessed, Leila had bombarded me this questions after seeing a note by my bed that I hadn't even seen myself. I was usually drowsy in the mornings that everything always appeared blurry. It was not until I took a bath that I at least sobered up.

"Elle, what's the meaning of this?" She was seated on the edge of my bed as she held a piece of paper in her hand.

"What's that?" I was adjusting my dress as I attempted to zip it up and at the same time walk towards her. I took the paper from her as I read over.

Everything was lovely, the shoes and shirt. Thank you for having me over.

~G

I read the note almost over ten times before Leila snatched it out of my hand. She gave me a pointed glare especially when I began to blush and toy with my fingers.

"Grey came by yesterday," I stated the obvious and I could see her smile widen. "He wanted to see if I was okay." I added, taking a seat beside her.

"Did you tell him about it?" She asked referring to my fear for thunder but I shook my head making her frown so I explained.

"Remember that day when our bus got damaged?" I began and Leila's eyes seemed to widen. "He helped me that night," Leila squealed then tossed her head on the pillows.

"Wow, you're just cute." She said then lifted up her face to me. "He figured on his own that you were afraid and came over? Where do I find such a caring man?" She mumbled the last part to herself.

"But how did he know the address?" Of course nothing escaped her. Leila squinted her eyes at me as she wriggled her eyebrows.

"He had come over before." I shyly told her as I turned to the side to occupy myself with oiling my arms.

"What?" I held back my ears as I jumped in fright at her loud squeal. "He's been over not only once but twice?" She shook my arms then shook her head and stood up from bed.

I thought she was angry that I'd kept all that to myself but before I could even say anything she pulled me into an hug. "I'm so happy you found yourself a good man."

I was glad after her response and how she supported our friendship though she'd warned me not to keep anything from her. The juicy stuff, she'd added though I didn't quite understand.

Some playful music filled the room that my thoughts returned to the present.

The hall was circular and grandly lit and I saw the students on the opposite side of us as they clapped over a group of girls who has just walked off the stage. Their faces were so closed up together that I couldn't tell them apart.

"That's Dal," Lora nudged me as she pointed ahead over to her son. Surely a parent could recognize their child from this far. He didn't seem to have seen us yet since he was talking to a boy beside him, a friend perhaps.

Leila plugged her earphones on when the speeches began as I looked round those present whereas Lora seemed to be keenly listening. I bet half of the students were asleep.

Near the end of the final speech just before the awarding, I saw two men walk into the hall. All attention seemed to turn towards them especially after a small squeal from a student.

"Papa!"

The lighting was quite dull to make out their faces but the more I stared, I felt as if I was looking into Grey's silhouette. I surely wasn't imagining things and it was after Leila raised her arms to stretch that their attention shifted to us.

Of the two, one was older. Even with the large coat he had on, I could tell he had a great physique. He was most probably a parent here. My eyes didn't pay him much attention before they moved to the other and I gasped.

Grey.

Our eyes briefly met over the large distance between us and somehow my heart began to race. I shamelessly stared over how the black suit graced his body so perfectly.

Even groom's didn't look that attractive.

He said something to the man who had been showing them some empty seats on a row by the exit. I obviously didn't know what he'd said but then as he turned my way and the other man followed, my eyes twitched.

They were coming over. There were two empty spaces just two seats from where I sat.

Lora and Leila were quick to notice too because I heard Leila pretentiously clear her throat while Leila urged her not to make it obvious. My hand flew to my neck where I started counting the beads on my necklace.

As soon as they were seated, my friends joyfully turned to greet Grey which he responded with a nod. I smiled in return as his eyes softened and I saw his companion look our way then back at Grey.

The head of the school began to give out the awards and I closely listened for Dalton's name though I could feel the occasional stare on my left side. I didn't turn to look because I knew I'd stare back too.

Leila squealed as soon as Dal was called and Lora walked down the stairs to the front. She took out her phone to film them as I clapped even higher. I raised my head slightly to watch as he received his present.

Several other children were awarded till an almost familiar name was called. Apparently they were good at playing the piano.

Mayella Williams.

It could be anybody else since I didn't know her second name but when the same man with Grey walked to the podium, I confirmed.

So it was Mayella who'd called for her father in the middle of a speech!

A teacher led her small figure on stage where she was quickly embraced by her father and a few squeals rang out. It was an adorable sight.

With a few more speeches, the meeting ended and we were advised on where to pick the children from. Leila and Lora were swallowed by the crowd on their way out and surprisingly the only thing that stood out to me was black.

I looked around me trying to get a hold of his back since he was always an head taller. Someone bumped into my shoulder that I held onto another beside me so as not to loose balance.

They however nastily shook my arms away as they straightened their clothes and hair. It surprised me how girls were becoming mean towards each other nowadays.

"Ginelle," I turned as soon as I heard my name. It is was Grey and he looked so much more handsome up close. I made a mental note to tell him when we got somewhere quieter.

"Grey! I didn't know you were coming." I smiled up at him as I admired his facial features. His stubble marred his face so well carving his jaw as a small smile played over his lips.

"Didn't know as well," It was quick but I saw him look at my dress. Leila had chosen it out this morning though it wasn't my usual attire. My neck felt a little bit bare where I had a necklace on.

I wasn't used to it, its coldness often startled me at times though I was playing with it at most times when I got bored. Before I spoke again, I was pushed from behind though Grey managed to catch me before I was hurt.

He pulled me to his side, in a way that it felt like I was hugging him and I almost cuddled at how warm he was. He guided me out with his arm on my back as I refrained from wrapping myself around him.

After not being attentive earlier on, I couldn't tell where we were supposed to wait so I chose a random path to walk on. Grey walked alongside me then I suddenly remembered.

"You didn't have to do the dishes, Grey." I had gone to the kitchen to get a glass of water for Leila earlier today only to find everything sparkling and not a single item out of place.

"I wanted to," he shook his head as he ran his hand over his hair ruining the uniformity. Without hesitation, I took his hand.

"You didn't have to, really." His cufflinks were undone so I helped him close them up. It was hardly noticeable but I adjusted them nonetheless.

I peeked at him when he went silent and found his gaze trained on the base of my neck. He seemed to be in a daze as his eyes raked over the area but shook his head twice as if to clear his thoughts.

"Grey, you look handsome." I blushed after saying out the words but still had the confidence to look into his eyes. I hadn't realized how attractive one could look in a suit until today.

The white shirt he had on reminded me of his other wet one.

"You're the most beautiful," he replied in an heart beat as though it were the most obvious statement. His grey pools stared at mine in the most loving way that I almost believed.

I was usually self conscious about how I looked. Not that I biased with looks but I found it hard to believe that somebody was complimenting me. My hands went to the necklace out of anxiety.

"Tulip?" Grey's calm voice pulled me back to the present. He took my hands down as he encompassed them with his. I stared down at them for a moment.

"Breathtaking," I gulped as I turned my attention to him. "You always are," his words seemed to catch on his throat and for once I felt like owning up the words. Not because of how tenderly he'd said them but because I could still hear them from his eyes.

His eyes were always truthful, they held an unusual brightness.

He stared back, as if waiting for me to acknowledge his words and I finally nodded. For once in my life I didn't feel lied to because I knew he had meant it.

He took one of his arms from mine as he took out a strand of my hair that had escaped from my clip. I hadn't done a good job in tying the hair with all the morning rush.

I was just about to adjust it myself but he stopped my hand from moving further. "Let me," he looked at the fallen strand for a longer time then took the clip out of my hair.

My hair cascaded down my back and shoulder in light waves and his eyes seemed to follow the movement. The same look I'd seen earlier marred his face as he gazed at me.

Grey took a step closer as he slowly gathered my hair from the sides, his fingers carefully going through till he held up to the desired location. "Okay?" He tilted his head down, slightly raising his thick eyebrows.

Having suddenly gone mute, I only nodded for him to continue. His actions were soft that I almost sighed at how great it felt for him to go through my hair.

Our close proximity didn't seem to help either since I took in a deep inhale of the musky scent that came out of him. My eyes were also graced with the broadness of his chest that I so checked out.

He took a while to fully tie up my hair but I wasn't complaining for sure. I liked our closeness and I couldn't help but think how it would feel to hug him.

"It suits perfectly," he complimented his work, taking a small step back and I seemed to believe him. Even without a mirror, I knew it turned out well.

"Ginelle, I want-" his head shook as if to stop himself from speaking further. He looked all over me as I patiently waited. How adorable he appeared with the slightly messy hair.

"Would like to come over at my place?" He stated slowly for me to comprehend, maintaining eye contact.

I was surprised and shocked at the same time. His facial expressions didn't waver and I realized he was serious about this.

"I came uninvited yesterday so I wanted to prepare something for you as well." He seemed anxious and on the edge as he clenched and released his hands by the side.

I had never been to any man's home. Not even Louis or Jordan so I didn't seem to know what to reply at first. I just stood there gaping at him like a statue as if I was frozen.

"Masha!" He was called out and I turned to see Mayella and her father coming our way. She was in her father's arms so she couldn't run over to us as she pleased.

I was distracted there for a second though Grey didn't seem to be. He had infact taken a step closer as he hopefully looked into my eyes.

There was a determination there and slight vulnerability that I could see though he desperately tried to hide away. He waited for an answer that I gave him.

Yes

It came out as a whisper but I knew he had heard. His shoulders relaxed and his hands went still. Before he could recuperate, Mayella called again.

"Elle!" We couldn't both ignore her so our heads turned simultaneously.

✪ ✪ ✪

Incase you were wondering, Grey has a thing for collarbones and that's why he was occasionally staring. One of his new weaknesses on our Ginelle.

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