▫️Five

Ginelle's pov

A small smile formed on my face when Grey opened the store's door for me to walk in. Though his actions were gentle, his face still remained stoic but he wasn't as stiff as before.

"How was school?" Lora softly asked Dalton as she took his school bag from his shoulders. Before he could even reply his mother, Dalton rushed over towards me when he saw me walk in.

"Elle," he wrapped his hands around my abdomen tightly squeezing me. I had to admit that he was getting stronger.

"Did you miss me?" I ruffled his messy hair when he looked up at me. His blue eyes shined with innocence and I could fawn all day at how adorable he was.

"A lot," he smiled at me absent-mindedly playing with his loosely hanging blue tie.

"I bought you burgers, wanna try?" He was always hungry once he got from school so Lora always had something for him to eat.

"Yay!" He started to pull my hand away but then stopped when he realized I wasn't alone. Grey was still standing beside us, though he'd been silent the whole time.

"You're very strong!" Dalton exclaimed as he came to stand in front of him. I held back my laughter watching the two.

Like every other boy his age, Dalton wanted to be muscular in the future so every time he saw any man with muscles, he'd stare at their arms with interest.

Grey wasn't helping it either when he crossed his arms over his chest. He seemed calm now, staring down at Dalton but turned towards me when he felt my eyes on him.

"This is Grey," I glanced between the two of them and smiled when Dalton outstretched his right hand.

"My name is Dalton, Elle is my friend." He wrapped his arms around my left one after shaking his hand and he smiled up at Grey.

"She is also mine." He replied, his eyes holding mine for a while before they went back to Dalton. I felt a strange movement from the pit of my stomach at his words.

"Let's eat together," without notice, Dalton had looped his other hand over Grey's hands then whirled us towards the back room.

"Mama, mama!" Dalton apprehensively called letting go of our hands as he turned around the room. There was no one in sight.

"Dal, seat over here. I'll call mama." He turned to look up at me and nodded obediently. He was past the phase where children would cry over not saying their parent.

I situated him in the small couch and pinched his cheeks and he laughed softly, exposing his upper missing teeth.

Grey leaned on the wall opposite us with his legs crossed and arms wrapped around his chest. His head was inclined slightly towards us and the strange feeling coursed through me once more.

"Watch over him please, I'll be back." I blinked up at him feeling my whole body get jelly under his intense stare.

"Mmh," he hummed deeply and with a small smile, I was out of the room. I fanned my hands over my face wondering why I was feeling hot all of a sudden.

"Elle," I jumped when Jordan called from behind me, startling me. He was carrying some books and an empty carton.

"Where is Lora?" I asked after gaining my composure. It was almost closing time and most of the books on display had been sold out, so it'd been a good day.

"Sorting out some data over there," I followed where he'd been pointing at. Lora was quite busy so Dalton would have to stick with us.

With Grey too.

"Alright," I turned my back towards him but Jordan held me back by my hand, assessing me.

"Is something wrong?" I shook my head immediately that he looked all the more suspicious, "are you sure?" I nodded vigorously and added a smile.

"I'm just hungry," It was still a surprise that I hadn't eaten yet. It was already over eight hours.

"Sorry, I forgot to bring in your burgers," Jordan rushed to the table on the left as he ruffled through the bags. He'd probably forgotten after giving everyone their share.

"It's okay," I took the bags from him as he picked up the carton and books he'd been carrying earlier.

I turned to look at him when he started following me, giving him a questioning brow. "My share is still in there," he rolled his eyes at me as if offended.

Laughing away, Jordan followed closely behind as he tried stacking the books into the carton while still catching up with me.

I knew the real reason why he'd followed me. It was because of Grey. Jordan didn't seem to approve of our friendship. I didn't understand why the two never seemed to like each other.

I hoped that Leila and Louis wouldn't react that way too. I had been very proud of making a new friend on my own and so far Grey was very nice towards me.

I opened the back door to Dalton laughing as he tried to reach for something in Grey's hand that was stretched above his head.

Grey was seated on the couch and Dalton stretched beside him, trying to catch what was in Grey's hand. His face was neutral as he played with Dalton and I found myself smiling.

The door creaked as Jordan pushed his way through since I'd been obstructing him from coming in.

Dalton's laughter died down as he turned our way and Grey quickly dropped his hand and he sat straighter on the couch.

His eyes hardened when he spotted Jordan behind me that I could see his jaw tick in anger. The bridge of his nose also wrinkled distastefully as he looked at him.

I brought the burgers forward that he turned his focus on me and the creases on his forehead died down and his furrowed eyebrows straightened as he watched me unwrap all the burgers.

"Elle, I want this one." Dalton pointed at his favorite one after I'd added some sauce.

"Of course it's yours," I handed it to him after folding the sleeves of his shirt before he ended up messing himself further.

"Thank you," he took a bite then turned to his left side. "Elle, can I share mine with Grey?" Dalton had just taken his first bite.

I shook my head then took out another bagel, "Have this one," I handed him my treat though I didn't add any sauce in his. He probably ate his plainly.

Grey didn't say anything as he took the burger though he tilted his head down slightly in acknowledgement.

I ruffled around for my purse to get my phone. It took a while because I always ended up leaving everything everywhere but luckily Jordan came back with it.

"Your bag is here," I gratefully took it from him then pointed at his burger. Jordan took his share and left as soon as Lora called from the front.

"Mama is busy now," I knelt down before Dalton when I saw him turn to her voice. He was a mama's boy and he always wanted to be in her vicinity.

"Okay," he sighed dejectedly as he munched his burger. I felt bad for him so I suggested, "You can stay with me." He'd stayed over at my place a number of times that his toys were always around.

"Really, we can race the trucks?" He asked referring to his numerous toys that were all over my living room. I nodded eagerly, looking forward to our game.

"Let's go now!" He tried standing up but I instructed him to finish eating first. I still had to talk to Lora over this. It wasn't an issue but I still needed her consent.

"Ginelle," I had just stood up straighter when Grey called me. My attention had been on Dalton the whole time wanting to make him feel better that I forgot about Grey. Only for a second though, I'd been aware of his presence.

"Eat?" He handed me half of his burger and I realized that he'd cut it into two. I hesitated but my grumbling stomach made my decision easier.

I took the burger from him and quickly took a bite as I added some of the remaining sauce. I gave Grey a small smile when I saw him looking at me.

I took some wipes from my purse to clean my hands once I was done and also cleaned Dalton's mouth. The sauce had been all over his mouth.

I also handed Grey some wipes too though he hadn't messed himself like we had. Everything about him was orderly and perfect.

I tried not to check him out as often but my eyes couldn't seem to leave his frame. He was strongly built, his arms thick and full of muscle, chest broad not to forget his tall height that added to his already perfect features.

The three of us walked out to the front once I'd finished putting everything in place. Dalton was talking endlessly as Grey nodded frequently as if to show he was following in the conversation.

I approached Lora as they talked, "Can Dalton stay with me till you're done?" Lora looked up from the registers her face already tired. I would have helped but she wouldn't allow it. My working hours were over.

"Of course," she nodded as her eyes fleeted to her son for a second then back to me, "who is he?" She didn't look as alarmed as I'd thought she would be.

"My friend Grey, he helped me carry the boxes that day." I added just so she could trust me. Lora looked back at them and then smiled at me.

"I'll pass by at eight to pick him up." She stated as she simultaneously checked out a customer. Dalton would already be asleep by then.

"Okay, see you then." I took my purse and skipped over to Grey and Dalton. I would have to text Jordan since he was no where to be seen.

"Let's go," I signaled them as I tucked my phone into my bag after texting him. We walked out together and I waved Lora again before we left.

I stood by Grey's left side on the roadside as the vehicles passed by us. I didn't want to show my nervousness as we waited for the lights to flick red for us to cross.

Dalton already had his hand in Grey's and I was relieved that he was safe. I wiped the palms of my hands over my hips over three times and when I couldn't hold back any longer, I reached for Grey's left hand.

At first his hand twitched that I thought he'd shake mine away. He looked at me and his steps faltered when we began to cross but he led us safely to the other end.

I held on tightly, paying more attention to my surroundings though his rough calloused hand held mine reassuringly that I seemed to forget where I even was.

"Sorry about that," I apologized as soon I'd retracted my hand and smiled sheepishly at him. I always held onto Jordan, I wanted to add but I didn't dare.

Grey nodded as he looked down at my hands then back at my face. He scratched his stubble with his thumb then pocketed his left hand still watching me.

"We shall take the bus," I took Dalton's hand so we could head to the bus-stop but before we could even move, Grey stopped us.

"I'll drive you," he said as he pocketed his other hand making his shoulders wider and his frame taller. I stared at him for half a second then blinked.

"You have a car?" Of course he had to have one. Almost everyone had one in this century. It sounded like an insult so I apologized, "I'm sorry,"

Grey pointed to the left just a few feet from where we stood and my jaw dropped as Dalton exclaimed, "Wow! Your car is cool."

The car was a perfect image of him. It was black, just like most of his clothes and it was quite classy. I didn't know much about fancy cars but it looked like a jeep. I wasn't sure of the exact model but the car was amazing.

We slowly approached the car in awe and Grey opened the back door for us. I helped Dalton climb up and then followed suit. Grey stabilized me by my lower back when I almost lost footing.

The chairs were also comfy, it felt as if I was at home. The inside of the car was clean and I had to make sure Dalton didn't damage anything. It would cost a fortune that I didn't have.

I buckled Dalton's seat belt then mine and turned to Grey when he didn't start the car. He expectantly looked at me then I zeroed in recognition. My address. I had not told him yet.

I quickly told him the direction, embarrassed that I'd been relaxing in his car and not stating my destination. How quick I was to forget myself.

Dalton and I began to compete on who could get more cars. He counted the white ones that passed by us while I counted the black ones. It was something we always did and it was at times like this when I wondered if I was really an adult.

I turned my neck to look at the other side because Dalton was still counting while I'd stopped seeing any black ones.

I accidentally made eye contact with Grey through the rear view mirror and I felt my cheeks warm up. I'm sure he thought of me no more than a child.

I dropped my head to hide my face from him trying to distract myself from his piercing eyes. My body was starting to feel warm everytime he looked at me.

I started playing with my fingers but Dalton nudged me after seeing one of my black cars. I had even stopped paying attention to our little game.

I noticed that we'd almost arrived and I directed Grey on where to park. My neighbourhood wasn't that big so fancy cars like his didn't make an appearance that often.

Quite a number stood to stare as a few minded their business but I didn't care much. Dalton easily jumped down after Grey had opened the door. I held onto his extended looped arm as I got off.

"Thank you for the ride," he closed the doors and leaned back to watch us. He nodded then looked at my hands and opened his car again. He stretched out to the back and flashed me my purse.

I took it from him and flung the sling over my shoulder. How much further was I going to be careless.

"Grey, you'll play with us?" Dalton asked before we went up my apartment. I remained rooted at his words as I stared interestingly at my feet.

He didn't respond though and I looked up to meet his alluring grey eyes. They were already trained on me as if waiting for me to make the decision.

I didn't know what to say and it was a good thing because Dalton eventually had his answer.

"Yes I will," he responded calmly with his eyes still on me. There and then I felt my insides melt.

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