Grace's smile began to fade. She took a white rose out of the bouquet and murmured, "Do you remember how I used to decorate the house with white roses? You used to help me put the rose stalks into the vases." Her blue eyes crinkled as she resumed her smile.
"I miss those days," she added, looking at him. "I miss you."
Declan stared at her blankly, not saying anything.
Grace sighed and set the bouquet aside. She moved her gaze to the shore, looking at the waves in a daze. "I remember how you like to watch the waves crashing on the shore. You enjoyed making sandcastles. You always urged me to take you to the beach. I know you also miss those days. That's why you picked this location for the meeting."
"What do you want to prove by saying all this?" Declan grumbled.
"I need you," Grace said, her gaze pleading.
"But I don't need you," Declan said flatly.
"Declan…"
"What?" Declan slammed his hand down on the table, his cold eyes growing colder. A few drops of coffee splashed on the table.
Grace flinched, closing her eyes.
"You abandoned me," he continued, his voice thick with anger. "And never looked back at me. You didn't care a damn about me. What mattered to you was that man. Why do you need me now? Are you not happy with your other family?"
"You are also my family," Grace murmured, her eyes welling up with tears.
Declan held up his index finger and snarled, "Don't even dare say that. I am no one to you. You and I… We share no relationship. Stay away from me. And stay the hell away from my wife." He stepped out of the chair and walked away, taking brisk steps.
Grace remained seated there with her head bowed, sobbing.
Francis hurriedly followed Declan. "Do you want me to drive you home?"
"Office." A cold reply came from Declan.
"Okay."
They headed to the parking area.
In college…
The classes had ended. Yasmin and Lisa came out of her class, chatting and laughing. When they exited the department, they saw a man in a navy blue suit, donning blue goggles, leaning on a Bugatti. He had his arms crossed over his chest, his ankles crossed.
"Hello, lovely ladies." He waved at them, grinning. He took off his goggles and slid them into his coat pocket.
"Hi…" Lisa squealed, waving at him. Her eyes sparkled with delight when she saw such a handsome man smiling at him.
Yasmin, on the other hand, gaped at him with astonishment. She recognized the man who had been flirting with her on the wedding day. Of course, that was before when she was not the bride.
She squinted at him as she cocked her head, adjusting her specs. "So, you are the driver Declan mentioned."
The man's smile faded right away.
"Driver!" Lisa exclaimed, shocked. A scowl replaced her smile.
"Do I look like a driver?" The man snapped. "I am the most handsome man in the city. Ladies of all ages want me, you know."
"Thank goodness I am not one of them." Yasmin rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"I am here to carry out my brother's command." He sighed exaggeratedly as if he was bored. "Get into the car." He opened the passenger door for her.
"Is this Declan's brother?" Lisa's eyes widened even more.
"Yes." The man stretched his hand towards her. "I am Derrek Wilson."
Lisa smiled and shook hands with him, gazing at him hypnotically. "I am Lisa."
"Nice to meet you, Lisa."
Yasmin yanked her arm and pulled her back. "I am not going with you. Tell your brother that I can go back on my own." She walked away, dragging Lisa along.
"Are you not being a little rude to him?" Lisa hissed, displeased. "Let's go with him."
"You are not going with him." Yasmin quickened her steps, holding Lisa's wrist firmly.
Lisa pouted and glanced back at Derrek. Her eyes dimmed with disappointment.
"Yasmin, wait." Derrek rushed after her. "Declan will kill me. Please get into the car."
Yasmin paused and turned back to him. She initially wanted to chase him away but decided against it as something crossed her mind. She folded her arms over her chest. "Okay. I am ready to go with you. But I have some conditions."
"Anything for you," Derrek said without thinking.
"Think before you promise. You can't back down afterwards."
"I promise I won't back down. Just let me know what you want."
Yasmin was overjoyed but kept her face stern. She turned her focus to Lisa and said, "I am leaving now. See you tomorrow." She smiled and waved at her.
"Huh…" Lisa's jaw dropped open. She felt a flicker of annoyance. She expected Yasmin to ask her to accompany her. "How rude." She sulked and stomped away.
Yasmin walked over to the car and hopped in. She buckled her seatbelt.
Derrek heaved a sigh secretly as he got into the car and drove off. "What do you want from me?" he asked.
"Answers."
Derrek cast a fleeting glance at her, frowning.
"Who is Grace?" She asked.
Derrek stepped on the brake all of a sudden.
Screech…
As the car came to a halt, the wheels screeched on the asphalt.
They moved forward for a brief moment before returning due to inertia. They were fortunate to be in a less congested area with no traffic behind them. Otherwise, a mishap on the road would have happened in seconds.
Yasmin gasped a lungful of air, shocked. She clenched her jaw and turned to him. The rage replaced her shocked look. "What the hell was that?" she exclaimed. "Do you want to kill me?"
Derrek looked at her and snapped back, "You terrified me by asking that question. I was not expecting that."
"Wow! Is Grace so terrifying?" Yasmin rolled her eyes.
"Ah…" Derrek grimaced and waved his hand. "We don't talk about her. Don't think about her."
He stepped on the throttle, and the car started moving. Yasmin pulled out the key in an instant, bringing the car to a halt.
"What the fuck?" Derrek yelled, eyes wide. He glared at her. "Who wants to kill who now? Hmm?"
"Answer me. Or else, I will throw the key away."
"Ugh…" Derrek raked his hair, letting out a frustrated groan. "You are like Declan… stubborn. I don't like it." He sulked.
"Answer my questions if you don't want to get scolded by your brother."
"Are you threatening me?" Derrek squinted at her.
Yasmin shrugged.
"Darn…" Derrek slammed his hand on the steering wheel. He chewed the inside of his cheeks, contemplating whether to answer her. After a while, he looked back at her and said, "I will tell you about Grace. But please…" He folded his hands and cast her an imploring look. "Don't say a word about it to Declan. He will slit my throat."
Yasmin resisted the urge to smile and maintained her stern expression. "Okay. I won't tell him anything."
"Grace is Declan's mother."