Chapter 27: Not What I Expected

POV: Louie

"The porridge is almost ready... it's actually Grace's favorite. So I hope you enjoy it." I smell the scent of ginger coming from downstairs.

I looked down... Sungah quickly notices asking me "Are you alright Grace? I mean Louie.. sorry I can get a bit confused since you are like in her body and all."

"Do you not like porridge? I can make another dish if you want to although shouldn't he like porridge since he switched with Grace and Grace likes porridge." Greg asked Sungah.

"Actually from what I read about the spell.... it only switched their physical aspect because if you didn't know there are three, emotional, physical and mental. The emotional and mental aspects remained but the physical aspect is switched. Meaning if like Greg had an emotional or mental abuse he would still feel it at Grace's body." Sungah explains.

"That is oddly specific."

I cleared my throat to answer Greg's question

"Oh... not that porridge is not my favorite... it's just..." I stuttered.

"Let me guess.. did something bad happen with porridge that caused your mental or emotional health to deteriorate so that when you see it, you get reminded of that traumatic experience?" Sungah said bushy-tailed

Why is that so specific... but so accurate...

I sighed. "Actually yes... I had a bad experience with porridge. After I ate it my so-called fiancee added some kind of drug to it because I refused to spend time with her."

"Isn't that like illegal to do? Shouldn't she be in jail by now if she did that? I mean giving you a drug without your knowledge..." Greg questioned my toxic relationship with Isabel.

"Like I said... I wanted to get away from her but she always has her way with everyone... even my father... that's why I'm unable to escape..."

"Now that I think about it... shouldn't Grace be calling us right now? She told me that she will call us later but she has not called us at all..." Sungah asked worriedly.

"I'd suggest she didn't mention she is talking to anyone... your friend.. is in danger.. is all I have to say... Isabel can be quite erratic... She is unpredictable... she can be nice or she can be a total monster... it just depends on the day..." I said...

I don't expect them to understand Isabel but she is nothing but a mere monster... I hope Grace is okay handling her...

"Then what are we standing around here for?! Can't we just call Grace already... I am already goddamn worried!" Greg starts biting his fingers. "Alright! I'll call her.." Sungah suggested.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. If Isabel sees someone especially a girl trying to call me... she will grow even mad... I can handle her temper but I don't think Grace could handle her. There must be another way you can communicate with her without Isabel knowing." I said to them.

"Actually I can call Luther. He might know something. It's not like that guy has work today."

"Why don't we go downstairs because the porridge is ready! Let's have breakfast." I stood up.

Greg and Sungah lead me the way in Grace's really tiny house... the house was filled with cobwebs and dust... the stairs were uneven... who's the architect that made this house... it's a mess...

I guess this is why Grace didn't want me to go to her house when we were high school students.

"Don't judge the house that much Louie. I'm not really sure why Grace prefers being here than her mansion where she has her servants. I guess she has a hard time letting go of the past.. this is her childhood home after all." Greg giggled.

"Well she still has a hard time letting go about Lo-" Greg shuts Sungah's mouth.

"Hm? Is there something wrong? About Lo? You mean me?" I asked both of them.

"I think it's best if Grace says it to you. Not us. Now..CAN YOU STOP REVEALING THINGS SUNGAH" He turns to Sungah screaming at her...

They are quite a comedic duo... I'll give them that...

"Here. Please sit down." Greg offered me the chair in this tiny circular table... the table in my house is ten times bigger than this table...

"Hey! Stop judging!" Greg flicked my hand.

"Oh! Sorry I didn't notice I was staring." I sat down as Greg got a bowl pouring some of the porridge for me, for Sungah and for himself.

"You know. This is quite nice... it's been so long... I've had a meal with anyone actually... my schedule has always been busy... lately... Honestly, I should be going to a meeting today... but I guess this little break is fine..." I took a nice deep breath...

"Wait?! What? It's like Sunday... shouldn't you like to be taking a break at this time?" Sungah asked me.

"Oh? Grace doesn't work on Sunday? I would have assumed she would... considering she is a C.E.O.... she must be very busy doing work." I looked at them puzzled... how is Grace not busy... that's quite odd...

"As her secretary... She told me that she wanted to keep Sunday a time where she can spend time with her family and friends... and I really find that great of her to allot atleast time for people." Sungah said...

She.. spends time with family and friends... why... do I feel something... like something heavy in my chest...

"Then who manages her business when she's not around? Wouldn't she need to be 24/7 be in the company?" I asked puzzled at the idea of her taking a break... how is she able to do that.

"Uh... she has other people that do her work.. of course.." Sungah giggled.

"She has other workers of course... I don't think you need to be in your company 24/7 just to run it." Greg added.

She.. trusts her workers that much with responsibility? That she doesn't bother micromanage them?

"Don't you spend time with your family and friends Louie? Surely you spend time with them." Greg asked me as he continued eating his porridge.

"I wouldn't dream of spending time with them... my father and mother are too overbearing... and I don't really have to explain why Isabel is one of the people I don't want to spend time with." I sighed.

"You know.. I can't help but feel jealous..." I said to them timidly.

"Why? You are like a billionaire, you have fantastic cars, you have beautiful homes. A lot of people would kill just to be you." Sungah chuckled at my remark.

"Although I do have those things... I guess I'm just jealous that she has people she finds comfortable talking to.. honestly... I've never had a civil conversation like this ever... it would always be bickering or manipulative tactics..."

"Now that I think about it, Louie. Being in Grace's body.. you lost that ice-cold aura that you surround yourself." Sungah pointed out.

What? What does she mean by ice-cold aura...

I looked at her completely confused and bewildered at what she is talking about.

"You know! The constant serious look and tone... like how do CEOs act in those novels... about being ice cold and such... honestly you remind me a lot about them." Sungah bursts out in laughter...

"Hey! Sungah! That's rude to say you know... I apologize for her... Grace is not here usually she is the one that shuts her up." Greg and Sungah had a little cute bickering. It's pretty silly in my opinion...

Although it feels rather unprofessional... it feels great... the feeling of belonging to something... I never experienced that back then at the company...

"Hello! I'm here!" We hear a knocking.

"That must be Luther... I'll go answer the door, wait here..." Sungah said as she stood up and got to the door.

"You know.. this is not what expected Grace's life to be..." I turned to Greg.

"I guess that's what Grace also thought of... both of your lives are completely different from what you guys expected..." Greg's words echoed into my soul...

I guess.. it is unexpected...