chapter49 Friend

" I can't believe Martins got married just like and I didn't even know about it" Grace expected Maya to get angry, yell, shout or flip a table over but instead she broke. cry their eyes out. Grace understood her grievance. Maya's family is breaking apart, if not already broken.

as soon as her younger sister Mia got discharged from the mental institution, her parent took her abroad to continue her studies and now her older brother is married to someone he doesn't want to be with. in any sense of the word. it broke Grace's heart to see the people she regards as family facing such problems.

"hey. don't cry" Grace said in a monotone voice. she really isn't good at consoling people. "crying so much is not good for your uhm.. liver?"

" take you half -assed condolence somewhere else" Maya scoffed

" look you rather has a lot on his plate when that softie finds out that his sisters shedding tears on his behalf, he'll feel sad"

"wow. now you're guilt tripping me?"

" it made you stop crying so it did the job" Grace shrugged.

"whatever"

" so any progress with your forbidden love" she decided to change the topic. Maya's frown immediately turned into a huge smile. it is fake and doesn't reach her eyes but it's a start.

" I have been giving him hints and signs but he still hasn't asked me out"

" why don't you ask him out instead"

saying that is completely hypocritical considering her history but whatever.

" I don't want him to think I'm desperate"

" yeah. we don't want him to think the truth"

"oh shut up" Maya smiled. for real this time "can I have a hug?"

" you have thirty seconds" wasting no time, Maya hugged her tightly.

"hey Maya?"

"hmm?"

" why are you calling this thing with your boss's brother forbidden love?"

"because, our connection is so powerful, it is forbidden."

they both burst into a fit of laughter

~~~~~~

Grace is happy. how could she not be, everyone around her is happy.

Anna's do you date is fast approaching and the excitement is contagious, Maya has reconnected with her siblings and has made 'noticeable progress' in her forbidden love stuff. she too has made noticeable progress in her relationship with Lucas. they call and text often, they even had brunch together a few days ago.

last but not least, her little brother is coming back home after so long. the boarding school he attended doesn't allow for holiday breaks often and now he'll be graduating and when he comes back home, he'll finished his academics normally and she'll be able to see her brother more often.

they are many other things to be happy about; business is doing great, Martins wife by default airhead Sylvia got a really big gig as a model and won't be in town for more than half of a year, her prodigy Luna is doing impressive work in the office. and much more

the only person who isn't ready radiating the happiness vibes is Trevor. he has made it a point to call her everyday to confirm if it really okay for him to be present at little Mark's welcome home dinner. his pessimism is frustrating. to be put mildly.

" I don't know Grace I'm sure you're dad and that your friend hates me. I'll just make everything awkward. I'm pretty sure I'll get shot at, either by you Father or by your crazy friend" by crazy friend he is referring to Maya.

" you have called me everyday for over a week to tell me the same thing and I've already told you nobody will shoot at you! now you listen and listen, well if I don't see you in the Tang residences by 6:30 p.m. sharp; I will search for you and I will find you and then I'll be the one doing the shooting. I have already told my family I'm bringing a plus one, so you better show. up you hear me?"

she could hear him gulp over the phone "fine"

she didn't necessarily tell everyone that she invited Trevor Yang in particular, she said she voted and unconventional guess but everyone should keep an open mind.

it is Mark's welcome home dinner so everyone will be too chill to comment on the mob boss that would be sitting with them at the dining table. right?

finger crossed. everything will go just fine. she didn't want to cause a commotion on a day like that but she couldn't not invite Trevor. he looked so sad and dejected, and in need of a good cheering up and what could

cheer a person up more than being with family?

only God knows why she made friends with Trevor. it couldn't be because of his sad past and sob story. she has heard a ton of sob stories in her life time. both true and false and remain unaffected.

one thing is certain though, her soul has a weird way of choosing and making connection with people.