The Intruder

Grace's quiet days were now always interrupted by Gabriel's presence. The man was a constant visitor to Grace's home. After Grace rudely sent him away on Christmas Day, Gabriel returned the next day with a bouquet of flowers and some puzzles for Arthur.

Grace didn't want to open the door for him at first. But her neighbor contacted her and said that they saw an unknown man standing alone in front of her house. Not wanting to cause a scene in the neighborhood, Grace was forced to accept Gabriel.

But... the audacity of him, when Grace asked Gabriel to go home immediately the man replied, "Sorry, Grace. This time my visit is not for you, but for Arthur. I'm Arthur's friend now so I'll go home when Arthur tells me to."

Arthur was only four years old! He had no idea how dangerous Gabriel was! When he was bribed with a puzzle toy, the boy immediately pulled Gabriel in and enthusiastically invited the man to play together. 

If only Grace could have explained that Gabriel was a bad guy.... Grace herself made Arthur put contact lenses back in his eyes to hide the blue irises like Gabriel's. When her neighbor called, she decided to receive Gabriel as a guest and she immediately called Arthur to be fitted with contact lenses.

And this didn't just happen once. Afterwards Gabriel always came using the excuse that Arthur was the one who invited him. And when Grace asked that.... Arthur nodded innocently. Admitting that he was the one who invited Gabriel to solve their puzzle. And Gabriel... that man always brought a new puzzle every day.

Today he arrived later than usual. Grace had expected Gabriel not to show up, but he arrived with a few more new toys at night.

Grace stood huddled in front of the door. It was late and Arthur was asleep. 

"You don't need to come in, Arthur is already asleep."

"Ah... just like that... can I talk to you then?" asked the man who held both of Grace's shoulders and tilted her body so that he could enter. Grace was speechless at the man's arbitrary behavior.

"Sir, I think you're getting more and more rude. My house is not a public area. You can not enter without my permission.."

Gabriel nodded in agreement but gave no indication that the man was about to leave her house. After sitting on the sofa, Gabriel placed the toys he had brought for Arthur on the table. He laid himself down casually.

Gabriel was tired at the moment. The construction of one of his hotels in the suburbs of New York City was held up by one or two things. After many online meetings Gabriel was expected to travel to New York to check on the formation of a legal team that would resolve the land acquisition issue.

The man glanced at Grace who was waiting for him to speak. All the points were in her. However, Gabriel had to win Grace back soon for a better future for the Ambrose family business.

"I'm staying here tonight," Gabriel said, taking Grace by surprise.

"Don't you mess with me! I'll call the police if you don't put your foot down right now!" threatened Grace who was not to be outdone.

"Grace, I'm just here to rest... I have work tomorrow."

"I have a job tomorrow too! Do you think you're just unemployed? Do you think this is a hotel?" 

Gabriel had known all about Grace during the girl's stay in London. In the first year of her pregnancy, she took a two-year teaching course and then became certified as a teacher. Last year Grace managed to become a substitute teacher at a private school.

Her current status was a temporary teacher. Since she did not have a degree in education, she was only a substitute teacher. But Grace believed that if she did well, she would be appointed as a permanent teacher. That's already the rule. Her father always said that Grace was a strong-willed, intelligent and determined child. She could definitely do any kind of work well.

Gabriel shrugged his shoulders in indifference. He took off his shoes one by one and then stretched his tall, bulky body on Grace's common room sofa. It was a big sofa, Grace could use it with Arthur. But when Gabriel slept on it, it looked small.

"I'm going to bed, please leave me alone."

Grace considered whether or not to actually call the police. 

The woman let out a long breath.

"Huh....why is my life like this?" muttered Grace as she left the living room.

Did that man have no other place to live? Didn't the Ambrose family own many hotels in London? Why not just stay there... The man was such a hassle.

Grace opened her laptop on the kitchen table. She wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. There was an intruder sleeping in her house. If she let her guard down for one second, all her secrets would be exposed. She had to make sure that Gabriel never touched his feet on the second floor.

Because in her room and in Arthur's room there were pictures of the two of them. In which Arthur had blue irises. Gabriel would know immediately if he saw them. The woman opened the exam results of her students to pass the time.

Look at her now... a top student in business management at a top university languishing in her kitchen as a teacher. Her relatives would laugh at her if they knew. They had high expectations of her. To be a businesswoman too or a business consultant like her father. 

But five years ago her life had changed. Grace no longer lived to fulfill other people's expectations. She just wanted to pursue her happiness. Even though it meant she had to live simply.

Grace didn't know how many hours she worked last night. She fell asleep at the dining table. Grace hurried to peek into the living room and found Gabriel still asleep. Grace ventured closer. She watched the man's face as he drifted off to sleep.

His thick eyebrows, which always seemed to be furrowed, now looked more relaxed. His lips were slightly open exhaling a soft breath. If Gabriel was sleeping like this, it reminded him of Arthur. They both looked so much alike. 

Grace quickly shook her head. No... Gabriel was not like Arthur. Arthur was a sweet and kind boy while Gabriel was the opposite. She quickly left the living room to wake Arthur up. She had to go to work and Arthur was going to daycare.