Chapter 1

1 years ago

N i d h i.

@GuardianDevil

Koeli

@Koeli

Chapter #1

"Hello. Can't you just take us from some other route?" I asked the cabbie for the third time in past 1 hour. From past 1 hour the cab has hardly moved 1km. Damn traffic jams. At this rate I'll never be able to make it to NYC by night.

SHIT. The thing is even after 3 years of therapy I am not comfortable traveling at night. Damn the plane that reached late. Looking at the sky it seems that the sun is about to set.

"Madame. If you know any other route to NYC please tell me. And in no way i can make this cab fly so stop scowling at me." Cabbie retorted in polite NYC accent.

This is one real effing SHIT.

With a low voice I responded. "I am sorry. I have to report to my agent before evening or else I will lose on the one & only room I could arrange." Oh god please don't do this to me. I am almost poverty-stricken.

Think of the devil and the devil calls. Before I could greet a loud voice echoed through the speaker almost making me jump.

"HELLO?" And by every chance he likes to rupture my eardrums. gaaah. Such a perfect day.

"Hey." I greet him in a nonchalant voice as i push my phone a little away from my ears before he scolds me for being solid 2 hours late.

"FINALLY she answers. Where the hell are you, Grace? I tried calling you only to hear your boring voicemail. You better have some solid reason or else the room is out of your hands." JERK.

"Ummm. Adam my flight got delayed. Right now I am on my way just stuck in the traffic. Freaking traffic jam. I feel exhausted. But Jonathan says it will take another hour not more than that." I chirped unnecessarily just to cool down his temper while the Cabbie glared at me through his rear-view mirror as I wink at him. "Please Adam. Please hold the room for me. You know my situation where will I go with this broken leg of mine." Gah. I hate myself for begging. But I don't have any choice. It's a do or die situation. Or else I would have never used my inability to get something.

"Who the hell is Jonathan?"

"Erm! The cabbie." I reply in sheepish tone.

"Okay fine. For you and that damn traffic I give you one hour at max. And if you don't show up till evening I will give away the room to someone else." And just like that he hangs up. As I told you JERK.

"Young lady my name isn't Jonathan", he looked at me clearly pissed. "And When did I say the traffic will be cleared in about an hour? It's New York you can never predict." Cabbie states in a matter of fact way as I rolled down the window to check on the traffic. As if it will be less congested than the view from inside.

I sighed. Just like that my life is DOOMED. In no way I can reach in an hour. My eyes felt warm. Shit, I am not going to cry. I have to figure out something and buy more time from Adam.

"And you shouldn't lie. It's bad manners."

"OH! Relax old man. The agent of mine is a big IDIOT. He wouldn't have taken any other excuse." I tell him with a dejected tone.

Luckily I didn't receive any more calls from Adam. Probably he understood that he was way beyond the line. Good for me actually.

After an hour, Peter, the cab driver finally killed the engine. I slid down the window to check the area. It was almost dark and the area seems less crowded. A tingling sensation hits my nerves. Calm down Grace, I try to pacify myself. Adam had assured me that the area is pretty safe. The neighborhood isn't that friendly but it doesn't have any bad reputation either. I have no choice but to go by his words. And this is what I have chosen. It's high time I overcome my fear. I couldn't have stayed with my family forever and let them take care of me like I am some precious object. Neither do I want anyone's pity nor I want to depend on someone for my day-to-day chores. Not even on my mother. I know she loves me and would have taken her third job just so that I don't have to work. But it is unfair on my part. Even she deserves a life. She has given 3 years of her life and her undivided attention. Worked her a** off day and night without any complain. Gave away half of her savings to me so that I can enroll in the college. I owe her a lot. A LOT. With that determination I came here to study, to earn and to give her all the luxuries that she deserves.

"There you go Madame. Your suitcase. Miss you are lucky to get here on time".

He handed me my crutches and after handing him the bills we bid good-bye with a smile on our faces.

This is it. My new life. In New York.

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My leg protested at first when I tried to walk. Due to the sitting position for long it started throbbing hard. I balanced myself with the help of the crutches and stood still for sometime in order to adjust my muscles. Once the blood circulation went normal I grabbed my suitcase and walked towards the building.

It was a very shabby two storied building with a metal door. I remember opting for a ground floor apartment due to my damaged leg. So I had limited options. And it was also affordable. I was not looking for luxury. We don't have that kind of a money where I can afford a one bedroom house in a fairly posh area. My mother's place is a 1000 sq apartment with a kitchen-cum-dining space and two bedrooms with common bath. It had been my sanctuary, my best friend during those painful days. But now I am all set to have a space which I can call my own. And to do that I have to start planning my future in this house. Can I say I am already looking forward to it? With determination I stopped in front of the door.

I was about to take out the keys when Enrique filled my ears.

Adam calling. Devil I told you.

"Hey, I am standing right in front of the door. Thank god I made it on time."

"You would've been in serious trouble lady. I was about to give that space to someone else."

"Nah, you would not have."

"Actually, I wouldn't Grace. I saw how desperate you were for that house. I am not that much of a jerk as you think."

"How do you know that?"

"Tell me you don't."

"Well, I thought quite a number of times lately." I could hear him laugh, like full belly laugh. "Thank you Adam."

"I am glad I could be of any help Grace." I could hear pity in his voice. Urgh! That was my cue to end the conversation.

"Okay Adam, I will talk to you tomorrow morning once I am settled to figure out the rent details."

"That's okay take your time. If you need anything let me know. I would be more than glad to help."

I disconnected the line and composed myself. This is it. I mentally hugged myself.

I fished out the keys which were sent by Adam from my denim backpack.

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The lights were on when I entered. The sitting area was pretty decent with a three seater sofa in the middle of the hall a wooden table right infront of it. A two seater dinning table was placed near the fireplace. There was a small rack near the window. Aah! that could be totally my book rack I gushed. Maybe later I can buy a bean bag from the nearby walmart. Well I already like that corner. But there was no TV in the room. My mouth turned down thinking I won't be able to watch my favourite TVD marathons. In any case I have lost interest in that since Nina left.

I dropped my bag on the sofa & decided to check the bedroom and kitchen. I stopped dead on track listening to the song blaring from the speakers.

"Every breath you take

Every move you make

Every bond you break

Every step you take

I'll be watching you"

He used to sing this me for me. GRACE! I scoffed myself for letting him rule my thoughts yet again.

Wait! Someone is in the house. Already. Maybe my roommate Adam was talking about. But he said she would join next week. Maybe she changed her mind. I hope she is simple like me or else it's going to be really tough. Specially with my condition.

With short steps I walked towards kitchen.

The moment I entered the room a squeal escaped from my throat. I immediately covered my mouth with both the palms. My eyes going wide. I was stunned to see a naked back... of A BOY... My throat just went dry. Not something I expected to feel at all.

I have never seen a naked man. Okay I have seen a whole lot in the movies but that doesn't count. Does it? And right now I am ogling at a perfectly sculpted half naked man in person and that too with a huge tattoo starting from his shoulder and cover his entire bicep. His bronze contours glittered in sweat. Holy mother of God what's happening to me? I have never been this attracted to a guy except Ian somerhalder. But this guy who is very real and standing in this kitchen can give a major competition to any hollywood star. Butterflies took flight in the pit of my stomach seeing his chiseled body.

"See something you like?" his words broke the spell. He turned to face me. Like a shameless girl my eyes roamed from his sexy V to his goofy grin to his sinful grey eyes. He took something from the spoon with his finger and licked it. Holy moses I am f**king dead.