Graceful Stubborn Heart

How It All Started: Distancing From What Has Been

Clarisse P.O.V.

What is the matter with Jake these days? He seems to be out of himself. He cannot even focus in bed. It is getting boring being with him. I called my best friend and told her what happened. She suggested to give Jake some some time over the week and ask him out to a formal dinner on Sunday night because maybe things in his business is wearing him out.

I took her advise and let him be. Today is Wednesday, it has been three days since we last saw each other yet he never called or sent a message to check on me. It is so unlikely of him. I let it pass but when Friday came, I called but since I didn't get a response I decided to drop by his office. He was in a meeting so I waited. However, it was already half an hour passed 5 and I have been sitting here for hours yet no ghost of Jake has showed up. I went out of his office to ask his secretary. She said, that Jake's meeting was a lunch meeting which ended at 3 P.M. but she doesn't know anything more since Jake did not call or come by the office.

I angrily stormed out of his office and hurriedly drove to his house. He was surprised to see me but I was in for a bigger surprise. He was packing his bad. "What is this?!", I snapped at him.

"Oh, we're going on a beach trip with Carmen and her friends.", she cheerfully replied. "What? You had the nerve to not inform me? Don't you know that I waited for you in your office for a f*****g afternoon, yet none of your nerves ever showed up? You also never reached out to me within the week? What is your goddam problem, Jake?"

"Nothing. I was just busy and I didn't expect you to drop by the office.", he acted so chill which made me more irritated. "I will go with you. I have clothes here. I'll pack them too.", I declared.

"You're crazy", he said but it was as if he doesn't even mean it. What is wrong with him?

Jake P.O.V.

As I was driving home from Clarisse's house, I couldn't help my mind to wander and flashes of Grace's face shows up again. I don't know what is wrong with me but everytime it happens, I could not stop myself from smiling. Also, it gives me a sense of calmness. 

When I arrived home, I checked on my phone to see if Carmen has a message. I was secretly hoping that she'd invite me again to Grace's place. To my dismay, not a message or a call came by. So I sat on my couch comfortably and checked my social media after a long while.  I kept scanning through people's post until I found one of Carmen's. They were on a camping site. Same group of friends, same people. I clicked on her account to see her other posts and there to my enjoyment, I saw some photos of Grace. She really looks so calm and contented and it is contagious, even by just looking at her eyes. I dialed Carmen to ask her about the camping trip and wondered why she never invited me. She told me she did but it was I who insisted that I couldn't go because I had a night out with Clarisse.

She was surprised of my sudden interests in their activities so I reminded her of our engagement. I couldn't admit to her that somehow I enjoy the calmness I feel when I am around Grace. "Oh, by the way, let's go on a beach outing this weekend. We'll meet Friday night and take the van together to the beach. How about that?", she excitedly asked. "Count me in!", I beamed in response. I don't know why but this plan is making me excited for days to go by quickly so that it would be Friday.

Friday came and fortunately my meeting ended early. So I didn't bother stopping by the office anymore. I went straight home to pack my things until a mad Clarisse came knocking on my door. I do not know why but her demeanor made me quietly laugh at her, instead of being equally angry, like I used to. She thought I was crazy because no matter how much she went wild with her anger and frustrations at me, I was just chill and responded to her calmly. 

Yeah, I must be crazy...

To my surprise, she also packed her things and declared to be going with me. I felt slightly irritated but I decided to just let her be. I don't want her to ruin my weekend. Also, I realized that by bringing her along, I could hide from everyone my sudden interest towards Grace. I cannot let my defenses down because I am not the one to be turned down by a woman and honestly, I cannot assess yet if she would respond to me positively. I know also that Mark and Mike are on the look out for her so they would always guard her. I'll just enjoy her presence from a distance, I said.

"Carmen, Clarisse is going with me. I hope you don't mind.", I beamed at her. "I hate you. I really do.", she responded angrily at me. I just cheerfully answered back with, "I love you, Carms. I really do and I know that you love me too. You really do.". 

Suddenly I heard laughter, "We're at Grace's and you are on loud speaker, you fool!", was all she said before she hung up. Oh no, Grace! Since everyone is tagging along their plus 1, she'll ended up being by herself. I hated myself for not thinking about it earlier. There is no way to convince Clarisse out of this.