Finding Grace

Chapter 11 ~ The Truth Unfolded

The next morning Warren waited until he saw Grant leave for work before making his way up the driveway.

He had already swapped rental cars and parked three blocks away. He did everything he knew he could to be as covert as possible.

Hopefully it wasn’t necessary.

Hopefully, he had everything wrong in his head.

But reality isn’t usually butterflies and rainbows. So he’s going to prepare however he can to protect Amara and Gracie.

He just needed time to talk to Amara and he wouldn’t leave until he did.

Not until he knew that she was safe and wanted to be there. No more walking away or avoiding it. He was going to get the truth this time.

Walking quietly into the front entrance, he could hear the sound of Gracie and Amara laughing

The intoxicatingly sweet scent of buttermilk pancakes, mesquite-smoked pepper bacon, and cheesy eggs mixed with roasted peppers filled his nostrils as soon as he walked into the hallway outside of the kitchen

Just like what her mom used to make them when they were kids having sleepovers.

Laughter filled up the entire house and it gave Warrwn a sense of peace.

Maybe he was wrong about this.

Maybe this isn’t a hell house after all. As he looked around, he noted how much bigger this one was compared to the ‘small’ one by the college Warren had last been at. That was years ago when Grant was still in college but now Grant was some big honcho lawyer at his father's firm.

Warren greeted Gracie with a tickle and gave Amara a big hug when he entered the kitchen. Confusion and a little shock were evident on Amara's face. She obviously wasn’t expecting him to be there. But still she stood smiling bright and cheerful, so happy to see Warren. She was still in her PJs and wore a green clay mask as she cooked.

"Oh no, Gracie," Warren exclaimed with horror on his face.

"What?" She squealed excitedly.

"I think something is growing on your mom's face." Warren made a face of disgust and Gracie burst out laughing.

"How am I supposed to look young and beautiful without a little help" she laughed but the glint of sadness in her eye didn’t escape Warren.

Warren helped Grace set the table for breakfast.

They sat and joked while they ate. Warren watched as Amara graciously made plates for all of them. Including the staff that she practically forced to sit with them.

Warren quickly got to know everyone. Roberta, a 56-year-old woman who came here from Mexico City to give herself a better chance at life has been employed with the Grants family since she was 16 and first came here. She is a widow with no children aside from Amara, her adopted daughter whom she loves.

Enrique was their Gardener, old enough to retire but refusing to do so.

There was Kevin, Enrique’s apprentice. He was a young 19-year-old from a small town out west that he didn’t like talking much about.

Apparently, Amara and Kevin bonded over their shared upbringings. Having an adorable brother /sister bond that Warren could tell meant a lot to both of them.

There were Frank and George the security guards.

They all sat and had Sunday breakfast with them. Like a happy family.

Warren almost felt angry and guilty for feeling angry. She replaced one family with another.

“Would you like to go with us to the market?”

Gracie, who always wore a fancy dress due to her grandmother buying her only that and disapproving of anything else, fidgeted with the uncomfortable material until her mother came down. Amaea was always beautiful 5'6" never weighing more the a buck 25

She was a cute girl next door but with he lavish life the Williamsons' family forced her to live she was now a more divine beauty which caught Warren by surprise, she wore a beautiful slick black dress with a white lace shawl. Paired with large sunglasses that made her look like she had just walked out of a magazine.

“Are we ready?” She asked looking to Warren and then Gracie.

“Yes!” Gracie said in excitement.

“Then let's head out,” Warren told them, picking Gravie up and carrying her to the car

Warren didn’t necessarily expect them to go to the local Walmart but he was shocked when they entered a gated off community but instead of houses, it was stores and boutiques.

Places where price tags were even a thing and you needed a special card just to purchase anything.

They had a late lunch at one of the Cafes.

“Dare I even ask how much all this costs?” Wsrren asked looking around.

Amara looked around. “It was pretty intense the first few times I came here with Kathrine. She had to remind me all the time that to be a Williamson, I must always behave as such and be at places only Williamsons go. I have an entire list of do’s and don’ts.” She laughed.

“An actual list?” Warren asked only a tad amused. Rich people were weird.

“Yeah.” She laughed. “An actual list. I got it along with other stuff as soon as we got back from our honeymoon.” She told him lightheartedly.

“What other stuff did you get?” Warren asked her.

“Just stuff.” She told him. He watched as her light slowly diminished.

“It's getting late and we should be getting home. Thank you so much for a lovely time. Are you parked near the house?”

“Yeah.” He answered not wanting to press on anything. He came for answers and he got them.

Right?

She's happy and in a loving place. He can leave now.

The drive to Amara's house was a long one. Filled with things neither were ready to say. Most of all the impending goodbye.

Arriving at the house Roberta was already outside.

“Hello love, I think you need to wait out here with me for a little bit,” Roberta told her when Amara tried to enter.

“What's going on?” Amaras's brows were furrowed together.

“Let’s take a walk, enjoy the sunset. Walk Mr Warren to his car yes?” Roberta tried to convince her.

She began pushing Amara away from the front door towards the driveway. Warren, who was holding Gravie, helplessly followed behind.

In a quick motion, Amara turned around and darted towards the door and got inside in a flash.

“Oh no,” Roberta said quietly

Sion they heard shouting coming from inside.

Warren and Roberta are rushing in as quickly as possible.

“In our home grant? In our bed? What the hell is wrong with you?!” Amara screamed with tears running down her face.

They were currently screaming at the bottom of the stairs by the entryway.

"Our house? Our bed? You have things wrong in your demented little brain you dumb b***h. This is MY house, MY bed. I own everything. Including you, so don't you dare raise your voice to me.”

“Get her to safety,” Roberta told Warren. He got her to her room as fast as possible.

Warren heard the smack all the way from inside Grace's room. Gracie dove under her blankets to hide as she began crying. She knew what was going on.

"Honey, lock your door until mommy or I come back." He rubbed her back in an attempt to comfort the young Girl before leaving.

Warren ran downstairs before he knew what he was doing and he got there in time to see Amara smack him, her mouth was busted and bleeding.

Grant grabbed her wrist and punched her in the jaw. Not stopping until Warren pulled him off.

Amara just lay there on the floor crying.

"What the f**k is wrong with you?!" Warren yelled at Grant. Pushing him roughly.

"f**k you, you little b***h boy, get the f**k off me!"

Grant and Warren began arguing back and forth.

“I think it's time for you to get the f**k out of my house and stay the f**k away from my wife,” Grant warned.

“I'm not leaving,” Warren told him squaring up to him.

"I'm fine," Amara said as she got up. “Please, Warren, just go. This is between us."

With the shawl gone and the glasses broken on the floor Warren could see by the bruises on her face and shoulders, that this was a daily routine.

"Are you f*****g serioufuAmara?" Warren yelled. "It's time to call the cops and let this loser rot in jail." Warren tried to square up to grant again but Amara stopped him.

"Is that what you want honey? To leave and me rot in jail" Grabt said with gritted teeth to Amara but stared hot daggers at Warren. An evil smirk displayed on Grant's face.

She cried as she mumbled “No.”

"Fix this," Grant said almost pushing her to the ground.

"Warren it's time for you to leave." Danni told, "Please don't come back."

"Danni you can't be serious. We’ll grab Grace and leave. You didn't have to stay here."

"Yes I do . . . " she sobbed as she stepped back towards Grant.

"Amara?", he pleaded with her. His eyes filled with unshed tears.

He didn't know what to do. He couldn’t leave her like this but can't force her to leave.

She only closed her eyes and bent her head down.

"Amara please,” tears were now falling from his eyes. “Please just know that I'm here and you deserve so much better than this."

“My wife told you to get the f**k out so get the f**k out!" Grant aid puffing out his chest.

"I'm leaving. Amara, I'll be in town, call me." He pleaded with her.

"She won't be doing that." Grant interrupted firmly.

Warren wanted to say more but Roberta stopped him.

"Mr. Isaacs, it's time for you to leave," Roberta said solemnly.

"Thank you, Roberta, at least someone knows their f*****g place," Grant yelled looking down at Amara.

Grant grabbed his wife by the back of her hair, gripping in a fistful and taking her to his office.

"Don't touch her!" Warren yelled causing Grant to grip harder.

Warren tried to run to her but their gardeners stopped him with Roberta’s help.

They helped her escort him outside and away from Grant.

"How could you let him do this to her?!" Warren yelled at Roberta. Tears were streaming down his face now.

"Let? LET?! I have tried to get that girl to leave since the first time he hit her. There is more to this than you realize boy and if you're not careful you're going to get her killed."

"But why haven't the cops gotten called?" he asked.

"Oh honey, they've been here so many times that I know how each one likes their coffee." She shook her head. She too was now in tears. Kevin came up to console her. Rubbing her back gently as she let it out.

"Grant comes from a very powerful family.” Kevin began to explain. “And let’s just say that no one in this city will do anything to bite the hands that feed them. No one here will ever help her."

"What do I do?" He desperately pleaded with her.

"If you ever get those two in your car again, you leave.” Roberta wasn’t telling him, she was pleading with him. “Leave as far as you can and you never let them come back here. Please promise me you'll do that."

For Roberta, Amara was a daughter and a friend. She wanted her out of here and safe with Grace.

Warren left reluctantly. Knowing he would just be doing more damage if he stayed.

He was now back at his hotel pacing back and forth.

“Hello?” he answered. He had picked it up before it even had a chance to ring.

“Things are bad here for her.” He told the voice on the other end of the line. “So much worse than we imagined.”

“No. She refuses to leave.” He answered. “I’ll just kidnap her if I have to!” he shouted, getting frustrated. After a long time silently listening to the voice, he replies calmly “I know.”