Twice the charm

2. Once hate stems

I could not move a muscle. I simply stood there. The professional polite smile I had on vanished. His deep dark eyes were fixed on me with a threatening intensity just as wild as mine. Did he remember me? He could not have. It was years ago. With great difficulty, I forced my eyes away from his incredulous gaze.

“Hello, Mr. Grant…” I muttered in a wobbly manner, and I extended a hand. My hands fidgeted as I met his gaze once again.

 Grant ignored my kind gestures, jumping to his feet to address Chuck. “Can we get someone else?” He demanded rudely.

 An unnerving silence followed.

“I assure you Mr. Grant Miss Knight is one of our experienced members of staff,” Chuck said, fixing an ingratiating smile to calm the brewing tension. His dismay was obvious and so was mine. This was Grant’s way of getting back at me. I was sure of it.

“If it is because of her looks, I assure you. Miss Knight is well experienced.” Chuck was sure to add. 

I thanked him with a small smile then turned back to Grant. The first noticeable thing about him was his shoes. Fine Italian leather. As much I did not want to remember it, The past kept flashing back. I remembered a time where he was a fan of sneakers. A young at heart troublemaker. It was quite disturbing to meet him in the flesh. Seeing him the papers and gossip blogs had sent my peace of mind flying out the window for days on end. I felt sick. Sick of his presence and all that pain he made me feel once more.

 Chuck cleared his throat uneasily. He was hellbent on securing the deal with Grant. The name was a big name after all and it would bring success to the estate if the almighty Grant Clayton was involved. “Mr. Clayton, I am afraid that there is no one else available this morning. I would have personally loved to escort you around the property but-” Chuck paused, frowning at the heavy cast on his leg.

“Grant, Please make a choice. I am running late.” Goldilocks finally said. I felt the same way. Grant’s bratty attitude could not get to me. His silly revenge did not bother me either. I was already pissed that I was at work when I was supposed to be at home watching hours of devious housewives. Whatever Grant Clayton went with, I was fine.

 The blonde unfolded from her chair and I instantly knew what she meant by late. Perfect face bone structure, manicured fingers, and un-resting pine orbs. I recognized her. She was a model. Miss Katherine’s hand slid into Grant’s side and almost immediately, I felt a tang of possessive jealousy overwhelm me. I wanted nothing but to tear them apart. The thought of it all made me recoil and turn green. Yet, for some reason, I could not stop staring.

Chuck sighed. The angry sigh. Why would he not be mad? Grant owned a family bank and was practically one of the richest men in Portland. I sighed at my luck. As much as I detested being in the presence of this man, His rejection could ruin my image. Why was he here anyway? There were many better estate agencies even the area. My distrusting mind could not but believe this was a plot. It made me tense. 

“If you do not want Miss Knight, It is…” Chuck tried to say, finally resigning to fate but Grant stopped him at the last minute.

“We will take her. Since we are running against time, I believe her services will be appreciated.” Grant asserted.

 My teeth clenched. The bastard! He rejected me and now he felt my services would be appreciated. f**k him! My services were one of the best out there and god did I want to spit it all in his entitled face. It had been fifteen years now since he left me in ashes but he had not changed. To me, He was still that heartless twenty-year-old who felt I had ruined his life when it was the other way around. I was not even sure what boiled more within me, The rage or the outright humiliation. Despite it all, I still emerged out of the pavement with the monster and his star girlfriend. 

“My car.” Grant drawled from behind me, effectively trashing my thoughts sideways.

“I am aware.” I gritted, trying to keep it professional. I slid along a seat, making sure I was seated close to the model. I did to avoid being anywhere close to Grant but I immediately came to regret my decision.

“Tell us more about the house.” Katherine chipped in, trying to start a professional conversation.

 I inhaled and exhaled. I knew virtually nothing of the property. Not even the offers. Chuck had seldom allowed me to deal with “Superior homes” so there was no reason for me to take interest in them. I generalized in the starter homes and apartment and I had not even had the time to even do some research. I sure as hell was not expecting Grant to show up.

“Well,” I stammered just before a glossy brochure was dumped to my lap. Startled, my eyes wandered to the man who dealt it. The person I avoided looking at.

“Chuck said you were good. I am starting to think his praises are mere words.” Grant said drily, still as cold as ever.

“What a shame.” His girlfriend added. “People like you are why the future is not female yet.”

 I felt the tension rise to my cheeks. Blondie needed some validation and my ex was being an ass. Perfect. But I would not let them break me. Most especially the monster for a man in front of me. He had done a lot of damage already.

“I have not dealt with these kinds of properties-”

“Don’t worry, We can read.” Grant slotted.

 My lips quivered. His words burned like a corrosive acid. Not only was he an ass. He was one that felt the need to humiliate. I was not sure what fueled his need to be so cruel. The wise pones once said the past can never be truly forgotten. In my case, I had June to always remind me of my past with Grant. But what exactly was Grant holding unto? Almost immediately, a loud buzz broke the tense silence and my gaze drifted to Blondie. As Katherine received her call, My eyes drifted in the wrong direction. He was staring right back at me, a signature scowl printed on his full mouth. He had dark brows, tempting grey eyes, and a head of raven black hair short and proper.

“f**k!” Grant’s new girl screeched unprofessionally managing to drag back the attention to herself.

“What’s wrong?” Grant asked, reaching a hand to comfort her.

“It's Rose.” She told Grant furiously. “She needs me for a shoot and I cannot refuse. She has done me tons of favor. I cannot stay Grant. I will take a taxi and head to the studio. Do not worry. I will try to make it to the house before you go.”

Did Blondie want to leave me in the same space as Grant? Not possible. My anxiety immediately skyrocketed as I considered what to do.

“It is okay. You should go.” Grant muttered soothingly, in contrast to the jerky way he had been treating me.

“But!’ She exclaimed, her pale green eyes landing in my direction. They turned steely.

“Perhaps we could reschedule?” Katherine immediately suggested. Her gaze still accusingly pinning me down. Honestly, I liked her idea. There was no way I wanted to be this close to Grant. I would never sign up for that kind of suicide mission. Just as I wanted to chip in my opinion, Grant spoke.

“No, I will keep this one.”

I stiffed. The girl begrudgingly nodded as the car stopped; sliding out but not without the regretful muttering and an overdue goodbye that had cars in the traffic screeching in protest. The door slammed shut, reminding me it was just me and Grant now. The chaos in my head made me stop breathing.

“You should have rescheduled.” I managed to say, finally getting the courage to look at him.

“Do not flatter yourself. I do not hold on to bad memories.” He replied, no signs of readable expressions on his face.

“Well, I hold on to those,” I replied. “I was not expecting to see you again.”

“Same,” Grant commented, a chilling contempt laced between. “As greedy hoes go, You are the top of the list and I would have done anything to avoid another encounter with the devil’s little mistress.”