THE SPACE BETWEEN US

Chapter 10

Grace's POV

My heartbeat quickens with every millisecond as my phone screen lights up with a Telegram notification. It’s not him. No, it can’t be him. Just some other friend, not him. I repeat this mantra in my mind to calm my racing heart and fingers as they shakily type the password to unlock the app.

Trace… My body freezes in place when I see that the text is from him.

After three long years. It’s been such a long time. I don’t know how to react. I don’t open our chatroom but lock my phone, trying to dismiss the display from my sight.

That’s how it was before, too. He made me wait for hours, but I would reply in seconds. It’s crazy how things changed.

I promised him I’d always be available for him here, and he promised he’d never ignore my texts. I kept my promise, but he…he never did. Maybe "never" meant nothing to him.

Not today. Not now. At least for this one time, I want to be available only for myself. Not for him. Not this time. I set my device aside and return to my assigned work.

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Trace POV

'Grace…' That’s all I could text her after such a long time. I missed this connection so much.

She doesn’t reply instantly like she used to. It’s been three years. Either she’s busy, or she doesn’t care to see my message. I try to console myself, believing the former. She must be busy. Maybe…

I check my phone to see if my leave application has been approved. I had so many important meetings today. But nothing could be more important to me than this woman. I look at the figure in front of me, the source illuminating the lantern of hope in my heart. I can never lose hope. Not for me, but for her.

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Grace POV

Weekends never go well for me. At least, that’s how it seems. I’ve spent the last two days trying not to overthink anything. A good amount of meditation and exercise helped calm my nerves and refresh my spirit.

This morning, I woke up so hungry that I couldn’t even wait to change into my attire before I devoured a hearty breakfast. Maybe a little too hearty, as my stomach feels heavy. Why can’t I balance my diet?

“How is it?” Jeffy asks me out of the blue.

“Huh?” I really don’t know what she’s referring to.

“Working with the Lead Manager?” No matter how much I try to avoid the topic, something always brings me back to him.

“Yeah, it’s good,” I respond.

“You used to have a lot of extra responsibilities when no one was hired, so now that must be relieving.”

“You noticed?” I never expected her to pay attention to me unless it was for a business matter.

Just then, the bus driver slams on the brakes unexpectedly, and I instinctively reach for the window pipe while gripping Jeffy’s wrist to pull her up. Ugh! Not again—my period must be starting.

“Thanks,” she says, adjusting her glasses with the knuckle of her index finger. I remain silent, and she continues with our previous conversation.

“Yeah, you always looked so strained at the end of the day.”

“Oh?”

“It’s fine, though.”

“Fine what?”

“To work so hard. It pays off, you know? I almost thought you’d get another promotion in no time.”

I used to think that, too.

“I guess it’s fine. The Lead Managers have a lot of meetings, and they spend most of their time in that stressful room. I’m too much of a coward to leave my spacious cabin. I can’t concentrate with all the buzzing going on when I’m working.”

“Convenient.”

“Hey!” I shoot her a questioning glance at her remark.

“Sorry,” she chuckles, pulling up her shoulders, clearly amused.

She’s not that bad.

We both get off at our stop and head toward the office building. I can’t find Leo, so he must be running late.

As I enter the cabin, a rush of cold air hits me, freezing my body instantly. What the hell! Who turned on the AC when the weather is so pleasant?

Finding no one in the cabin, I reach for the remote to turn off the machine. The room is still cold, though. I’m left in just a long-sleeved black shirt and white jeans, and even the seat feels frigid. But I manage to sit down.

Just then, Trace walks in, his hair perfectly brushed, maintaining that same style.

Flashback

(Texts)

Trace: Do you want to see something?

Me: Yeah?

Trace: (Photo)

Me: Your forehead?

Trace: My hair.

Look how perfectly the clay has helped my hair set!

Even after the whole night, it stays in place.

I chuckle at his texts.

Me: Oh, really?

I show interest, even though the topic is silly. But it’s the first time he’s sent me a picture of himself. At least now I know what his hair and forehead look like.

Trace: Yeah.

Me: You really had to work hard editing your face out of the picture, huh?

When are you going to show me your face?

I don’t understand what’s stopping you.

I’ve already sent mine, right?

Don’t you think it’s unfair?

At least I should know what the person I’m talking to looks like.

Trace: Why are you getting so hyper?

Me: …

Trace: I’ll show you, I promise.

Please wait.

Me: k

End of Flashback

That’s what he used to say every time I asked for his picture. He always asked me to wait while he broke another promise.

I never saw him before his first day at work. I had imagined him being beautiful, and it became real when the artwork appeared right in front of me that day.

Trace looks at me for a while and flashes an amazing smile. My heartbeat flutters while my body reacts in unexpected ways. That reminds me…

“Why didn’t you come the day before yesterday? What happened?” I ask, standing in front of him.

“You’re concerned?” he asks, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. He closes the distance between us, and I have to look up to meet his eyes.

"Hm? Are you?" He inches closer until our bodies are almost touching, his face mere centimeters away from mine. He slides his hand around my waist, pulling me closer. His touch startles me, and I find myself lowering my body, unable to stand straight anymore.

Trace presses my body against his, lifting me as if I weigh nothing. This is so unexpected. I’ve lost all control.

“Open your eyes, Grace,” he says softly, filling me with a rush of ecstasy. I do as he asks, and the first thing I see is my right hand resting on his chest, the other clutching the right side of his collar. I must’ve done that instinctively. I glance at his eyes, then shift my gaze to his chest, moving my palm slightly to feel his strength. He doesn’t complain, so I don’t stop.

“Why didn’t you reply to my text? You didn’t even see it.” My eyes fill with tears that rush down my face.

“No, no, please don’t cry,” he says, worry evident in his voice as he lifts his hand to wipe my tears. “Why didn’t you show up on Saturday? The boss was mad too.”

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Trace’s POV

Her breathy voice is deep with concern, cracking with the sadness spilling from her eyes. Her tears affect me so much that I never want to see her cry again.

“Don’t worry about that. I did leave an application, and I explained everything to the boss. I left the cabin to do that only,” I assure her, but she pushes away, creating a distance between us that I’ve started to dread.

“I did ask you what happened on Saturday, right? In fact, something happened on Friday itself. I saw your face when you left the cabin in a hurry. But all you have to say is give me an explanation about that leave application.”

“Grace…”

“Forget it. I don’t want to know about you or your life. And it’s not that I’m not used to you dodging my questions.” She laughs without joy and wipes her tears with the back of her right palm. I reach for her, but she steps back.

This is heartbreaking.

“Thank you for your time,” she says before leaving the room. This is the second time she’s done this to me.

I texted you because I needed you, Grace. I would’ve told you everything. Why do you always have to leave me without letting me explain? Why won’t you wait?

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Grace’s POV

I’ve waited enough!

~~~