Hey!

I know it's been a long while. I haven't forgotten about this small story, my mind was buzzing with ideas and such. But writer's block was a bitch!

Anyway, without further ado here's the next chapter.

Enjoy!

A loud bang woke up Grace from her slumber. Tangled in a heap of sheets, she turned to look at her clock on her bedside table. It was well past midnight.
Grace wasn't certain that a banging outside her door was what woke her up, until she heard it again.
The padding of her feet against her wooden floor broke the silence. Wary, she approached the door. Grace looked through the peephole. Through it, she saw the empty hallway outside her door. From the flickering lamp of the emergency exit, to the the closed elevator doors.
Another knock shook the door. Yelping, she jumped away from it.
Grace took in a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She was being ridiculous. Unlocking the doorjamb, Grace flung it open.
She froze.
When was the last time she had seen him? A couple of months ago, just before he left St Joseph's.
"Vitaly Orlov?" Grace whispered.
Vitaly's blue orbes settled on Grace's face. It was the expression of a broken man.
"How did you get here?" Grace looked at both ends of the building halls. Lifting Vitaly off the floor.
"I followed you home." he drawled.
Grace eyes went big as saucers, a chill running down her spine.
"You what?" Grace snapped just as she let go of his grasp.
Vitaly nodded, sweat rippling down his forehead. Stumbling his feet, Vitaly looked at Grace.
"You were rushing up the steps of the subway. It's a dangerous place to wander at night. So I worried, and I followed you."
"You worried," Grace repeated. "Where were you going when you saw me anyway?"
"Little Odessa. My parents own the Crimean restaurant. I make an excellent Borscht, by the way." Vitaly grinned, but it soon faded when Grace didn't reciprocate. Realizing they were discussing on Grace's threshold, he rubbed his arms. "It's freezing out here. Can we get inside?"
Grace sighed. He was drunk and maybe even on something, she couldn't just kick him to the curb and send him on his way, could she?
Stepping aside Grace helped a stumbling Vitaly inside her apartment. With some effort she set his heavy body unto the red, worn-out, loveseat. Vitaly closed his eyes. Resting his head back, he willed the estupor to fade away. Grace fidget, not knowing where to go from there.
Should she call a doctor? Wasn't it creepy he followed her home? Should she bring a glass of water?
Choosing the latter, Grace said nothing as she awkwardly padded back to her small kitchenette.

*.*.*

Vitaly heard the distant clink of the dishes, and Grace muttering to herself. He could picture her. He pictured her biting the insides of her cheek. Her dark hair falling in messy waves around her shoulders. And he could see those alluring gray eyes. Eyes that could read him better than anything else.
He couldn't keep his eyes open, but between heavy lids, he distinguished her small figure, moving back and forth in the small space.
What did he even intent with stalking her?

*.*.*

3 months earlier.

"So you are going away, huh?"
Grace felt stupid for stating the obvious, she looked the other way as she couldn't bear the sight of him. Sick.
It's not as if she could've done something, when he didn't want to get better— Maybe her dad was right, she loved lost causes.
Vitaly said nothing. It was the first day of many that she had seen him lucid.
"Yeah, guess I'm better now." he smiled ruefully.
"Are you though?" Grace squeezed his shoulder, before turning around on her heels. She marched up the steps to the entrance, turning just in time to see the black sleek car driving away.
"He'll be back," Grace looked at Calvin— a big, blond orderly— behind her shoulder.
"What do you mean?"
"Guys like him, they are always back." shaking his head as he went back inside.

*.*.*

Vitaly sat on a stool while Grace poured him a cup of black coffee.
He was eager to get away. He didn't know why he followed Grace. He was on his way to a brothel—the next thing that could help him have a sort of release— as he caught sight of Grace on his way there. The sight of her shocked him. Without thinking, he followed her.
Giving the look she was casting upon him, she didn't want him there.
"You look like shit." Grace said nonchalantly. His eyes dodged hers.
"I've been better."
"What does your family think about all the shenanigans you pull nowadays?"
Grace couldn't help the accusatory tone her voice held.
"They think I'm a fucked up. While they fawn at everything Yuri does. Cause Yuri does no wrong."
Vitaly let out a bitter chuckle.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Vitaly said stirring his mug.
Sighing, Grace sat up.
Knowing better than to intrude, Grace just watched him. He looked beyond repair. A strand of his long hair fell on his face, he pushed it back with a flip.
"Can I ask you something?" Grace asked. Looking back at Grace, Vitaly waited. She took in a breath.
"Why are you like this?"
Vitaly stared, reflecting on her unusual question.
"Because I am."
Vitaly's eyes traveled the length of her face, as his eyes lowered, he noticed the scar in her wrist.
Grace followed his sightline. Realizing what he stared at, her stomach dropped. Clearing her throat, Grace pulled her sleeve down.
"I guess you could stay here for tonight. Roaming the streets at night isn't a good idea."
If Vitaly noticed the slight stutter, he hid it well.
"Thank you." Vitaly said, with his eyes perusing the small apartment, he smirked. "I suppose that's the bedroom?"
Feeling her cheeks burning, Grace nodded at the small loveseat.
"More like you will take the couch." Grace pat his cheek as she pushed past him.