You Found Me

Chapter 4 – Meeting the Greys

A loud rhythmic knock came unexpectedly at the door but I knew instantly who it is. "Oh fuck a duck, he's early!"

I heard the little surprised gasp from my Brother and instantly covered my own mouth. "Holly Applelyn," He said with a serious tone, just like a parent would. "You said a bad word."

Rex looks adorable as he stands in front of me with his best smart clothes, a white shirt, red small tie and some blue jeans. I know jeans aren't a smart but I searched for hours through our old stack of clothes for his black trousers. When I eventually found them, they were too small for him. So the jeans were the best and only choice I had for him. For me, I went with a navy dress that covers up most of me. I call it my choir dress because it certainly looks the part. To shoosh it up a bit, I add an orange platted style belt around my waist to give me a bit of shape. For some reason I want to impress the parents. I know I don't have to but at least they won't think we're poor. These people are always spread across the papers and I don't want to look naff in front of them.

"I know…" I said, hanging my head to the floor, feeling ashamed I used bad language in front of him. "I'm sorry…." I'm glad he put me in my place though. "It just slipped out… won't happen again." Another knock appeared at the door so I call out, "Just a minute."

As I peeked up from underneath my eyelashes I saw him with crossed arms and tapping his foot against the wooden floor like he is real mad with me. I also see him with the back of his shirt hanging out so I kneel down to his level and fold my legs under myself before tucking it back in for him.

"Are you nervous?" He asks me as I move onto his cute tie, pushing it up a little bit more. Panda came past us and her happy tale smacked the back of my back.

Yes. "…Maybe," I answer.

Rex then goes onto explain, "Jennifer at school says, 'maybe' all the time… but really she means yes."

"Okay smart ass, I am." I laugh at him before getting onto the serious stuff. "Remember what I told you. If they ask about our parent's say-"

He cuts me off, "They're divorced and everything is dandy. I know I'm not a four year old blabber mouth anymore, Holly."

I restrained myself from shaking his adorable cheeks; instead I pull him into my arms for a cuddle. "Please stay as you are and never grow up…" I wished, kissing the top of his hair.

"Holly," He said my name with the tone like I'm going mad, pushing away from me. "Everyone grows up, even you know that."

I laugh. "I know."

"Can we go now?" He asks eagerly, rubbing his stomach, "I'm starving."

"Sure."

I stood up and shook my dress to get rid of the dog hairs. As I brush them off they fall and scatter onto the floor. Before Rex opens the door I ask him to wait so I can catch up to be with him. From the hook, I grab his coat and nod for him to open it.

"Hey," I greet Caleb early with a small wave of my hand. I glanced at what he's wearing to see he's in a blue shirt with the top few buttons undone, his chest is hair free. I'm so glad he's wearing black jeans at least Rex isn't the only one at least. Oh and he's got his black jacket too… I thought he might not have worn it again after I did. "You're early," I say, spinning around to lock the door as I feel Caleb's eyes travel over me, drinking every part of my outfit in.

"Um…" He licks his lips as I return to face him. "… I thought we could take your dinosaur to the park before dinner."

Rex frowned and put him in his place too, "I'm Rex, not a dinosaur!"

Caleb smiled and squatted down to Rex's level just like I did before. "I'm Caleb." He held his hand out. "Nice to meet you, Rex not a dinosaur…"

Rex giggled at his new name and took Caleb's big hand and shook with a firm grip like gentleman on a business trip. In a posh snooty tone Rex says, "Pleasure."

"Rex," I caught his attention away from Caleb. I held his green coat up by the shoulders and let him put his arms through. He zipped it up and smiled back at Caleb.

"Ready?" Caleb wondered, looking from Rex to me back to Rex again.

"All set…" Rex said marching like a solder to the stairs.

I mumble a laugh at my little Brother. He's so funny.

Caleb bumped his shoulder into mine as we started for the stairs, "He's a smart kid for his age."

"Yes," I agree before adding, "He had to grow up quickly." Oh jeez, why did I have to add that?

He gasped questioningly, "Oh?"

I went on to explain, "Our parents are divorced so he's technically speaking the man of the house and of course he takes it literally."

I study Caleb's lips knowing he's eager to ask more questions but my little monkey stops him. "Come on slow coaches," Rex shouts from a lower staircase. "Do you need mobility scooters or what?"

We laughed together and I was glad Caleb had dropped the questions that lingered on his lips. I don't really fancy explaining myself. Instead he guided me and trouble to the park which wasn't too far away from our apartment.

Kindly, Caleb brought us all ice cream but I insisted on paying with the little money I had in my bag. But like a gentleman he said he couldn't see me pay for anything and would refuse me to pay. Rex wolfed his down in seconds so he must have been starving like he said. He ran off to the play area where three other children his age were playing. It didn't take him long to make friends and to start playing in their games.

Caleb and I found a small bench to sit on as we eat our ice creams and watch my Brother. Then all of a sudden Caleb asked, "It must be hard to have divorced parents, is everything okay now?"

I took on my own plan and replied with, "Everything is dandy…" And let a fake smile spread across my face. This lying isn't an easy job.

Caleb shook his head from side to side. "I can't imagine what it's like to have a broken home. My family are pretty close together. You'll see later." Great. "Do you see your Father at weekends or?"

Knowing I have to answer the question now, I say, "We don't get to see our Father thanks to his new Barbie."

"Not keen on her then?"

"No…" I say with annoyance. "She thinks she is better than everyone else. She's even turned our Father into something he isn't. She has got so much control over him and that's why we don't see him anymore."

"I see." He seems to drop it because he knows I'm firing up and don't want to talk about it. I'm glad really because I'm telling a stranger all about my messed up world and I don't actually want to.

We continue to chat about school while we finish our ice cream before we head over to the play area. The three other children are leaving and I didn't want Rex to play on his own.

Caleb Grey

When Holly opened her front door I was absolutely blown away. She looks gorgeous. I can't keep my eyes off her. My eye traced over her body and all her curves. She has an amazing body even though she has it covered up it up with that dress. The things I would like to do to her grab her by the waist; push her up against the wall, letting my hands wander until I slowly reach for her neck. I want to create goose bumps all over her skin, wanting her to respond to my every touch. I'll tease her by kissing her neck before the corner of her mouth. I want her to beg for more.

But then the images of what I want to do with her suddenly become invaded by the fact her little cheeky looking Brother is standing in front of me, starring. He is such a smart and bright kid for his age I was actually taken aback by his intelligence. He is so cute.

When he walked ahead down the stairs I mentioned his brightness to Holly and that brought the topic of her parent's divorce up. I can't visualize what that must be like, difficult for start. She seemed a little narked even though she didn't display it. Her tone gave it all away.

Once we got interrupted by her Brother again, I decided not to mention it. Well, not till I got to the park because I wanted to find out more about her. She seemed to be more open in the park while we ate ice cream as she told me about her Father's new Barbie toy. I can't believe she doesn't see her Father. I don't blame her for being so infuriated with Barbie. I just can't imagine my Father not being there for me. I couldn't picture him with any other woman. My Mother and Father are just soo… perfect for one another.

After chatting and having a laugh we decided to go closer to the play area to keep Rex entertained. When I noticed the wind picking up, I glanced towards Holly and see her shiver. She didn't bring her jacket but it made me wonder if she owned a proper jacket because I've only seen her in the same hoodie she must love. I don't question her about it because she is cold and I'm wearing a jacket. I hold it out to her and force her to take it even though she said she was fine. She wasn't she is just being polite. She wrapped it around her and hugged it towards her chest taking comfort of the warmth once again.

Leaving her to stand alone, which I didn't want to do, I went in chase after her little Brother Rex. He weaved himself in and out of the play area squealing his head of saying, "You can't catch me I am the ginger bread man." He made me go through tunnels which I didn't think I would fit through but I managed it, climb up a rocky part before going on the monkey bars. I could see at the corner of my eye that Holly is secretly holding her laughter in.

"Don't let him fall on you Rex. He's got a big butt…" She tells him and I couldn't help join in the laughter.

Rex paused before he could run off and climb something else. He was waiting to see if I could do it. Of course I could. My legs are so long I can touch the ground and both Rex and Holly laughed at me. That's when I took off into a run to chase after both of them. Rex giggled like a trouper and hid through a load of bars that I'd have to climb over to reach him. For Holly thought, I caught up with her and wrapped my arms around her thin body. I lifted her up and she screamed so loud I thought my ear drums would burst. Lay in my arms, I felt the rush of her heart beat as she stared back into my eyes. I was about to kiss her for the first time ever but Rex, the cheeky monkey tapped me on the back. "I wouldn't kiss my Sister if I was you…" He showed me his fist and I couldn't help but laugh at his cuteness before setting his Sister down on her feet again. Glancing back to Holly, I could see her cheeks flushing bright red with embarrassment and I really don't think she's going to look at me. Crud.

Holly Applelyn

My cheeks flame a bright red and immediately I have to turn away from Caleb. Shit. I cannot let him see me blush like this. My stomach knotted and twisted until it hurt. Luckily I heard Caleb say behind me, "Rides here…" Thank goodness!

Rex wanted to hold my hand when he saw the man dressed all in black wearing sunglasses when there is no proper sun out. I think Rex is a little bit nervous to be around him. His fingers trap mine tightly. His big eyes glance up at me and I mouth back, "Everything. Will. Be. Okay." Rex responds with a nod of his head before glancing back at the muscular built man.

"Hey Taylor, thanks for picking us up man. Oh, Taylor this is Holly and Rex Applelyn." Caleb turns to me and Rex, "This is Taylor our security guard slash driver…"

This is so weird. I've never known anyone to have a driver and especially not one that looks so out of place to be a driver. Where is the driver's hat? I held my hand out, not sure whether or not it was a good idea to or not but Caleb didn't stop me so I assume it was okay to. "Nice to meet you Taylor…"

Taylor took my hand and shook my hand, "Pleasure to meet you Miss…" Once the awkwardness of letting go of my hand goes, he turns slightly to Caleb, "Your parent's are expecting you all now…"

"Yes, right, of course," Caleb mumbled to himself as Taylor opened up the door. Taylor gestures for Rex to go in first and I climb in afterwards and Caleb follows. I have never been in a limo before and neither has Rex. This is going to be another life experience.

My stomach buzzed with nerves. I couldn't relax in the car ride over to his place. I was impressed by the black iron gates which Taylor had to tap in a password before they opened and closed behind us as we drove down the drive. Rex is impressed too as his mouth is hung opening creating a, 'O' shape with his mouth.

"If you think that's impressive, wait till you see in side…" Caleb said, nudging Rex's arm playfully.

Rex looked over his shoulder to Caleb. "My sister doesn't like people bragging about what they have…"
"Rex!" I said in shocked, not sure why my little Brother just said that.

"Whoa…" Caleb said holding his hands up to Rex. He looked from him to me then back to Rex again. "I'm not trying to be brag," He tells my Brother with a little frown occurring between his eyebrows. "I'm just saying I think you will enjoy yourself here…"

"Sorry," Rex said, lowering his gaze onto his small hands.

"Hey," I whispered to Caleb. "I'm sorry about Rex, he's a bit nervous. We never go out with it being difficult with my parents."

"Don't worry…" Caleb whispered back. "He's trying to be a protective Brother. It's really cute."

I smiled at him gratefully.

The Greys house is just….. WOW. It reminds me of the home we used to have before our parents broken up. I sent the tear that is trying to escape back to where it came from. No emotions, not today. I stand on the gravel and gaze up to the house. Rex is just as shocked as I am. He is holding onto my hand and I feel the sweat in his hands becoming much more. He's thinking of home too.

A young girl, probably a few years older than Caleb, with brown medium length hair comes gushing out of the front door. "Ohmygoodness," Her sweet rich voice comes gushing out too. "Aren't you two just adorable?" She comes up to me first and holds out a hand. "Nice to meet you I'm his Sister Phoebe. " She cocks her head towards Caleb who is standing behind us. "You can call me PG."

Rex giggled at her name.

I shook Phoebe's hand and said, "You too…" I smiled at her before saying, "I'm Holly or Hol for short. Whichever you prefer." I point to Rex and introduce him, "This is my little Brother Rex."

She bends over and gets in his personal space. "Hey Rex… are you into video games?"

"Who isn't?" Rex said back. I could tell instantly he liked Phoebe. He doesn't seem as nervous as before.

"Then what are we waiting for…" Phoebe holds a hand out and Rex goes with her into the house.

Caleb slings his arm around my shoulders and assures me, "He'll be okay with Phoebe…" He must have seen the anxious face I pulled as she dragged him away from me. "She adores children," Caleb continues to tell me. "She's hoping to set her own summer care group up for working Mums and Dads after she's finished her training in child care and business."

"That's awesome…" I say wishing I could have my future set in stone already.

"Holly," A lady with the same brown hair as Phoebe came rushing towards me next. This must be his Mother, Anastasia Grey. Caleb has certainly taken his Mother's beautiful looks. "It is so wonderful to finally meet you," She said down my ear as she embraces me with a hug. She stands back, holding onto my shoulders as she looks over my blue dress. "Wow, look at you… You are so pretty."

"Thank you Mrs Grey… It's a pleasure to meet you…"

"Ana," She says. "Please call me Ana…"

"Ana…" I repeat out loud, making a mental note of how she likes to be called.

She squeezed my shoulders and gestured towards the house. "Please come in, make yourself at home." That is nice of her. "Would you like a drink?" She asked as we started up the few steps.

"Water would be lovely thank you…"

She smiled again at me. "Oh we can do better than just water."

"Mum," Caleb sighed behind us. "If she wants water let her have water…"

Ana rolled her eyes at her son and then grinned at me. She is so funny. "We've got water with a hint of strawberry, tropical or summer fruits."

"Or plain old fashioned water," Caleb added. "With or without ice."
"That's a lot of choice of water…" I said with a hint of surprise glazing my tone. I just shrugged my shoulders and answered, "Surprise me."

"Alright…" She turned to Caleb said, "Why don't you take Holly to meet you Father, he's in the game room playing some game with Teddy."

The Greys home is so amazing. It's breathtakingly incredible. Clean and cosy with family pictures hung up. They look like the perfect family in the world. We had family photos but they're broken, well, the glass is broken and they're no longer hung up on our walls. Mum destroyed them after having too much alcohol in her system. It broke my heart because they were the last happy memories we had together.

"Hey you okay?" Caleb said in a soft soothing voice as he places a gentle hand on my shoulders.

It took me a moment to realise that I have been standing in front of the picture, gazing over it but being in my own little world. I shook myself and smiled towards Caleb. "You have a beautiful family…" I say to put him of the scent of my little thoughts.

"Uh… thanks," he said awkwardly, obviously not agreeing with me. "Come on, let's go and meet my Dad."

Caleb ushered me down some stairs and then through a corridor and then through a door. This is an enormous room it holds lots of games from pool tables to pinball machine and race car games to Xbox's to PlayStations.

"Sis, come watch me play…" My Brother said excitedly, making himself at home as he played on the pinball machine. I haven't seen his face so bright with cheerfulness for a very long time.

"Ah, Miss Applelyn," A man said on the racing game that had just ended. He got out of the chair and stretched his long legs. He is a tall man and really scary looking. He's handsome but he seems really intimidating. Or maybe that's just me. "It's a pleasure…" He said holding his hand out.

"It's, um, nice to um, meet you Mr Grey…"

He points to Caleb and says, "If this one give you any trouble at all, you come straight to me, understand?"

"Dad!" Caleb whinged behind me.

Mr Grey ignored him and waited for my answer. "Yes Sir."
"Christian please…"

I nod my head and another Grey appeared at his side. "Hi Holly, I'm Theo?"

I smiled. "I thought you were called Teddy…"

"Yeah but it's not a grown up name is it?"

"Okay Theo it is…"

After all the greetings to all of the Grey family, I managed to relax. I shook Caleb's jacket off and he took it upstairs and joined my Brother and Phoebe as they played the game. Caleb returned back and handed me my glass of water. The water is refreshingly. As I take a small sip of the liquid, it glides down soothing the back of my throat. Mmm… cold tropical water. It tastes amazing.

"Buddy?" Caleb tries to get Rex's attention. "Would you like a drink?"

"Yes please," Rex responded, concentrating on the ball in the machine. I smile at my Brother, glad he's remembered his manners.

"C'mon little man," Phoebe says as Rex looses the ball. "Let's get you something to drink and we can come back and play some more…"

"Okay PG…"

Rex goes with Phoebe upstairs whilst Caleb pulls me over towards the colourful selection of bean bags. Caleb thought it would be good to teach me how to play a fighting game on one of the games consoles. I couldn't get my head around it. I remember when I was younger, I remember my older Brother Finn playing on his all the time. I used to sit on his lap whilst he clicked and tapped the buttons on the controller. I loved spending time with my Brother, he used to let me play on an old car game he had. I used to play it all the time. Now… I don't have a clue and I can't keep up with Caleb. I flush a bunch of times, embarrassed that I'm no good at this or anything. Caleb doesn't seem to mind. He slowly tries to teach me and assures me once I've had a few more goes I would get the hang of it.

When dinner was served I knew I was going to get a barrel loaded full of questions. The Greys hardly know me so they would want to know a bit more information about us. The atmosphere was uncomfortable at the start because nobody said anything but the knives and forks were scrapping against the expensive looking plates. This food though was cooked by Mrs Taylor and gosh it tastes divine. I haven't eaten like this in what seems years.

"So Holly," Mr Grey said after he takes his sip of his wine. I snap my head up to meet his gray eyes, the same one's Caleb has. "What are your future plans?"

I press my lips together. Good question. "I'm not too sure…" I say a little nervously. His eyes are making me so nervous. I pretend I have an itch and scratch the side of my wrist but it's just my nerves. "Most likely once I'm done with school get a better job or work there till I get into a manager's position."

"Better job?" He repeats my words letting his eyes squints a little as he's waiting on my response.

"Holly works at the ice rink. She saved my ass down there from a massive pile up."

I smirk at Caleb, rethinking how clumsy he is.

Sitting at this dining table with the Grey family, watching them be bloody perfect makes my blood boil. Nobody has a perfect family, I certainly don't. But here this is one faultless family. The billionaire parents who looking lovingly down on their children who aspire to be just as flawless as them. The way they act with each other, making jokes with one another, asking about each other's day, it feels just so damn wonderful. Maybe I am jealous but who wouldn't be? They don't have arguments, well not like ones I've seen with my parents. They just seem to love each other.

A pain in chest darts in the centre. Crap! It hurts so much. I feel my breath becoming uneven and I trying to grab as much air as possible. "You alright Hols?" Caleb asks with a worried tone as he watches me carefully. He tries to not bring attention with his voice being in a whisper and I think that's just sweet. But it doesn't help the ache I have.

I drag the chair legs out on the floor and stand up. "Excuse me…" I say like I've been running for a long time and is now out of breath. I take on my heels and run outside begging for fresh air.

A/N – So what do you think so far?