Grace POV
Once I managed to get myself dressed, I made my way downstairs. There was chatter from the dining room when I came down. I stood in the doorway taking the scene in front of me. Grandpa was set in his usual seat at the head of the table, Jamie to his right. Ms. Chancellor was at the other end. Noah was on my grandpa's left, an empty seat next to him.
'Good morning Grace' Ms Chancellor began 'I hope you slept well' I rolled my eyes but didn't respond. I sunk into the seat next to Noah.
'Thought we were going to get fresh air' I hissed
'But they made pancakes!' Noah smiled at me. I glared. Jamie watched me carefully.
'So Grace, what are your plans for today?' He asked.
'Me and Noah are going to stay within the walls' I said plainly. Jamie nodded. I turned to Noah 'Do you think Rosie and Megan could come over?'
'Um...I guess so…' Noah eyed me suspiciously, wondering what I was plotting. I smiled and tucked into a pancake from the stack, although I wasn't hungry, clearly I wouldn't be allowed to leave the table until I had had something to eat. There was a knock at the door.
'Sorry to disturb' One of the aids said 'But miss Blakely has a letter' She handed it to me before scurrying off. The envelope was formal, hand selected. It wasn't from the palace otherwise they would have been a crest or a seal or some sort of coat of arms. This was simply addressed to
Miss G. Blakely.
US Embassy
Embassy Row
Adria
And nothing more. I twiddled the letter in my hands.
'Are you going to open it?' Noah asked.
'Not yet' I smiled at him. I glanced to my side to see my grandpa and Jamie continuing their conversation like the disturbance had never occurred. It was only when I glanced to my other side that I noticed how pale Ms. Chancellor looked. She was staring at the letter as if it would self destruct within a matter of moments. I looked back at the letter. Maybe it will.
'May...May I be excused?' I asked. My grandfather nodded without glancing at me. I left the room and out into the garden, past the roses that I tumbled into on my first day, past the basketball hoop that Jamie had spent many mornings with. My pace hurried as I made my way to the back of the garden. I climbed the fence and began to pace the little length of brick that was still technically classed as US soil.
Whatever this letter was had freaked Ms. Chancellor out; within the time that I've known her, I've never truly seen her scared. She shot the Prime Minister I had to remind herself She shot him before he could shoot me.
'Gracie?' I spun on my heels to see Alexei climbing the wall. He stood on the Russian side. 'What are you doing up here?'
'Thinking' I answered quickly. He raised his eyebrow and smirked
'And you couldn't think down there?' He laughed 'Why do you always put yourself at heights'
'Because I control when I fall' This was an automatic answer, something that I realised is true. I can jump when I want or I can fall. The choice is mine and only mine. Alexei's smile vanished.
'What you got in your hand Gracie?' He asked
'A letter'
'Who is it from?' He stepped forward
'I haven't opened it' I stepped back along the wall. Alexei noticed
'It's okay Gracie' He said slowly
'What did you do in the last year Alexei? How was Russia?'
'Cold, miserable, Russian'
'Meet any new people?'
'What's with all the questions? Come on Gracie, we can trust each other'
'I don't think we can'
'Grac-'
'It's best if you stay away from me Alexei, clearly we're not supposed to be seen together' I stepped back once more. Alexei didn't move.
'Gracie please-'
'I don't want to hear your excuses!' I snapped 'I want the truth Alexei. No more secrets, no more lies'
'I promise that I'll explain everything to you soon. Please don't give up on us Grace. Please' He was so sincere, so...vulnerable. He could have told me to jump and I probably would of. I just nodded and looked away. Alexei climbed back down the wall leaving me alone. I stared at the other side of the wall, the embassy's all lined up to attention, the road inclining slightly leading up to Iran and the shore. Looking at that building reminds me that over two years ago, my biggest fear was being caught, now my biggest fear is trying to stay alive. A shuddered breath escaped my lips. I looked at the letter again. There was no one around. I slid my finger over the paper, flicking the back of it until it opened. There was a note. It was like looking into a crime drama, the letters on the page were cut from various newspapers. Possibly local, possibly not.
Grace,
You ask too many questions.
You are a problem.
You need to be dealt with.
The society won't save you this time.
Tell anyone and history may just repeat itself.
Beware.
From the rightful princess Amelia.
I read the letter several times more. This was a threat. From the rightful princess Amelia. This had to be a joke, someone who clearly believed they were the true bloodline of Amelia had sent this letter. Ann. It had to be Ann. But I couldn't tell anyone what was in this letter. Not even Noah…
'Grace?' I shoved the letter into the waistband of my jeans, covering it with my shirt. 'Grace, what are you doing up there?' Noah asked.
'Nothing' I began to climb down
'You weren't going to leave, were you?' He grabbed my arm. Not hard but the intention was there.
'No' This was true, probably the truest thing I've ever said. 'I was admiring the view' Also true.
'Did you read the letter? Was it from Ann?'
'It was from Thomas, just apologising for the other night' I waved it way. 'Nothing important' I can't believe how easily that lie rolled off my tongue. I promised myself that I wouldn't lie to Noah again, but I guess once again, I break the promises that mean the most.
'Then why did Ms Chancellor excuse herself right after you and make a very hushed phone call?'
'I have no idea Noah, honestly I don't' True.
'Okay' Noah released his hold on me. He then smiled 'So what are we going to do today?'
'Find a way of leaving'
'Grace…' He warned
'I don't want to be caged Noah...I…I…'
'I understand Grace' He said slowly. 'You don't need to tell me yet. But you need to trust me. And I've managed to persuade your grandfather to allow you to come to Brazil with me but…'
'But what?'
'Jamie's joining us. It's the only way you can come out'
'Okay' I breathed out, the cogs in my head already turning. This could work. I felt the letter dig into me as I moved. A sharp reminder that I was being watched. And I'd been warned.
Author's note: Sorry for the later upload in the day, I've been relaxing and getting ready for Christmas and I've just got back from ice skating which I absolutely loved. So someone is out to get Grace...and she's reverted back to not trusting Alexei and keeping secrets from Noah. What does ms Chancellor know? Find out what happens next week...
4EverAGallagherGirl: I love Noah so much. I would love a Zachary Goode as a boyfriend, Jamie as a brother, Bex, Liz, Macey and Noah as best friends and Joe as my dad. Life would me amazing..but also full of secrets and lies and mystery. Now you know who's watching Grace (sort of), they want Grace, she can trust people but it's Grace so she probably won't, Ohhh Alexei is back for a good reason...Ann will be closer than anyone thinks...xxx
Smiles180: Did you expect that? Why was Alexei outside so quickly? And who will Grace tell the truth to first xxx
A New Look: You might be right about Ann...xxx
MaddieMorganGoode007: I really like the relationship between Grace and Noah and how real it feels. No worries xxx
