From the way Charles was staring longingly in the lady's direction, his father understood that he wanted to move over to her.
This was the first time his son would prefer someone to carry him when he was in his father's hands and Jace was without doubt not comfortable with that development.
He couldn't help but wonder what would have transpired in that restroom that day?
When Caden had told him about his son's attachment to the young lady before him, he had felt that he was exaggerating.
But as Charles became more unbearable in his tantrums, he knew it was serious, but he never expected that it would get to the point of him preferring the company of a total stranger to his own father.
"She is injured and can't hold you," Jace rebuked, a little too harshly.
Charles had no choice but to make do with his father's arms for the meantime but his eyes never left Grace who was trying her best to make herself invisible.
Jace's intimidating aura had filled the entire space, leaving her feeling uneasy and restless despite the opulent interior of the large car.
It was more suffocating than having ten people in a space meant for two.
She couldn't wait for the journey to be over so she could escape his overpowering presence.
When they finally arrived at the hospital, she practically leapt out of the car, forgetting about her ankle in her haste to escape.
But before she could take a step, she felt herself losing her balance. In an instant, strong arms wrapped around her, steadying her and preventing her from falling.
Looking up, Grace found herself caught in Jace's embrace, his concerned gaze locked with hers.
Despite his outward intimidating exterior, she saw nothing but genuine concern in his blue eyes which were the same hue with hers.
And for the first time in her life, she felt the urge to lean into a man's embrace, but it was just a fleeting thought that she quickly discarded and wriggled out of Jace's embrace.
However she winced almost immediately as her swollen ankle protested against the sudden impact on the ground again.
"Are you alright?" Jace asked, his voice laced with worry.
"I was a little too fast, but I'll be fine," Grace said, trying to brush off his concern.
"Quick Suresh, get the wheelchair," he said to his assistant.
"I can walk in by myself."
"At this rate you'll get there by tomorrow morning," Jace said sarcastically. "Or do you prefer I carried you in?" he threatened to the astonishment of Suresh and Randall.
What was going on with the boss all of a sudden. They've never seen him show this much concern for anybody, except the young master and of course the Madam when she was alive.
Was it because this young lady saved the young master just now?
"No, no, no. I'll use the wheelchair," Grace quickly rejected, a shade of red already creeping up her flawless face.
Jace did well to hide the spasmed corner of his mouth by going to carry Charles from the car, but he was surprised that the guy had already passed through the other door to stand beside Grace.
The wheelchair arrived shortly afterwards and Grace sat in it as a nurse wheeled her into the hospital.
In the examination room, Grace sat on the examination table, her face twisting in discomfort as the doctor gently adjusted her sprained ankle. She clenched her teeth, trying to suppress the pain coursing through her legs.
"Sorry. Almost done," the doctor comforted her in a soft voice.
Grace nodded, her breath shallow and quick. She gripped the edges of the table tightly, her knuckles turning white.
"Just a little more…" continued the doctor and with a final adjustment, the doctor finished.
Grace let out a faint groan, unable to completely stifle the pain that shot through her ankle.
Jace, who was observing the whole process, shot the doctor a fierce glare causing the doctor to tremble unconsciously.
"Is she okay?" Jace asked urgently.
Grace did her best to endure the pain and nodded, forcing a small smile despite the discomfort. "It's okay."
"She'll be fine. It's just a sprain," the doctor summoned the courage to say.
Just as the tension in the room began to ease, a soft voice broke the silence.
"Sorry, Mom."
Everyone turned to look at the direction where the voice had come from.
Charles, who was standing beside his father with his eyes wide and filled with worry, clutched onto his father's pant leg as he felt the gaze on him.
"Huh?!" Grace's heart skipped a beat, stunned by the unexpected address.
Jace's expression mirrored Grace's shock, his eyes wide with disbelief- Charles had never spoken since he was born, let alone addressed anyone as "Mom."
"Charles… did…did you just say "Mom?" Jace asked incredulously.
Charles ignored his father and cast an innocent look at Grace, oblivious of the weight of his words, causing Jace's astonishment to deepen inexplicably.
"I… I can't believe this," Jace muttered to himself, still overwhelmed by the shock.
Grace was equally speechless and shared a bewildered glance with Jace, both trying to comprehend the unexpected turn of events in their minds.
"I…em… thank you, Charles." she finally said.
And for the first time saw something like a smile on the little boy's face but it vanished almost immediately.
Jace's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he watched his son in awe.
'Is this a dream or reality?' if it was a dream, he doesn't want to wake up.
"Em.. Take these. They should help with the pain," the doctor said, breaking the thick fog that seemed to have gathered in the room.
He had no clue about what was going on since he was not the personal doctor to President Brandon.
He only came as he had requested for the best orthopedic surgeon in the hospital. He didn't know it was a mere sprained ankle that he was called to adjust, but who was he to say that to the President of the most richest company in SF.
Author's Note:
This chapter is dedicated to Elvy Kwok. Thanks for your wonderful gift.
****************
"Thank you, doctor."
Grace took the drugs from the doctor's hand and was about to put it in her bag when he stopped her.
"You'll need to take two pills now before you go."
"Oh," Grace said as her face turned sour.
"Is there a problem?" The doctor asked with concern.
"No, not at all," Grace said but her face still didn't look good.
"I get it now. You don't like drugs, I presume," the doctor smiled knowingly.
Grace peered around at the different pairs of eyes staring at her and couldn't bring herself to say yes, even though that was the only answer to the doctor's question.
She was given water from the water dispenser and had no choice but to take the drugs. But not before giving herself an inner prep talk.
'You can do this Grace,' she kept saying to herself and it took everything within her not to throw up after swallowing the pills. She could feel their movement as they passed through her throat.
She hadn't taken drugs in years since she rarely fell sick so it was torturing for her to do so all of a sudden.
"Is Dr Brooks in his office?" Jace asked, looking away from Grace whose face was as sour as an unripe grape, to Suresh, his assistant.
"Yes, Sir. He'll attend to the young master whenever you are ready, sir."
"Wait here for us, we'll come to get you when we're done," Jace instructed Grace and headed for the door.
"No need to come for me, I can leave by myself," Grace suggested.
"Wait for me!" Jace ordered tersely. On second thoughts he turned back. "Put her on the wheelchair. We will all go and see Dr Brooks together.
He didn't want to take any chances. Who knows whether she will escape before he returns.
"But I'm ok. I don't need to see another doctor."
"We are going to get Charles examined to see if he's okay after the fall you both had."
"Oh, that. Then go ahead. I'll find my way home."
'As if there was any home she was going to," Jace sneered inwardly. He had already been informed that her landlord had sent her packing that afternoon and presently had nowhere to stay. No wonder she was loitering around his company. But he didn't want to expose her lie.
He will just pretend not to know about it unless it was absolutely necessary to bring it up.
"You're coming with us," he commanded with a note of finality.
And as he said that, he signaled to Suresh to push the wheelchair after the doctor assisted Grace to sit in it.
Although Grace wasn't pleased at all, she nodded in gratitude to Suresh.
Fifteen minutes later, they left Dr Brooks' office after Charles was certified ok.
As Grace was wheeled from the sterile confines of the hospital by Suresh and Charles nestled in Jace's hands, they were greeted by the crisp evening air.
The driver pulled up in front of the hospital entrance with the limousine, and they all climbed in.
Grace couldn't help but notice that the driver had made a detour from the route leading to the company as he drove.
"This is not the way to the company," she voiced out.
"We're not going to the company," was the curt reply she got from Jace.
She wanted to ask where they were headed but thought against it. She was sure she might not get an answer.
It was already mind blowing for her to be riding in the same car with the CEO of Brandon corporations. But what she didn't know was that that car was exclusively for him and very close family members.
Oblivious that the special treatment she had been given was the first of its kind, Grace concentrated on watching the scenerio from the tinted windows as they wound their way through the streets of San Francisco.
But it wasn't long when her eyes widened in wonder as they passed by elegant buildings and she felt a sense of excitement building within her.
When the car turned onto the winding roads of Presidio Heights, Grace's breath caught in her throat.
She forced herself to tear her eyes away from the elegant mansions that lined the streets, to steal glances at the equally captivating man siting opposite her. He looked as breathtaking as the scenery of Presidio Heights.
Not long after, they passed through the gated entrance which had opened automatically as the car approached.
Grace's heart raced as they pulled up in front of a magnificent white structure nestled amidst lush greenery.
Her eyes instantly scanned the grandeur of her surroundings after she was comfortably seated in the wheelchair.
The villa was a masterpiece of architecture, its stately columns and sweeping verandas hinting at the luxury that lay within.
Grace's mouth hung in surprise as she lifted her head and saw two rows of servants lined up at the entrance to the main building.
They all bowed in reverence as they approached. She knew the bow was not meant for her, but it still didn't reduce the sense of awe that washed over her at that moment.
It was like she had been transported from her ordinary life to a palace with servants at her beck and call.
Just as she had envisaged, the interior of the building was a symphony of elegance and opulence, with gleaming marble floors, intricately carved furnishings, and walls adorned with priceless works of art.
Grace was barely given enough time to appreciate the beauty of the house when she was whisked away after Jace gave an order, "Bring her to my study."
Are you sure about that, boss? Don't you mean I…" Mr Suresh started but didn't get to finish his thoughts as an angry glare from his boss cut him short.
"Right away, boss," he quickly amended and led Grace to where his boss was headed.
Grace wondered what was so special about the study that his assistant had such a reaction when he was asked to bring her there, but she got her answer the moment she entered the study.