Chapter Twenty-One
EMERY
“Would you be able to take me somewhere? Please.”
Mason looks up from the book he’s reading in the lounge, and not for the first time, a twinge of guilt sits in my chest that he’s stuck with me here every day. We usually take Shadow for a walk during the day, and sometimes we might go to the supermarket together, but other than that, he can’t really do anything other than sit around the house.
It’s been a couple of days since Sebastian gifted me my fixed camera, so I’ve taken to spending my days working on my photography and trying out some of the tips Naomi taught me. Although Naomi’s photography is generally more people portraits, which I do love, I can still apply some of them to my regular photography.
The only model I have to work with is Mason. Though, whilst he’s happy to let me practice, I don’t think he loves being in front of the camera, so I don’t ask him a lot. Technically, I have Sebastian as well. However, after how we met in the park, I hadn’t wanted to bring up any reminders. Not when things have been so good between us.
I’m already looking forward to my other sessions with Naomi but remembering that she mentioned having models come in for one of them is even more exciting.
Now that my ankle is better, I’ve been able to explore the expansive property for the most part. I love it here. From the kitchen to the bedroom, I see as mine and Sebastian’s—ours—then the outdoor space, that whilst secluded, is large enough that you could never feel closed in. There are neighbours, though the properties are far enough apart that I’ve never seen them—the trees lining Sebastian’s parents’ property block any view of their houses.
I have found that my favourite place to take photos is Elena’s garden. With the various flowers, trees, and bright colours, I feel happy whenever I’m out there.Calm. Sometimes I find myself sitting on the bench seat that’s situated in the open space in the middle, even when I’m not taking photographs. In a strange way, I feel a connection to the woman I never met in those moments—I can imagine her sitting in that exact seat. I might not have the green thumb she did, but I can still appreciate the work that went into it. Although I’m not sure how she took care of it all on her own,it’s huge.
Even though she’s gone, the garden is still thriving, which I’m sure is because of Sebastian, even if he hadn’t been coming here himself. Sebastian still kept on some of the staff he’d employed, though we were now living here. So far, I was only aware of the housekeeper who came once a week, but both times now, I’d made Mason walk Shadow with me while they were here. For some reason, I found it extremely awkward sitting around the house while someone else cleaned it.
“Sure. Where do you want to go?” Mason asks, closing his book and pulling me from my thoughts.
“Into the city.” I wince. It’s Thursday afternoon, and Sebastian will be home soon, meaning Mason could usually go home, but I purposefully waited until this late in the day in hopes of catching the person I want to see.
Mason glances at his watch, and my shoulders drop as my chest deflates. “You don’t want to wait for Sebastian?” he asks.
“No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I don’t want you to have to stay late.”
“Grace, I’m happy to take you. I was only checking.”
“It’s kind of a surprise. For Sebastian. Although it might not work out, and he’ll probably hate me for it,” I say, and as I hear the words out loud, I come to the conclusion I’m probably crazy. And with the way Mason raises his brows at me, maybe he thinks I’m crazy too.
He places his book on the couch beside him before standing. “If you want to go, let’s go,” he says, but all I can think is I hope I’m not making a huge mistake.
“Where?” Mason asks, glancing at me before returning to the road again, clenching his jaw.
“Obsidian,” I say, glancing away before he looks at me again.
“I don’t think that a good idea, Grace,” he says with a bit of irritation.
Mason knows about the passport, but not the deal I made with Sebastian—either of them. I didn’t tell him where exactly we were going until we were practically in the city.
“I promise it will be okay.”At least, I thought it would be.
With a sigh, Mason drives towards the nightclub and parks at the back entrance where he did the night he and Sebastian came to get me.I hope this works.Mason gets out of the car with me, and we both make our way to the solid steel door. After standing there for a minute and nothing happening, I turn to Mason. “Do you think I should knock?”
“I don’t know,” Mason says, inspecting the camera above the doorway with a frown. “I think—”
The large metal lock sliding open interrupts whatever Mason was about to say. The same man as the first time Sebastian brought me here pulls the heavy door open, and I tilt my neck back to look at him.
“Ah, I’d like to see Ethan,” I say before clearing my throat. “Please.”
The man doesn’t say anything, but he wears a similar earpiece to the bouncer who let me in when I came for my passport, so I wait. Would they even have opened the door if they were going to turn us away?
After a moment, he steps back so he’s not blocking the doorway, and I let out the breath I was holding. “Just the girl,” he says, and Mason tenses beside me.
“Not happening,” he says, and it’s the first time I’ve seen Mason even slightly aggressive.
“Then you both leave,” the man says with a shrug.