Van knew his way around and the maid had said miss is coming.

His heart went out for her , he had been into an orphanage and even that place wasn't gloomy like. .he looked around at the dull environment. He didn't have any bad memories attached to the orphanage , the owner was a kind old woman who had treated him like her own child and then Mr Young had seen him on the road . . collecting trash. Upto this date , he had no idea what Mark Young saw in him. .

Matilda and Mark had taken him and had treated him no less than their own son , Ethan and-

"Hey."

A shy voice suddenly cut through his thoughts and he craned his neck at her.

Dressed in a long dress , she appeared out of nowhere. Her beauty intensified and turned the dullness into brightness.

"Hey Grace." Van stood up and she gestured at him to sit down.

Taking a seat in front of his eyes , she had a small smile on her breathtaking face.

"I'm sorry for dropping in suddenly but you weren't picking my call and I thought. ."

"That I died?" She supplied , raising hir brow.

Van's eyes widened.

"No! How can you-i'am sorry if I caused you any inconvenience. And I'm here to pick you up. Mom wants to see you."

Grace kept staring at him as if she wanted to ask him something and then it hit him. .

"Don't worry. He won't be home."

Grace had to think for a minute. Aron terrified her and she was afraid of being alone. The maid didn't visit in a weekend so. .she had no other choice but to hide in their house. .

"Alright."

××××××

The ride to the house was filled with comfortable silence. Van was a good guy , she found herself smiling often in his company. He kept reminding her he was there for her always.

And when the destination came , she didn't get impress for the house she lived in was double the size of this. The difference was in the cut of the house, modern and chic while her mansion was a generational heirloom.

When the car zoomed in , Grace made herself a promise to be polite to everyone. .

The car halted to a step and she took a deep breath reminding herself he wasn't around.

Van stepped out of the car , relieved the girl had come home. . but his relief was short lived when Hailey got on his head , her face fierce.

"Where were you?" She asked in a low voice. .startling him for a second. .

But he didn't answer and went to open the door for Grace.

"Hailey , meet Grace."

Hailey didn't like how polite and respectful he was being towards-what?! Her brain processed the name and then her eyes widened when she saw Grace stepping out of the car and instantly got hit with all the praises Matilda showered on her. .which she thought was an exaggeration. .

Nope, it wasn't.

Grace was indeed as beautiful she had said.

Hailey seemed to be in trance when Grace moved towards her and said ,"Nice to meet you, Hailey."

"Oh my God! You're so beautiful!" Hailey cried out and then threw herself on her for a hug.

Surprised at her sudden affection , Grace hugged her back and looked at Van. He shrugged with a smile.

And then the entire household had opened their arms wide and had her feel loved. Matilda had made her eat and eat until she had tears in her eyes . Astrid and Hailey couldn't stop bouncing all around her .

"So the bad boy of the house got a good girl." Astrid laughed and Hailey nodded.

×××××××

On the terrace , he let his worries go out in a smoke. It was strange how calm he was at losing someone that mattered to him more than anything. He should have been hurt , angry but here he was. . .calm and empty.

But then again it was her choosing him.

He lost her without trying his luck , he smirked darkly.

"Van!"

She always knew when he was thinking of her because. .she was coming close to him and he dumped the cigarette, stepping on it , smothering the fire.

"Yeah?" He turned at her , the moon shining at his back. . illuminating him.

He could spot a box in her hands wrapped up in a shiny wrapper.

Hailey huffed when she reached him.

"Happy birthday , Van." She said sticking out the box to him.

Van sighed ,"I don't like celebrations-,"

"But you like me so. .," She teased him , her eyes shining.

Van just shook his head ,"This isn't right , Hailey. You shouldn't step in two boats at once." He warned.

"I don't care about anything! Take it or I'll chuck it down." She threatened.

And he had to take it.

"So I was wondering. .you can write everything for that girl. .I want to hear a piece too. ." She ordered and Van keep staring at her . .no matter what he said , she held his heart and she wasn't letting him move on. He felt stuck.

When I call , don't look,

When I say your name , don't respond,

When I pass by you , don't look,

Keep me like a leaf in your diary , dried up and not much of use

Hailey smiled when he finished.

She took a step towards him ...eyes soaking him up. .

"You know what , I'm not going to do anything you just ask of me." She said in a whisper.

And Van was about to answer when his phone vibrated in his Jean's pocket and he picked it.

Hailey rolled her eyes.

"Ethan?" His forehead had lines of worry.

"Happy birthday , bitch. I got you." Ethan said in a not so cheerful voice . Hailey suddenly snatched his phone from his grip.

"I wished him first , loser! You're out!"

Ethan , who had kept his anger in check for Van , couldn't help himself this time.

"Yeah , you're actually out for not saying yes to Van! You're the one who lost everything , Hails-whoops! Loser!!!!" He had snapped so furiously that the smile on Hailey's face vanished . . .her lips trembled and she him his phone back. . running away on the same path she came .

×××××××