Chapter 98 A Stalker

Chapter 98 A Stalker
\[Gianna’s POV\]

A few days later, Grant and I are fully moved in. Things are situated and Noel would soon be arriving. It was honestly a bit strange, like an outer body experience, the way Grant and I made most of the final decisions together about our home.

Our home.

That was the thing that left me feeling like I wasn’t quite in my own body, because I knew deep down that this was all just a front until our contract period ended, but even then, I wanted to let myself get lost in this feeling. I wanted to let myself feel like this would be the place I would spend my life. That Grant was the man I would spend my life with. And that together, we would raise our child here, but I couldn’t.

Now, I stand in our room, noting the few decorations that I picked mixed with the ones that Grant did.

It fit for both of us nicely, as did the rest of the rooms that would be considered shared space, and now we could officially relax and just be.

Now, I stand at the threshold of our home as Grant leans in to give me a kiss before turning and heading to his car so that he can go and collect Noel from the airport.

It was clear that he was hesitant about leaving me alone, but I assured him that I would be fine since there was no way that anyone would possibly show since they didn’t know where Grant and I would be living.

After a bit of convincing, he finally agreed to letting me stay so that I could relax after spending the morning making finishing touches to our home, and now I watch as he climbs into his car, and once he pulls onto the street, I pull the door closed in front of me, and turn to take in the empty living room.

For a moment, I just stand there, taking it in, finally letting everything sink in, and once it does, I feel a bit of peace.

For the time being, I could allow myself to live in the moment. I could let myself enjoy the small things, and I wouldn’t let the unknown of the future bother me.

Now, I move forward and then collapse on the sectional and when my body begins to sink into it, I let a yawn escape me.

Maybe I could take a nap before Grant and Noel returned, because I was certain that things would get pretty lively when the whirlwind that was Noel arrived.

Yawning again, I grab a decorative pillow and position it below my head, and after getting comfy, I close my eyes and begin drifting.

I don’t know how long I lay there, drifting in and out of sleep before I hear the sound of a car just outside.

Sighing, I slowly rise up from the sectional and after stretching, I head to the door and pull it open.

“Grant,” I call, expecting to see him coming up the pathway to the porch with Noel, but when my gaze takes in the person there, I feel my heart drop to my feet.

“Sorry,” Rachel smiles, pulling her sunglasses off and placing them in her purse. “I guess Grant didn’t tell you that he invited me.”

“He invited you,” I repeat, eyeing her as she makes her way toward me. “And why on earth would he do that?”

Growing quiet, I wait while she stares at me, a look of satisfaction on her smug face, and when she reaches me and stops, I don’t miss the way her gaze sizes me up.

“Why wouldn’t he invite me?” She asks. “We are engaged.”

“He already told you…”

“We talked things out,” she counters. “And he told me why he did what he did with you.”

Did what he did…What the hell was that even supposed to mean?

“Anyway,” Rachel continues, crossing her arms. “I’m fine with it…for now.”

As she speaks, she smiles sweetly like someone who is doing me a favor even though she didn’t do a damn thing.

“Sorry,” I say slowly, getting my wits about me. “But it’s best that you drop the act.”

There was no way that Grant would tell her anything which meant that she was digging. She most likely convinced herself that this was some sort of scheme in Grant’s part and she was going to try to get that confirmation out of me.

“As Grant’s wife, I’m asking you to give up.” I continue as Rachel stares at me. “Do you know how pathetic you look clinging to a married man? Aren’t you worried about your image?”

Growing quiet, I wait while Rachel takes in what I’ve said and when I see anger flash in her eyes, I know that I’ve hit a nerve.

“Grant chose me,” I say now, my lips twitching into a smile of satisfaction. “He married me.”

“He only married you out of necessity!” Rachel snaps. “In order to get his father and grandfather to stop hassling him about marriage he needed a woman by his side. Of course, he would have been better off choosing me, but he didn’t want to force me into marriage.”

“So he decided to marry someone else and make you the mistress?”

“Watch your mouth,” Rachel warns. “If anyone is a mistress it is you!”

As her voice starts to rise in octave, I peek down toward her hands as they clutch at her arms, and I realize that she wants to hit me.

Be cautious, Gianna. I tell myself. Be cautious so that you don’t cause any danger toward your child.

“A wife can’t be a mistress.” I tell her. “The woman who is delusioned into believing that she still stands a chance even after the man she is lowkey stalking is married is the only woman who can be that. And…” I continue, wondering just how she actually managed to figure out where we were out. “I suggest that you leave before Grant returns. Since neither of us told you where our new home was, that means that you’ve been stalking. Maybe we should look into getting a restraining order against you.”

“I did no such thing!” Rachel snaps. “I told you that Grant told me where…”

“He didn’t,” I counter, peeking past her as the man in question’s car whips into park. “But if you want to continue saying that he did, we could always ask him.”

At my words, Rachel whirls around as Grant jumps out of his car and as he moves toward us, I don't miss the anger on his handsome face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He demands, stopping inches from Rachel. "How did you find this place?"

"Gr-grant," Rachel stammers. "You told me! You told me where you lived, look!" Clearly frazzled, Rachel pulls her phone out and shows it to Grant and when Grant's expression shifts, I know that something more than just a crazy woman stalking us is going on.