Charlie's eyes twitch. He stated, "You’re not guilty. I'm guilty. I'm punishing myself."
"Do you expect me to believe your words? You have accusations and complaints against me in your heart, too. But are you sure this is how it's going to stay between us?"
Were they going to keep living together like this, detached, indifferent, and like strangers?
That night, strangely, Charlie slept in their bedroom, and Grace had no idea what Charlie was thinking. But, whatever, they slept in the same bed.
But they only slept in the same bed, no
conversation, no intimacy.
The two lived on in peace. Life was okay. Things changed a bit between them. They lived in the apartment together, but they didn't talk much to each other.
Grace felt more and more tired lately. For whatever, she couldn't lift her spirits. She was feeling exhausted from the work at the restaurant.
Sherman had returned to Santabaca from Lanechett, and she intended to stay in Lanechett for a couple of days.
When she saw Grace, Sherman was surprised, "Why do you look so haggard?"
"Someone tortured me!"
Grace bit her scarlet lips and sat down.
"Charlie tortured you?" Sherman's eyes lighted up with a snigger. She winked and asked in a playful tone.
"Yuck!” Grace spat at Sherman deliberately. She didn't squirm at all.
"I'd like to let him torture me. He better torture me so badly that I can't get out of bed!"
Sherman laughed and teased, "Woman!
You need some control!"
Grace teased back, "Look at you blushing like a peach, isn't Kingsley being good to you?"
They sat in the cafe for a while. Then Grace led Sherman to Morgan's restaurant. She wasn't done with the work there. She needed to go back and finish her work.
In the restaurant, Sherman was sitting there watching TV shows on the tablet while Grace was mashing the ingredients. It was hot in the kitchen. Tiny beads of sweat perspired on Grace's forehead.
Sherman had never seen Grace work so hard, and she felt pity for her friend.
The ingredients were dense and heavy.
Grace couldn't even stand up straight. It took her a long time to straighten up. Then she drove to the branch store in a hurry to deliver the ingredients.
The manager brought the account book and asked Grace to check it. She thought she could wait until the next day. Sherman had just come back, and Grace wanted to spend time with her friend.
Grace then drove Sherman to the beauty parlor. They got their makeup and hair done.
Grace was a regular customer. The beauty consultant was surprised to see her walk in, "Ms. Livingston, what have you been up to these days? You haven't been here in months."
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