Chapter 18: Grateful

Seraphina

“You’re right. We need to be professional.” His gaze darted over mine.

“Professional?” I repeated the word and his face firmed.

While mine was baffled.

Not more than two minutes ago he was willing to fuck me in front of the housekeeper and now he wants to be professional? Well, if a professional relationship is what he wants, that is what he will get.

He assists me down off of the table and I walk away. I don’t say a word I just walk away with a throbbing clit and a confused mind.

A few hours later I finally exit the room dressed and prepared to head out to see gran. I knew he’d been waiting for me after all he had texted my phone six times, but I had to clear my head. Which meant there was no contact between us.

“Ready?” I say standing in the doorway of his study.

His eyes were a steel pool of anger and frustration. I watch him as he leans back in his chair and exhales.

“You do realize that I’ve been waiting for you, for over an hour?”

“So then you should be ready to go, right?”

He stands and I take the signal to head towards the door. But before I could reach the door there’s a firm grip around my wrist. I shutter as I turn to see his eyes were dark as they swept over me, he is thoroughly pissed.

“What the hell was that back there?”

“I’m not sure what you mean Mr. Valor.” I said his name and his grip tightened. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“This is not what I meant by professional.”

“While we’re out no one will be able to tell that I’m not head over heels in love with you, but indoors we will keep our distance. That’s what you meant, correct?” I say with a raised brow.

He released my wrist, “We should stop by your grandmother’s first and then we can do some shopping. We have an event coming up soon.”

“Sounds, perfect.” I growl.

He walked before me and held the door for me to exit. Everything in me was constantly set ablaze by everything he said and did. Even when I should be pissed with him I struggled. I sighed as I entered the vehicle.

The city was beautiful in the daylight with blue skies and perfectly shaped clouds. It was as if living on his side of the city was more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

As I soaked up the scenery Dimitri took turns between studying me and his cell phone.
The car stopped and confusion fell over me as we edited the vehicle.

“Where are we?” I inquired as he stood behind me.

He wrapped his hand around my waist and I turned to face him after reading the name of the facility.

“I had your grandmother moved for better care,” he said, lifting my chin with his free hand. “I was able to bring Viola with her. This way she will get the care she deserves and you can sleep better at night knowing this.”

I wished like hell for one moment that he hadn’t done the sweetest thing for me and then I could continue the tough girl act. But how could I after this?

I felt the urge to say something so I said, “Thank you.” But it didn’t stop the tears that spilled.

“You’re welcome, it’s the least I can do.” he said as he wiped the tears from my cheek.

I closed my eyes and pressed my cheek into him more. Wanting to show my gratitude for this unpredictable gesture. I placed a kiss into his hand and then I stood on my tiptoes and placed a kiss to his lips.

He released my mouth, only to drop his head and kiss me again. This time in a quick brush of his mouth to mine.

I stepped back once he released me the second time trying to catch my breath. I opened my eyes to see a sweet smirk on his face.

“You should get in there little one, before I take you in the back of the limo.” he said, taking my hand and allowing me to feel his arousal.

I walked on shaky legs into the unknown facility and his eyes all over me. It was no secret what this meant for me and gran. I am forever in his debt.


“Good afternoon I’m here to see,”

“Mrs. Valor, I’ve been anxiously waiting for your arrival. I’m Lilian Sheridan.”

The woman stood from behind the desk and revealed her lean physique. She extended her hand to mine and I shook it graciously.

“Your grandmother is in great hands here at Sheridan Memories. She is an amazing woman and we’re grateful you chose our facility.”

“Thank you and yes I’ve heard many amazing things about your facility.”

“I want to give you a few things. This is your badge and I have an extra one for your husband. This is her schedule for the month and we will email the next month's itinerary as well as her menu. Everything is tailored to her care and if you see anything on here you’d like to change you have my direct number on the info card. Do you have any questions for me?” she said with a sincere smile on her face.

“No, not at the moment.”

We walked down the corridor where we were greeted by Viola and gran playing cards and listening to jazz music.

“Anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, I will.”

Viola stood and greeted me with a hug.

“Thank you for allowing me to come along with her.”

“Of course Viola, you’re family.”

“Seraphina Fulton, get over here and give me some sugar.”

“The woman of the hour.” I say wrapping my arms around her.
I took only a second to view the suite that could easily pass for an upscale apartment. Beautifully decorated to make her feel as comfortable as possible. The room was almost an exact replica of the one she and I stood in on my sixteenth birthday. I have no idea how he did it but I’m glad he did.

Well played Dimitri. My attention fell back on gran as she hummed the words to Sunday Kind of Love by Etta James.

“I’m still waiting for my Sunday lover.” Viola says.

“What do you think of your new home?”

“It reminds me of you.” she says as she takes a sip of her tea. “Vi, help me to my chair. My child has something on her mind.”

“Yes ma’am.”

I sigh as I follow behind them over to the chair and remove my shoes before I sit at my grandmother’s side. My head falls into her lap and immediately everything feels better.

“Gran, I’m in trouble.”

“A handsome man is nothing but trouble baby. Love is a complicated and beautiful thing if done right.”

“Complicated is only half of it.”

“What is life without a little complication?” she says as she strokes my hair. “Take it one day at a time. Don’t rush it when it’s right, it’s right. No one will have to tell you he’s the one you will know.”

It amazes me how she knows me better than I know myself but it makes these moments even more special. There’s no one in this world who knows me like she does.

“Be patient with yourself and him. No one is perfect.”

“Hey ladies sorry to cut it short but we have to get to bingo!” Viola says enthusiastically.

“I love you gran, have fun.” I say standing.

“I love you too and one of these days I need to meet this mystery man.”

“You will gran.”

I walk with them down the corridor to the game area and I watch in amazement at how full of life she seems at only being here. I was sure she’d hate the change but I’m grateful nonetheless.