Chapter 13:

calm Sundays, come with warnings.

My Dear Dictator


Grace is minding her own business at home. she is writing down the names of multiple students who could be the tyrant. 

it has been a week since Greed went missing. she feels the absence of her mentor more than anyone else in that cold house. the more time she spends with her coworkers, the more distances that grows between them. they are total strangers on her eyes.

she is done with her task. she then starts to work on school homework. she receives a call. Grace answers feeling boredom. the voice in the other side comes from Alice. she invites her to have fun with the girls.

"I am not sure. I have other stuff to do." said Grace.

eventually Grace accepted the invitation. she changes clothes to a black sweater and jeans. she walks around feeling the warmth of the sun. she thinks about her former life. the people she used to know back at her home. how many of them are still out there full of spirit.

she stops in front of a cafe. Alice is eating plain cheesecake. Hanna is in a strange position supposedly trying to summon a ghost or something. with one hand she covers her left eye. then she falls on the ground. she stands up and sits down. she eats some creme brulee cake. her eyes are bright of joy. Brenda is in a corner eating pistachio flavor cupcakes. on the same table there are two boys sitting next to each other. Bernard and Pierre.

both guys seem to dislike the company of the other guy. they are saying shit to each other in a low tone of voice, so the girls won't understand.  they are almost throwing knives at each other with the stares. they stop fighting and smile the moment Grace gets inside the store.

"Honeypot you invited another friend." said a muscular guy with dyed blonde hair.

Alice hugs the guy. she kisses him in the cheek. the boy hugs Alice from behind. he says some extremely corny things that would make even the older generations cringe. an old couple even make a comment about youthful love. Alice blushes as she covers her face with her hands.

"Oh my god. Josh, you make me blush." said Alice blinded by love.

Josh and Alice are completely lost in their own little world. they are like newlyweds. the world stops as they can only look at each other. everyone else is just ignoring the two lovers. Alice is as red as a tomato. she can't see more than her love.

Grace sits down. she is asked if there is anything she likes. Grace isn't a big fan of sweet things. she looks at the whole menu. she then looks nervously at the others. she asks the others for their opinion on sweet. she confesses to not like things that are too sweet.

"Maybe I know about a thing or two that may be to your liking." said Bernard as he can't keep his eyes off Grace.

Bernard has completely fallen in love. he can't deny it. he can't ignore it. the emotions that he feels for her are so strong. he could give away his own life for her. there is nothing that he wouldn't do for her. but he hasn't confessed those strong emotions. he is afraid of losing what he has with Grace. he can't lose the little connection they have now.

Grace on the other part has grown to like her friends. she keeps wearing a poker face. she is in the middle of a dilemma. her obligation as an assassin or her new life with them. she needs to make a choice immediately. she then looks at both guys.

Pierre shows himself as an emotional man. he always puts on a mask. he shows himself vulnerable and fragile. but he is a cunning man. he is cold and manipulative. there is a cruel side to him that he tries to contain. Pierre already knows Grace's hit list. he smirks as he salivates his next cold and calculative actions.

there is no lie in confessing what lies in truth. Pierre truly loves and loved Grace for so long since he was a child. but his way of loving is apatetic. his love is twisted and cruel. there aren't enough words to describe Pierre's inner turbulence. 

everyone eats sweets and talks. there are some warm and cold drinks to be ordered. the conversations are innocent. in the middle of that whole thing Brenda was silent. she was writing on a notebook as she pays attention to the conversation. she smiles gently. her eyes are directed towards Grace. there are some secrets Brenda hides of her own.

Grace finally makes a choice. she went for a Choco flan. she drinks a hot dark bitter coffee with no milk nor sugar. she smiles as she feels the hot drink going through her throat. Grace closes her eyes for a moment. there is something that makes her feel emotional. some tears fall from her eyes forming a lake in the table. she excuses herself to the bathroom.

Grace washes her face with cold water. new emotions and sensations can be cruel if come as a contrast to what she has felt before. a storm of doubts and questions is formed at the center of her fragile heart. Grace may present herself as a strong person. but the pain she had hold deep inside has come out. she feels her soul exposed in a strange environment.

Brenda gets inside the bathroom. she lets Grace know that if she needs to talk about anything the girls will be there for her. she wants Grace to know that they can listen to her issues. they can help with anything. they are there for her as a friend.

Grace is starting to feel calmer. she smiles as she finds some peace. then as she was about to leave the bathroom. Brenda whispers something. Grace turns around in shock.

"I know your secret. you are obviously a time traveler. right?" said Brenda.

"It was you. those letters." said Grace trembling feeling confuse.

on the other side of the door hides Pierre. he listens calmly. he shows a disturbing twisted smile before he returns to the table. he sits down calmly next to Bernard.