I've Been There Before (Grace and Caden)

Things were the same day after day. It’s time to get off work today, Gloria gave those cheques to Grace all together.

“Thank you, Gloria...” Grace thanked and didn't reject her money. She would accept it then hide it well until Caden finished his endless game. She would run away as far as she could this time.

She walked out of Gloria’s office and put that bag with piles of cash and cheques from Gloria, into her cotton bag. She caressed it by her hands, “Leona, this is the key of Erhai lake. Wait for me there, I will fulfill our dreams very soon, I promise.” Thought Grace.

Suddenly, she noticed Leona’s ash was still kept in that funeral home. “Leona, waiting for me, I will bring you to see the Erhai Lake, as well as the blue sky and white clouds!”

She decided to grab a taxi home this time, to treat herself.

The taxi dropped her at the dormitory building. Grace went off and stuffed her bag carefully in her arms. She paid and headed upstairs in a hurry.

Her building was quiet as usual. She got used to it already. She walked upstairs while searched for her key in the bag.

All of a sudden, she looked up and saw two people standing outside her door beneath the dim light. She was so surprised to see them that dropped her key on the floor.

Watching them afar in shock, Grace froze there, the time seemed to stop by this moment. She opened her mouth and tried to say that familiar words, “Mr and Mrs. James...” She whispered then lowered her head.

They were her mom and dad to be honest! However, she couldn't call them out naturally as before.

She gazed at the ground, trying to hide her face in front of them. She couldn't let them see her embarrassing moment. She held her temper, trying to be normal and calm.

and Mrs. James”, things had changed. She swallowed hard and acted normally,

her watery eyes. She was still elegant

stirring in her heart, when she heard

quiet in this building.

head as much as she could in her chest, although her hands jerked uncontrollably

not proper to trigger a fight with his daughter

I have such a shameful daughter? She must feel shame on herself too, otherwise she wouldn't even scare to look at us!”

Grace was trying to control her choking voice, tears spread out her eyes. She never imagined she could meet

dad and I have something to talk to you.” Mrs. James said in calm. She was not sure what was in her mind right now. Would

frustrated, she bent down and picked the key up then

raise her voice after she saw her parents. She

Mrs. James didn't get her mood. They thought

some water.” Grace became uncomfortable after entering the room, she was

bag on the table and rushed

was made this morning. She found two white porcelain bowls and poured the hot water into them. Looking at the bowls, she was regretful. Why she didn't get some normal glasses before?

by each hand then walked back to the living room. “Please forgive me, Mr and Mrs. James, I forget to prepare some glasses at home. But don’t worry, these are clean...” Hearing her words, Mrs. James felt sad and sorrowful. She couldn't believe this girl in front

daze after raising her head. Her face faded to pale. She saw her bag was widely opened on the table.

James asked in a severe voice, it shocked Grace and the bowls were shaking in her hands with the hot water splitting out from time to time. Despite the water was made in the morning, it’s still quite hot after the whole day. However,