As Fate Would Have It
Grant double-checkedthe address on Rusty’s note as he turned into the hotel’s garage. Rusty’s scribbles could be hard to read; his handwriting was the only untidy thing about him. Even the company car was shined without a single crumb in a stitch of the leather or under a floor mat.
He rode the elevator up to the eight floor, knocked on number 803, and put his company ID in front of the peephole. He heard a woman approach the door on the other side.
“Who’s there?”
“Ma’am? I’m from Redmond Guardian Service. My name is Grant. Rusty sent me.”
She read his ID tag and opened the door.
When he saw her his heart fluttered and skipped a beat. He could feel a thousand butterflies in his stomach flap their wings. His mouth opened but no words came out. He couldn’t believe it. The woman he hasn’t seen in over ten years stood before him, the love of his life that frequently appeared in his mind, more beautiful than ever. “Faith? Is it really you?”
Faith gasped as her heart raced. There was no mistaking it. The boy who broke her heart in high school stood before her, more weather beaten than she remembered, as if his teenage skin toughened over the years by sun and wind. The sight of him made her go weak at the knees. She stared at him as though seeing a ghost. “Grant?”
He yanked the piece of paper Rusty had given him out of his pocket. “This says Faith Mullhems. Did you… get married?”
Faith shook her head. “I said Williams over the phone.”
“Rusty must have misheard you.”
“You’re a… bodyguard? In New York? I thought…”
“I was still in the army not too long ago,” he said. “Almost got blown up by an RPG. I wanted to go back, but Rusty talked some sense into me and offered me this job. And here I am.” He cleared his throat. He’d spent years wondering what it would be like to see Faith again, what he would say to her. An apology? An explanation? And here he stood in front of her, finally, but unable to bring up the past. “So, I hear you’re in trouble.”
“Someone is after my research and I think he wants to kill me,” Faith said.
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe. Let’s talk inside.”
Faith couldn’t hold it in any longer. Memories flooded her mind like a wave. “Why did you leave me?”
Grant did not expect her to lay it on him so soon. He collected his thoughts. “I’m sorry, Faith. I had to follow in my father’s and brother’s footsteps.”
“You just left a note. You didn’t even say goodbye. You ruined graduation for me. I spent weeks in my room barely able to get out of bed. I went through hell because of you.”
“I’m sorry. I was young and immature. I thought it best to just disappear. I knew if I told you in person, you’d find a way to stop me and I didn’t want to be stopped.”
“How could you do it? I thought you loved me!”
“I did. And I still do. When I joined the army I felt closer to them. But I also remembered the pain I felt when I lost my family to war. What if I was killed in action? I could never put you through that. I though if I left without a word, you’d eventually move on and start a life you always wanted.”
Faith’s eyes teared up. “It wasn’t up to you to make that decision for me. I had a right to make my own choice. And I never moved on. I buried myself in textbooks and studies so I wouldn’t go crazy thinking about you.”
“Faith, I know I messed up. But I can’t change the past. I’ll live with that regret for the rest of my life.” Grant closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Look, let’s not do this right now. You don’t have to like me or trust me. But allow me to do my job. I’ll protect you from whatever is out there. There is a possibility you were followed. We have to get out of here. Now.” He looked around the room. “Pack your things. I’ll take you to a safe house, then we’ll figure out what to do next.”
Faith bit her lip, crying.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “You must be so scared.” He hated seeing her in this state.
Faith didn’t say another word. She packed in silence.
“I know there’s a lot of history between us. But that’s not what’s important right now. Keeping you out of harm’s way is all that matters.”
Faith nodded. “I’m ready. But this conversation isn’t over.” She followed him out of the room.
“Understood.” Grant led her down into the lobby, holding her elbow as they exited the building onto the street.
“Is this really necessary?” Faith said, trying to break free of his grip.
