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There she was standing, all the attention was brought to her. As she sang, applauses and cheers were made throughout the song.
Although Grace, was looking at her with a look that seemed like yearning. He was staring at her auburn hair and her pretty face, listening to her beautiful voice. He was starstruck, he's never felt this way before! Before he knew it, he felt warmth rush up to his cheeks.
"And that is enough." Stratt declared, ending the song immediately in the middle of it.
Grace saw Stratt go up to the deck, where no one was. He contemplated whether or not to follow her..
"Hey man, you look pretty flustered.. what happened?" — Yao's voice cut in, making Grace jolt slightly from the chair
"Oh! Um... yeah.. I'm just.. thinking of some stuff that happened yesterday." he lied. He glanced back at the door where Stratt left, and got up from his seat. "I'll—see you later.. yeah?" he smiled nervously before walking towards the door.
"See you later!" Yao said
⋆·˚ ༘ *
At the deck, Grace slowly walked up to Stratt.
"Heeeyyyy!.. Stratt! How're you doing?" he tried to start a conversation, nervously glancing at her pretty hair
Stratt noticed, but brushed it off like always. "I'm doing good, Dr. Grace."
A beat passes,
"Just.. wanted to say you did beautifully back there." He said, voice quieter than usual.
"Thank you very much." she pauses, then— "I rarely get any compliments so.. I'm thankful for that, Grace."
His name on her lips made him shiver, he's never had this feeling for Stratt before. "My god, quit it Ryland!", he thought.
Warmth spread through his cheeks again, he was blushing, a deep rosy red shade showing on his cheeks.
He was staring again, and Stratt noticed all of this. "Are you okay, Dr. Grace?" her voice cut in, curiousity followed on her voice.
"I-! Yes!— O-Of course! Stratt.. I am- just.. kind of overwhelmed.. right now!" his blush deepened and his voice was rushing.
"Are.. Are you sure? I mean.. you can tell me anything I-"
"No! I mean.. Yeah." he pauses, "I am.. struggling to say something..."
Stratt turned to him, a confused look on her face. "Dr. Grace, please just spit it out..." her voice seemed like she was exhausted of this.
"I just.. wanted to say you looked really pretty back there.. and now! With your hair, your outfit.. and your face.. and-"
"Okay, enough." Stratt stopped him. She blushed, mirroring him, then reverted back to her usual demeanor.
"Thank you.. again.. Dr. Grace." Her lips curved, forming a slight, soft smile..
Grace has never seen her that way, but now that he has.. he was flustered and staring like he was gonna burn a hole through her face.
Stratt cleared her throat,
"Anywho, I should probably keep going. It was nice talking to you Dr-"
"No wait!" Grace cut her off, "Could you... maybe, stay for a little while? I kind of need some company right now."
"I am really sorry Grace, but I have paperwork to sign." she nodded slightly, her body already towards the exit.
"Please..?" he pleaded. he grabbed her wrist tightly.
"I promise It'll be just a short amount of time and then you can go back to your paperwork." he looked up at her, catching a sweet glance from her face.
"Fine."
His face lit up, and hugged her without permission. Stratt's body stiffened, she put her hands on his shoulder.
"I— Dr. Grace!" Stratt's tone bittersweet, before melting into the hug. Her hands patting his back.
Grace couldve sworn he heard a small groan from her, but that wasnt the point! He got time with his boss, that.. he unfortunately has a crush on. As he pulled away he looked apologetic and nervous, "I am so sorry, Stratt I just— it just went over my head I.."
"It's okay." Stratt nodded, still having that soft smile on her.
⋆·˚ ༘ *
After around 15 minutes of conversation talking, Grace seemed to have calmed down. Although, he kept glancing at her when he thinks she isnt looking.
The sunset's light hit her face perfectly, the bright orange tint on her face was beautiful, he thought.
A moment of silence washed over them, it was calm and comforting. They were just sitting down together, side-by-side, watching the sunset.
Stratt, placed her head on Grace's shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist, pulling him closer.
His breath hitched, the blush rushing back to his cheeks. He opened his mouth, then closed it back again.
The sunset matched her auburn, ginger hair, before he knew it, he had his hand on her cheek. Warm, and smooth.
"Uh- Dr. Grace?" She looked up to him, her eyes locked onto his.
"Oh! Um sorry!-" Grace took away his hand, until Stratt put it back where it was.
"No keep it there." Her voice was firm, and demanding, making Grace's knees go weak.
Now.. they were just staring at eachother, the silence becoming a little more awkward every second. Grace couldnt bear it, he leaned in and closed the distanced between them. Their lips inches away from touching, he could feel her breath on his
His lips crashed into hers, a bittersweet coffee taste covered his mouth. His hand was still on her cheek, while his free hand was in her hair.
The kiss didn't really last that long. Maybe a couple seconds or two, but Grace pulled away and his glasses askew. Stratt was blushing slightly, which was a rare sight of her.
"Uh.. so.." Grace started awkwardly, fixing his glasses. "Wow! I mean.. thats.." he was breathing heavily before calming down again. He avoided eye contact with her,
"I should.. go back now, Dr. Grace." Stratt said, in her usual nonchalant tone.
"Yeah!- Yeah!.. Um.. goodluck on the paperwork!" he said, looking at her with a smile before her walking away.
"My god, she's beautiful." he thought.