Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 139

Get it together, Grace

Grace

The cough came out of nowhere.

One second I was fine, the next, my throat burned and I was choking on air, coughing so hard I could barely breathe.

“God, Grace, are you okay?” Mr. Reed’s voice sounded alarmed, but I couldn’t answer.

I tried to nod, to wave him off, but another violent cough tore out of me. My eyes watered. Without thinking twice, I grabbed the glass of wine on the table and downed it in one go. The liquid burned its way down my throat, harsh but oddly helpful. I forced it down, swallowing hard until the fit subsided.

Finally, I caught my breath, panting lightly as my chest rose and fell. As I wiped at my mouth with the back of my hand, I realized everyone around was staring. Great. That was totally not embarrassing at all. My lips felt sticky, and I glanced around for something to wipe them with. Before I could die of secondhand shame, a soft voice said, Here you go, ma’am.”

I looked up, a woman was holding out a handkerchief, smiling politely. I reached for it automatically. “T–thank

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I froze.

Her face. I knew that face. It took a second for my brain to process, but when it did, I gasped. “You…you’re the waitress from the cafe.”

The woman gave a small, knowing smile. Before I could say anything else, Mr. Reed chuckled.

“Oh, right,” he said casually. “She was the one who sold you the drinks and cake that day. I’m actually the owner of the café.”

My mouth fell open. “You’re… the owner?”

What was happening?

The richest man in the country owned a small café? Why would he even need one?

He clapped his hands together suddenly, like a man struck by divine inspiration. “Tell you what, Grace, do you want the café as a wedding gift?”

I choked again. “W–what?”

He looked thoughtful. “Oh, wait, no. That’s too small for my daughter–in–law. How about a shopping mall instead? Or, hmm, maybe I should build a PR company for you. That would make more sense with your career. Or would you prefer a mansion, tucked away near the coast, or ”

“Adam!” I hissed, grabbing his hand in panic before he could offer me a city block.

He blinked at me, brows lifting. “Yes?” he said, completely clueless.

I shook my head quickly, glancing around at the crowd staring at us, phones probably halfway out already. “Please … not in this place,” I muttered under my breath.

He tilted his head, thoughtful again. “Ah, you’re right. We should talk about this in a better, safer place.”

I wanted to faint. That was not what I meant. Daughter–in–law? Did he just say daughter–in–law?

No way. The son he wanted to introduce me to couldn’t possibly be Apollo. Could it? My pulse spiked. There was no way… right? But knowing my luck, it probably was.

1/3

Det it together. Omge

+25 Bonus

No, Grace. There are better women, women from good families, he could choose for his son. Why would he ever choose a simple, working–class girl like me?

The more time passed, the more I realized something was wrong with me.

At first, it was just a slight dizziness, a ringing in my ears. But then my heartbeat started racing fast, pounding against my ribs.

My vision blurred for a second, strange heat crawling up my neck, sweat breaking out along my hairline. My throat went dry, my breaths too quick.

What was happening to me?

Why did I feel like my whole body was on fire?

“Grace,” Adam’s voice sounded distant, like he was speaking underwater. “Grace, are you okay?”

I blinked, trying to focus on him, but his face swam in and out of view. I could barely make out the worry in his eyes. His mouth kept moving, but all I could hear was the ringing.

It wasn’t until his hand closed around mine that I snapped back. The warmth of his touch pulled me out of whatever fog I was in.

“Grace,” he repeated, concern etched across his face. “Are you okay? What happened? You’re sweating.”

I swallowed hard, trying to force my voice out even though my lips felt numb. “T–there’s nothing wrong,” I managed, forcing a weak smile. “Please excuse me, I have to use the restroom.”

He studied me closely, not convinced. “You should let Quinn follow you—”

I shook my head quickly, cutting him off. “There’s no need. I can go on my own. It’s close.”

He didn’t like that, I could tell. His jaw tensed, but after a moment, he exhaled. “Fine. Be careful, Grace. I’ll wait for you here.”

I nodded, murmured a quick “Thank you, Adam,” and turned away.

The moment I started walking, the world tilted slightly. My heels felt too heavy, the floor unsteady beneath my feet. I tried to straighten up, and walk normally, but everything around me was beginning to blur. I couldn’t make a scene here, not after how much effort everyone had put into this event.

By the time I reached the restroom, I was panting, my hands trembling. I shut the door behind me and stumbled to the sink, gripping the counter for support.

When I finally looked in the mirror, I froze.

My face was flushed, my pupils blown wide, a faint tremorunning through my fingers. My lips looked redder than before. My chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths

My whole body felt hot, and aching. A chill ran down my spine, and my lower body throbbed with an unfamiliar tension that made me clench my jaw, and I panicked even more.

I turned on the tap and splashed cold water on my face, again and again, hoping it would cool me down, and calm the heat crawling under my skin.

“Get it together, Grace,” I whispered to myself, slapping my cheeks lightly. “Get it together.”

A voice behind me said softly, almost mockingly,

“Yes, get it together, Grace.”

2/3

Get it together, Grace

+25 Bonus

I froze.

My heart skipped a beat as I turned sharply toward the sound. Piper stood behind me, her arms crossed, a faint smirk on her lips.

“Piper?” I whispered.

My gaze flicked past her, and my stomach dropped.

Jackson from Sales was standing just behind her, and next to him was Landon.

All three of them were staring at me.

Confusion and fear tangled in my chest. My pulse pounded in my ears as I took a step back.

Something was very, very wrong

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