Chapter 31

© S A F I E

CHAPTER 31

GABRIEL

I lean my back on my seat and look in front of me. It was mid-afternoon and the jam is horrible. I'll be lucky to reach Elle's flat just before quarter to 3. I massage my forehead and sigh, not believing the misfortune that has dawned.

Victoria Lint, the only heir to the Lint industry, was driven crazy of our separation three years ago. She was my best friend, a brilliant lady who loves to play with people's feeling and bully them. Victoria was my ally and I am afraid, I became bad because of her influence. Though my father did not approve her; he disliked her for she was spoiled and refuse to listen to her parents. She was a devil but I have fallen for her, or was it just an infatuation? A playground love story? I haven't realised that Victoria can be worse than she was before.

When my father decided that I should marry Elle, Victoria has resulted in self - harm. She used drugs and abused herself, going to bars and overdosing. By the time she was to finish her medical studies, she was in worse shape and I have to avoid her for a couple of months because every time she sees me, she will start to beg on her knees and involve media in her dramas. Her parents decided to put her under a therapy that includes various activities to entertain her and keep her from depression. But the therapy did not succeed, it changed her, making her more horrible than she was before. She escaped the shrink appointed by dressing up as one of them, with the assistance of her fellow friends who believes that she deserves me as her husband. She has managed to fool the authorities, went back to Miami to threaten her parents on giving information about her whereabouts and finally succeeding on working at the hospital where Elle has been admitted at.

I can't believe that Victoria was that talented; that she chose to use her gifts on doing evil deeds, not caring about who will be harmed or suffer because she only care about herself. I pity Mr. and Mrs. Lint as they talk me to forgiving their daughter, to have her locked away instead of ending her life. I favoured doing otherwise as I left them, apologizing of what I might do to their daughter. I care more about my family than theirs and I have to risk having her killed than have her wreck my life again.

I bit my lip and step on the pedal, turning the car and speeding away. The haze is worse as I went down the street, wanting nothing but to return to Elle and have her in my arms before I deal with Victoria. I need her comfort, her caresses and sweet words; she is my sanctuary now that I've found peace with her. I arrived at her flat, parked my car and got out of the door. The trip to the lobby was swift and Rico greets me as I got out of the lift.

"You may leave now. Stay by Taylor's side, Joe Taylor, alright?" Rico nodded his head and smiled at me as he pushes the lift and it closes on him. I headed for their room, a bit disconcerted. It's been months since I've been here.

I notice the toys sprawled on the floor, Jacob's flannel on the back of the chair and a couple of books by the table. I scratch the back of my head, hating the fact that I felt unfamiliar with my surroundings. I went for the hall, pushing open the door to their room. Elle was asleep while Jacob throw his fist in the air and focused his gaze at me. He lets out a sharp cry, waking his mom. Elle took him in her arms with a winced as she sits up, surprised to see me, "Gabriel."

"Elle," I gave her a smile, walking towards her. Elle gave me a serene smile as she caressed Jacob's cheek, making him stop. Jacob curiously peered and I smirked, poking his cheek. He turns his head on Elle's chest and fisted her clothes, hiding his face. " Oh, Gabriel," Elle captured me in a one-sided hug, leaning closer. Jacob tried to push me with his little hands and I chuckled, poking his other cheek.

"He's got an attitude." Elle shakes her head, smirking at me as she replied "Your attitude." I raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled, rising up from the bed, "Where are you going?"

"I am going to run him a bath and make him sleep. I already changed his cloth but he appears to be a bit tense with all that has happened," Elle kissed Jacob's forehead but he just bawled, crying on her shoulders as he held unto her, his little fist clinging to her clothes. "Are you sure you are fine with carrying him? Your shoulder might bleed." I worriedly look at her shoulder and noticed that it was actually my shirt she's wearing. Elle gave a slight wince as Jacob pushes himself up and cling tighter to him.

"Allow me to help you. I kind of missed giving him some pampering. Let me," it was Elle's turn now to raise an eyebrow at my direction as she headed inside the bathroom, choosing not to appear bothered by her shoulder wound.

I can hear the water flowing from the tap and down to the tub while Elle mimick's a seal, making Jacob laugh. She blew raspberries and clap her hands, the actions earning squeals from Jacob. I take his bath towel and headed in the bathroom, not prepared of the scene I will witness as I see Jacob splashing around in his bath seat. Elle's shirt was now soaked and her wound appears to need another dressing. I hand the towel on the hinge and ask, "What should I do?"

Elle turns at me, her face twisted, "Does your wound hurt? I told you that you shouldn't strain yourself," Elle shakes her head, giving me the soap and scrub. I approach Jacob, slowly rubbing the soap on his skin and scrubbing him. He giggled as I wash his back and his face. "He loves his bath," I smiled at Elle, scrubbing Jacob's legs and inclining his seat so I can rinse him. I take Jacob by his armpit and he flayed around, splashing water everywhere, "Uhmm," Elle shakes her head as she takes the towel and recon for me to give her Jacob.

Reluctantly, I gave her Jacob and watch as she cringed of the pain, "Elle, I told you that-"

"Gabe, don't sweat it," she hugs Jacob, soothing his back as he cried for the bath, "I'm fine. I'm just going to change him and put him to sleep." I nodded at her, guiding her inside Jacob's room. She passed me Jacob and he gurgled, looking up at me with wide blue eyes. I watch Elle as she selected some onesies, grab some nappies and put them next to the changing table. I laid Jacob down on his back and Elle blew raspberries on his chest, drying his head before pulling the nappies on. She swiftly dressed him in his onesies and I exit the room, knowing that she would need to feed him.

I went back to her room and notice the canvasses covered with a white cloth, I peered beneath it and saw a painting of a baby, "You've seen it," I turn around to see Elle, leaning by the threshold. She gave me an amused look, her eyes drowsy. I made my way to her and take her in my arms, "I missed you."

"I missed you too, Gabe," I don't know if I just imagine it or something but I'm pretty sure that I saw the longing on her eyes, and the tone of her voice is making me feel guilty as hell. Her other hand grabs my shirt as she pushes herself up on her toes, making our lips collide.

The kiss is full of emotions; Relief, longing, guilt and is that, love?

She pulls away making me catch my breath unprepared when she wraps her arms around me, catching me off guard. I watch as she rises on her toes to kiss my cheek again. "Okay-?" I put my hand over her shoulders both of her shoulders and lean in to smack my lips on hers. Her cheeks flare that she tried to bury it on her curtain of hair.

"Elle. Hey, don't hide from me, love. " I pull her chin up, making her look at me with her wide green eyes full of embarrassment.

"Gabe" I interrupt her by putting my index finger on top of her lip.

"No, Elle. Look, let me speak first. I was such a jerk for rejecting such beauty like you from the start. I'm an idiot, stupefied fool, engaged in business and hate not realizing the gift that was presented in front of me. I am a git, a cow. Call me anything you want, but please, give me-"

"Yeah,"

"What?" I'm dumbstruck when she pushes herself up again and kiss me. I lean in closer, enjoying the feeling of her bare shoulders under the palm of my hand. She moaned on my lips and I groan, thankful that she was here. She pulls away and I open my eyes, confused.

Her eyes were glistening with tears as she speaks, "Yes, you're a stupid ignorant jerk but you've changed." She leans her head down on my chest, "I thought that we won't be together anymore but look at you, you are not the monster I thought you were. I'm just so selfish to admit the fact that I am also at fault why this happened. Forgive me, Gabriel. I shouldn't have acted like a bitch, by not caring about your feelings for I have refused the sincerity that you provided me." She wipes her tears, and I pat her back, leaning my head over hers, careful not to put it over her wound.

"It is alright. I partly deserve your hate. It was I who left you alone during your vulnerable times." I take her hand and put it on my chest, "But know that even if you continue hating me, I will be persistent in showing you what I feel, for I have learned to love you even if I swore that I won't, from the start. It appears that I have been eaten by my own words," I rolled my eyes and she laughs, pushing her hair back. I notice the bracelet on her wrist and remembered my letter. Elle closely watch me as I take the bracelet from her, taking the piece of paper from inside, " What is it?" I gave the paper to her and shrug.

"It was the letter I left you when you were unconscious. It was meant for you to find but I think the emotional stress I brought you have decreased your tendency to be curious. Such a shame." she hits my shoulder with her fist before she began to read, taking a seat on the bed, "Golden gate bridge? The bus incident, seventh year?"

I nodded and she shakes her head, "You are such a stupid boy, then. If you weren't so arrogant, you won't end up lying on your back after I throw the slime on your way. I noticed that you are not fond of looking where you are going." I rolled my eyes and she giggled. I sat next to her and take the paper, looking at her in the eye, "Elle, don't you remember? You are the reason why both of us are asked to go down the bus and wait for our personal drivers. I can recall Joe giving me a high five after I raise my hand under your skirt, making it fly. The whole bus is screaming and I saw your-"

Elle dives down to cover my mouth as she scream, "Shut it, Gabriel! I don't want to hear about it." I shake my head at her, relishing the way she blushes and hides her face under her hair. My gaze went down to see her shoulders bleeding and I take her arm, "Let's get that changed. Where's your kit?" she pales for a second before muttering, "In the bathroom, by the cupboard above the sink."

I left her there, leaning on the pillows as I retrieve the kit from the bathroom, returning afterwards to a much paler Elle. "Hey, it's alright. I'm just going to change the gauze. Have they given you some antibiotics?" She nodded her head and I began working on her, removing her shirt and leaving her with her bras. My eyes stayed on the sight of her plump breast, the heat coming down on my nether regions. Elle cleared her throat and I smirked as I see her blushing. I wipe the sides of the gauze with an antiseptic so it won't hurt when I remove it, Elle hissing in pain. I wipe the wound with antiseptic, careful not to pull on her stitches as I clean the blood. "How did you get so good at this?" I raised an eyebrow at her, answering, "I have to know basic first aid especially when all I rely with is myself when trouble comes. Being a billionaire has its downfalls too, I can't appear in the hospital wounded, I have to be treated at home to contain the media."

She nodded her head and hissed as I put the dressing over her wound, "Gabriel," I finish dressing her wound and I raise to my feet. Elle leans her head on my stomach as she hugs me, "I am so sorry. I never wanted to be separated from you that's why it hurts me when you send those papers. Right after Jacob is born, you surrendered to me and tried to be the husband I wanted. I thought it was just an act, another one of your schemes. I thought because I'm like this, you will get tired eventually and leave but now I realize, you really love us and you are willing to be a father to him... "

"Shh, it's okay now." I sighed, smoothing my hand down on her hair. I have never expected her to say this much. I guess, she really appreciated my kindness at her.

I hug me one before she pulls away from me. She lied down on the bed, her hands beckoning me over. I put the kit down on the carpet and settled next to her. She rested her head on my arms and looks at me, I gave her a kiss. “You love me, right?” She asked so suddenly that I shake my head, making her frown I let out a chuckle. “Very much, of course. I love you so much.” I hug her close and was startled when my phone buzz on my pocket.

I look at Elle and her eyes made me want to ignore the phone. Reluctantly, I reached out and pull it from my pocket. I stared at the screen, not believing; y jaw tightens as I read the message. I pull my arms from under her head and got off the bed, my body tense. "I need to go...I'll explain everything to you later."

"What? No!" She gripped my shirt and pulled me back. "I won't let you leave, Gabriel. What is it that you cannot tell me now?" Her eyes look so broken that I lean down, putting my hands on the sides of her face.

"Hey.” I caress her cheek, “Don't worry, I won't leave you for no reason. I just need to attend to something very important. I'll see you later, okay?” I straighten up and pat her head, turning away from her. I went out of the hall and headed for the threshold, my heart heavy. I can hear her softly following me. I grab the knob, turning it--"Please," She pulls my hand and stared at me with those vivid green eyes, "Don't leave. Please, I had a bad feeling that you won't come back...Don't leave us, Gabriel"

I purse my lips and look back at her, trying not to think like her, "Don't put it like that, love. You, begging like this, makes it much harder to leave. I'll be back sooner than you can blink. "

"No, please." She takes my arm as she cried, whispering, “I don’t want you to leave. This is wrong. I feel uneasy, please. Take me with you instead," She insisted, her tone desperate. I step closer and gave her a gentle smile. I pull her chin up, "I assure you, love, I won't run away. I'll be back sooner than you think, okay? Sleep while I am away. This is important, please understand..."

"How will I understand if you won't tell me the reason? " I sigh, running my hands on my hair. Elle stands next to me, as stubborn as ever that I have this sudden urge to carry her in my shoulders and tie her down on the bed. I do not want to worry her by saying the reason behind but I think, informing her would be better than keeping secrets from her. we have made a promise: No more secrets.

"Elle," I began, staring straight into her eyes and taking her hand to assure her that I am telling the truth. "Victoria has escaped and she has killed Ryan. Did you hear me? She killed Taylor's nephew. Victoria is in a killing spree and I don't want any harm to dawn on you or Jacob. I don't want anything to happened to the both of you. She leaves me with no choice and I think, I have to deliver the act myself. " I pull her into my arms and kiss her forehead "We will have all the time in the world as soon as I'm finish with Victoria," I smile and caress her cheek. "I'll be back soon, love."

With that, I pull away from her and turn, looking at her as she said, "Be safe..."

And I know then, as I take a step out of the door and leave her, I have a great deal of my future waiting for my past to be done.

All I have to do is to get rid of it. Or rather her.

계속