Chapter Ninety Nine

Chapter Ninety Nine
Gabriel
Two months later
I was officially twenty-nine years old today, and... funny enough, it was Arian’s birthday too. I had always celebrated my birthdays with Gabi, but that wasn’t the case this year or in the years to come.

I had initially refused to join our family party this year, preferring to celebrate alone with Arian, but after so much pleading from my parents I agreed to do it for their sake.

My divorce was finalized last month and my marriage with Lucille was absolutely dissolved by the judge. I settled her with a sum of five million as alimony and I told her that would be the last time she’d get a dime from me. She agreed and we went our separate ways outside the court, never to cross paths again.

I was busy knotting my tie when Mom walked into the room and I turned to look at her. There was a melancholic look on her face that I knew was not supposed to be there on a day such as this, but if I knew my mother... she was probably sad about the situation with Gabi and trying to guilt-trip me into giving in and forgiving my sister.

“Why do you look sad, Mom?” I asked. “It’s a happy day. Your son and his girlfriend are both twenty-nine today.”

“You mean you and your twin sister, right?” she said.

“Who’s that?” I feigned ignorance.

“Don’t play games with me, Gabriel,” she said. “Isn’t it time to end this fight?”

“I didn’t start it, Mother. Your daughter did,” I replied. “She’s to blame for what’s happening right now.”

“And she’s been asking you for forgiveness, but you’ve refused to forgive her,” she reminded me. “What she did was absolutely wrong and I don’t condone it, but she was only looking out for you.”

I threw my head back and let out a beleaguered sigh. I was starting to regret saying yes to this party. I would have been absolutely fine going out with my girlfriend and just having sex at the end of the day... all night long.

“Gabriel? Say something,” she coaxed.

“What do you want me to say, Mother?” I snapped. “Can you please let me enjoy this... party without you breathing down my neck about your daughter? She made her choice and she must live with it... just like I made mine.”

“She’s your twin sister!”

“Well, she should have thought of that before she stabbed me in the back!” I bellowed. “Why are you so inconsiderate about my feelings, Mom? Is it because I’m a man, that’s why you think I can’t get hurt? Men can take whatever women dish to them without getting their feelings hurt. Is that it?!”

“Of course not!”

“I’m sorry, but that was how it was implied.” I turned my back to her. “I want to finish dressing so I can go to my girlfriend’s suite. Thank you for ruining my day with this conversation, Mother.”

I thought she huffed or sniffed—I didn’t care to find out—and I waited for her to leave the room before I yanked off my tie, stripped out of the outfit she’d chosen for me, then returned to the walk-in closet to choose another outfit. I settled on a navy-blue suit, white shirt sans tie, and I dressed quickly before my father could corner me next.

I exited my room, pocketing one of the gifts I’d gotten for Arian, and made my way to the west wing of the hotel where she was lodged. We had decided to celebrate at Vital Comforts Hotel & Suites since I hadn’t wanted to celebrate my birthday in the house I’d grown up in — it would have seemed too intimate.

I reached Arian’s suite and knocked, waited for her reply, then walked into the room and shut the door behind me. I was enthralled by the beauty standing in front of the dressing mirror; my jaw dropped open in awe. She was dressed in an off-white foil-printed taffeta silk gown — off-shoulder.

Her hair was piled in a loose bun at the crown of her head while a few curly strands caressed both sides of her face, and I was thankful her makeup was minimal. I loathed too much makeup on a woman’s face.

“How do I look?” her voice wavered with nervousness.

“You look like a goddess,” I breathed, crossing the room to meet her. “I have a gift for you. Well, several gifts, but I wanted to give this to you now.” I took the box from my pocket and handed it to her.

“Is this...” She suddenly looked horrified.

“No, it wasn’t what you thought.” I rolled my eyes. “That’ll be for when you’re ready. I might even let you propose to me. This box was bigger and longer than a ring box.”

She chuckled nervously and took the box from me. She hesitated for a moment before opening it and let out a loud gasp. Inside was a sterling-silver diamond infinity heart necklace, and beside it a matching pair of earrings which I took out and helped her put on, including the necklace.

“Gesù Cristo, sei così fottutamente bello,” I said in a reverent tone, cupping her face. “Ti amo tanto.” I kissed her passionately, then pulled back to smile lovingly. “Happy birthday to you, my love.”

“Happy birthday to you too, Gabriel,” she replied in a hoarse voice. “I have something to tell you.”

The door opening behind us interrupted whatever she was about to say and we both turned to see who the intruder was. It was Lucille, dressed in a red silk gown, lips painted blood red, shoes red — but she wore a wig.

I found it rather stupid of her to think I wouldn’t recognize her disguise, but I fought the urge to mock her when I saw the dangerous glint in her eyes.

“What are you doing here, Lu? You aren’t on the guest list,” I said.

She walked into the room and shut the door. “My plus one is,” she informed me. “I wasn’t here to chit-chat with you, Gabriel Cruz.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a gun, which made Arian suck in a sharp breath. “I’m here to kill you.”