Chapter 33 Chapter 32

Chapter 33 Chapter 32
© SAFIE
CHAPTER 32
GABE
I was stuck, staring at the door, imagining her body leaning on it on the other side of this room. I wanted to go back and take her in my arms and kiss all her worries away but I can't. I shouldn't. I turn on my heels and resist the temptation of running back to her. With a shake of my head, I walk down the opposite hall, pushing the button for the lift. I entered as it opens, my emotions in disarray as I waited until it descended on the parking lot. I got inside my car and momentarily stared at the space in front of me.
The problem is almost solved.
In a couple of hours, I can finally get my life back on track with my family. I hope Elle will accept my proposal. The thought brought a smile in my lips, I rested my head back, relaxing on my seat. I'm planning on marrying her again, and this time, I'll make sure that she will enjoy every part of it. There will be no rush and no force. It will all be her choice, her decision. If she wanted me to wear a pink tux, I will wear it, as long as she's happy.
It's a very simple desire: to be with her and live the rest of my life with her in my arms. I can't help but feel excited and anxious. She's the only girl I have fallen for. The only girl that made me hope on something as happy as living with a family that loves me back
I just have to get rid of Victoria.
I straighten up on my seat as I remembered why I left the comfort of my family. I had to face my past to assure my future with Elle. It is the only way. Victoria has to be stopped and it has to be now. She has killed Ryan. I tighten my fist on the steering wheel, wanting to lay a punch on Victoria's face for doing that. Ryan was new to these things but isn't stupid. He's been good and reliable; he was the one who suggested that Cherry and Victoria are one.
I put the car in reverse and got out of the parking lot, driven with purpose. My anger is fueling me on to the location where the crime happened. I haven't expected this situation for Victoria wasn't supposed to have a chance against them. I am curious about how such a woman like her, can manage to overpower a guy and kill him. Was it possible that she tried to convince Ryan to free her hands to make her more comfortable? Ryan is gullible and kind; such a charmer like her could trap him.
I turn the corner and sped down the highway, glaring at the sun as it sets in the horizon, casting shadows on the buildings and flats. I was startled when Joe's second-in-command, rung me, "Rico, what is the update?"
'Sir, we are just waiting for your presence. It is of utmost importance that you assess the situation and see how crazy she has become,' there was a rustle in the background before a shriek made me cringe, 'let me go, you fckers! you don't deserve to hold me, you bloody idiots. Get your filthy hands off me!'
'That's for you to hear, Sir, she loves you so much that she begged me to call you.'
'Is that Gabriel? My boo, my sweet little boo - Aaah! gerrooff, oof! Get off me!' slap filtered the air and a shriek answered. I chose to focus on the road as a few moments passed. I can hear a rustle and a huff in the background before Rico speaks, 'Delusional, as I told you. Near the park, sir, just next to the rive by her flat. We need not go so far.'
"Alright, I can see the river now. I'll be there in ten." The call ended with a beep and I huff, a bit torn at how Victoria has worsened. I should have been more responsible. It was partly my fault that Victoria became like this and if Elle did lose the child because of me, she might have ended up just like Victoria. I worry to think about how love can make a person become the best or the worse versions of themselves.
A heart is such a vulnerable thing to affect something as strong as the brain.
My hands are a little bit sweaty as I cut off the engine, my heart beating furiously in my chest. I thought I was prepared to do this but why I am shaking. I was beyond anxious. Rico rushes towards me, waving his hands. I look around, noticing a few of my men hiding behind their cars as a couple of bullets goes off from a gun. I open the door, only to be pushed back by Rico, eyes wide. "She has a fcking knife! Damn those stupid idiots for not searching her before taking her in custody," Rico shrugs a shoulder as he looks at me, "I apologize for the crude language though I can't help but use them at the moment, sir." Rico shakes his head, handling me a vest and a gun. "Best use them. She was quite unpredictable and I believe that waiting for your order was wrong in my part. I should've finished her before I listen to you, asking me to watch Joe. He was the one who asked me to go check on his nephew. Afraid, Imma bit late already to save the lad. He was a good one, but not good enough with likes of her. She's a devil, indeed." I raised an eyebrow at him, not knowing the answer I shall say to such a frank approach. I didn't know that Rico is as bold as Joe described him to be.
"Lint at exactly two o'clock!" The man beside my car shouted as bullets went off. I can see her bobbing up and down, dodging the bullets. I crouch low on the tire of the car and aim, closing one of my eyes. I breathe in and out and pressed the trigger, trusting my father's words, 'Not a bullet must go wasted with the gun on a West's hand.'
Those trips to the forest have not gone wasted after all.
I watch in satisfaction as Victoria collapse on the ground, her feet unable to support her limp body as the firing seize. She staggered, trying to rise from her feet but failing as I shot her other leg. She screams and tried to crawl away; her face contorted with pain. She began pointing the gun at the cars where my men are hiding but she has run out of bullets. With her face showing her frustrations, she screams and hit her fist on the pavement. Rico stands beside me and points the gun at her, "Victoria Lint, I order you to surrender your gun and kneel with your hands on the back of your head."
Victoria groaned as she struggles to kneel, her body shaking. Both of her legs are now injured. I feel an ounce of sympathy but I remember the things she did to ruin me and Elle. She has manipulated us into believing the words that she has uselessly spouted, lies that might have wrecked the happiness I am desperately building. I didn't realize that I was about to pounce on her when I felt Rico's hand on my shoulder, drawing me back.
"Sir, be cautious. She's unstable. She might harm you! We are not sure if she has a knife or-" But I wasn't listening.
I push Rico away and as I did, I raise my hand, aim and shoot. Victoria's scream filled my mind as I stand there, frozen in place, watching her writhe in pain. the satisfaction I felt is not comparable with signing a contract with a new business partner. It was more like winning a million-dollar deal. "Arrgh! Oh...Gabriel," I stare at her as she grabs her shoulder that's now bleeding. Reaching her bloody hand out to me, she continues to speak, "Gabe...you are real! You are here. You're here to redeem me, right? And oh!" She pointed but I just shot her other arm, the bullet going off, echoing as release by the trigger under my fingers. The place was empty and I am thankful for that. The police department has been informed and they are in standby a few yards away, prepared to take over if the need arises.
"Ow..." Victoria moaned before staring at me, "How can you do this my sweet Gabriel, you love me! Why are you doing this to me? Arrgh!" She shakes her head and I was surprised when she has managed to stand up. A couple of clicks made me aware that the guns are pointed at her, ready to fire if she ever tried to hurt me. Victoria looks around, releasing another cackle. Staggering she said, "That Elle bitch has been teaching you a wrong trick, my puppy Gabe! Let me kill her so we can both-"
"No one will be killed but you, Victoria. You are crazy! You have ruined us with your lies, have I not listened to you, Elle won't need to suffer. You almost cost me my boy, Victoria, and you have killed one of my men."
"Elle deserves what I did. She was stupid and weak. So gullible to be manipulated, just like you. I can't believe that you both my lies, though I am a bit disappointed when you have already found out. Such a shame, I was willing to continue with it until I have Elle born her child and I will take him to you and we will leave happily ever after," I shivered at her words, disliking her way of speaking about her plans as though she has recited them for months.
Victoria collapses back on her feet, letting out a scream before groaning, leaning her head back so that she was looking up at the sky. "You don't know what you are saying. You are blinded by your love to me." I snapped at her as she continued to laugh like a maniac, eyes wide open and unblinking, "Yes, Gabriel. I have done all this for you yet look at how you repay me." She closed her eyes and I have to stop myself from showing pity as she desperately tried to stop the blood from flowing.
"Gabe, I love you. I love you so much I can't even understand my feelings anymore. " She leans on her shoulders as she sits up, her eyes sad, "I have loved you from the moment we met. It's your dad! It's all his fault. He spoiled our impending marriage. He snatched you away from me, ruins our future by marrying you to that idiot girl..." She sniffs before continuing, “I never wanted to do that but he provoked me. I have seen him there and he said that he is so happy you ended up with Elle and not me, so I waited for my chance. I let him drink at the party and spend his last moments with the ladies. I trailed him around for weeks then my opportunity came, exactly five months after you married the stupid girl. He was alone you see..." She shakes her head and leans back collapsing on the pavement, laughing.
But I couldn't see her clearly, instead, I am being brought back to the past, my heart thundering as balled my fist, "I killed him you see, made it appear like we are one of the companies he was in contact with but no. Rey has an infatuation with my body and it was easy to convince him to own the blame. I killed that fuckin old man...I killed your dad with my bare hands, pressed the gun on his head and boom! All of those dirty nasty things, so I can be with you. It is all for you, but look, you still don't want me..." She rolls down on the pavement, letting out a louder cry than before.
But it felt like I am not here anymore.
I can see my dad in front of me as he lied down on his office floor, his chest covered with his own blood as his beady eyes stare at the space, lifeless. I can feel the anger and grief boiling inside of me. He was my father and even when he is strict, he has never failed to show me his affection. He loves us dearly to turn his back on us after my mother had died. Her passing has deeply wounded him that it turns him cold. Yet he persisted, demanding the best for us.
I silently stand there, remembering the pain of losing the man I honoured and looked upon. I can feel all of it, the grief, the anger and how unfair it was for Victoria to take his life because she thought that it was her right to do so.
With a groan, I aim the gun and pressed the trigger, turning on my back, not wanting to see Victoria as she writhes in pain. "I never expected that you will be the one to do that. I accused my own wife because I thought she wanted my wealth, but look at you! I mistrusted her because of you. You deserve this. You should even thank me for not killing you quickly...but I hope, you will enjoy death's kiss."
With those words, I commanded the others to pull her up from the pavement and give her a shot of her own medicine. I have already asked Rico to prepare something that will kill her slowly and painfully while she remembers the past as it has the property to make her hallucinate.
Her shouts filled the area as she struggled, "Gabriel..."
"Gabriel, save me---ugh, let go! Gabriel...." Rico tilted her head as he prepared to pour the content on her mouth. "Ah! no, please don't. Gabriel!"
I turn only to see her crawling towards me, her hands wide open as she struggles. "Gabri---"
But she didn't have the chance to finish her sentence as she collapses down on the pavement, blood pouring out the bullet wound on the side of her skull.
A quick death. I shake my head at Rico as he lowered his gun.
"What did I say about finishing her off?" I snap at him but he sighs, focusing his gaze down on his shoes, "I'm sorry, sir. I got carried away. You must see that she's got a knife. She will aim-" I lay my hand on his shoulder and squeeze. "What's done is done. Just take care of her body and inform her parents about it. I will attend to my family now. I might also check on Taylor tomorrow and about Ryan," I sigh before letting my hand fall away from his shoulder, "Don't tell Joe, yet. It will crush him. I can't afford to lose another one of you now..." He nods at me, jaw tightly clenched as he gives me a bow. “I will tell him once I visit. Now is not the right time for it." Rico nodded his head, turning around.
He pulled the lifeless body of Victoria to a makeshift bed carried by two of my men. I didn't dare to accompany them as they went away, opposite from where I'm heading to.
I bit my lip as I stand there, hearing the faint sound of the engine from their car as they speed down the road. I felt as though I am in peace now.
I feel safe now.
Victoria is dead. She's gone. She's not going to bother me or my family again. She is another thing that should be ticked off from my problem. Now it is clear, I already know who really killed my father. I never expect it that Victoria can do it but love forces people to do crazy things. And this is one of them.
I tilt my head and stare back at my car. With a sigh, I unlock it and got in. I put the car on the reverse before speeding down the way I have gone before.
As the building blur on my sides, I can't help but reminisce the things that happen. From my wedding to the disastrous honeymoon, my Father's death, the way I devoted myself to the company, focusing on the prosperity of my relationship with Elle.
I guess, the most confusing and complicated type of relationship is what we had but we are about to have a chance in a simple, peaceful and happy life again. Though with a few bumps here and there, I know that we can make it through for the problems we've faced made us stronger.
In just a couple of minutes, I will be with them...
I can see the flat not too far away from where I'm at. I push down on the gas and switch my gear to 3, making the car go faster as I headed to my destination.
7 minutes...
I swerve on the right to advance from the blue Chevy and grin, proud of myself. I can easily pass the fast and furious test if I auditioned. I wonder, if I pay them high enough, will they take me in? But then, the media will have a field day once I do that.
5 minutes...
I can feel my face splitting in a wide grin. I'm coming home, my wife and son. Daddy is coming home, Carlos Jacob. I am coming home to you both.
2 minutes...
I tap the small box containing the ring on my left pocket keeping it safe and tuck on my chest, feeling my heartbeat quicken as I think about the things I will say later.
I am momentarily distracted that as I look upon the road, I swerve back on my track as a truck passed through, almost hitting me
60 seconds...
I sigh. I could've died if it happens to be that I have collided with the truck. I'm so close to the apartment now, two vehicles away I guess. I'm that close...
30 se---
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