"I booked the first available flight which leaves early in the morning" Marina said sitting in between Erica and Mercy
"I wish we could spend more time here" Mercy said sulking
"It's a rare opportunity to be to such a luxurious island" Erica chipped in
"I'm sorry I'm putting you girls up to this besides I have no choice at the moment but I promise to treat you guys to a nice vacation as soon as all this is over besides Mercy I still need you to use this opportunity to get closer to Gabriel while I try to get Jason and Gabriel to forgive me"! Marina said while throwing some heels into her suit case
"Marina"! Erica called looking at her in surprise "this isn't the best time to think about this silly game you both are playing besides Mercy has a boyfriend"! Erica said with an agitated tone
"And what if she has a boyfriend? I just want my brother to forget about that girl, I don't care if she's Jason's baby sister or not, think about it, I already did a lot of unforgivable things to that girl, even if I ask for her forgiveness, she will end up carrying out her revenge on me, and I can't let that happen, the best way is to keep her out Gabriel's life for good" Marina said with her hands on her hips as she starred at Erica
"You owe Gabby an apology" Erica said fiddling with her phone
"I don't owe a commoner and a snitch an apology, she isn't my problem right now Erica all I want is to get back with Jason" Marina said feeling annoyed
"Get back with Jason when you ruined his only sisters life same way you ruined Gabe's" Erica thundered
"What do you mean by that"? Marina asked looking at Erica with anger in her eyes
"C'mon Marina don't act as if you did nothing, you never wanted Gabby to be with Gabe cause of the fact that she's a 'commoner' and now you want to get back with her brother? what makes you think she would allow such? what makes you think Jason would ever forgive you? you think keeping her away from Gabe would guarantee you being free from her revenge is she planned any, besides don't forget that Jason is still her older brother"! Erica fired angrily at Marina, her outburst angered Marina, that she lost control of herself
"How dare you speak to me in such manner huh"? Marina asked angrily getting to her feet
"Why not? It's not like you would do anything if I did"! Erica said in a calm angered tone
"tshhhhsh" Marina sighed rolling her eyes
"C'mon Erica! don't pick up a fight with Marina okay moreover she needs us right now" Mercy nervously pleaded with Erica who turned her gaze sharply towards her
"Us"? she asked starring at Mercy "she needs you right now not us, I tried to warn you two to be careful on how you treats Gabby, I did so many times but you two would never give me a listening ear and now what did you gain nothing rather you lost your brother whom you never considered his happiness and Jason whom you're in love with; tshh! who would have known that Jason has a younger sister who happens to be your biggest problem huh? you wanted turning her into a slave like you did to others but what did you get in return Marina"?!! Erica asked angrily at the top of her voice, leaving Marina stunned
"You..." Marina wanted to speak but was short of words, she sighed deeply and walked out angrily, Mercy ran after her
★★★★★★★★
Meanwhile Jason was busy with his laptop and didn't notice Gabby's mood for a while during the long flight
"could you please pass the water beside you sis" he asked still concentrating on his laptop but Gabby on the other hand was lost in thought and didn't even hear Jason talk, Jason after waiting for a while and didn't get the water spoke again "I asked you to give me..." he said turning to Gabby but held back his words on noticing her mood, he quietly closed his laptop and moved closer to her
"What's up with you"? he asked holding her palms in his while Gabby sighed deeply slowly opening her eyes which were closed earlier
"How do you think he's gonna feel"? she asked looking at him
"He's definitely gonna feel bad and depressed just like I felt when you called me a stalker" Jason said smiling leaving Gabby to giggled
"come off it this is different" she said
"I know but when you want something you have to fight to achieve that goal just like I did" Jason said
"what did you do" she asked quizzically looking at him
"I never told you or anyone this except my foster mom who knew all along but I'm done with school and I handle my dad's business back home and overseas but to get to know my sister better and get closer to her I had to make out time and also had to take the risk of going back to high school" Jason said looking at her face, Gabby's jaw dropped in surprise, she was surprised to hear this, she blinked her eyes curiously
"What?! Are you being serious right now"? she asked releasing a slight chuckle
"off course I am and Australia is where I base" Jason said
"wait!! so you're bringing me to your house? like your house"? Gabby asked starring at his face
"Hummm" he said nodding
"oh my god! you should have said something" Gabby said rolling her eyes
"I was going to give it to you as a surprise but seeing you like this breaks my heart" Jason said smiling warmly
"what about Marina? what plans do you have for her"? Gabby asked but the smile on Jason's face disappeared
"I don't know, I loved her though I never showed it that much, she loves me too I know but seeing how she treated you, the horrible things she meted on you because you weren't her class which she will stop now because you are my sister but what if you weren't my sister you would have still experience more suffering in her hands, why? because of money? being born with a silver or golden spoon doesn't make you the best you know? it's being born with the ability to understand how other people feel about the the things you do and how far that thing takes you. I don't just know what to do with her right now but I must say I can't build a relationship with her anymore"!! his word was emotional but serious, Gabby was stunned for a while but then she regained her composure and said
"Look Jason I know she wasn't the kind of girl you expected her to be but why don't you give her another chance"? she pleaded looking at Jason
"You know one thing about you Gabby is that you're so nice and that's why it's seems like you're being used but let me tell you one thing right now, not everything you desire you get, sometimes try to let go off that thing you desire then you're gonna realize that if you hadn't let it go off it, then it could've hurt you beyond your expectations" Jason said and paused, his word brought a seal to Gabby's lips causing her to go dumb for a while "look Gabby"! he continued "Marina hurt you and must pay for it, I promise you that" he said and went back to his laptop, Gabby said nothing but only a few thoughts in her mind "yes it's true Marina hurt me, but I don't want to be the reason she's separated from my brother but on the other hand I don't care for now cause, I was a girl she never wanted for her brother but now I'm going to become a girl she would yawn for her brother to have" wait and see she thought to herself.
The next day Marina and her friends arrived back in the city though not in good terms with Erica but will always have Mercy's support. On getting home she met no one except for the maids and Gabe who was up in his room and wouldn't talk to anyone, so she quietly walked up to her room and made some calls
"what he left the city"?? she asked the person on the other end
"yes ma'am" the person on the other end said
"Have you any idea were he went"? Marina asked
"Sorry ma'am but I definitely don't have any idea and he left with a girl in a private jet" he explained
"I see" Marina said and hanged up the call "what do I do now"? she thought
Meanwhile Erica on arriving back had a business trip as she already handles her own company like Nina who owns a Gallery museum where she models photos of different kinds, so she left not up to thirty minutes of arriving back to the city. Gabe fruitlessly searched for Gabriella in the city almost everyday but couldn't find her, the school resumption was just few weeks away and he's already lost a lot of weight, he was depressed that he seldom ate, his mom was really worried,she tried to get in touch with Gabriella but it was fruitless as well, she made up her mind to pay Mrs Madison a visit, she sent her mail requesting to share coffee with her in person, Madison honored the invitation without hesitation
"I'm Mrs Morris" Lilian introduced herself
"Madison" she replied smiling
"I'm glad you spared me your time, I'm greatly honored" Liliana said smiling ushering Madison to a seat
"It's my pleasure, besides it's been a while I had coffee with someone aside work" Madison said smiling
"Ouch that must be boring right"? Liliana asked a little touched
"Of course it is, nice coffee" Madison complimented
"Thanks, this is Jamaica blue mountain ground coffee, it was given to me by my mother-in-law" Liliana said smiling
"Oh! its really nice" Madison said smiling broadly
"Only a limited amount of Blue Mountain coffee beans is produced yearly, I could send them to you whenever I receive mine" Liliana said
"Oh thank you, that would be really sweet of you" Madison replied
"I need your help" Liliana said nervously looking at Madison who paused for a while before looking at her
"I know what you want, but it's confidential" Madison sighed and said
"Please you have to tell me, I need to know where she is, I can't bear to see him like this anymore, he would neither eat nor drink, I know you're doing this for your son but consider Gabriel as your son as well" Liliana pleaded almost in tears, Madison was touched to see her like this, she sighed and looked away for a while
"I will give his address only because you've been nice, but you must promise me one thing" Madison said
"Anything" Liliana replied
"Don't force her to come with you, she returns whenever she wants, after all she needs some space" Madison requested and Liliana nodded in agreement
"Sure I'm willing to do it" she replied nodding, Madison gave her Jason's address and left after a few chat.
Two days after, with Jason out, Gabby was alone watching a TV show when a light knock came on the door, she hurriedly sprang to her feet, thinking it was the delivery guy, she ordered for a box of pizza earlier, she quickly opened the door without looking through the door hole
"That took you so..." she was stunned, right in front of her stood Mrs Morris, Gabriel's Mom, her eyes widened in surprise as Mrs Morris smiled at her, she nervously smiled faintly at her "Aunt"! she mustard up courage and said
"How have you been"? Liliana asked smiling at her, Gabriella felt uneasy, she had expected Liliana to be annoyed with her but her current expression was different, she was smiling at her and even asked how she was doing? Gabby was shocked, she ushered her in and nervously sat opposite her after offering her a cup of coffee
"What are you doing here aunt"! Gabby asked as she sat
"Surprised to see me"? Liliana asked calmly
"Of course yeah"! Gabby replied "I almost forgot for a while that no matter how far I go, you will always find me" Gabby said and smiled wearily
"Are you still mad at him"? Liliana asked anxiously looking her
"No! no! not all, I swear I'm not mad at him anymore"! Gabby stuttered quickly as she shoke her head and continued "I just need some time to myself"
"It's been three weeks Gabby now my dear, I beg u a mother to please see him one last time and I promise I won't bother you again" Liliana pleaded holding Gabby's hand in her's, Gabby was moved, she knows quite well Liliana cares so much about Gabriel, she looked at her for a while and nodded
"Okay"! Gabby said smiling faintly
"Thank you so much Gabby, I knew I could count on you" Liliana said smiling happily. Jason returned from work that day and Gabby told him about Liliana's visit and her decision, Jason agreed to take her back home to see him, two days after Liliana's visit, Gabby and Jason returned home, their parents was surprised to see then back so soon but they assured them a was well, the next day, Jason and Gabby followed their mom to the restaurant, Gabby was in the office with her mom while Jason kept himself busy by assisting the workers in washing dishes when Gabriel approached him and leaned on the kitchen cabin, he was making fun of Jason by mocking him calmly but as ususual Jason was calm, he didn't want to create commotions at his mom's restaurant so he spoke in a calm voice. Gabriel had walked into the restaurant and ordered for a cup of coffee, he didn't realize the restaurant belonged to Racheal, Gabby's mom, he raised his head to take a sip and caught the sight of Jason, he was stunned, he quickly up to him without hesitations
"Didn't know you worked here huh"? Gabe asked in a mocking, calm tone while looking around, Jason was surprised he wasn't expecting to see him at the restaurant, was he stalking them? he thought
"what are you doing here? Are you by any chance stalking me"? Jason asked looking at Gabe's face
"That doesn't answer my question" Gabe voiced
"Why should I answer to you man"? Jason asked
"I thought you were freaking rich man"? Gabe asked and chuckled
"I don't know what brought you here but you gotta leave"! Jason requested calmly, he didn't want to get pissed by Gabriel's attitude
"Where is she"? Gabriel asked but Jason ignored him "I know you're trying to keep her away from me" he continued "why are you doing this? having your parents move out of their house too isn't it too much? how do you shoulder the bill considering you work in a restaurant"? Gabe asked looking at him, Jason was surprised by his questions, he released a light chuckle over what Gabe just said, he stopped what he was doing, grabbed his jacket and wore it, he walked closer to Gabriel with a smile
"you know what"? Jason asked and sighed "I don't know what Gabby saw in you but you're not really good enough for my sister, so you better stay away from her" Jason said looking at him
"Jason I know I treated Gabriella horribly but I'm loosing my mind and I need to see her" Gabe said tapping on his chest while breathing hard
"That's not my business at all, you find Gabby yourself and settle things out with her" Jason said and tried walking out but Gabe grabbed him by the shirt and made to pick up a fight with him but just then Gabby walked in, she was stunned and speechless to see Gabriel in the restaurant, she had plans to go see him by dinner time but here he was picking a fight with her brother, she knew it was because of her, she quickly walked up to them and pushed Gabriel away from Jason, and stood in between them, she turned to Gabriel who nervously starred at her
"We need to talk" Gabby said and walked towards the VIP section, Gabriel quickly followed behind her, Gabby was about to sit but he pulled her hand and drew her closer to himself giving her a tight warm hug, Gabby wanted to push him away but the more she tried, the more she wanted to hug him, after while they disengaged from the hug and sat down, Gabriel held her hand which was placed on the table but Gabby withdrew her hand and looked away, Gabriel sighed deeply looking at her, he asked
"Why are you doing this"? he asked looking at her
"Isn't it the right thing to do"? Gabby asked turning to look at him, but he said nothing "you never trusted me, did you"? she asked
"I'm sorry! I messed up, I should have trusted you but I was foolish, I realized now but I'm ready to make amends, please"! he pleaded looking at her, his words were filled with unexpressed emotions
"We need to give each other some space Gabriel! a little time away from each other, we need to grow up, I don't care how long but I'm willing to pay the price, we can't get back together now, there are a lot of things out there that we can't learn if we stay together, I want to explore the world alone without you, if you can wait for me, then I will wait as well but if you can't I wouldn't have any regrets either cause I asked for it, I hope you can understand"? Gabby asked keeping steady eye contact with him, she was at the verge of breaking down but, she didn't want to appear vulnerable before him
"come on don't do this, please! we can explore the world together, anywhere of your choice, I don't care, I just want you back" he pleaded anxiously, there was tears in his eyes, he tried to control it but couldn't
"I need to learn to fit into your family Gabe, our backgrounds are so different, it's true I don't care about what people would say but trust me Gabriel we're still young and have a very big future ahead of us, we can't decide our fate, even if we come back together now, there is still a tendency we might fall apart in the future"
"what about your scholarship? are you coming back after school resumption" Gabriel asked looking at her as he swallowed hard
"I'm sorry, but the necessary arrangements for a new school had been made on my behalf, besides I don't think there's any need coming back" Gabby said, standing to her feet
"I will be graduating soon, will you be there"? Gabriel asked
"I'm not promising, if you excuse me" Gabby replied and walked out on him, she was in a lot of tears, she ran into the lady's room and cried hopelessly, Gabriel on the other hand was shocked to the bones, he felt his world revolving around him.
*A YEAR AFTER*
Time flew so fast that in no time it was time for Gabe to graduate from high school into university with this development Gabby who left for Australia returned home for the graduation and also to get to meet with her parents after a long time. Jason was too busy with work and didn't come with her this time.
Mrs Rachael Martins was making a cup of coffee for herself in the kitchen when the door bell rang, she got it opened and was surprised to see her daughter
"Mom"!! Gabby yelled in happiness
"Gabby darling!!! when did you arrive my child"? Rachael asked giving her hug
"Just now mom" she replied
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming, I would've come pick you up at the airport" Rachael said with happiness
"I wanted to surprise you Mom and Jason took good care of me can't you see"? Gabby asked showing her to the escort around her. Yes Jason was worried Gabby would get into trouble or something so he arranged two special bodyguards for her safety.
"The graduation is in two days sure you really wanna go"? Rachael asked looking at her daughter who nodded with a smile "I'm glad you're not weak at all" Rachael added pinching Gabby's nose.
*The next day*
Gabby went to Nina's house for a surprise visit. On getting there she used the doorbell and one of the servants opened the door for her
"Hey aunt Margaret"!! Gabby greeted smiling broadly
"It's so good to see you Gabby"!! aunt Margaret said walking behind Gabby
"It's so good to see you too aunt" Gabby said and turned to walk upstairs to Nina's room only to be pushed down from behind "Oh my goodness Nina"!!! Gabby yelled excitedly in between laughter
"You fool!! you didn't tell me you were coming"!! Nina said as they both laid on the floor laughing
"I wanted to surprise you girl" Gabby said
"I'm so happy to see you" Nina said pulling her up
"Me too" Gabby said dressing her clothes
"let's go to my room" Nina said and dragged Gabby into her room
"You had it redecorated"?!! Gabby gasped as she admired the beauty of the room
"Of course I did, the other paintings were worn out so I changed it and a few things too" Nina said
"It's beautiful, you've always got a good taste" Gabby praised
"Thanks"! Nina replied "by the way how's your modelling tutorial class going"? Nina asked anxiously
"It's not as hectic as I thought it would be, I mean it's going perfectly well and I've been getting contracts lately but I don't know why but I feel really nervous, I feel like I'm gonna mess it all up" Gabby said looking downward as she released a deep sigh