I arrived at Fernandez's mansion a few minutes before midnight. Everywhere was quiet, but the lights were still on in all the rooms I could see.
Like a walking ghost, I walked into the sitting room. My clothes were all wet and lapping on my skin.
Everyone was in the sitting room, staring and waiting, probably for me. Probably they have been like this for the past four days I have been away.
"Madam!" Evelyn screamed upon seeing me. She rushed to the room, grabbed a blanket, and then wrapped it around me. "Where on earth did you go, madam? We are all worried that you might have been kidnapped or something. I am so glad you are back. We have been calling your number for a while now, but you didn't pick up. Just today, Charlotte reported you to the police for being missing, although that was against Master Gabriel's wishes.
"Sorry, I don't answer unsaved numbers." I stared emptily at her as she spoke in a hurry and with excitement. I just wanted to go in and sleep, then wake up as a new person tomorrow.
I'd be heartless if I left without at least saying something to Grandma. Only she and Evelyn could have possibly worried about me sincerely.
I walked up to her and put on the ghost of a smile. Grandma, I am fine. Please, you can go in and rest. I too wish to rest."
"I am just overwhelmed that you are saved. Gabriel insisted that you come back today no matter what, and we have been here waiting for you to do so. I wouldn't have gone to bed today if you didn't show up, my darling daughter ".
My mood lightened up a bit. I guess I was also lovesick. I needed that warmth, but my own stepmother sent me out in the cold to find my way back home.
I looked up at Gabriel's room, which was just beside mine. I wonder how he could be so sure I would be back today. If Stepmom hadn't thrown me out, I would have stayed up until tomorrow or even written a divorce letter to him.
"He's not in now. He traveled the day you went missing and came back today. He said you could use his room since someone is in yours now," Evelyn explained.
My eyes furrowed as I stared in surprise. Obviously, this mansion is built with lots of rooms; why mine? "someone? Who?".
I got no response.
Only suspicious stares. I was so annoyed and rushed up to Gabriel's room. I wanted to totally avoid him this time until we got divorced.
I was so tired and hungry, but I prefer to sleep rather than eat. I have no strength whatsoever to lift my mouth and bite any food. On days like this, I'd rather starve. And days like this came mostly when I was still in Italy. Working under Patricia.
I went to the closet and picked up a pygama. I shivered it on my skin and then fell flat on the bed.
The rumbling in my stomach reminded me I was pregnant. I lay by my side, but I made sure I spread my legs wide enough that Gabriel wouldn't dare lay beside me.
*.
I'd felt a hand on me; I held it tightly; however, opening my eyes and discovering the owner of the hand, I let it go quick and sat up.
Gabriel was holding a blanket in his hands. Probably trying to cover me? The thought of that made my heart flutter. I had to pinch myself and remind myself never to fall for his little kind gestures. It would never change who he is.
"What are you doing?" I stuttered. My face turned red as his hands went to my forehead instead of giving me a reply.
"Ohh, your temperature is getting better." His voice was smooth and deep. The kind I wish could speak to me in romance novels
I looked at the nightstand and saw a small bowel and a white towel.
I had to look around to find Evelyn.
She wasn't there!
No way! Did he really show me a little care? He obviously didn't try to regulate my temperature with that. I could probably be dreaming. Gabriel's ruthless attitude couldn't have gone away in four days.
"You should see a doctor tomorrow," Gabriel said, going over to the cushion.
He poured himself a drink. We stared at each other in silence for a few minutes. He'd stare and sip his drink while I stared at him, wondering what could have changed.
At least he doesn't smoke like some ruthless mafia who doesn't give a fuck about the fact that they will die young when they smoke.
Gabriel stopped drinking and suddenly started to point at me. I was so embarrassed that I bit my lips. He was probably staring at my nipples, which I could feel probing at the clothes.
I dare not look at his hand directions; I would be embarrassed for a lifetime.
"You...you..." He clenched his fist and gnashed his teeth. "Who said you could wear my clothes now? Do I look like your boyfriend?".
I breathed heavily, calming myself down. "No.Now you look and act more like the husband I married. I was so scared earlier; maybe the doctor diagnosed you with stage five cancer and you decided to spend the rest of your life doing good".
He took a sip and swallowed it. Then he stared at me with playful smiles and said, "Good thing you are not as weak as I thought " He raised his glass and said, Cheers to that".
"I don't understand."
"Pull it off and give them to me!" He wasn't smiling at all; he brought his open palms forward for me to give it.
I fidgeted. I wrapped my arms around my chest and held myself tightly. I am not sure of what Gabriel is capable of.
"Why? Are you scared of getting your clothes off in my presence? You have done that back then at the hotel?"
"I thought you'd lost your memory. You were the one who forced me into your car. If I had insisted on not entering your car, maybe my life wouldn't have been so screwed up."
There was silence.
"You are careful, though. You'd rather walk home than accept a free, paid ticket ".
He's talking trash now. Or maybe not! I gasped in disbelief. It's now making sense. He must have booked the flight, but how the fuck did he know I was in Italy?
"Don't bother racking your brains. I have eyes and ears everywhere. I am Gabriel Fernandez!" His tone became harsher, and I stared in horror.
"You can do whatever you want, but never disappear like that again."
I scoffed and raised my chin "Where are you worried?".
"No grandmother was "I felt he lied, but it kicked me in the gut". Being Gabriel's wife comes with a lot of responsibilities. You don't just sit around and wait to be fed. My enemies become your enemies as well, and you know the worst of it. I have millions of them. They'd slaughter you at the slightest sight".
"I'd prefer you worry about yourself first. Didn't I hear you were shot with a bullet? By your allies? No! Your freaking enemies did that So protect yourself first."
"Thankfully, you really understand that. I thought I would be able to protect you".
He sounded serious this time, like he meant every word he said.
The door clicked open, and a lady entered. I have never seen her in the house before. She was dressed in a leather skirt and a white sleeveless top. She brought with her a brown envelope and tossed it at me with a pen.
"Gabriel has signed. You should also do the same and get a ten million-dollar settlement for all the troubles my Gabriel must have caused you."
I noticed Gabriel gave her a deadly look.
She's probably the fool who went to my room instead of the thousand visitor rooms in the house.
I gazed at Gabriel, and he seemed to not regret anything.
Perhaps all that glitter are not gold. He's handsome on the outside, but a monster lives in him.
"Good. I really need to get my life back. I'd like Aiden to send me the right documents and give me a heads up on what he would like me to do". I murmured to myself.
I took the divorce paper and signed it.
Ten million is not bad enough to start my own fashion company after all.