As I set the table, the soft glow of the pendant lights above the dining area cast a warm ambiance. The dark wood dining table was adorned with a crisp, white tablecloth, and a delicate, crystal vase held a few fresh flowers. Gabriel sat at the head of the table, his eyes never leaving mine as I worked. His gaze was intense, yet strangely captivating, making me feel like a specimen under a microscope.
As I took my seat opposite him, he picked up his fork, his eyes scanning the dish with interest. "This looks nice," he said. He took a bite, and his face lit up with delight. "This is so good," he exclaimed. "I'm firing the cook. I want you to cook my meals from now on."
Gabriel's statement hung in the air, and I could sense the underlying expectation. He knew as well as I did that the cook had prepared the curry, but he chose to ignore that fact. I forced a smile, unsure of how to respond to his sudden declaration, and we continued eating in an uncomfortable silence.
I pushed the food around my plate, my appetite dwindling with each passing moment. The silence between us was oppressive, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. Gabriel ate with deliberate slowness, his eyes never leaving mine.
When he finally finished, he thanked me for the food in a low, smooth tone. He walked over to me, his movements fluid and deliberate, and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I felt my skin crawl.
Without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving me feeling relieved and yet, somehow, more trapped than ever. I dropped my spoon, the clatter breaking the silence, and quickly cleared the table. I washed the dishes, my mind numb, and then retreated to my room, seeking the solitude and safety of my bed.
As I settled into the soft blankets, I noticed a small box on the bed stool beside me. I opened it, and my heart skipped a beat as I found a phone box with a note attached to it. "I noticed you did not have a phone on you. Enjoy" The note was from Gabriel, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
I opened the package, and my eyes widened as I saw that the phone was already set up, complete with a functioning SIM card. I felt a surge of unease, realizing that Gabriel had taken the liberty of setting up the phone for me.
I dropped the phone and note back onto the stool. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being slowly pulled into Gabriel's web, with no clear escape in sight.
As I slowly emerged from sleep the next morning, I felt a sense of refreshment. It was a strange feeling, as I was accustomed to waking up to the harsh sounds of the street: glass breaking, people yelling, and car horns blaring. But here, I had simply woken up. The silence was soothing.
I stretched, feeling the softness of the bed, and smiled, savoring the sensation of waking up feeling truly rested. Then I remembered where I was and what had happened the past two weeks. I realized sulking wouldn't help matters. Since I had decided to live, I was going to spend my time living up to my potential.
If there was any way I could escape Gabriel's clutches, I needed money, and school was my safest bet. It was Wednesday, and I had missed enough days of school. I got up to get ready.
I took a quick shower, feeling the warm water wash away my fatigue. Afterward, I dried off and headed to the closet to pick out an outfit for school. As a kid, I used to eye luxurious dresses, window shopping, and dreaming of playing dress-up in designer clothes.
Now, surrounded by the luxurious wardrobe that filled the closet, I felt like I was living that fantasy – except I hadn't expected it to come true this way. Everything in the closet looked luxurious, but I tried to choose something stylish.
I settled on a pair of boyfriend jeans and a tight pin-up top that showed off my small waist. I slipped on a pair of black ankle boots with a subtle heel, hoping to add a bit of edge to my overall look.
As I looked around the room, I took in the luxurious space that had been my refuge for the past two weeks. The room was large and elegantly decorated, with cream-colored walls and dark hardwood floors. A plush area rug in a subtle pattern added warmth and texture to the space.
On one side of the room, a floor-to-ceiling window led out to a spacious balcony, where I could see the city skyline stretching out before me. The balcony was furnished with a small table and chairs, perfect for sipping coffee or enjoying a quiet moment alone.
In the center of the room, a small study area was set up, with a sleek wooden desk and a comfortable-looking chair. My books were stacked neatly on the desk, and a small lamp provided warm and cozy lighting. This was clearly a space designed for focus and productivity.
On one wall, a large closet door was discreetly hidden, blending seamlessly into the surrounding decor. The closet itself was a treasure trove of luxurious clothing and accessories, a far cry from the thrift store finds I was used to.
Against another wall, a stunning four-poster bed dominated the space, its plush mattress and soft linens beckoning me to return to its comfort. Finally, a door on the opposite side of the room led to a spacious bathroom, complete with a large walk-in shower, a separate tub, and a double vanity.
I walked over to the study space and checked out the books, only to realize they weren't mine. I had assumed Gabriel would have brought my books since he wanted me to go to school from here, but it seemed I was wrong. I needed an excuse to go back to Wu's place, and this seemed like the perfect one.
I grabbed a small purse from the closet, picked up the phone I saw the previous night, and walked out of the room. As I entered the living room, I was hit with the delicious aroma of cooking food and I went into the kitchen.
My eyes landed on Gabriel, who was standing with his back to me. His broad shoulders and chiseled back were evident even under the baggy sweatshirt he wore. His dark hair was messy and tousled, as if he'd just rolled out of bed. The sweatpants he had on were loose-fitting, but they couldn't hide the strong lines of his thighs and legs.
He managed to make casual wear look effortlessly sexy, and I felt a flutter in my chest as I took in the sight of him. I managed my expression, putting on a wide smile as I approached him.
"Hi," I said, trying to sound cheerful. He turned to look at me, and for a moment, his face lit up with a warm smile. "Yeah, I wanted to thank you for making a meal for me yesterday," he said, expertly sliding the scrambled eggs onto a fine china serving plate.
He carried it over to the dining table, and I was touched by the thoughtful gesture. "Wow, thank you," I said, smiling genuinely as I took a seat. He sat opposite me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
"You look wonderful this morning. I'm glad to see you're settling in well," he said, his gaze sweeping over me. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized he was referring to how comfortable I looked in the luxurious clothes from the closet.
As he poured apple juice into our cups, he said, "You should wear some makeup and style your hair, not just wrap it in a ponytail and call it a day." His tone was casual, but I sensed a hint of criticism beneath the surface.
I shrugged, trying to brush off the comment. "I don't think I need it. Besides, my hair needs a lot of work, and I don't think I have the time, and besides..." But before I could even finish speaking, Gabriel's demeanor changed in an instant.
He slammed his fork onto the table, making me flinch. His expression darkened, and his gentle stare was replaced by a cold, hard glare. My heart began to pound in fear as he growled, "I said you should put on some fucking makeup and style your hair."
His tone was sharp and menacing, sending a shiver down my spine. I felt a surge of fear as I realized that Gabriel's mood could shift in an instant, and I was at his mercy.
I tried to speak, to appease him, but my voice caught in my throat like a trapped animal.