The change in attitude was so sudden, but in that moment, I remembered that ultimately, that was the kind of person Gabriel was. His father might have been the don of the mafia, but he was also heartless and cruel when he needed to be. The soft features that I had been falling for were just a fake exterior, an extension of his real nature. A wave of fear washed over me as I realized I had been blinded by his charm.
"I'm sorry. I will do as you say," I said, trying to sound submissive. I knew I had to tread carefully. I was his property, and I had to do as he said. I didn't want to find out what he would do to me if I proved to be stubborn and useless. The thought sent a shiver through me, and I forced myself to look down, avoiding his gaze. I knew I had to play the part of the obedient captive if I wanted to survive.
I felt him leave his chair as he came closer and crouched down beside me. His sudden proximity made me tense, but I tried to relax, not wanting to provoke him further. "Did I scare you? I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and soothing, but I knew better than to trust it. "I just thought you would look drop dead gorgeous if you put on makeup and styled your hair. You don't have to do it if you don't want to."
I recognized the manipulation in his words, the subtle coercion. He was giving me a choice, but it wasn't really a choice at all. I did not want to know what would happen if I refused. "No, I want to," I said, trying to sound convincing, hoping to appease him.
He still looked concerned, and I tried changing the subject, hoping to steer the conversation away from the tense moment earlier. "Hey, I was hoping I could branch by my old place and pick up some of my things."
His expression changed slightly, a hint of possessiveness creeping into his eyes. "I don't want you there. That place holds nothing but bad memories for you."
I felt a surge of indignation. That was not true. The best memories of my life were in Avenue Street. It was not as classy and rich as Gabriel's world, but it was home. It was where I had grown up, where I had laughed and loved. But I knew better than to argue with him. "You're right, but I don't have my lecture notes here, and I need them."
Gabriel's expression softened, but his words sent a chill down my spine. "I'll ask someone to grab your stuff. The body is probably still there, since I ordered that no one should move it, including the police. I don't want you to see such a sight. You only deserve to see pretty things."
His hands cupped my face, but I felt like I was going to throw up. Wu's lifeless body was still in the house, left to rot like a piece of trash. This monster hadn't had the decency to give him a proper burial, despite the fact that Wu had worked for him. Instead, he had chosen to dishonor his death, leaving him to decay in the very place he had called home. I sat in shock, my mind reeling with horror and disgust.
"Y-you...you're saying...Wu's b-body...is still...on the c-cold floor...in that h-house?" I stuttered, my voice trembling with shock and horror. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, unable to catch my breath. "H-how could you...? Wh-why wouldn't you...let them...bury him?" I managed to stammer, my eyes wide with incredulity.
I saw the warmth leave his face, replaced by a cold, hard expression. "You gonna try to beat me up again?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He didn't seem amused, and I could sense the anger simmering beneath the surface.
His words cut deep, and I felt a surge of defensiveness. "That love you have for him belongs to me," he said, his eyes glinting with intensity. "I was the one who saved you from the clutches of hell, not him. He was merely an intermediary, and when it really mattered, he couldn't even stop you from being taken."
His words were like a slap in the face, and I felt a stinging sensation. He was trying to diminish Wu's sacrifice, to erase the debt I owed him. But I knew that Gabriel's words were nothing but a twisted attempt to manipulate me.
"But he worked for you," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "I saw your childhood picture, he looked like he had cared for you like his own child. Was that not why you sent him to take care of me?" I asked, trying to understand the complexity of their relationship.
My eyes were welling up with tears, and I fought to keep them back, but it was no use. Gabriel's expression twisted in disdain, and he scoffed. "So now you're defending a dead person. You're choosing him over me," he spat, his voice venomous.
He stood up from his crouching position, his movements abrupt and angry. He walked back to his seat and began eating his meal, his jaw clenched in anger. "Eat before it gets cold," he said, his voice cold and detached, without even looking at me. The atmosphere at the table had become oppressive. I picked up my fork, my hand trembling as I tried to take a bite. The food felt like ash in my mouth, but I forced myself to chew and swallow. I was shaking as I ate, my eyes fixed on the plate in front of me. I couldn't bear to look at Gabriel, couldn't bear to see the anger and contempt etched on his face. The silence between us was oppressive, heavy with unspoken threats and tensions. I felt like I was walking on eggshells, waiting for him to explode again.