Breakfast ended in an uncomfortable silence, the tension between us palpable. But I knew I couldn't afford to let Gabriel stay angry at me for long. I had to appease him, no matter how much it hurt my pride. My heart was heavy with grief and anger over the way he had treated Wu's memory, but I pushed those feelings aside. Wu was gone, and I was still alive. I had to prioritize my survival.
As soon as Gabriel finished his meal and got up to leave, I quickly moved to stop him. I knelt at his feet, my head bowed in a submissive gesture. "Please, forgive me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "My actions were uncalled for, and I apologize for hitting you. It was wrong of me, and I promise it won't happen again."
I kept my eyes downcast, not daring to meet his gaze. I could feel his eyes on me, boring into my skin, but I didn't flinch. I had to show him that I was truly sorry, that I was willing to do whatever it took to make amends. Even if it meant swallowing my pride and groveling at his feet.
A few seconds passed before I felt his hands on me, lifting me up from my knees. He dragged me closer by my waist, his left hand gripping me firmly, while his right hand grasped my chin, forcing me to look up at him. I stared into his beautiful but deceitful green emerald eyes, feeling a shiver run down my spine.
"Date me," he said, his tone firm and decisive. It was almost as if he was ordering me, not asking. I felt a surge of fear mixed with resignation. Did I really have a choice in the matter?
"Yes," I breathed, my voice barely audible. I wasn't sure if I was agreeing out of fear, necessity, or something else. All I knew was that I had to survive, and if dating Gabriel was what it took to stay alive, then so be it.
In the next moment, he took me in for a kiss. The contrast between his firm hands and the soft, gentle pressure of his lips was jarring. It was as if he was handling fragile glass, threading with care, his mouth moving against mine with a tenderness that belied the possessiveness in his eyes.
I, on the other hand, felt a wave of nausea wash over me. My stomach churned with revulsion, but I didn't try to push him away. I remained still, my lips unmoving beneath his, as I struggled to reconcile the gentle kiss with the cruel words he had spoken just moments before. I felt trapped, caught in a web of fear and obligation, forced to endure his touch even as my mind recoiled in horror.
"Kiss me back," he mumbled, his lips moving against mine as he took my mouth again. I hesitated for a moment, my mind screaming in protest, but I knew I had to comply. Slowly, I began to reciprocate the kiss, my lips moving in tandem with his. I pushed back all the thoughts that screamed at me to push him away, to resist his touch, and instead focused on the physical sensation of the kiss. It was a mechanical response, devoid of emotion or passion, but I hoped it would be enough to appease him. As I kissed him back, I felt a sense of detachment, as if I was observing the scene from outside my body, unable to truly connect with the man who was holding me captive.
As if coming to my rescue, the sound of the front door opening broke the spell, and Gabriel's lips left mine. He groaned in frustration, but then a charming smile spread across his face as his eyes caught mine. He took my hands in his, his grip warm and firm, and led me into the living area. I followed him, grateful for the interruption, and curious about who had arrived. The sudden change in atmosphere was a welcome reprieve, and I felt a slight sense of relief wash over me as we entered the living area, where the sound of voices and movement filled the space.
As we entered the living area, I saw Ryan, a boy I didn't recognize, and three girls lounging on the couch, looking like they owned the place. Their attention shifted to us as we emerged from the kitchen, their eyes narrowing slightly as they took in the scene. Gabriel's grip on my hand didn't waver, and when we reached the front of the room, he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close.
"Ladies and gents, I would like to introduce to you, my lovely lady, Beatrice Rose," he announced, grinning from ear to ear. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I gave an awkward "hi" to the group, who were staring me down with a mixture of curiosity and hostility.
Ryan and the other boy broke away from the group, approaching Gabriel with broad smiles on their faces. They dragged him into a bro hug, congratulating him on his newfound relationship. I smiled awkwardly at the girls, who didn't seem too thrilled about the new information. They exchanged skeptical glances, their eyes lingering on me with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.
"Aren't you that scholarship girl in my biochem class?" one of the girls spoke up, her voice dripping with disdain as she scoffed. I felt a stinge of embarrassment from her words, but before I could respond, Ryan jumped in.
"Shirley, behave," he snapped, his tone firm but gentle. Shirley rolled her eyes, but seemed to backing off. Ryan turned to me, a reassuring smile on his face. "Sorry, she doesn't do well with strangers. She's cool once you get to know her." He shot Shirley a warning glance, as if daring her to contradict him.
"Betty, let me introduce you to my friends, Ryan, Charles, Zoe, Shirley, and Bella," Gabriel said, emerging once more at my side. I smiled and said hi again, trying to make a good impression. Charles, a tall and lanky boy with a friendly smile, extended his hand for a handshake.
"Does she know?" he asked, his eyes locked on Gabriel as he held my hand in a firm grip. The question seemed to hold a deeper meaning, and I felt a pang of curiosity.
Gabriel gave Ryan a look, and Ryan smirked in response. "Ryan told her, I'm assuming," Gabriel said. "I was surprised to hear Pete tell me that you were over."
I felt a surge of confusion. "Who's Pete?" I asked, trying to keep up with the conversation.
Gabriel's response was casual, but it sent a shiver down my spine. "The guy I hired to always keep an eye on you."
I felt a wave of unease wash over me. "Keep an eye on?" I repeated, trying to process what he was saying.
Shirley, who had been quiet until now, spoke up with a snarky tone. "He means he's paying someone to stay out of your sight but still follow you everywhere, idiot."
Gabriel nudged me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Don't mind her, that's just how she talks." But I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach.