True to his word, the cook who used to deliver food to me every day was nowhere to be found, Gabriel had fired her. I got settled in the kitchen and checked the fridge for ingredients, thinking about what to make. "Would you care for spaghetti?" I asked Gabriel, who was lounging in the living area, playing a game on his PS5 on the big TV screen. "Yeah, that's fine," he replied.
I wore an apron and began cooking. First, I filled a large pot with salted water and brought it to a boil. Then, I added the spaghetti, stirring gently to prevent the noodles from tangling. As the spaghetti cooked, I heated some olive oil in a pan over medium heat. I added minced garlic and sautéed it until fragrant, then added a can of crushed tomatoes. I let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, until the spaghetti was al dente. Finally, I drained the spaghetti and tossed it with the tomato sauce, serving it hot.
We ate in the living room this time; I had wanted to use the dining room, but Gabriel insisted. Dinner was surprisingly enjoyable, thanks to his hilarious interactions with his teammates while playing Call of Duty Mobile. For a moment, he seemed like a typical 19-year-old boy. I found myself having a good time, and he even helped with the dishes. As I laughed and enjoyed his company, I began to feel sleepy. Before I knew it, I had dozed off on the couch.
When I woke up, I was in my bed, recalling the previous night's events. If only Gabriel were normal, I thought. It was Thursday, and I wondered if I would attend classes. Although I no longer felt the need to avoid Gabriel, my desire for freedom remained. My ultimate goal hadn't changed – I was still determined to run away.
As I got up from the bed, I couldn't shake the feeling that Gabriel had carried me to bed. The uncertainty left me with a sense of unease, and guilt began to creep in. I had, after all, enjoyed his company, despite knowing the terrible thing he had done to Wu. I tried to rationalize my emotions, telling myself that Wu had been hired to be with me, but the guilt still lingered. I pushed aside the thoughts and began my morning routine, wrapping myself in a plush robe and tossing my nightwear into the laundry basket. Despite the turmoil, I was adapting surprisingly well to the luxurious lifestyle.
I cleaned myself up in the shower, dried my hair, got into sweatshirt and sweatpants and made my way into the kitchen to make breakfast. There was no sign of Gabriel as in did my morning duty.
With breakfast prepared, I set the table and covered it, before mustering the courage to venture into Gabriel's room. I had never crossed this threshold before, and my hands trembled with a mix of fear and excitement. I knocked on the door, and upon hearing his curt "come in," I stepped inside. As I entered, my gaze swept across the room, taking in its sleek, modern aesthetic. The walls were painted a deep, rich gray, and the floor was covered in a thick, charcoal-colored carpet. A king-sized bed dominated the space, its black leather headboard a striking focal point. The room was sparse, devoid of any personal touches or mementos, giving the impression that Gabriel was a man who valued functionality over sentiment. The only nod to personality was a collection of sleek, silver trophies displayed on a minimalist shelf, casting a faint glow in the soft morning light.
The man of the hour lay before me, his chiseled physique on full display. His tanned skin seemed to glow in the soft morning light, accentuating the definition of his abs and the subtle flex of his muscles. Seated in bed, his laptop rested on his thigh, he exuded an air of quiet confidence, his focus solely on the screen in front of him. He looked as absorbed in his work as he was distractingly handsome. I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper as I informed him that breakfast was ready. He nodded curtly, his gaze never wavering from the laptop, and muttered a vague promise to join me soon. I felt a sting of disappointment as I retreated from the room, the silence between us hanging heavy in the air. I ate my breakfast alone, the solitude a stark contrast to the warmth and connection we'd shared the previous night. I withdrew into the comfort of my own room, the door closing softly behind me.
The silence of the day was oppressive, and by noon, I was desperate for a distraction. Gabriel's door had remained stubbornly shut, and I hadn't heard a peep from him all day. I needed something, anything, to shake off the boredom. A walk outside seemed like a plausible solution, but the memory of Pete's omnipresent gaze made me hesitant. I didn't want to be constantly looking over my shoulder.
With a newfound sense of determination, I tossed aside the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I made my way to Gabriel's room, feeling an odd sense of comfort wash over me at the prospect of his presence. This time, I didn't bother knocking. I pushed open the door and slipped inside, finding him still engrossed in his laptop.
I felt a thrill of daring as I joined him on the bed, snuggling under the blanket beside him. His eyes never wavered from the screen until I whispered, "Kiss me." It was a reckless move, considering the danger that lurked beneath his polished exterior. Yet, the spark between us from the previous night had left me feeling emboldened, willing to leave the past in the past and live in the present – at least until I found a way to escape.
Gabriel shot me a confused look, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in my request. I felt a surge of triumph at having managed to pry his attention away from his laptop. "Are you sick?" he asked, his voice tinged with amusement. "Cuz yesterday, you were acting like you'd puke if I kissed you." I realized, with a start, that he had noticed my reaction.
"It was cute, though," he continued, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I kept wanting to tease you. I'm sorry about yesterday morning. I realize I never apologized. I let my emotions get the best of me." His hand found mine, his touch warm and gentle. His face was sincere, his eyes locked on mine with a depth of emotion that left me speechless.