Mia's pause was palpable as she pondered the question, her eyes finally locking onto mine with an air of caution. I sensed a deeper curiosity behind her gaze, and I wondered if Gabriel's duplicitous nature was a secret shared among those who knew him.
"He's the son of a mafia don," Mia said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "His morals are... fluid. Some claim to have witnessed him kill someone, but I don't know the guy personally. To me, he's just a celebrity, a hot topic of gossip."
I weighed my options, torn between sharing my story and risking emotional vulnerability. But something about Mia's empathetic demeanor put me at ease.
"Um, so... he kinda offed someone the first time we met," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mia's eyes widened in shock, and she exclaimed, "WHAT?" I hastily shushed her, and we both agreed to leave the party for a quieter setting.
"Let's go to my place," Mia suggested, her voice soft and reassuring. "It's right next door, and I promise you'll be safe. You can even have 911 on speed dial the whole time if it makes you feel better."
I gave her a small smile as we made our way to her apartment.
As we stepped into Mia's apartment, I noticed the cozy, intimate atmosphere of the two-room space. The common area was compact, with a sleek, low-slung couch in a neutral tone, paired with a minimalist coffee table. A floor lamp cast a warm glow, illuminating the room's simple yet elegant decor.
Mia led me into her bedroom, which reflected her understated yet eclectic style. The room was painted a soothing shade of light blue, with a rug in a complementary hue. A comfortable-looking student-sized bed dominated the space, dressed in crisp white linens and two colorful throw pillows. A distressed wooden dresser and nightstand added a touch of rustic charm, while a collection of hip-hop celebrity posters and the walls revealed glimpses of Mia's personality.
I settled onto the bed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I sank into the soft mattress. Mia offered me a drink from the mini-fridge she had in her room, and I teased her about not being able to refuse, joking that I wouldn't put it past her to spike it. We both laughed, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of seriousness beneath the jest.
"Gabriel kind of saved me from certain death the first time we met." Mia's eyes widened, and she let out a loud "aw," as if she'd just witnessed a romantic comedy. I allowed a small, wry smile to flicker across my face, despite the gravity of the situation.
"A lot happened after that, and we ended up living together," I continued, trying to downplay the complexity of our arrangement. Mia's face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"But there are some things about him that I find really weird," I said, my tone turning serious. "And I need someone to confide in." Mia's expression turned solemn, and she nodded encouragingly. "I'm all ears."
I took a deep breath before dropping the bombshell. "He kind of...sort of.... had my paternal figure killed." Mia's face went white, her eyes wide with shock. "What?" she whispered, her tone transformed from excitement to worry.
Mia's voice was barely audible, her eyes fixed on mine with a mixture of horror and fascination. "What do you mean he had your paternal figure killed?" she asked, her words slow and deliberate.
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Mia's expression put me at ease, and I found myself opening up to her. "I don't know all the details," I said. "But from what I gathered, Gabriel had him... eliminated. Because he was a threat to me, apparently."
Mia's eyes widened further, her face pale. "That's... that's insane," she whispered. "And you're living with him?"
I nodded, feeling a sense of unease. "I know it sounds crazy. But like I said, he saved me from certain death. And... and I feel like I owe him, somehow."
Mia's expression softened, her eyes filled with empathy. "You don't owe him anything," she said gently. "You deserve to be safe, and happy. Not trapped in some kind of... toxic situation."
"But he's made it up to me since then. He's been nice and gentle and loving," I said, trying to defend him.
Mia's expression turned skeptical, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Nice and gentle and loving?" she repeated, her voice laced with doubt. "After having someone killed? That's not normal behavior, sweetie." She leaned in, her tone gentle but firm. "I'm worried about you, and I think you should be worried too."
I hesitated, unsure how much more to reveal about my situation. Deciding to shift gears, I confessed, "To be honest, I have these... feelings for him. I'm not even sure what they are, but he makes me feel safe, like he's got my back. And he listens to me, most of the time, anyway." I frowned, recalling the exceptions. "Except when he gets weird and yells at me. That's just... confusing."
Mia's eyes widened, her face pale. "Wait, hold up. You're telling me that Gabriel had your... paternal figure killed, and yet you're still living with him and having feelings for him?" Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of shock and concern. "Oh my god, are you okay? Are you in danger?"
"Danger?" I repeated, feeling a shiver run down my spine.
Mia's expression turned dead serious. "Yes, danger. You're involved with someone who has a history of violence, and you're living in his house. That's a recipe for disaster." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it, okay? You need to get out of there, and fast."
I knew escape was impossible, death would be my punishment if I tried to flee. So, I made a desperate appeal. "Would you be willing to let me stay with you?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Mia's uncomfortable shift spoke volumes - harboring me would be a death sentence for her.
"I'm trapped," I admitted, the weight of my situation crushing me. "I'm not at liberty to disclose the details, but my life hangs in the balance."
Mia's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with concern. "You're not staying with him by choice, are you?"
I shook my head, a wry smile twisting my lips. "Only a fool would willingly stay with someone like Gabriel."
My phone vibrated suddenly, jerking me upright. I looked at the caller ID; it was Gabriel. I picked up, my heart racing, and brought the phone to my ear. "Where the fuck are you?" Gabriel's voice was a low, menacing growl, brewing with anger.