Chapter 2

Gabriel's

Maze and I looked at each other after we heard the doorbell ringing. 

The only guests that we're expecting today were Michael and Mysty who had obviously arrived a long while ago and I can't help but to feel nervous just by thinking who the person outside could be.

"Gab." I was quite stunned when I heard Maze speak for the first time today and my heart can't help but to flutter because the first word that came from his mouth today was my name. 

I know that it's such a cliché but you can't blame me.

Some things never really changed all throughout the years. 

And that's Maze's effect on me and the same goes to my effect on him.

"What is it, Maze?" I asked him as I internally castigated myself for being able to think of such mushy things in the middle of this freaking situation.

"Will you please open the gate for me?" My mouth went agape when Maze said those words and I can't help but frown as well. 

'What the hell is he talking about?'

Was he expecting other guests aside from Michael and Mysty?

Am I missing something here again?

"W-what--"

"I guess the help's here, Gabriel." Maze sounded so determined when he said that and I can't help but to look at him incredulously. 

Unbeknownst to him, he's actually showing a side that I've never seen before. 

I've seen him deal with his father's bodyguard with the same aura but now seems a lot different. 

He looked more menacing, fierce. 

But instead of feeling afraid, I felt more perturbed. 

Why do I feel like my husband's about to do something dangerous? 

I looked at him once again but the determination flustered on his face did not falter even a bit. So I had no choice but to sigh as I left him at the dining room and walked outside towards the gate. 

But then again, I stopped when I'm already halfway through the gate when I felt a presence behind me. 

So I turn around only to see my husband with one of his hands on his back. 

"M-maze." I called his name but his facial expression remained blank as he stared coldly at the gate. 

Everything's creeping me out. 

I wish to call Michael to at least help me with this thing but I also want him to just stay beside his daughter and my son no matter what happens. 

I saw how my husband clenched his jaw but his face immediately softened when he looked at me.

He may have seen how perturbed I am with what's happening but nothing's helping right now. 

And all of these fiascos just because of a freaking phone call from Maze's dad.

I'm growing more restless in each passing minute as we both stood not far away from each other. His hand is still behind him as if he's holding something that I'm not allowed to see and he's wearing an expression that looks like he could kill anytime.

It was then he sighed before looking away.

And it made my heart ache. 

Why does everything seem to become complicated and scary?

"I'm not really sure what's behind the gate, Love." He said in a low voice. It's as if he doesn't want anyone else to hear what he's saying. 

I felt my throat's dryness so I had to swallow a couple of times while still looking at him. 

"It can be the help we need or the other way around." He continued, and this time, he looked at me again.

Is this even real? 

Is that fear I'm seeing in his eyes?

Was he also afraid like me?

"The worst case scenario is that you'll have to run when I say so. And you'll go and take our son, Michael and Mysty with you to save yourselves while I try my best to protect you. Cause that's what I'm supposed to do." His voice cracked when he said that and I also felt a lump in my throat while stare at his teary eyes.

Why do I feel like he's leaving us?

I clenched my fist while looking at him. 

"I am not leaving this house without you, Maxe. You should know by now that we're a package. You go, we go and likewise. No one will be left behind." I said with great determination. As much as I want to smack his head for thinking morbidly, I know that it's not the right time to do that cause there's still someone waiting outside. "I suggest you put aside your morbidity and try to fucking think positively just this time." I can't help but to give him an attitude as I was too frustrated right now with what he said. I refuse to accept that. And I will never accept that. "No one asked you to act like a hero, Maze. So stop your fucking morbidity."

'Stupid dork.'

Then I sighed and turned my back to the stunned Maze and paved my way towards the gate. 

I gripped at the handle tightly as I twisted it for a couple of times. It's creaking sound didn't helped at all to lessen my nervousness. In fact, it's been added and I can also feel the beads of sweat forming on my forehead and my stomach twitching because of the mixed emotions I am feeling right now.

I never thought that opening a gate could ever make me feel great anxiety.

But now here I am, my hands were shaking as I continued twisting the handle while listening to its agonizing creaking.

I heard Maze walking closer towards where I'm standing but I seemed to not have any strength left to turn and look at him.

Just simply opening the gate drains my entirety. 

I gasped when I was finally able to open it but stopped on my track as I contemplated whether to totally open the gate and close it once again and just hide inside our house for the rest of the day.

"Gab." Maze's soft voice is enough to lessen the tension inside me. 'I'm here." And those words are more than enough for me to finish what I started. 

And so, I took a deep breath once again and mustered all my guts before swinging the gate open. 

And what's behind the gate is enough to cause me to freeze to where I'm standing. 

• to be continued •