Chapter 3: GABRIEL

Seven o’clock. I barely slept a wink all night, too busy trying to see all the varying angles of what I had set in motion and discard any loopholes. I expect pushback from Victoria and her mom, maybe some others as well, but I’d also made moves to stem that flow, cut their wings if you will. I just need everything to go off without a hitch today; then, we’ll go from there.

My biggest problem is how to pull it all off without Gianna being affected in any way. I want whatever hate that’s going to be thrown to come my way, but I know they wouldn’t dare, so if I don’t handle things correctly, she could end up catching even more hell from those two. Then I’d end up being wanted on two continents in my short lifetime.

I sat in the steam room for half an hour, sweating out the angst of feeling like a parent sending my kid off to school for the first time. I’m having a hard time only because I’ve yet to decide what role I will play today. Am I the love interest or just a big brother looking out for his sisters’ new friend?

The only glaring problem with the last is that I’ve never gone this far for any of them before, and no one would believe it anyway. And as always, it comes back to what’s best for her. I think I already know the answer; I’m just worried about the long-term effect for both of us. I know which one would burn the hell out of Victoria, but if it’ll hurt Gianna in the end, it’s not worth it. Round and round, I went in my thoughts until I made myself crazy.

Ten minutes later, my ‘fuck it’ gene activated, and my mind became clear; my thoughts were finally in order. I left the steam room and headed upstairs to start getting ready for the day. She hadn’t sought me out in the night, so I’m guessing she passed it without issue. Or knowing her, she probably spent it awake all night worrying about what comes next.

I took my shower and got dressed before knocking on her door. Unbeknownst to me, the twins had already enlisted Sheila’s help to mess with Gianna’s hair because apparently, the style would only last but so long before needing to be taken care of again. All of them were in there running around in robes with shit thrown all over the place.

“I need her for a quick minute.” I took her hand and carried her across the room out of earshot, ignoring the moans and groans of the room’s other occupants and reminded myself that they were doing this for me so I couldn’t tell them all to go jump, but it was close.

She looked like she had no idea what was going on but was just going with the flow. I can’t wait for her to have the confidence she deserves. That’s where the Russo twins come in. One week with those two, and she’ll be ordering me around.

“Did you sleep well?” I studied her eyes and was happy to see there were no shadows in them.

“The bed felt like a cloud.” It’s also double the size of the twin bed in her room at home, but I didn’t mention it.

“Here, this is what you’re wearing, and this is your new backpack. All your stuff should fit in there. I’m outta here. Don’t put any of that gook on her face.” I warned the twins before they shooed me out of the room with orders to mind my own business.

“She is…” Never mind.” I keep walking into these traps.

Ma was in the kitchen making breakfast while Pop sat drinking coffee and giving her sappy looks. “You look good in that apron. Why don’t we go back upstairs when the kids are gone?” She laughed and swatted him with a kitchen towel, and I turned to leave without being seen.

I’m not under the delusion that Pop would behave because of my presence, and I’m at that age that my parents’ interactions are downright embarrassing. “Oh, hi Gabe, when did you get here?” Ma called out, and I had no choice but to take my place at the table. The way Pop grinned, I was sure he realized that I’d overheard him. Nasty!

I didn’t say anything, just rolled my eyes and took a sip of the orange juice Ma put in front of me. “Are your sisters almost done upstairs? They dragged poor Sheila up there almost an hour ago.”

“I have no idea. They were still wearing robes when I left.”

“What all are they planning to do? They seemed very excited, something I know has nothing to do with going to school.”

“We’re about to pluck a bird in its own cage.”

“What kind of revenge have you kids cooked up? Am I going to need bail money?” Pop said it like a joke, but I’m almost sure he was serious.

“Nope, we’re going with Twain. Weak people seek revenge, strong people forgive, intelligent people, ignore. But there’s a twist, of course.”

Yeah, a little side of making the enemy crazy. I’d decided on that route because I knew nothing would hurt her enemies as much as not giving a damn. Their reactions will dictate my next move, and I’m hoping they walk into my trap so I can bury them. I don’t see this taking too long; those two are not exactly brainiacs; after all, a few weeks at most, and I’ll have decimated them.

The girls came down about half an hour later and not a moment too soon because I was about to go after her. “Well, don’t you three look pretty? Gia, I didn’t know what you like for breakfast, but Gabe said to make you the same as the girls; I hope that’s okay.”

“That’s fine; thank you so much.” She was nervous, and it showed but was to be expected, I guess.

Without having to be told, my parents included her in the morning conversation along with the rest of us, and she took it all in with something approaching awe. Every once in a while, someone would say something directly to her, and she had no choice but to come out of her shell.

I sat there thinking that I might’ve outsmarted myself with my wardrobe choice. Those comments on her looks last time I checked were still coming in hard and fast, and though there were some from the twins’ friends, most of them were from guys who claimed to be dying to see her in person today.

She looked amazing; from head to toe, she shone. I felt like smiling and did feeling that tingling in my gut as she sat next to me. The twins, even Sheila, were still beaming at their handiwork, and even Pop made a comment about how beautiful she looked in her new digs. Ma thought she looked like a porcelain doll, but she also thinks that about the twins, so…

To me, she looked the way I expected her to. Her hair was still straight, but Sheila had done something to the ends that gave them a feathery look, I guess it’s called, and it flowed and bounced around her back when she moved. I’d dressed her the way I see her in my mind’s eye, classic clean beauty. Everything she wore was an overpriced designer brand, not because I believe in that superficial bullshit but because I know her enemies do.

The cashmere silk mix black mock turtleneck was paired with a mini leather skirt in heather blue that came to just above her knees and matching tights a shade lighter over black suede ankle boots. The black Chanel beret rounded out the look, but there was something missing. I could see her nerves beating away in her temple as she picked at the food that Ma had placed in front of her.

I watched to make sure she got some of it in her at least before ending her misery. “Come upstairs with me for a minute.” She stumbled when we reached the stairs, and I took her hand and didn’t release it even when she became steady on her feet again. “Did I get the heel too high?”

“No, it’s fine; I’ve just never worn them before, so it’s going to take getting used to, but I actually like them.”

“The lady at the store said that because the heel is so thick, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“She’s right; if they were stilettos, I don’t think I could pull it off, but these actually feel like I’m walking on air.” They should; the shits cost almost two grand.

“They look good; now we’re almost eye to eye.” Not quite, but she’d gained at least three inches in height, which brought her to just about my shoulder. “Stop fidgeting; you’ll be fine. What’s got you so worried anyway?”

“I don’t know; this all seems so surreal. I thought the weekend was the highlight of my life so far, but this feels even more so. It’s just….” She looked genuinely worried.

“Are you worried about what the people at school will say?” She didn’t answer, but I vaguely recalled Victoria saying something to her about her being a charity case to my family and me or something along those lines. “More to the point, are you worried about what Victoria and her friends will say?”

“How did you know?” Because you wear your thoughts and emotions on your face, and because I’m coming to know you too well.

“Has anyone here treated you like a charity case?”

“No, but I still don’t understand why you all are doing this.”

“Didn’t I ask you to trust me?” We’d reached my room, and I led her inside.

I moved to the bureau where I’d left her jewelry, the finishing touches to her outfit. The silver Return to Tiffany necklace against the black top had a stunning effect. I had her stand in front of me in the mirror while I snapped it into place around her neck. The matching bracelet and heart-shaped earrings pulled it all together. “You look stunning. Now pick your head up and follow my lead.”

I have to say, when we walked back downstairs and met the twins who were waiting that the three of them together looked amazing, all three complement each other in the clothes they’d chosen, and I had no doubt it was by design. My sisters are known for coordinating outfits with their friends in a show of some kind of female solidarity, I guess.

The twins bitched and moaned when the staff brought the hummer around front because apparently, they looked too good to ride in it. I ignored them and helped Gianna into the truck before strapping her in. “You two wanna walk, or are you getting in?” I walked around and climbed into the driver’s seat, leaving them to scramble to get in.

I must give it to them. They didn’t let on in any way that they were up to anything. She’d never know that the three of us were on guard and ready to strike at any moment, anyone who dared step into her space. Lance was there to meet us when we pulled up, sitting on the hood of his car like a delinquent with loud music blasting from his speakers, which of course, had gained the attention of more than half the school.

As if on cue, the whispers started, and I now knew why the twins had posted her picture to the forum. Everyone was there to get a look at the new and improved Gia Fontane, and they were not shy about letting it be known. “Is that Gia? How the hell did she lose that much weight in one weekend?”

“That’s not possible. Obviously, she was hiding behind those frumpy clothes.”

“But why if she looks like that?”

“Didn’t that Victoria girl say she was fat and odd-shaped?”

“Obviously, that was a lie.”

“I wonder what else was.” That was all from the twins’ crew.

Tasha, one of the two African Americans in the group, stepped forward and walked around Gia while the others watched. “Girl, you are a whole mood, and I am here for it.” Someone else in the crowd commented on the backpack, which set off a maelstrom of activity.

“Is that the Louis Vuitton Christopher PM?”

“It’s got to be a fake, has to be.”

“I doubt it; the Russo twins have the same one.” People started looking up the bag online, and some were already calling home to demand their parents buy them the overpriced cowhide and crocodile contraption. Exactly as I expected.

My focus never strayed from her, and the more they spoke, the closer she drew to me, which made the decision I’d made in the steam room even more certain. “Oh shit, here comes her sister. Looking the same as always.” Someone else, another of the twins’ crew, called out to Victoria, “Hey, I thought you said she was fat; you have about ten pounds on her; what gives?”

Good damn, the twins trained them too well. I don’t do low blows, but I forgot women pull no punches when they go at each other. Victoria didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to; steam came from every orifice of her putrid body.

And we’d only just begun. I knew when I told my sisters to show no mercy that things could get a little sticky; maybe I should’ve gone over everything Draco Russo’s offspring had planned before letting them loose in these people’s schoolyard.

The twins’ posse went to town, bringing up all the things Victoria and her friends had ever said about Gianna, calling them out on their bullshit and more, in front of all the kids that were gathered there. There were some serious low blows being thrown around in between bouts of praise for Gianna’s new look.

As planned, the twins kept Gianna mostly out of things, so though she was the topic of conversation, she hardly said a word; they and their friends did all the talking. I knew Victoria wouldn’t even think about messing with my sisters, but that wasn’t the plan anyway; this was just the windup. Setting a path in stone for her to follow so she could trip and break her damn neck.

Two new people I didn’t know joined the crowd that had started to gather and walked over to the twins. “Anna, Rosa, I’m Emily, this is Rachel, um, what’s going on?” These two were older than the twins, but they acted like they were almost afraid to speak. It’s weird what having more money and prestige can do among others with the same.

In the media, our school prides itself on being down to earth and humble. In reality, it produces most of the snobs in the country and around the world. They don’t teach it, at least they wouldn’t call it that, but there should be a course on elitism because they do it so well here. Add the fact that Pop has a reputation in this town, and Ma is like the matron of all things she surveys, and well, you get the picture.

So it wasn’t that surprising that these two daughters of monied families approached the Russo twins with reverence. They should stop because my sisters eat that shit up for fun and would have no qualms about using it to their advantage. But today, their every move was for Gianna, so they played nice.

“Oh, did you two get your e-invites? The physical ones will be in the mail soon. We’ve had a hard time choosing the ones we like. Will you be there?”

“How do you even know us?”

“Oh, that was Gia; she said you two are the only ones who never gave her shit, so of course we wanted you there,” Anna spoke loud enough for Victoria and her friends to hear.

“Really? But we didn’t do anything; we just didn’t join in when others were mean to her.”

“That’s cool; it’s still better than the rest. So, are you coming or not?”

“Of course, my mom already signed the NDA; she was so hyped.” I finally got that these were the two girls in Gianna’s class that the twins had told me about.

“Awesome!”

“Is it true there’s a trip to Turk's and Caicos for those who are invited?”

“Oh, yeah, the week after our birthday is fall break, so Pop's letting us take the jet. Our parents will call your parents to get their approval if you’re interested in going, of course.”

“Are you kidding?” The two girls looked at each other and then over at Gianna, who was standing between Lance and me, looking like a spectator at a contact sport.

“Close your mouth, baby. Whatever the twins say, don’t act surprised.” I removed my shades and covered her eyes which was missed by no one.

I didn’t have to do shit; the Russo twins were in fine form, outperforming even my highest expectations. Someone else spoke up from the crowd. “Do you really know that popstar?”

“Which one?”

“The one in the picture on the school forum, it looked like she was having dinner with you guys.”

“Oh, yeah, she’s our God-sister.”

“Will she be performing at your party?”

“She’s an invited guest, but she promised to perform a song for our brother and Gia to dance to.”

All eyes turned our way, and another round of whispers was started behind their not-so-subtle disclosure. I had to subtly hold Gianna up when her knees threatened to give out. “Gabriel!” She looked up at me through the opaque lenses, but I could feel the panic in her even if I couldn’t see her eyes. In for a penny, in for a pound. I kissed her nose and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.

“You’re doing fine, not much longer now.” My little show of affection didn’t go unnoticed, and it felt good having my arm there, so I left it even after the speculation had started to die down. There was a lot of murmuring amongst those who wouldn’t be getting an invite to the party while those who were bragged and boasted. It’s not our usual style, but it was all for her, and I could see from the looks on Victoria and her friends’ faces that it was working like a charm.

“So, Gia, is that your hair? Somebody said it was a wig.” I had to nudge her to get her to answer.

“Oh, no, it’s mine.”

“Really? Who did it?” She looked at the twins, who were only too quick to answer.

“Justine.”

“Justine? The Justine?”

“That’s the one.”

“Bullshit, I hear she has a waiting list a mile long; how’d you pull that off?”

“She’s our stylist.” Rosa shrugged like it was no big deal. Just one last push was needed, and Lance delivered it as if he’d been coached, which I’m sure he had been. “And to think, someone put glue in her hair to destroy it. Jealousy is an ugly thing, and so is anyone who gives into it.” He looked at Victoria and her friends when he said this, and the fallout was perfection.

"What heinous hag did that shit?" Tasha always did have a way with words, and her pointed look sent Victoria's way left no doubt as to who the culprit was. The rest of the crowd picked it up, and before long, Victoria was getting a firsthand look at what her future here would look like. She had yet to open her mouth, which, as is with most bullies when confronted by someone stronger, is to be expected. The bell finally rang, bringing an end to this round.

“I’m not going to walk you to your class today; I have something to do. Don’t be afraid, just walk like you usually do. No matter what happens, do not react; keep walking. By the way, may I borrow my phone?”

She handed it to me with shaking hands, then looked over at Victoria, and I almost gave in and walked her, but that would only defeat the purpose. The next scene in this play depended entirely on me not being there, though of course, I will be; she just wouldn’t know it, and neither would anyone else.

I gave the twins a nod, and we all walked off in our own direction, they with their friends, Gianna with her two new pals who hadn’t stopped gushing and thanking her once I exited the scene with Lance on my heels and Victoria with two of her friends. I have no idea where the other three were, but there was no sign of them anywhere.

I knew where she would walk and chose the best vantage point so I could see what I knew was coming. “You sure about this?”

“Yeah, it sucks, but I need this to happen so I can do what I have to for her.”

“Okay, but you better keep your cool if things go south.”

“You sound more worried than I am.”

No, he sounded as worried as I was, but I couldn’t let it show. There was no time for second-guessing. We walked in the opposite direction in a roundabout way and ended up behind them. Victoria, as expected, had cornered her. We were just in time to see her snatch the beret from Gianna’s head, and one of her friends actually tugged on her hair to see if it was real.

It wasn’t harmful, more like genuine curiosity, but it was enough to serve my purpose. They were all surprised, including Gianna, when I walked up on them. “What do you think you’re doing? Get your hands off her.”

“Are you fucking her now, is that it?”

“Whoa, Victoria.” Lance tried to check her, not at all pleased with where things were going.

“Leave her, let her talk.”

“Mom said you need to come home. You can’t stay at the Russos forever, and you better not be lying to them about us either.”

“Your mom has nothing to do with her; she’s with me. If she has something to say, tell her to come find me. By the way, where’s your father? I mean your real father, not the one your mother tried to steal for you.”

“What? What’re you talking about?” I just smiled and took Gianna’s arm to lead her to her class. “Oh, and thanks for making this so easy.” I threw back over my shoulder as we walked away. Lance just kept shaking his head like he really didn’t expect things to go this far, but it’s what I’d expected, what I’d hoped for. Emily and Rachel were damn near mortified as if this was the first time they’d seen the bullying up close like that.

“Oh, my goodness, they accosted you. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine!” No, you’re shaken, but it’s the last time. I’ll make it up to you later, but this was the only way I could see to take care of this part of my plan.

“I’ll see you at lunch; wait for me.” As soon as she walked into her class, I pulled my phone and made a call as I headed to mine.

“Nana, I need a favor.”

“Gabe, aren’t you supposed to be in school? Did something happen?”

“I’m here; the favor involves school.”

“Uh-oh, and you’re not calling your father? What kind of trouble are you in? Do I need…”

“No, it’s not for me, and Pop can’t help; he’s not on the board of trustees.”

I gave her the bare bones ending with today’s little fiasco, knowing how she’d react. I could get Victoria expelled with just the two witnesses from today, but that wasn’t enough. I know once nana and her little blue-haired crew get involved, not only Victoria but her mother will feel the brunt of it. They only think they know what ostracization is; now they’ll learn what that shit feels like.

“Fontane, why does that name sound so familiar?”

“Gianna’s mom used to do a lot of charitable work in our community.”

“Oh, is that the young lady that passed? Your mom mentioned something about her lately. I think I remember her vaguely. You go on to class; I’ll get right on this. I’ll get back to you by the end of the day. You must bring your young lady to dinner with the family soon.”

How did she get that from what I said? I in no way indicated that I had any interest in Gianna, but I guess the fact that I was making the call was all the proof she needed. “I think it might take longer than the end of the day.” I ignored her other comment.

“Of course, it won’t.” She hung up.

“Damn Gabe, that’s cold. You brought out the big guns.” Lance shuddered like he’d caught a sudden chill. I’d all but forgotten he was there. And he’s right. Nana can make Draco look like a choirboy. She’s the one person the men in my family bow to in all matters. Victoria and Becky don’t stand a chance.