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Chapter 37: GABRIEL
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Life First Love Chapter 1: GABRIEL
Continued from Part 1: The Life The Beginning I waited for her to go inside before making my way around to the other side of the house. “You two don’t need to follow me.” I saw Lance and Pop lurking in the shadows out the side of my eye like the worriers they are. Lance took a step forward, but Pop stopped him with a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back.“We’re right here, son; you go ahead.”The gate slid open, and I stepped out to see the car parked there. I’ll give him this; he looked genuinely worried. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, wanted to believe that everything that had happened to her had gone over his head and that he wasn’t a willing participant, but I can’t overlook the fact that that shit did happen on his watch.Whitewashing his part in her unjust treatment at the hands of the woman he himself had brought into her life would just be another slap in her face. I’d just be one more person who didn’t take her feelings and wellbeing into consideration,
The Life First Love Chapter 2: DRACO
DRACOWhen the hell did my kid take action? I could’ve sworn he was too busy playing lover boy all weekend to get up to anything else but apparently, he still had enough spare time to take a shot at the one in Sicily. As volleys go, it wasn’t a big one, but it was a strategic move. I felt equal parts pride and alarm. He’s really going through with it.I tapped on a few keys and went digging a little deeper just to make sure he’d covered himself and didn’t see anything that could lead back to him for now, but I’m almost certain he doesn’t intend to keep it that way. I took a deep breath and turned off the screen in front of me. Because Gabe has been so good at hiding his actions from me, I’d decided to go the other route and watch Ricci’s movements instead.The few million euro he’d cost Ricci was nothing to sneeze at; the man could afford it, but it’s the other people involved, the business deal he’d just scratched from behind the scenes that might cause an issue. I’m pretty sure he
The Life First Love 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
The Life First Love Chapter 4: GABRIEL
“Have you heard? Three people got expelled this morning.”“Really, who?”“Victoria Fontane, Jessica Adler, and Amber Vaughn.”“What the heck happened?”“I’m not sure, still waiting for the details, but apparently, it had something to do with Gabe Russo.”“Whoa, they messed with him? Are they dense? That guy is like Loki.”“Shh, he’s right over there. He’ll hear you.”Loki? Have I been too soft? How dare he? Still, I had to hide a smile. Nana works fast. I kept my eyes closed, and my head leaned back against the chair in the dining hall where the others were eating lunch at my table. It was more crowded today than any other, but I didn’t complain because they were here to see Gianna.I know she heard the whispers because her body tensed up, and I felt her head swivel in my direction. When the shakes started, I covered her hand on the table with mine but didn’t open my eyes. I was too busy navigating my thoughts around what I suspect would be Victoria’s next move. Now that she
The Life First Love Chapter 5: BECKY
I love the smell of money. I ran my nose over the stack of crisp bills and felt a whole lot better than I had when the mysterious man came to pick up the car. “Mom, who was that? Where did you get that?” Shit, I forgot she was here. Victoria walked into the room and stood over the bed where I’d emptied the money bag with thirty neatly bound stacks of ten thousand brand spanking new hundred-dollar bills each.I hurried to put it away while struggling to come up with an explanation. “Never mind that how about we go shopping? That will make you feel better, wouldn’t it?” When I saw the light in her eyes, I knew she’d forgotten all about her question.“Let’s drive to New York; I want to shop there, not at these stupid stores around here.”I knew why she wanted to go, she’s my daughter after all, and as long as I can keep her from asking any prying questions, I’m willing to do anything. Still, how would I explain the more than five-hour trip away from home without any warning? I know; I’
The Life First Love Chapter 6: GABRIEL
She seemed to catch herself, or maybe the fact that I wasn’t returning her embrace finally registered, and she started to pull away in embarrassment. I warned myself not to, but I couldn’t stand the thought of putting a damper on her mood, so I pulled her back into my chest for just a few seconds more.“You’re happy with your surprise; I take it.”“Yes, very. I don’t know how you did it but thank you. I’ve always been afraid of something happening to the car before it came to me.”“Now, you no longer have to worry. We’ll see about getting your permit sometime this week, and I’ll teach you how to drive; until then, you may drive up and down the driveway.”“You’ll teach me?” How does she get that light in her eyes?“Of course, who else?” She seemed overly pleased by that, and alarm bells started going off in my head. I cleared my throat and released her, turning to walk into the house. “There’s more inside if you can pull yourself away from the car.”“More? What more?”“Why don’t
The Life First Love Chapter 7: GABRIEL
“What’re you doing here?”“What? I can’t just drop by anymore now that you’ve got a new friend?” The jackass grinned.“Funny! What’s up?” I got up and pulled on the lightweight down vest that I’d thrown over the back of my chair as he stood there smirking at me.“Nothing’s up. I got bored. Where are you going?”“Come.”Not like I was going to shake him anyway. I wasn’t doing much, just making a quick stop since the Alden woman wasn’t answering her phone. I’m not afraid of her going around me, the woman had taken her kid out of school after all, but I needed to make sure all the same. “Wait here.” Of course, he didn’t, not once he realized I was going to the twins’ room and not Gianna’s.We could hear the three of them from outside the door, laughing. She was laughing. The sound rushed through me like sleigh bells at holiday time. Yes, I admit I have a weakness for that season, just like everyone else who indulges. Something about the warmth of a fireplace, the excitement in the a
The Life First Love Chapter 8: GABRIEL
By the time Lance and I made it back to the house, it was time for dinner, but there was someone waiting for me, someone I had almost forgotten. “Tell Ma and Pop that I’ll be right in.” I slapped Lance on the shoulder, sending him on his way. He’d only nag me to death if he knew what all I’ve been up to.“Did you get it?” The other man held out a sack for me to take.“It was easy; she left it in an underwear drawer of all things.”“Thanks.” I took his offering and headed inside and up the stairs to hide it before heading down to the dining room.Ma was in her element, having all these people to fuss over for dinner. It’s the Italian in her, I guess, that finds so much pleasure in having a crowded table. I noticed Gianna had remembered my place and had taken the seat next to mine. I’m getting way too into this sappy shit, but it felt good.The conversation was light and playful. No one mentioned anything too heavy, and there were only a few moments when I noticed a bit of sadness l
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The Life First Love Chapter 37: GABRIEL
Breakfast in the morning was a riotous mess. Ma was in her element, having the whole family here, including the grands as well as Gianna’s relatives who had gone from talking about the party the night before to the upcoming trip to Paris and the ball. I learned that Gianna was going to be busy once we returned from the Caribbean, which is a good thing. It will give me time to put the finishing touches on the Fontane issue while gearing up for mine. Aside from finding her the perfect gowns last minute, which they didn’t seem as worried about as the other stuff her invite entailed, there was a mind-numbing amount of crap she had to go through. I’d been there for my sisters’ and knew she had a long road ahead of her. I’d gained a whole new respect for the tradition after getting an up-close look from behind the scenes. Before, I thought it was a lot of waste for what boiled down to just a party. But the way the women in my family act it’s almost like a rite of passage, and I can see w
The Life First Love Chapter 36: GABRIEL
“Let me grab a jacket. Be right back.” She started to fret that there was nothing to do justice to her gown like a typical female before I stopped her.“No need. Here.” I walked to the coat closet where the rest of her outfit waited and removed the cape I’d left hanging there.“Oh my, it’s beautiful.” I draped the ermine coat around her shoulders and stood back to look. The padded silk cape had been died to match her gown in daffodil yellow, while the white ermine border glistened beneath the light of the chandelier. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” She ran her hands over the fur in awe.I took her hand and led her to the door, or I have a feeling she’d have stood there all night admiring herself. She hadn’t yet noticed the butterflies outlined with gold thread pattern that flitted along the back and sides of the cape, but I knew that would be a whole other conversation if she did, and I didn’t want my prey to retreat before the finale I had planned.“It’s not too cold, is it?
The Life First Love Chapter 35: VICTORIA
Who has this kind of security for a sweet sixteen? I couldn’t even get close to the gate. What am I even doing here anyway? Like a lost puppy searching for its owner. I don’t know what came over me, what made me get into mom’s car and sneak away, but I needed to know if everyone else had been invited but me.Just thinking about it made me too sick to my stomach to sit still. I couldn’t stand the thought of all of them laughing at me, talking about me behind my back, reminiscing about all the things I’d said and done in the past, and laughing at me. It always comes back to them laughing at me; that’s the one thing I can’t stand.But it’s like there’s an information blackout, and I’m the only one left looking in from the outside. My so-called friends aren’t returning my calls, and there’s no one else for me to ask. At least I haven’t seen any of them show up, and I’ve been here since well before the party started. I thought it would’ve been easy with all these people going in and out
The Life First Love Chapter 34: GABRIEL
“I wish the fuck you would.” Gianna jumped a good foot off the floor at my outburst when she stepped out of the room ahead of the others. My vision blurred for a few seconds, and I was lucky I was leaning against the wall, or I might’ve fallen on my ass at the sight. I couldn’t even find my voice for another minute or so, too perplexed by what I was seeing.I knew it, I knew they were up to some shit when they refused to show me what they were wearing for this dance number, but this, this goes beyond anything I could’ve imagined.“Gabriel, what’s wrong?” She looked spooked and more than a little wary at my tone, but what the hell.“What’s wrong? I’m going to wring your neck; that’s what’s wrong.”“Look, here comes the other two and their entourage.” Lance huffed beside me.“Gianna, what the hell do you think you’re wearing?” I reached for my jacket to cover her, only then remembering I wasn’t wearing one, and besides, I didn’t dare walk towards her, or I just might follow through
The Life First Love Chapter 33: GABRIEL
The next day there was nothing but chaos in the house. People talk about bridezillas, but I bet they have nothing on two Italian princesses who have their father wrapped around their fingers and a bevy of people willing to do their bidding for the right price. I didn’t see my girl all day because the twins wanted her with them. There were stylists, makeup artists, and who knows what else milling around the house since breakfast and the noise level was off the charts. Her ankle-biter kept me company all day while I kept him out of the way until it was time to get ready for the party. Pop had made his escape with Uncle Marcus on the golf course while I stayed in my room doing what I do best.I spent most of the morning eavesdropping on her family home and the other half preparing for Sicily. There was still no news of my grandfather, but I’d at least made headway in finding my way into the Ricci circle. My first plan of action has always been to find out who was at the party that nigh
The Life First Love Chapter 32: GABRIEL
The week flew by, or maybe it was the excitement surrounding the twins’ party that made it seem like it had. I’m always amazed at how life still goes on for others, even in the midst of your own turmoil. Gianna was being brave, but I’m almost certain she’s still in the trauma bonding stage, which is why I’ve been distracting her these last few days with anything other than sex.Sometime around Wednesday, which was the third day she cried in her sleep, I was hit by a thunderbolt. She’s going through trauma, but what’s my excuse? Why am I allowing this to happen when I know in the back of my mind that it’s not right? I’m not sure why it took me this long, but while everyone else is in a celebratory mood, I’ve been dealing with the guilt of taking an innocent’s innocence.Refusing her when I still want her is proving to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I’m doing it for her. I still won’t let her go back to her own bed, though, because she needs me in the night, so I stay
The Life First Love Chapter 31: GABRIEL
She’s asleep. Exhausted, hurt, confused, it was all written on her face, even as she slept. I watched over her for a little while longer before easing out from under her and going to get cleaned up. The water burned the scratches she’d left on my back and shoulders, but instead of being elated at the wildness she’d shown in my bed, I felt true nervousness for the first time in my life.Something has changed inside her. She no longer seems like the levelheaded innocent I’d saved that day not too long ago. To add even more to my worry, now that the excitement of the moment is over, my mind keeps throwing horrifying scenarios my way. There’s so much that could’ve happened to her in that house, so much that could’ve gone wrong, and I’ll be forever grateful to my sisters for not letting her go there alone.My thoughts wouldn’t settle down enough for me to do what I need to because I’m too worried that she’d go rogue again and wondering how the hell I can prevent it. Right now, her blood i
The Life First Love Chapter 30: VICTORIA
I’m going to kill her. I’m going to kill all of them. There was a wild fury building inside me, a pressure that needed release soon or I’d explode, so I screamed. It didn’t do much, but at the very least, it helped ease some of the pressure from my head and chest. The air around me thickened, making my head spin as I made my way up the stairs to my room, all the while fighting back the tears that I refused to let fall. Tears are for the weak, like Gia.I stood in front of the mirror in my room, assessing the damage and feeling both angry and embarrassed. I can’t believe I let her do this to me and in front of Gabriel Russo, no less. Now that it was over, I thought of all the things I should’ve done to her, but I’ve never been much of a fighter; then again, neither has she. Where the hell did she learn to fight like that?My lips were already starting to swell when I cleaned the blood away, and I could barely see out of my left eye. I had the urge to just let myself cry just this once
The Life First Love Chapter 29: GIANNA
It’s been days, and still, no matter how hard I push myself, I can’t escape the anger that now lives inside me. It’s frightening and all-consuming in a way not even my grief had been. It was hard enough dealing with my mother being gone at such a young age, enduring the things I have with her not here.I’d learned to keep my head down and wait for the day I could make my escape, but now, there’s no way I’m leaving without that bitch’s head. “Hey!” Hey, Gianna, calm down, come here.” I felt Gabriel’s arms come around me from behind me, pulling me back away from the punching bag in the home gym. I’d forgotten he was here.“It’s okay; I’m fine, really.” I also forgot how he watches over me like a hawk with its young these days. Maybe he, too, has noticed the change in me though I’ve done a pretty good job of hiding it. I’ve been pushing myself to the point of exhaustion these days to get rid of some of the pent-up anger and frustration, but today I seem to have reached my breaking point
