CHAPTER NINE

I stood behind Gabriel, conflicted on if I should just hurry off in shame or find out what happened to Janet. She just caught me kissing her brother, my ex husband but the bruises on her face made that less relevant at the moment.

“What the fuck happened to you?”

Gabriel finally asked his sister in a dangerous tone.

“Nothing.”

She muttered, looking away.

“You better start telling me truth.”

He said, taking two steps to her.

“He hit me again.”

She stuttered, tearfully.

Her abusive husband, Alex did this to her!

No more words were said, he stormed away to his car and sped off before either of us could stop him.

“What are you doing here?”

She asked, glaring at me.

“Don’t you think we should follow him?”

I asked, clearly avoiding the question

“I’m not going back. I’m tired of going back.”

She muttered, downcast.

“You should get inside then, I’ll just…”

“He’s going to fight Alex, please help me make sure he’s okay.”

She told me as I turned to leave.

“I will.”

I nodded and left.

I called Gabriel severally to know where he was but he wasn’t picking. I knew where Janet lived and I wanted to drive down there because I knew that was where he was headed to but for what?

His family problem was none of my business now, we were divorced.

So, I drove straight home and could only hope that he was okay.

.

.

.

By morning, I woke up to a text from Gabriel.

GABRIEL: Just left the hospital, will you come home to make me that special soup of yours?

Hospital?

What exactly happened between him and Janet’s abusive husband?

I left, without second thoughts, to his house with the sole intention to make sure he was okay.

Getting to Gabriel’s house, I went to the small lounge—it used to be my favorite place in the house, memories of how I would sit on one of the white couches and read romance books all day flooded my mind, now, I was only a visitor here.

I met him working on his laptop and sipping coffee. He was shirtless and in a white pair of trousers.

He noticed my presence as soon as I walked in and my eyes widened at the sight of bruises on his face.

“Gabriel!”

I gasped, my hands over my mouth.

“You should see Alex’s face.”

He said with a stupid grin.

“Not funny, did you really had to fight?

I asked, trying not to touch him as I sat with him.

“I’ve had him arrested twice so I guess beating him up was the next option.”

He shrugged, leaning into the couch.

“And divorce?”

I frowned.

“My mom wouldn’t want that.”

He muttered.

“Can you hear yourself, Gabriel? You sound like a little boy.”

“Hey!”

He snapped.

“What!?”

I snapped back and he exhaled, scratching his growing stubble which looked hot on him by the way.

“Jane’s had two kids for him and a third one’s on the way, she can’t divorce him now.”

“So she’s going back to that monster?”

I asked and he was quiet for a moment.

“No, she’s staying in the family house till after her delivery.”

“And then what? She just goes back to getting beaten?”

“I’ll handle that, love, don’t worry.”

He told me, his blue eyes captivating mine as he touched my hands.

We stared silently at each other for a while until he leaned in and kissed me.

“Stop it.”

I whispered but allowed another kiss from him.

“Why?”

He asked in between hard kisses.

God, my pussy was dripping already, I hadn’t had sex since the last time we did it in the hotel. I was seriously in need of a man—Gabriel.

“Just let me cook and leave.”

I finally stopped him, my hands splayed on his strong, wide chest.

“Okay.”

He smirked, looking down at my cleavage. I should have worn a more decent dress.

“Can I help out?”

He asked as I stood up, heading for the kitchen.

I knew how much distraction he was going to be in the kitchen but I still agreed and he threw a victorious fist bump in the air and jumped from the couch, following me like a kid following his mom to the kitchen.

I held in a loud laugh at this.

After making the requested soup—Italian penicillin, I sat with Gabriel and watched him until the last scoop.

“Well, I guess my job here is done.”

I sighed, ready to leave.

“I love you, Imelda.”

Gabriel suddenly blurted out. I was speechless for a good I’ve seconds.

“I don’t think so.”

I shook my head.

“Why? Is it because of the stupid engagement? Fine! I’ll call it off!”

“I didn’t ask you to do that!?”

“Then what!?”

“Nothing Gabriel! I’m married!”

I whispered, loudly.

He said nothing after this, just buried his face in his hands.

“I shouldn’t even be here.”

I muttered, confused as hell.

“This is exactly where you should be! This is your home!”

He spoke into his palms.

“I have a new home now and I have to get going.”

I told him as tears threatened to roll down my cheeks but I wiped them off with my fingers just in time. No more crying for a chopped off head.

“Goodbye Gabriel.”

Those were my last words to him before I left and hearing him sob as I walked away made my heart break.

I got home to a surprise—Easton was back!

I was scared at first, wondering if he knew that I was at Gabriel’s but that was unlikely, so, I decided to play cool.

I met him in the small bar drinking from a bottle of whisky. He was still in his work clothes, his face red and angry.

Oh God. What happened?

“Easton? Is everything alright?”

I asked, announcing my presence.

He looked at me and his eyes were red rimmed.

“Where were you?”

He rumbled and my heart started beating faster.

“A friend’s.”

I lied quickly.

“What friend?”

He asked, getting up from the barstool.

“Um. An old friend.”

I swallowed, terrified of how he was getting closer and closer.

Then, It happened so fast, in a split second, I felt a blow to my face.

Easton slapped me!

“You hit me!”

I gasped, greatly shocked.

“If I find out you’ve been fucking around with Damasco, I’ll do worst!”

He shouted and then stormed upstairs.

I held my sore face, tears streaming down my cheeks as I realized what a big mistake I’ve made.