Payback

Chapter 24: The Eye of the Storm

From: Unknown

"When you are in the eye of the storm, you are often not aware of the whiplash around you." -Hugh Bonneville

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"This is why I told you to tell Gabriel," Bianca said, stressing out after I told them of what happened at our confrontation.

We are currently at a cafe near our homes. Khaila is on video call and drinking coffee with us.

"It still bothers me how Sandra casually interacts with us without knowing that she's actually holding a grudge towards Lianna and Gabriel and possibly all of us," Stella said.

"What will you do now?" Khaila asked.

I shrugged before taking a sip of my coffee. "My family is falling apart and I don't know what to do."

"You know there is a way to end this, right?" Bianca said. "Talk to Sandra."

"I will but–" I sighed. "I don't know how I can talk to her. I don't even know if Gabriel is up for it," I admitted.

"Have you two talked after what happened?" Tori asked.

I shook my head as a response. "He doesn't even sleep next to me now. He sleeps on the couch in our room," I added.

"At least he still stays in the same room," Hope said in a positive tone, hoping it would brighten the mood.

All of us sighed before drinking on our mugs. I'm kind of getting guilty that I burdened them with our problems.

"Her son," Stella said, breaking the short silence.

"What about him?" I asked.

"What will happen to Marina and him?" Stella asked.

"Well, it's up to Marina to decide whether she would accept him again or not," I answered.

"How about you? Would you want him to be your daughter's boyfriend again?" Khaila asked.

"Whatever would make her happy will make me happy as well." I smiled a bit.

I stand by what I said before. Marina is already old enough to know what would be best for her. I would always guide her throughout but the decision will always be hers.

"That Alexander Parker, was it?" Hope said. "Oh, I'm sorry. Alexander Planes," she corrected herself.

"He was also a victim of his mother's schemes. When I stopped by their school to give Faith her notebook that she left at home, I saw them together. I witnessed the way he looked at your daughter, Lianna. It was love. It's not pretend anymore, it was real." Hope looked directly at me, wanting me to understand that Xander should not be treated as a foe. "He looked at Marina like how Gabriel looked at you," she added.

"That is what Sandra failed to realize. The possibility of his son falling for the enemy was high," Tori said.

I stared at my almost empty cup. I feel so bad for Marina and Xander. They could've been happy together if it wasn't for me.

I was broken out of my reverie when somebody's phone rang. Bianca immediately grabbed her phone from her bag and answered the call.

"Damon, I am going to kill you," she whispered, and Hope, Stella, and Tori laughed.

I chuckled lightly as well. We had a deal a while ago that the first person that got called by their husband will have to pay for all of our drinks.

I lost twice at this game before because Gabriel gets paranoid whenever I stay out of the house for too long. I didn't expect him to call this morning though because I didn't think he would care if I left early.