Forced Into Insanity

Chapter 11: The Workaholic's Demise

— Francesca —

"I guess I did, Love." The words tumble effortlessly from my mouth. I did read you, Oliver Feurn. I read you so well you were caught off guard, left to tumble backwards and trip over yourself you absolute fool.

This is no longer your game.

I worry for this absolute fool.

A look of awe coats his features. His mouth is left agape, he can't say anything, he doesn't want to but,

You can think faster than you talk, Feurn.

What the hell? Fran, it was never meant to end like this. I'm innocent.

I hurry to tug the blanket over his head and kick at his body. He winces a few times but ultimately remains unaffected. I get dressed into proper clothes and take a random coat from the coat hanger while he's trying to help himself up. He coughs quite violently, signalling that my hits landed. I'm one step away from bashing his head in, digging into an already hopeless man. I loosely wrap the coat around my shoulders and head off running outside this cursed house.

Oliver is the man who patched me up, thus making him the man who sent me the torn blouse and,

also the man I'm in love with? God. What has the world come to? I can't be in love with a criminal, it simply won't happen. I feel so revolted, so utterly disgusted, I feel like I need a fucking shower. I won't love someone like that, I shouldn't

but who else do I have anymore?

Gabriel's wrapped up with Katherine and Thomas won't talk to anyone for whatever reason.

I look back at Feurn, my eyes widen at his state. He's reaching for a knife atop the stove. I'm not about to stay long enough for him to put it to use. I cover my mouth and run even faster.

—~~~—

I've managed to make my way to Thomas. I actually run into his chest and instead of pulling away, I hold on to his arms with both my hands. I only tell him one thing.

"Hide me." He nods.

He pulls me towards a pitch black room and sits me down somewhere in the black abyss. I hear the ruffle of denim, which signals that he's crouched in front of me. I know he has questions, he's Thomas, anything that has to do with me is to be questioned.
"You know, it's fucking scary to see someone running at you and telling you to hide them."
"I know. Ok do you remember the night my family's restaurant got robbed? I was taken by a stranger and patched up-"
"What do you mean you were 'taken'?"
"I passed out. I have no memory of how I got where I did but the stranger patched me up."
"I don't understand."

I shoot him a confused look.

"I don't understand how this relates to our current situation." He clarifies.
"My current situation you mean, you have nothing to do with this." I correct him.
"Well now I sure do, so why don't you fill me in?" He comments, annoyed.

"Oliver is the stranger that patched me up, I didn't know him at the time."
"Like didn't know him well?"
"Didn't know him at all, not even his name. I'd never seen him nor even heard of him at that point."
"Right..and what was he doing patching up a random chick?"
"I don't know..I really wish I did, Tom." I look away, deep in thought. How do I explain that I was full on in love with this dude to another guy, who is probably also in love with me? Maybe I shouldn't have talked to Thomas.
"So...that's it?"
"It's hard to explain." I sigh.
"What is? Didn't you just explain? It really doesn't seem to be that hard." He sounds interrogating, like he's doubting me. He's being such a jerk. I'm trying to save your poor feelings for me.

"Uh...so then I find out the creepy dude who bandaged me is my coworker, so that was fun."

His expression changes drastically.

"Duh." Gabriel mocks.
"Where the actual fuck did you come from?" Is my immediate response.
"Katherine. I came by to visit and noticed Thomas acting weird."
"Oh don't act like you care." Thomas snaps back.
"She probably asked you to come to the back huh? Don't even act like you noticed shit." He continues.

I...I shouldn't be here right now.

"You're acting like you're seeing your parents kiss for the first time, and no she didn't call me to fuck. I decided to visit and noticed your dumbass slithering around so I thought you were being all salty, I was about to ask what the fuck your problem is." Gabriel snaps back.

Damn.

"That's a lotta damage." I say out loud.

Thomas gives me a death stare. If looks could kill, I'd be more than six feet under right now. Gabriel bursts out laughing and collects himself almost immediately.
"Sorry, it's just the timing was perfect. Seriously though, chill. I'm not going to break her heart, I assure you."
"And how do I know that?"
"Because I wouldn't have been with her if I didn't care about her, Thomas. I love her and she loves me, neither of us is against it. You're the only one making a fuss."

This time I cross my arms, I look to see Thomas doing the same beside me and smile confidently.

"Objection, your honour." I state. Gabriel just rolls his eyes dramatically.
"Yes I actually have a girlfriend, unbelievable, I know."
"No it's not that. When did all of this happen? Why Katherine? Why didn't I know about it until now?" I raise my voice significantly.
"Why the fuck do I have to find out by accident? Don't I at least deserve to know? To even be aware that some girl is visiting our restaurant and getting behind the counter, acting like she fucking owns the place!" I shout even louder somehow.
"That's a good point, I can't even respond to that to be quite frank, I should have told you she was visiting, but I didn't know where you were then. I didn't even know you were in the restaurant to witness this whole mess go down. Why don't we hug it out?"

He's dodging the question entirely.

"Gabriel, The fuck?" I see right through him.
"As much as I would love to talk about my love affairs, I would like to know why you're here, you couldn't have possibly known I was here so you must be here to talk to Thomas, am I mistaken?" I shake my head.
"Why?" It takes me a while to process this but I decide not to tell him.
"Why not?" I reply flatly.

Gabriel rolls his eyes at me once more, shoves his hands into his pockets and walks away.

"You're not telling him?" Thomas asks somewhere beside me.
"No. He's been keeping secrets and I don't like it." I reply. It helps to get this off my chest, I only realise how angry I truly am at Gabriel but I don't like him not telling me about Katherine.

I deserve to know.

"You didn't tell him about Oliver, Francesca."