Square root of Trouble

Counterwork

Hey guys, I don't know if you're a football fan, and if you do know who Ibrahimovic is, but for this chapter I thought I would choose him as Dimitri. Here's a picture of the guy ⬆️ xoxoxo

Chapter 7

Gabriel's POV

I wake up to the sound of doors slamming and people shouting.

If I was to guess, I would say my father has his "friends" over again, for business matters...

Rolling out of bed, I pass a hand through my face, mentally preparing myself for another day of work and school.

After taking a quick shower and trimming my beard, I dress some peppermint shorts, a white tank top with a picture of an eagle at the front and some blue sanjo shoes.

I pick up my leather bag for school and exit the house from the windows - not even daring to go downstairs to find some breakfast -, as I'm not particularly fond of those said friends of father, who must be scattered all over the property, today.

Jumping to a tree near my second floor balcony, I descend it and walk towards the garage where I select a Sikorsky model to ride, arriving at Aaron's in 10 minutes.

Readying the key house to unlock the front door, I first notice a cardboard box standing on top of the welcome carpet.

"What's up, X-Boy? Forgot your key?" Aaron says, using my old nickname, and opening the door wider for me to come inside. "I heard your car."

"Huh..." I pick the box. "You have mail."

Aaron makes a face and takes it from my hands to analyze the little cube with a big red bow.

"It says it's for... Ruby?"

I scrunch my brows.

"It says, where?"

"Here." He points to a small paper, saying Sarlett Di Geniva in big black cursive letters.

"Di Geniva?" I ask, entering. "Sure it's Ruby? I thought her last name was James?"

He motions me to follow him to the library.

"She's also Scarlett, and the card with her name has a ruby form." Aaron explicits. "Too much coincidences, although we don't really know if her true name is, in fact, her name."

"It could be, but not her complete one."

"Perhaps." He gives it some thought. "We'll give her the box when she gets out of her room."

Detecting some tension in his voice, I silently question his choice of words.

"She almost fell three stories down, last night." Aaron reveals, with a long exhale.

"Is she okay?" I hurriedly ask, concerned with her wellbeing.

"Yeah." He stops me when I go to see her. "It was only a scare."

"What was she doing upstairs?" I rhetorically inquire, frustrated with her negligence. "That roof must have more than 50 years! It's old, decrepit and it's starting to collapse! Geez!"

"Good morning, beautiful ladies!" Luke acknowledges whilst coming to seat on the armchair close to the fireplace. "Any news from Nick?"

"Negative." Shane replies, while I try to calm myself. "And I've done a review of Nicholas's location."

"So he remains in Zakhar's since yesterday?" Luke checks, while roaming the dusted books that fill dozens of mahogany shelves.

"Yes, although we could be worrying for nothing." He reminds. "Let's wait a few more hours, say after school, to elaborate a rescue plan, if needed."