𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐋 || 𝟏𝟖+

21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE || IMANI

I lay in my bed reading a book as Gabriel walks in. "hey imma keep my distance so I don't get your bug, but I just wanna know if you'll watch after Valeria tonight I got work buisness to attend to in the next town over." he says

I had made up the excuse that I was sick so I didn't have to sleep in the same bed as him. I still haven't told him what I heard. And I don't know my game plan to do so.

"Sure." I give a tight lipped smile in his direction and he nods walking out the room.

I love this man but I don't wanna look at him.

*flashback*

"Mama look!!" I squeal turning my cartwheel in the grass.

"Wow baby." My mom exclaims sipping on some of her lemonade.

"Watch this too!" I do a back-spring but fall on my butt. I hear her gasp and she springs up from her chair, rushing over to me.

"Are you okay baby?" she says kneeling over me trying to help me up.

"Yeah I say weekly." Tears fill my eyes which blur my vision. "everybody else in my gymnastics class can do it but me." I cry and she comforts me wrapping me into her arms.

"Bebee, tumhen mil gaya bas koshish karate raho." she says putting my hair behind my ears. I do got it.
Translate: Baby, you got it just keep trying

"Theek hai maan," I get back up and get in my stance as she stays on her knees looking up at me.
Translate: Okay mom

I flip my trick and nail it and my mom goes up in applause.

"You did it baby, im so proud!!" her arms wrap around me hugging the life outta me.

"Main tumhen pyaar karata hun maan." I say returning her embrace.
Translation: I love you Mama

"Main bhee tumase pyaar karata hoon Imani." she says as she kisses my forehead.
Translation: I love you too Imani

*back to present*

"Mani?" Aliana's voice fills the room and I look up from the picture of me and my mom. I wipe the tears from my cheeks and motion for her to come in.

"Did he really?" she sounds sad. "yeah." I choke up as more tears fall down my face. "I loved him.." I cry into Alianas arms as she comforts me.

"Uh- this isn't the time but.. ME AND GIO GOT ENGAGED!!" she squeals. The tears stop and I perk up squealing with her.

"That was so fast, y'all have only known eachother for what three months!" I hold her hand examining the huge diamond ring.

"It's just right." she says looking up at me. "and you and Gabriel are right for eachother, but what he did I would leave his ass." she snipes.

"Imma fucking kill him for hurting you." she wraps her arms back around me coddling my figure. "it's okay baby."

"Thank you Lia."

"No problem boo."

༺ ৎ୭ ༻

I sit at the head of the table and twirl the spaghetti with my fork. It's dark now and the family has sat down for dinner. Gabriel should be back around midnight. So I'm gonna tell him then.

"You okay Mani?" Rio's voice chips up as he grabs a piece of garlic bread out the basket.

I don't answer I just keep eating as all the thoughts rush through my head.

"Mommy are you okay-?" I hear Val's voice say.

I snap.

"I'M FUCKING FINE OKAY SO CAN YOU JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP, LEAVE ME ALONE AND EAT YOUR GOD DAMN FOOD!" the room goes quiet. Utensils are dropped and jaws are open.

And a little girls tears start flowing as her little feet run up the stairs. "Valeria." I put my head in
my hands.

"No!" she screams then I hear a door slam causing me to jolt.

Fuck me.

I get up from the table and upstairs knocking on the door. "Valeria Russo, open the door!" I gently scold. But I just hear her sobs through the door.

"Go away I hate you!" she chokes until her sobs become muffled. She's about to hate me way more for what i'm about to do...

I walk away and into my bedroom. I sit on the bed composing myself. It's 7:32pm. Gabriel should be back by midnight. Please god give me strength.

༺ ৎ୭ ༻

midnight

"Baby?" Gabriels voice echos outside the door as his heavy hands knock on it. "fuck the cold I wanna hold you, hug you, sleep with you, I'll get sick for you." I can see the doorknob twist but my vision was cloudy from tears and runny mascara.

He walks in and im on my knees. My lace was messy, makeup was running down my face, and I didn't look presentable.

"Imani.." he says moving closer. I hold my hand out in front if him causing him to hault.

"Did you kill my mother?" I cry.

💜