Unforeseen

Chapter XVII

I was afraid Benson might ban me from The Page Turner if I didn't return the next day to fill him in on all that had happened. Although the disappointment in his face showed that he was hoping for much more juicier details than I was giving him. As time passed, I fell into a new routinewhich ultimately landed me in a new way of life. I went to the bookstore every Monday since Giorgia was kind enough to let that be my permanent day off each week, which I was ecstatic about. There was just something about Mondays they were always disastrous, either that or I just disliked them that much that I made them that way on my own. 

Even Benson seemed to change with time, he took more pride in his appearance. He began sweeping and cleaning up the cob webs throughout the store as well as replacing the burnt-out light bulbs with new ones. He even took ownership of finally restoring the books to their original places –which took him months and months to do. Butduring that period he was able to focus and take his time making it happen since I was his only customer and I barely ever interrupted him.

Once that task had been completed, he then decided to invest some money into the old girl and 123replace the ratty, old sign out front. After doing so, I think it made him feel good seeing the place move in the direction he had wanted for so long. Then one day when I had stopped unexpectedly, he was outside painting the building with a few fellas. It was finally getting that fresh new look that it was craving. In doing the minor upgrades he started to attract new visitors, some ended up turning into regulars and being loyal customers, while others just came to scope the place out for a one-time stop.In front of my very eyes, I watched Benson's attitude about his store and demeanor towards people evolve in the most positive way.

As for Gabriele and I, with each passing month,our relationship continued to change in the best of ways. It started out small with just the dinner one day a week, staying in, of course, cooking together. Which led to Gabriele coming in to dine at the restaurant one to two days a week. That was nice because the days I worked my long shift until dark he made sure to always come for a late dinner and see that I got inside my apartment okay. Although it was a sweet gesture, I couldn't help but laugh at the silliness of it too because the apartment entrance was only right next door, literally, and before he had been in the picture Giorgia always made sure I got inside safely before driving home. 

Eventually, we flourished into something more, we began going out on dates, trying different restaurants around the area. Gabriele would surprise me with a new dress each week to wear on one of the nights we went out. He even took me to the theater for the first time ever in my life. Which I ended up falling in love with so we made it a point to go there once a week either on Friday or Saturday evening as one of our date nights. Before I knew it Gabriele and I were spending almost every day together, whether it was meeting somewhere for breakfast in the morning to late catch-ups at night, whenever we could see each other, we did. 

He took the time to accompany me to Benson's bookstore too on my regularly scheduled day. Benson had grown quite fond of Gabriele and not just over time it was all rather quickly which made our visits long but go smoothly. Our connection was on a deep level, and in fact, Benson had been right about one thing, Gabriele and I did have chemistry.In time I saw the way he looked at me, and I could feel the way I looked at him. We were something special together, something extraordinary, and I hadn't felt this good in general or about a person in a long time. Finally, I could say yet again that I was happy.

A few months before our year Gabriele had begun staying over at my apartment at night. I had to admit I enjoyed knowing that I would wake up beside him and fall asleep next to him. He had trulytransformed into a different person than the one I had first met. I just hoped that part of him was buried away deep down inside. I never wanted to see that part of him again, but I still knew it was there, it existed, and I had to be conscious of that. 

For our first-year anniversary, some friends of his threw an extravagant party in our honor. Gabriele had been sure not to introduce me to them or his family prior to this. I tried not to dwell on that though, he had told me bits and pieces of manystories about his family being mixed up in some business that he really couldn't talk to me about. It also would come to be that none of his family members were even at the party, not his father, mother, or any of his brothers. On the other hand, his friends were dressed in their best attire, and the party was unheard of. 

The conversation that filled the room wasmostly gushing about the house itself that we were in and the band of friends that treated each other more like family. By the looks of it, it appeared that most of the people there neither his friends nor Gabriele even knew. Almost as if they had just sent 126out invitations to anyone and everyone that would come but only to those who were like them. Dressed, talked, and walked like them. Ones that had money, like them. Even the women had some sort of air about them. Gabriele kept me close to his side at all times even when he whispered business with his friends and so-called colleagues.

For this I was thankful, I could've easily got lost or drown out with all the voices and faces at the party. I think he could tell that further into the night I turned almost uncomfortable. I tried my best not to fidget but it was rather difficult. The room was filled with just as many women as there were men,and they all looked at me as if I didn't belong. They could see right through my outfit, reading me like a letter that I wasn't one of them. I could almost hear their whispers as they continuously shot glances my way throughout the entire evening. Things like what's she doing here, how did she get invited, how is she with him, who is she, the list goes on and on. 

"Ready to go?" Gabriele whispered in my ear. 

My smile was enough to answer him withouthaving to voice it. 

"Come," he said while taking my hand and pulling me through the crowd towards the front entrance.

Our ride back to my place was quiet. I appreciated the silence to clear my head and gather my thoughts. 

Pulling up alongside my apartment door Gabriele shut the car off. Reaching for me he began stroking my hair before running his fingers down the side of my face affectionately. "I do apologizeAbriana, I'm sure that was uncomfortable for you. That's why I never introduced you to my friends or associates before because I just never wanted to put you in that kind of environment. That's how they are and how their gatherings are, all high and mighty. It's a good time when you're looking for a good time, but I'm not looking for that anymore. I found something with you, and I think we are really great here, and I want to continue on this journey together for as long as you'll have me. I guess...I guess I could've warned you, but it's just one of those things you can't describe, you have to see itfor yourself." 

I had never seen his eyes so dark before, genuinely dark with sorrow seeking forgiveness. I imagine this is what he looked like the night he wrote me that letter of how he talked down to me. Reaching over I lightly ran my hand through the hair on the top of his head.

"Hey...I can take it," I reassured him, "I can tell you're not like them anymore, and I'm glad for that. Besides, it's because of situations like that I have a stronger backbone. I'm used to being treated wrongfully." 

The sadness in his eyes returned once more but deeper this time, pulling from somewhere suppressed inside him. "I don't want anyone to have the power to make you feel like you are less than what you are," he said to me after planting a soft kiss on my hand. "Pay no attention to those types of people and what they think. None of that matters, they don't matter nor do their opinions." 

"It's okay. I am fine. Now, are you staying the night or..." 

"Actually, I hate to say this but I do have some business I have to take care of. It just came up and it's pretty urgent. But I will be back later on, it'll be late though so don't wait up." 

"Oh...alright, maybe I'll see you then, if not in the morning," I said while getting out and heading towards the door. Before he left, I made sure to blow a kiss in his direction to send him off with, a small way of letting him know that everything was fine.