The Book of Gemma -Apocalyptic Fantasy Romance-

CHAPTER 8: GOODBYE MY SWEET STRANGER

Deecon hides downstairs wasting his time to eavesdrop as I begin to put on a play for Franco.
Franco's eyes flutter open as he rests on my bed.
"Good morning." I charm.

He raises his head from the pillow. "When did I fall asleep?" He grumbles. He rubs his eyes trying to focus on me sitting at his side of the bed. "We both passed out watching tv last night." I lied. He smiles as his focus on me becomes clear. "Oh ha ha... did you want to go get breakfast?"
I feel every emotion again and it hurts. It hurts to know this is what emotion I need to feel after being so in control of them.

I shake my head sadly. "I have to go to the lab this morning... I hope you understand." and he did. "No worries, I need to pack up my stuff anyways to head back to Lower today."
I can't give you much Franco, but I can give you time.
I can do something.
I grab his wristband glowing red counting down the hours until he is sent back down. I type in my code to give him more time, I wanted to give him so much more though. I wanted to give him nothing but happiness, but my soul destroyer is leaning against the wall downstairs waiting for me.

His wristband lights up green as I give him 6 months worth of time loaded onto it. He blinks rapidly looking down at it.
"Oh my god, Gemma. You didn't have to do that." He wipes tears from his eyes at my gift. "I will give you more soon, I promise." I say in a low hush from Deecon's hearing. And then Franco does something I wish he didn't.
He embraces me, putting his hand on the back of my head to push me into the crook of his neck.

I feel the warmth from his body on my cheek and I want to cry. I want to collapse in his arms, I don't want him to leave. My back begins to shake as I let my tears fall onto his shirt. He grabs my shoulders pushing me back to face him.

"Hey, hey, hey what's wrong?" He worries. I shake my head starting to laugh at my outburst. His thumb begins to wipe my tears from my cheek. The warmth, I'm going to miss it so terribly.
"I'm sorry for being so bold, I am just going to miss you." I admit.
I stupidly admit. I hope Deecon had heard it, just twist the knife in his back.

"Why don't you come-"
I interrupt him with my hand closing over his mouth. I place a finger over my mouth motioning to be silent.
"Deecon is downstairs waiting for me... he mustn't know about us. He will punish me for talking to you." I shake speaking these words.

Franco slowly removes my hand from his mouth and begins to kiss my fingertips. The very fingertips that ripped my race from his mind just hours ago. "Then we will remain a secret if it means I can see you again." If I wasn't in my pendant state, I would never allow this riskiness but my heart yearns for his. I cannot help it, I am bounding myself to his existence. I nod my head to him as he places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

I open the front door for him as Albi stands outside ready to get the car door open. As Franco steps into the vehicle he waves goodbye a smile. Albi closes the door and nods to me as he gets into the driver's seat.

Just like that, Franco is gone.

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Monday morning hits Sky and I have still yet to hear from Franco. I have tried texting him, deleting the texts before Deecon gets paranoid. But nothing. I force the urge to cry down as I head to the lab.

I step out with one of my employees opening my car door.

I stop by the reception first. "Hey Jen.." I trail seeing her scrolling through her wristband at the latest gossip magazine. She doesn't even look up.
I clear my throat loudly and she finally looks up. She drops her wrist down and straightens her posture.

"Ms. Knox I am so sorry." Her spike in anxiety poking into my sides like knives. "Jen... Look at me when you are speaking. It's not polite to avoid connection." She looks up to give me eye contact.
"Stay off the band until break yeah?"
She nods and hands me a stack of mail. I rifle through and hand them back. "Throw away anything that revolves around building anything non essential." My heels click while walking to the elevator.
Top floor to my office.
Window walls like my house, gray hardwood floors, TV above a fireplace and couch with a pull out mattress. I turned it into a mini version of my living room. I would come here and work when I didn't want to come home to Deecon. As soon as my ass touches the seat, 5 employees walk in with binders and coffee but not for them.