LOVE AND IT CIRCLE

Chapter nineteen

Gabriel•

The clock ticked, each passing second a symphony of impatience as Zach waited for me to emerge, his nerves a palpable force in the air.

A dizzying array of options swirled in my mind, as I struggled to decide on an outfit suitable for the New York scene. A pencil skirt? No, too predictable.

A long black dress? Maybe, but with a jacket? The indecision was maddening. I knew I had to make a choice, time was of the essence.
But then I decided to go with B.

"It's good that you have that jacket on, I don't like people staring at my things."
The lazy roll of my eyes belied the flutter of joy that stirred within me, "Just say it already that I look nice."as I stood before Zach, his suit accentuating his every muscle in a way that was both charming and infuriating.

I could feel his eyes roving over my dress, an appreciation that seemed tinged with the memory of Amelia. A ghost of the woman he once knew, standing before him in an echo of his lost love. But for me, it was a moment of triumph, a silent declaration that I had won this battle of seduction.

As the cityscape passed by, the glinting towers and bustling streets a symphony of life, I took a moment to revel in the unfamiliar sights that had become my temporary home. My eyes danced across the landscape, soaking up every detail, trying to commit the city's pulse to memory.

But my stomach chose that moment to speak its language of hunger, a deep, guttural rumble that shattered the silence between us.

"Are we there yet?"

Zach's laugh, like the tinkling of a bell, filled the car, his amusement at my expense.

"We almost there honey."

The ache in my stomach only heightened my irritation.

"Babe are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course I'm not, I'm hungry."

"It might not be hunger,  maybe someone inside is hungry." He tissed.

"Zach!"

As his laugh reverberated through the car, I felt a surge of annoyance wash over me. But my anger was quickly forgotten as the restaurant came into view, a shining beacon of decadence that seemed to demand wealth and exclusivity.

Stepping inside, the hush of the space enveloped us, the absence of other patrons an eerie reminder of Zach’s power. The waiter, worn in black and white, glided towards us, his smile a showed of politeness. As we perused the menu, the world seemed to narrow to the few inches of space that existed between us.
" I didn't know you would have such money to book the entire place."

"I'm rich remember. "He said as he opened a chair for me to sit .
With one brow raised,"not that I forgot Sir."

But the quiet was shattered by the click of the door opening, a sound that split the atmosphere with its suddenness.

An elderly man, his frame draped in wisdom, entered, his white beard and hair a stark contrast to the polished interior.

As if sensing my distress, Zach's hand clasped mine, his gaze melting into mine. The simple gesture was a balm for my nerves, a silent reminder that he was there to protect me, no matter what.

As Fernando advanced towards us, worn in white, his eyes carrying the weight of wealthy power, I felt a creeping dread slither through my veins. The stench of danger radiated from him, a perfume that permeated the air around us.

And behind him, the eerie presence of Almanzer, her white dress a stark contrast to the shadows that clung to her like a cloak. 

"My favorite people." Fernando said out loud.