LOVE AND IT CIRCLE

Chapter One

Π

Gabriel

"Mom I had to leave there is nothing left for me there."

"Gabby why are you doing this, you know how crazy your father is going to become after hearing this."
I roll my eyes at the mention of my father.
"I don't care, by the way, he already got what he wanted."

"Gabby please come back home, you have caused enough trouble please my darling."

From fired to fierce, turning regret into resilience, I refuse to let a jerk define me.

Lost in a sea of uncertainty, I find myself in the bustling airport of a new city. The promise of a fresh start hangs in the air, but my mind is consumed with the haunting memories of my recent firing in LA. As I wait for my cousin Stella, my eyes dart around in search of something, anything to hold onto. Will this city be my saving grace or ultimate downfall? The unknown looms ahead, and I can't help but wonder what fate has in store for me.

At this point I don't want to sit here, or find myself all alone again because my mind is going to put me where I don't want to recall. What a foolish lady I was before. I can still see Mrs Tjantjies crying and shouting, insulting in her Chinese accent when she caught me on top of her husband. My ex-boss .

The air was thick with tension as Mrs.Tjantjies stared me with a mix of fear and betrayal in her eyes. I had made a mistake, a grave one, and it had shattered the trust she had placed in me. She had always treated me like her own daughter, but now I had caused her unimaginable pain. But that wasn't the end of it.

Mrs Tjantjies had always been a little eccentric, but her latest obsession was beyond anything I could have imagined.

She had taken to photographing me on top her billionaire husband, and the thought of my father's reaction made my stomach churn.
As I tried to make amends with Mrs tjantjies, I couldn't help but wonder how I had gotten myself into this mess. It was cautionary tale of how one mistake could spiral out of control and I was determined to make things right.

In the depths of my soul, I carry a secret burden that I can no longer bear alone, it happened just a week ago. An incident that has left me feeling utterly embarrassed and shaken to my core. The weight of this experience has become a haunting presence, a constant reminder of the trauma that has speed into the very fabric of my being.

Have you seen the latest social media sensation? You might not recognize me at first glance, as I've had to don a black hat and glasses to keep my identity under wraps .but trust me , im still making waves online!
The best part? Those scandalous pictures that had everyone talking have been wiped clean from the internet. you won't find them anywhere on social media it's like they never even existed.

But as soon as stella realized that it was me , her face lit up with joy and relief. We hugged each other tightly, our luggage forgotten for a moment.
It was as if we were long-lost friends who had finally found each other after year's of searching. The feeling of relief pulsated in my heart as I looked at stella, my dear cousin who I had missed so much it was a moment that I would cherish forever.

She make a reach to my glasses but I block her before she can even take them off .

As I sit here, my mind racing with worry, I can't help but feel the weight of guilt settling in. Stella my dear cousin and soon to be my roommate (if I may say) deserves to know everything that's been going on. But how do I break the news to her? And to make matters worse, I only have 24 hours to find a job. The clork is ticking and my future hangs in the balance. Will I be able to pull it off?

For someone who used to rely on others to do everything for her. As I step inside, im greeted by the scent of fresh flowers and the sight of a perfectly organized living space. The once messy and carefree stella has transformed into a responsible and independent woman. It's amazing how a change in living situation can bring out the best in someone. I can't wait to see what other surprises stella has in store for me.

"When did you grow up?" I ask provoking, my lips curl a bit making me not to hide the smile that is showing up.
"Arrg! Gabby that's not funny." she says, moving the luggage to the bedroom as I follow her lead.

"Seriously I've never thought you would change so much just by getting your first job."

"Well..guess what? I did." oh.

Returning back to the living area the air with anticipation as we stepped into her pristine home, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the silence.  I hesitated, unsure if this was the right moment to unleash the storm of my problems upon her unsuspecting face. But fate had other plans.

As if on cue, the phone began to ring, it's shrill melody piercing through the stillness. My heart skipped a beat, a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. The fear of my deepest secrets being laid bare before me was suffocating,  threatening to consume me whole.

Could it be my mother on the other end of that line? The mere thought sent down my spine. I couldn't bear the thought of her voice, laden with disappointment and judgement, seeping into my fragile existence. No, I couldn't let it happen.

With a new determination, I lunged towards the kitchen counter, my feet barely touching the ground. Time seemed to slow as I snatched the phone from it's resting place, clutching it tightly to my ear. This was my moment, my chance to shield myself from the impending storm.

"Hey mother, we are fine but you don't have to worry about us we are grown up woman, please don't call us but we will call you okay everything is fine."

"Gabby what the...?"

"Don't worry mom is just over reacting."
Stella's face changes from calm to furious, she wasn't hiding it at all.
But I didn't care.

To my surprise mom hasn't said a word yet, and I wonder why was she quiet all along.

"Mom? Are you still there?"

I looked at the phone's screen as I read the name aloud.

"Zach."

Stella rose her eyes big, making me fright.

Could it be her boyfriend?

Her arms crossed to each other, I put the phone back to my ear.

"Guess mommy is busy for other things, sadly I'm your sister's boss."

My heart skipped a bit.

Oh now what have I done?

I take the phone and put it to stella's hands.
That's her boss?

"Really is that how you going to act after what you have done?"

"I'm sorry I thought it...was..."

"Mom right? I don't know what's going on but you have been acting so strange, gabby what's going on before I decide to call mom right now?"

"Stella please I don't want to bring it up."

"then you can't stay here either."

Is she been serious?

Yes, she is , I had no choice but I blew it.

"Stella I seriously need to be here I can't go back."

"Gabby, you better come clean with me."

My cheeks started burning feeling every heat and every beat of my heart.
My lips parted as they try to form those words as I recall everything.

"Gabby!"
She shouted.

"I slept with my boss." I didn't realized I had said it, till they came out unexpectedly.

"What!"
"I got fired because of that, and I was the hot topic on social media I just couldn't stay there no more." I let it out.

Stella is quiet, not even a single word out yet.

"Stella I promise you in just 24hours time I will get a new job, just please bare me." I begged.

She sat down the sofa staring at me without a word out.

"Please trust me."

She quivers her head and says.  "You such a bitch dear cousin."

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