Searching Soul - a Mikhaiah au

Chapter 7: Cameras

Monday morning arrived with the weight of unspoken thoughts lingering in the air. Gibrael, lost in her thoughts, prepared herself for a lunch date with friends she had long avoided. It was Soul's gentle insistence at their secret rendezvous last night that nudged her to reconnect. Gibrael knew deep down that Soul was right—her friends had always been there for her, their care constant even when she had tried to push them away. But regret clung to her heart like a shadow.

She ran the comb through her hair, the motion soothing but mechanical. The bedroom felt too quiet, a stark contrast to the comforting silence she had grown accustomed to with Soul nearby. When she stepped out, she noticed Soul curled up on the couch, lost in sleep, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. The remnants of a late-night Netflix binge were still visible—an empty bowl on the coffee table, a blanket half-draped over her form. Gibrael paused, a soft smile tugging at her lips. Even in sleep, Soul's presence was a balm to her troubled mind.

She moved quietly toward the coat rack, her fingers brushing over the fabric before she heard a soft rustling behind her.

"Are you leaving already, Gibrael?" Soul's voice was husky, still thick with sleep. She must have been woken by the soft sounds of Gibrael's movements.

Gibrael turned, meeting her gaze. "Yes, I am."

Soul's eyes softened, a smile barely touching her lips. "Have fun, okay? You deserve that." Her words were gentle, reassuring, and they warmed something in Gibrael's chest.

Gibrael couldn't help but smile back. "I've prepared lunch for you. You were so absorbed in your documentaries last night—I figured you might forget."

Soul's smile grew, a quiet acknowledgment of the concern. "Thank you, Gibrael." Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside seemed far away, reduced to just the two of them. "Do you mind if I clean the penthouse today?"

Gibrael chuckled softly, breaking the tender silence. "Already tired of how messy I am?"

"No, you're not messy," Soul protested, her voice light with amusement. "It's just... some things are out of place."

Gibrael laughed, a sound that was more genuine than she had heard from herself in weeks. "Do what you want," she teased, winking at Soul, who responded with a playful shake of her head.

"Take care, okay?" Soul's tone was serious again, her concern palpable. "And don't spend too much money on shopping and robux." she added with a chuckle.

Gibrael shook her head, her smile tinged with a bit of melancholy. "I'll see you later."

She left, leaving Soul to the quiet of the penthouse, where the echoes of their conversation lingered in the stillness.

It was around seven in the evening when Gibrael finally returned. The scent of aglio olio filled the penthouse, mingling with the faint aroma of cleaning products. Soul had finished tidying up an hour ago, and now she was waiting, the pasta cooling on the table. The sound of the door unlocking broke the silence, and Soul turned just in time to see Gibrael stepping in, laden with shopping bags.

"How was it?" Soul asked, her voice laced with quiet curiosity.

Gibrael placed her coat on the rack, setting the bags down with a sigh before making her way to the kitchen. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Soul, pulling her into a tight embrace. The gesture was unexpected, and for a moment, Soul was frozen, surprised by the intensity of the hug. Then, she relaxed, returning the embrace, holding Gibrael close as if trying to absorb some of her emotion.