A Thrilling Surprise

》Promised proporsal《

Gabrielle pov:

Days had passed to weeks since that day. Of course nothing changed between them on a basic level. Yet their behaviour did took a turn than usually. Josue reduced his teasing whenever they worked. Unlike his usually self, he worked without any of his likely comments. And that confused Gabrielle. Even though she didn't showed it much, she did liked his teasing nature. It always lighten her mood up after her father critised her outfit or behaviour again. But this time she was left with this strange silence.

Normally she was the one that just silently listens to Josue, but I guess the tables have turned. Whenever she got closer, he took a big step away. Whenever she said something or atleast tried to lighten up the mood with a joke, he shrugged it off. Just what was wrong with him? Did their closeness really bothered him? Mabey she was the problem again..

"I'll see you next time" she briefly said and left the office like any other day. He just nodded when she left. How cold of him.
She was used to be treated coldly from others, but from Josue who had been treating her so warmly from the start, she didn't knew how to act anymore. He had seen her smile often before, he knew some facts about her and some habits that she was unaware of. Usually she wouldnt had let anyone get to know her this much.
Not even Giovanni and his wife.

She walked down the streets with her files in her hands. Mabey it was the best to be distant now? Afterall he did got too close to her... it wasn't smart to had let him do so. It would be the best for both of them. But it still crossed her mind the day he had pulled her closer. The day where he accompanied her to her house out of worry she might not come home safely. The day he had accepted her proporsal without even questioning her capabilities of the fact that she's a woman. All those small gesture her had shown her, it stuck in her mind.
It's hard to not feel anything when someone acts this accepting and nice to you.

Slander after slander struck another thought in her head. Another memory of their time crossed her mind. When was the last time she had felt this way?

She feels to unsignificant to even dare to ask for anything that will never happen. A man like him and a strange woman like her? It doesn't fit together. All that connects them was their business. Nothing else and nothing less to look for. Though it does hurt.

She finally arrived home, loud voices were heard once she opened the door. They came from the living room, the door was slightly opened. She went over there and peaked inside.
"Your daughter is already passed the age of marriage, yet you can't do anything against it?" A old man spoke.
"I told her many times to finally marry for this old mans sake" Gabrielle's father held a hand up to his chest where his heart was. "Yet she does not fulfill this small dream of mine. She's too naive, Lord Fredya."
"You know how she can become a real woman" he said sternly. "I'm always ready to assist you, Lord Rosie."
"I am well aware of that, Lord Fredya." He said full of content. "I will do my best to convince her so, please bear a little more of your time for this foolish girl."
"I do hope it's worth the wait" the old man scoffed.
"It will be, do not worry anymore".

He followed this Lord outside, bringing him out to the door and said his goodbyes to him. Gabrielle who was hiding behind the door when the got out, didn't dared to step out. She knows what would happen if she does.

A loud thump was heard. Something fell or rather said someone smashed something. It sounded like a vase, the very one that stood on a small table in the hall.
"Goddamnit" he cursed.
"Why do woman always demand a own opinion?!" He kicked the table down. "Fucking hell, what do I do with this pathetic thing? I can't just force her out of Josues Allards hands. He wouldn't like that" he mumbled angryly and walked up the stairs.

Gabrielle who didn't utter a word , stood there like a statue. She was used by his constant outbursts and knew how to act in such situations. But it still made her anxious all the time. He had already promised her to this old man from the Fredya family without her consent. Though it wasn't the first time it happen.

Her father promised many who had found Gabrielle interesting as their bride. Yet she always managed to escape the engagements with some tricks. But now she's not sure if she can do that anymore.

She's 23 now, in other words a old woman in societies eyes. To be still unmarried and in no need of a husband was a crime itself. Of course her father was determined to marry her off as quickly. Though she never wanted this in the first place. Although she can't escape this problem forever.

Even her lie, that she's "dating" Josue seems to waver the more time that passes. Her father had asked her over the pass weeks to finally meet him and even invited him over for some tea. She always needed to find another excuse. Even those are getting more unbelievable.

She walked up to her room as quietly as possible. She closed the door behind her and sighed out of relief. How will she escape this situation this time? She can't just ask Josue to pretend to be her lover. He wouldn't do it, even if he's nice to treat her like this. She already asked enough out of him.

She changed herself into her night attire and stepped onto her bed. All those worries made her wonder, if she should give up the hope to be free or rather die than to be caged once more. She doesn't know what she'll do. She just knows that she has to chose.