Songof the chapter: ladygaga - Bad Romance
I softly close the bathroom door and immediately collapsed to my knees on the plush rugs lay on the floor, not even feeling the pain that shoots up through me. Physical pain is preferable; it could be handled. What I'm feeling is being ripped apart right down the middle until there is nothing inside me but agony.
My stomach churns, propelling a load of bitter bile up my throat and causing me to clutch my tummy and dry heave. Blood roars in my ears and my eyes bug out from the pressure. Coughing and shuddering, I pull shaking breaths though my noise looking around the shower room and find a stack of neatly folded towels in open-faced cabinets. The glass is frosted in a Greek motif and the nickel-plated overheads are very high on the marble walls. Pushing myself on my feet, I shrug off the velvet robe, walk inside, and close the door before turning on the hot water.
The room becomes steamy as the hot water runs down my body. I grab a almond-scented soap from the soap case and scrub myself with desperation, wishing to remove my sin. The warm water soothes my aching muscles. I'm choking back tears of shame as I tip my head back. Eyes closed, I wash my hair and body. I can't remember ever feeling this tired yet wound up at the same time and it's being only what an hour I've woken up. My mind has plenty of things to focus on, all unpleasant and worrying, but it's hijacked by images of Gabriel calling Ashton and asking prying question or even worse threatening him. He knows I'm upset, I know he does and he also knows the cause of it.
Turning off the tap, I step out to move through the bathroom grabbing a thick back towel and flinging it around my cold, sopping body. I dry myself off and warp the towel around myself.
Pivoting the make my way to the door and hesitate grabbing the knob. I'm leave San Francisco and after talking with Ashton I'm sure I've no reason to come back. This is the second time I'm leave this city. The first, when my parents disowned, I still had some hope that when they understand me, they will accept my sexuality and take me back. However, this time, I don't even have hope for reassurance.
Eventually though, I walk out of the bathroom, I can't hide in here. I see two—no three things. Gabriel is sitting on the couch with his phone to his ear. He is wearing a suit—a light grey one that wasn't the one he wore yesterday. His legs splayed, free arms resting on the side, the picture of total elegance. He looks up, eyes lazy and subdued, as if he is panther sizing up his prey. "Inform me when you get the details." He murmurs into the line. "And I expect it to be soon." Clicking to end the call, he slides the phone on the coffee table beside the tray. "Jade came by to see if he could help us with anything."
That makes me look at the said man, sitting on the chair, opposite to Gabriel, with one ankle resting on the knee of other leg. He breaks into a crooked grin, which then quickly evolves into the casual head nod.
"Hi," I say awkwardly shifting my stare between the both men and they're staring back at me. "How are Sonja and Larry?" I ask the only thing that comes to my mind.
"Sonja is good, thank you and Larry stayed over with us. His wound will heal fast."
"That's good. I was worried about Larry." I say on a mild smile. "Sonja said he was hit by a bullet."
"Yes, he was but the bullet touched and went. He will be fine. I've got some fresh clothes, hope this will fit you." Jade gestures to the pile of fresh clothes on the bed with a minuscule nod of him head and my eyes land on them.
The flush crests over my bare chest to my cheeks, realising I'm half-naked. "Oh, thanks, Mr..."
"Call me Jade,"
