Perfectly Flawed

Eleven - Hormones in her cereal

Chapter Eleven

Gabrielle didn't stay long enough to listen to the terms of the contract. She did something she'd never done in her life - walked out on her father.

She couldn't breathe in that room. The corridor wasn't much better - he was in there. He was staring at her like he wanted to murder her, like he was blaming her entirely, like he wanted to hurt her.

Should she be scared? No, she was too busy being angry.

So she left. Resisting the urge to run, and not stop running, Gabrielle flew down the stairs, slamming her way out of the building and struggling to breathe in the fresh air.

Leaning against the wall, she resisted the urge to retch. Her life was not her own. She'd known that for a long, long time, but she at least thought she would get to choose who she would marry, who she would fall in love with. Now love was out of the picture. 

Not to sound like a dramatic teenager, but her life was over.

--

She wandered the grounds for the rest of the day, switching from angry to confused to angry to resentful. It was only at dinner time that she made an appearance, stepping into the dining hall late.

Imogen was alone at their table, one hand flicking through a textbook and the other shovelling food into her mouth. Gabrielle couldn't even look at Jasper's table, as she walked past, though she felt those cold eyes burning into her back.

"Where the hell have you been?" Imogen said with a mouthful. Gabrielle grimaced, and sat down.

"No where. Studying."

Imogen eyed her suspiciously. "So the guy I was talking about, the one who didn't even show up to poker, has been messaging me."

Gabrielle sighed, not in the mood to deal with Imogen's sexual adventures. "Is it so hard to just keep your legs together for a whole week?"

"My my, we are touchy today. What happened? Company shares fall through? Lost a big case?"

"Shut up, Imogen. I'm not in the mood."

Just as she was about to get up to serve herself some food, James pulled up a chair at their table.

"Hey stranger," he greeted with a tight smile.

"Where have you been?!" Gabrielle frowned.

Imogen snorted. "Hypocrite."

"Oh you know, places. Did you hear that dad was here today?" He leaned in, looking apprehensive.

Gabrielle eyed her twin, wondering how much he knew. She nodded slowly. "Yeah, I spoke to him."

"What did he want," James sneered slightly.

Biting her lip, Gabrielle ducked her eyes away from him. "Uh, nothing much. Just business stuff."

"Must have been important if he came all the way here to talk to you."

"Drop it, James." He frowned as Gabrielle snapped at him. She hardly ever snapped at him.

"Ignore her," Imogen purred, "someone poured hormones in her cereal this morning."

James laughed, and Imogen smiled in satisfaction.

"Whatever," Gabrielle stood up and stormed to the buffet. She was in no mood to deal with childish antics, when she had a fucking marriage to a guy she hated and would most likely murder her in her sleep to deal with.

"Gab, wait," James ran after her. "Are you okay?"

Gabrielle spooned salad onto her plate. "I'm fine. Just... I'll talk to you later, okay? I don't want to talk right now."

He eyed her and nodded slowly. "You know where I am, if you need me."

"I don't actually know where you are. I haven't seen you in a week, and we are in the same classes half the time."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I've picked up some, uh, extracurriculars. Don't worry sis, it's not like this is an important year for me. Anyway, I have to go. Call me if you need me."

Gabrielle reached out a squeezed his hand, before watching him disappear from the room. She knew she should be worried about him, but everything seemed insignificant in comparison to her upcoming nuptials.

Feeling even more exhausted and angry, she took her plate and sat back down, ignoring Imogen and instead scrolling through her phone. She got to enjoy the peace for all of three seconds, before a shadow loomed over her.

The entire room was silent, as Jasper Thornton stood at Gabrielle Montgomery's table. Even Imogen was staring at him, stunned.

Exhaling in frustration, she looked up at him, almost shrivelling under his cold glare.

It was like a standoff - the Academy's two most prestigious students, face to face. Everyone was watching, everyone was waiting.

"Can I help you?" Gabrielle addressed cooly, glaring right back at him.

She could see the muscles in his jaw tighten, indicating his frustration, which made her feel smug. Good, the bastard should be annoyed.

"I need to talk to you. Alone."

"Why would I-"

"Montgomery. Now." The waves of authority hit her and she struggled, but ended up sighing, and pushing her chair back.

"I'll see you later Imogen."

With a feeling of de ja vu, she followed him to the exact same spot under the oak.

"What. Do. You. Want." She seethed, barely holding her anger in.

"I trust your father has spoken to you about their...deal." He looked like a bomb, about to explode.

Gabrielle didn't reply.

"We have to sign these." He pulled two envelopes out of his jacket pocket, practically thowing one at her.

Gabrielle ripped it open, eyeing up the contract. "You have got to be fucking kidding me."

"Wait till you read it," he muttered.

She scanned the document. 'This relationship, for all intents and purposes, is legitimate. No one is to know of the business deal; the public will be presented with an act so convincing that they will believe it is real.' ... 'Sexual relations are not forbidden, however any children resulting from this agreement will be handled as seen fit.' ... 'An official marriage will be undertaken.' ... 'Any breach in the terms of this agreement will result in immediate action as seen fit by T. Montgomery and L. Thornton.'

"What kind of a sick joke is this," Gabrielle groaned, running her hands through her hair in frustration.

"A fucking nightmare, that's what it is."

Even though she had absolutely no justification at all, that kind of hurt her. Did he not see her as good enough for him. She pulled herself together - she was thinking the exact same thing about him, so she really couldn't say much.

"Well I'm not signing it, so you don't have to worry." Gabrielle lifted her chin stubbornly, screwing the contract up.

Jasper barked a cold, empty laugh. "Okay princess."

"I'm serious. I don't care what my father says."

"Enjoy working the streets," he scoffed, glaring at her.

Gabrielle looked down. Shit. "What did your father say would happen if we didn't sign?"

"Let's just say that I'm signing, and as much as I hate this, I suggest you do too." There was no escaping the malice in his voice, and she wasn't sure if it was directed entirely at her or entirely at his father.

Gabrielle groaned, closed her eyes and inhaled.

"Looks like we're getting married then."