That One Mistake (ManxMan) Short Story #Wattys2017

Chapter #2| Gabriel

Today's the day I am released from hospital, living with Gabriel didn't sit well with me but of course he insisted it's the best option. I was curious about the story he tells me every day, a man he fallen in love and yet he's far from reach.

Who did Gabriel love?

"Welcome to your new home" he says. I stared at the beautiful house with a fancy garden on the front yard. Such a big house for one person, I wonder why Gabriel bought a beautiful house like this.

"It's beautiful" I said. He smiles.

"I am glad you like it, this house was build from my own design. This is his dream home, I remember him telling me how much he wanted a house like this" said Gabriel. He's talking about him again, it really does makes me wonder.

"Who is the person you speak of?" I asked. Why did I ask that? I couldn't contain my curiosity and asked him a personal question.

"In due time, you'll understand" he replies. Just great, thanks Gabriel for making it more confusing and curious for me. The inside of the house is more beautiful than the out, different types of art work hanged along with the names of the artist. A grand piano with a cello set beside it in the middle of the entry way.

"I didn't know you play piano and cello" I said.

"I don't" he replies. Right, that man does. Gabriel proceed to show me around the house, my bedroom was huge and right beside his. I seen several empty rooms and yet he prefer be next to mine.

"This house is huge and you're the only living here. Have you ever thought selling this house, it looks like in great condition and I am sure you'll get a good price out of it" I said. Gabriel slammed his fist against the wall, I jumped in surprise and fear seeing him glare at me.

"Never ever suggest that ridicules idea again" he growls. Before I could response and apologies he leaves me along feeling guilty what I just said. I understood now how much this house means to him, everything looks unused and well cleaned. If he's been living here a long time then what has he been doing?

The bastard even left me along and I don't know my way around the house yet, does he expect me remember everything when he only showed it to me once. Minutes later I entered another garden, the smell of roses and different followed fill the air, a cool breeze brush through the beautiful garden and that's where I spot Gabriel.

"I'm sorry" I said as I sat beside him.

"You know, it's okay to make mistakes. We all do it and no one is perfect but once you made those mistakes it's our duty to realise, admit it and makes things right" he said

"Do you regret the mistakes you've made?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Of course, I regret every choices I made and back then I thought I was to late to make it right. And now it seemed I've gotten a second change to make it right and this time it'll take time and patience" he replies. Next morning Gabriel wasn't home, the house felt lonely and empty without him. I may not know him personally but I felt a strong bond like we already knew each other. Knocked out of my own thoughts, I heard a door slam shut, I must be Gabriel returning from where ever he came from.

"Gabriel! I know you're here, we need to talk now!" someone yelled. A voice of a woman is calling for Gabriel.

 I do not recognise that voice.

"Gabriel!" she yelled again.

"Umm .. Gabriel isn't here right now, may I know your name I can tell him when he returns" I said to the woman. She looked beautiful wearing a woman's suit, her shocked expression confused me. She looking at me like she's seen a ghost I even turn around to see if someone was behind me.

"Are you okay?" I asked. She nods.

"What is your name?" she asks. Oh right, it wasn't polite to ask her name before mentioning mine first.

"Nathan" I replied.

"Well Nathan, please tell Gabriel to call me and my name is Diana" she says. With the said her goodbyes and close the door shut, what weird turn of events. Once Gabriel returned home I told him about Diana, once again with his mood swings he ordered me not to speak to her again. Leaving him along to cool off is the best option, talking to him when he's mad won't get me no where. I looked at the piano and cello, those two instruments look so beautiful, I felt an urge to touch the piano. My head begin to throb, I whimper in pain once I touched the piano and quickly move away from the piano.

My vision blurred and my head spined then I dropped to the ground.

Darkness.

"Who's this Gabby?" I asked. Living in a small room with Gabriel can be a chore, university life wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Bring random women to our room wasn't a surprise either, that's what I get for loving my straight best friend.

"This is Emily, I wanted to tell you first before everyone else so Nate say hello to my girlfriend" he said. My heart throbbed, I forced myself to control my shaky body, this is a shock for me and yet I expected them to be a couple anyway. I knew this will happen so I prepared myself for the big news, I guess preparing myself wasn't good enough.

It still broke my heart.

"C-Congrats you guys, I am happy for you Gabby" I replied.

"Take care of him Emily" I said. She gave me the sweetest smile and promise to never break his heart. I wanted to hate her, I really do but how can I hate someone who's done nothing to me, she doesn't know my feelings for him. It's not her fault she fell for Gabriel like I did, as long as she makes him happy.

I'll live with that.

No matter how much it hurts.

I will never confess my love to him.