Killer Love

Chapter 4 "Gabriel"

That night I was sitting in the library pretending to be knitting but I was too distracted about what happened with Gabriel today that I couldn’t concentrate on anything else. I was quite stunned by the way Gabriel acted and now thinking about I haven’t seen Adriane around anymore he doesn’t even mention her. This was all very strange, he didn’t come to dinner and father came to eat with us but he was late. I couldn’t quite figure out what happened because that evening I went for a walk with my mother, although it was a silent walk she seemed… she seemed bothered. Something was definitely going on in this house and I intend to find out. I was consumed by my thoughts that I didn’t notice Francis standing in the library entrance. He sat on the black leather chair that was next to mine, he looked at me silently and grabbed the bible pretending he was reading it but he kept starring at me from time to time. Finally I broke the silence “What are you doing?” he looked at me and made a fake shocked face “Well sugar isn’t it obvious? I’m reading the bible darling” he said with a sarcastic tone that just set me on fire. “Well Mr. Obvious ,may I remind you I was here first and I wish to be left at peace and that means LEAVE” I said looking him straight in those beautiful hazel eyes. He then smiled and with his fingers pushed his hair back so he can make more visible those beautiful eyes. I remained silence waiting for his response and he closed the bible gently and placed it in the table next to him. He kept looking at and bends forwards with his elbows on his thighs and he looked down.  “I can’t figure you out yet and that really stresses me. I’ve tried to help you and to look out for you. Because I saw something in you since the first time I saw you. But you insist on being all defensive with me, I know what Dante did… I saw everything but I decided to play along and pretend I only saw you guys go your separate ways.” I was about to interrupt him but he raised his hand “Let me finish” he said as he gently sat back in his chair and closed his eyes and then fixed them to me. “Either you like men to treat you like a tramp or he was forcing you. Now tell me, which one is it?” he kept looking at me with a determined look and I couldn’t keep starring at his eyes because he already knew too much about me  and I do not intend on sharing my personal things with this man or any man. I have a perfectly good life without the help of any man. “What I like or dislike, what happens to me, what I do or anything that involves me is certainly not your business Mr. Francis and I beg for you to stay out of my private life and stop trying to be involved in it” I said as I motion him to leave the library . “You know what Ms. Coral” he said with a sarcastic tone “I’m done helping you out and trying to be a friend to you. Your father always talked about you when we saw each other and when I told him I was coming for a visit he asked me to try and be your friend since we were the same age and all. You seemed alone and troubled and all I wanted was to help you and in the way be able to do your father a favor.” he stood up and notices my confusion… Why was he saying he was paying a visit when my father said that on his mother’s will she asked him to take him in? I can’t quite understand what’s going on. I stood up and straighten my long sleeve dress “Well” I said in an attitude tone. “I don’t need a friend and if I needed one it won’t be you.  I’m not alone and I’m not trouble. I do not like men and I do not like myself to be involved with one not even in a friendship. I’m forced to deal with my father and I love him very much but that’s it.” He looked at me and giggled. “I am not making a joke Francis so, Why are you giggling?” he looked at me and kept a smile on his face “Oh Coral, if you’re not interested in the male sex is okay, there are all types of women like you. Maybe you don’t know about them because you’ve been here the whole time with any contact with the world outside this house.” I looked at him shocked by his stupid comment and offended for I am not a homosexual. The reasons I haven’t been out of this house for three years are pretty personal and hurtful. He saw my eyes watered, he closed the door gently and locked it and came to me as I sat shocked and making a fool out of me. He held my head with his two hands and he kneeled in front of me. “Why won’t you let me in Coral?” he said with worried eyes. He hugged me so tight and I could hear his heart beat and somehow it calmed me down. I closed my eyes and kept crying, he stood up and help me stand up. He walked to the door and unlocked it. “Just to be safe and not give people a reason to talk” he said and smiled warmly. Oh that warm smile that had me going crazy since yesterday. It’s been one day and he already broke all the walls that nobody could. I smiled and with his thumbs he wiped my tears away. “A pretty girl like you shouldn’t be suffering” he said and laughed “Boy that was cheesy Francis” he said to himself and made me laugh. “That’s better, at least a got to see that pretty smile” he said.  “A week from not I will go to Richmond to do some shopping, for I need to send gifts to my brothers and sisters. Would you like to join me and on the way we can talk? The city could really distract you from whatever is bothering you” he said with a smile that I couldn’t resist. I nodded in agreement “Just the subjects I feel comfortable with” I said with a smile. He agreed and left the library and I headed to my room.  I closed the door but I didn’t forget my plan. I shall find out what’s going on with Gabriel and this house in general. I remembered about my skin, with all the fuzz going in the house and this morning I forgot about my burned skin. As I took my dress and lingerie off my skin was almost cleared. “The ointment has done a pretty good job” I said to myself with a big smile. I decided to take bath to shake off my sleepiness. I left the bathroom door open so I could hear even the slightest noise.