Tangle (BWWM)

Chapter 21- Holiday Woes Part 2

"Damn, Gabrielle. I didn't know you liked cream in your coffee..."

"Cream in her coffee? She got herself a whole non-fat mocha latte."

"More like Earl Grey English breakfast."

Female laughter erupted from the kitchen where Gabrielle stood with Keisha, Amelia, and two of her cousins who had arrived after. Tabitha was eleven years older, and used to babysit Gabrielle all the time, so they were close. Her younger sister, Chevonne, was the same age as Gabrielle. The five women all looked over in the direction of the living room where the men sat on the couch and armchairs, conversing and having their drinks.

Gabrielle rolled her eyes at them, glancing over at Vincent and giving a small smile. He caught her gaze and returned it before turning his attention back to Daniel, who'd said something to him.

"Girl, I saw that," Chevonne muttered. "That man is sprung on you, huh?"

"Well, shit, we could say the same about her," Amelia chimed in.

It was now Keisha's turn. "Look at him though! He is fine as hell. I don't know about that long-haired vagabond look, but other than that..." she brought the tips of her fingers to her mouth and gave a kiss, similar to a chef that had created a masterpiece. "He's rich, he's sexy, he's likable... what more do you need?"

Gabrielle was about to reply when the front door opened, signaling that someone had newly arrived. Everyone looked over to see their cousin, Niki, and her mother, Michelle's sister, Stella, coming through the front door. They all happily replied when Stella chanted her greetings of "Merry Christmas" to the family. Gabrielle was happy that more people were starting to arrive, but rolled her eyes when Niki crossed the threshold.

The woman sported a huge name-brand purse and sunglasses (even though outside was gray and cloudy), and expensive winter clothes from head to toe. Her long, waved tresses were obviously a pricy wig, but Gabrielle would admit that it looked damn good on her. The cousins all knew Niki would come dressed to impress. Who she was trying to impress, though, they weren't sure.

"Hey, Momma!" Quincy yelled as he trotted excitedly to Stella and gave her a bear hug. Vincent smiled as the man became childlike when he saw his mother. Long buried emotions began to bubble in his gut when the scene made him think of his relationship with his own mother. He hadn't seen her in over a century. His brows furrowed as his mind started going a mile a minute with thoughts of how to rectify his situation. Though, it would not be easy...

Vincent's musings were interrupted by Quincy returning to his seat next to him. The fact that he refused to greet the younger woman did not go unnoticed. He wondered who she was to Gabrielle, so he began listening to Quincy's thoughts.

Why the fuck is she here? Momma should have left her ass in the Hamptons.

So she lived in the Hamptons, eh? That made sense, given her appearance. She certainly stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the rest of the family. Even the older woman she came in was dressed much more simply, signaling that the wealth was solely hers.

The woman wordlessly took off her sunglasses, delicately folding them closed and placing them inside her large purse before sashaying to the kitchen where the rest of the younger women stood in silence with their gazes glued to her. Just the way she liked it. "Hello, ladies," she greeted, plopping her gigantic purse on the counter before gracefully placing herself on a stool in front of the breakfast bar.

"Hey, Niki," Gabrielle called, causing the woman's face to scrunch in displeasure. "Merry Christmas."

"Yeah, yeah, Merry Christmas. I told you peasants only to call me Monique."