Taming The Lockwood

Six

The sound of loud voices arguing fill my ears and bring me from my sleep. I groan out and stretch, muttering a string of curses at myself for deciding to live in such an awful area.

You'd think I would be used to it by now.

I had little to no money before I was able to secure a job at Lockwood Enterprise and the huge debt from university didn't contribute to my aid. I had managed to find a small flat in the middle of an estate that served as a perfect rendezvous for drug dealers and constantly reeked of weed. I was not about to complain however, for my dainty flat had always been considered my home since I had moved out of my mum's house.

Suddenly a cold feeling rushes over me and I extend my hand out to grab my cuddle pillow, smiling as I make contact with it. I grasp it, my fingers closing around it and attempt to pull it closer to my chest in order to snuggle it, but frown when it won't budge. I peek open an eye, immediately closing it when the harsh sunlight spilling in through the window causes my headache to worsen.

I groan out, burying my head in the pillow beneath my head while massaging my temples with one hand and make to grab my cuddle pillow again with the other, but pause when it feels extra squishy.

"Fück, what are you doing?" Comes a voice from beside me. A voice I recognise and know all too well.

My eyebrows furrow in confusion and I sit up, my eyes widening as I take in the sight next to me.

Only then did I notice the numbing feeling around my waist caused by Gabriel's thick arm that banded around it. My eyes widen more.

"I- i, what are you doing in my bed?" I snap at him, averting his attention away from my persistent groping.

"Sorry to break it to you love, but this is actually my bed." He replies, moving his arm away from me, getting up from the bed and disappearing out of the room towards the arguing men in one swift movement before I can comprehend our position. His sudden departure startles me and I flush at his words, my cheeks flamed as I take in my state of dress with the torn red dress from last night revealing a bunch of bruises at my hips. I pull my legs closer to my chest and wrap my arms around them, curling into a ball when everything from last night hits me.

The events from last run through my head.

Getting dressed for the night club. That man on top of me. Puking my guts out. Gabriel carrying me. Falling asleep on him in the car.

I could vaguely remember falling asleep in his lap but nothing else that happened after.

I stumble from the bed with the realisation that Gabriel had practically saved me from being exploited, I didn't know how I felt about his sudden act of kindness and what he could possibly want in return.

I slowly drink in my surroundings and find that his room is as I would have expected.

Black wallpaper lines the walls with thin grey curtains that adorn the sides of the floor to ceiling window. The whole area is spacious with a cosy king sized bed pressed along the north side and a large bookshelf hanging just above it, the latter I presume is only for decor. An image of Gabriel reading a book fills my mind and I stifle my laughter, bringing myself back to reality. I look around for my phone and let out an exasperated sound when I realise that I had left it at home.

I'm angry at Sophia for ditching me and it would probably stay that way until I can bring myself to forgive her.

The distant sound of a door slamming followed by feet padding up the stairs alarms me from my thoughts and I have just enough time to gather myself when the door is shoved open, unveiling a furious Gabriel. His sudden change of mood startles me and my heart begins to thrum in my chest. He's panting, his bare chest moving up and down with his breaths and the look of absolute rage on his face has me frightened to the core. I didn't dare breathe. My discomfort hanging heavy in the air.