Until Her...

Chapter Eighty-Three

The apartment looks incredible with all the balloons, banners and streamers set up. James and I did a really good job at decorating the place. And now I'm getting all excited for the party. I stand in front of the mirror in my underwear applying the last few touches of make up while Gabriel showers.
"Babe, can you grab me a towel" he shouts out to me.
"Yeah hang on" I say, reach into the closet where he keeps his spare sheets and towels. When I look around for what I need I find a little shoe box, except it's worn and overfilled. I shouldn't look inside of it, but of course I don't listen to reason. There's a ton of stuff inside...mementos. Ticket stubs, receipts, jewellery, and pictures. Just when I'm about to look at them Gabriel calls out to me again, so I shove everything back inside the box and put it where I found it. I shouldn't have looked at that, but why does Gabriel have a box full of another girl stuff? Did he just forget it was there?
"Here you go" I hand him the towel through the shower curtain and walk back to the mirror.
"Shit" Gabriel says as soon as he comes into the bedroom.
"What? You okay?" I ask him as he stands his mouth wide open in shock.
"You look really fucking hot right now" He says and I blush, "Do we have to do this party, I'd much rather say in here and look at you like this all night"
"Yes we do, it'll be fun. Besides you've never shied away from attention" I tease him. Cause he loves himself almost as much as he loves me.
"You might want to put something on or the attention will be on you all night" He says biting his lips as he walks behind me, his hands running over my body as he nuzzles into my neck. Threatening to make another mark, to replace the one that's finally vanished.
"I'm going to enjoy taking these off you later" he stares at me in the mirror, his fingers moving against my underwear.
"If you behave I might just let you" I say and give him a quick kiss, pulling away from his attempt to tease me. We'll never get to the party doing that. I shrug the red jumpsuit I borrowed from Avery on, knowing it's casual enough but also tight fitted and sexy.
"Can you zip me up" I ask. He kisses my neck once it's done and a knock resonates through the apartment.
"You need to get dressed, people are here" I say and slide my boots on. I leave Gabriel in the room to finish getting ready, and I find Elijah, Avery, James and Tom all chatting in the living room drinks with drinks in there hand.
"Hey guys" I saw walking into the room.
"Avery you look amazing" I tell her. Avery's dressed conservatively for a change, but she looks great. I look her over and notice the sparking silver bracelet on her wrist, the one I got her for Christmas. I was convinced she'd thrown it away as I haven't seen it once in the last month or so, but here it is on her wrist. I smile at her and walk to the kitchen before I start to cry. I knew she'd forgiven me, but seeing the bracelet on her wrist just proves it even more. I find Emilia and Xavier in there, and she looks like she's up to some wicked scheme.
"Wow Norah, you look great" Xavier compliments me.
"Thanks. I didn't know you were coming" I say awkwardly. I wasn't expecting Xavier here, cause I didn't actually invite him. This nights for Gabriel, and I knew him being here would piss him.
"I invited him, hope you don't mind" Emilia says. Why did Gabriel have to be friends with Miss hoity-toity?
"Course not, more the merrier" Trying to ignore the fake politeness were giving each other. I can't stand her, I don't know why anyone can. All she does is treat people like shit, looking down on them like she's better than everyone else. At least Elijah doesn't like her either. She storms off clearly not happy with my lack of reaction to her.
"So how have you been? Feel like we've not really been able to talk lately" Xavier says.
"Yeah I'm sorry things have just been ...well you know. I heard you moved into a new apartment, what's it like?"
"It's nice, a bit smaller than I'm used to but I only have one other roommate which is decent"
"Norah, everyone's here we should get started" James suggest peering through the door. And I've never been so grateful to see him, as I needed an escape from that room. I find Gabriel and sit with him on the empty sofa. And we end up having a really fun time, order pizzas and playing fun games with each other. Everyone's getting along which amazes me. I watch as Gabriel laughs and smiles at something stupid Elijah said.
"You having fun?" I ask him.
"Yeah I'm having a great time, thank you for doing all of this for me" he tightens his grip around me.
"It's nothing" It's the least I can do, after everything I've put him through.
"It's everything. I love you" he kisses me sweetly.
"I love you more" I press my nose against his, looking at him.
"Not possible" he tells me. Then there's a knock at the door.
"You invite anyone else?" Gabriel asks me, surprised by the sudden intrusion.
"No" Who could that be? Maybe it's a neighbour complaining about the noise or something. I go to answer the door, but Gabriel stops me.
"It's all right, I'll go" he says, a swift kiss and goes down the hall to answer the door.
"Does anyone else need a drink" I ask the group and head to the kitchen. When I come back with people's drinks Gabriel's still not there.
"Where did Gabriel go, we want to start another game?" James asks me.
"He went to answer the door. Has he not come back yet?" I ask them.
"Gabriel hurry the fuck up wont you" Avery shouts across the room to him and I sit back on the sofa next to Eli. A few moments later a beautiful girl comes strutting into the living room.
"Hope you don't mind. I invited my friend to join us" Emilia says wickedly to me. When I look at Gabriel, all of the colour has drained from his face and his expression is full of remorse. Something unspeakable is about to happen. And my once broken heart is about to be shattered into too many pieces to be able to count them all.