Through the Fire (a Les Twins fanfic)

Chapter 28: Stormy Weather

Gabby came out of a late meeting in Patrick's office and headed straight for the elevators.  She was distracted from her earlier conversation with Shauna, from worrying about Laurent on the road...from everything it seemed.  And all she wanted to do was go home.

"Damn," she cursed under her breath peering through the lobby doors at the rain coming down in sheets outside and realizing she'd left her umbrella in the car.   Four hours ago it was sunny out, but the weather in Atlanta could turn on a dime when a storm front blew in.

On the plus side, her parking spot was right in front of the building.  Reluctantly, she decided to make a run for it.  She held her purse over her head and made a mad dash for the car, pressing the unlock button on her key remote on the way to make sure the door would be open.

To her shock, nothing happened.  Her headlights didn't blink.  The horn didn't beep twice like it normally did when she clicked the remote.  Nothing.  She tugged on the car handle then fumbled to stick the key into the lock when it wouldn't budge.  The rain was starting to soak through her dress when she finally managed to get the door open and tumble into the car.

But then it wouldn't crank.

"This is not happening," Gabby whispered to herself and reached in her purse for the phone to call AAA. Suddenly, she heard a chiming noise, then another, then another.  Her phone was blowing up.

Three DM alerts from her work Twitter account scrolled up the screen.

She swiped the phone lock and pressed the button to view the messages.  They were a bunch of photo links from someone called UDontKnoUrMan.

First picture...Laurent lying on a bed shirtless, sleeping.  Second picture...a close up of the imprint in his boxers.  Third picture...even though the top half of her face was covered by the brim of Laurent's black and white bourgeois snapback, it looked like that girl Cinnamon lying beside him with her tits oozing out of a tight tank top making a peace sign and duck lips in a selfie.

Gabby felt sick.  She stumbled out of the car back toward the building no longer aware of the rain plastering her hair down to her head and stood shivering under the awning trying to force air into her lungs.

"Hey, are you alright?"   Tarik emerged from the front lobby doors carrying a big, black umbrella.

Gabby blinked at him through the rain.  "My---my car won't start," she managed to stutter between breaths.

"Give me your keys and I'll take a look at it.  But first let's get you inside.  You're drenched."  He took off his jacket, wrapped it around her shoulders, and guided her into the lobby.

She handed him the car keys dropping her phone in the process.   Tarik picked it up and automatically looked down at the screen before giving it back to her.

He rubbed her arm worriedly.  "You sure you're alright?"

Gabby averted her eyes, embarrassed, and shook her head no.

"Okay.  Stay here.   I'll be right back."

After he checked the car and pronounced it officially dead, he called a tow truck and returned to the lobby to get her.

"The mechanic is on his way, but it's rush hour so it'll be a while."

"Great.  Just great," Gabby sighed rubbing her temples.  "I'll hitch a ride home with Patrick."

She turned to go toward the elevators, but Tarik seized the opportunity.  "Why don't you let me take you to dinner then I'll drive you home.  It's on my way."

"Thanks, but you really don't want to be seen in public with me looking like a wet chicken."

She self-consciously touched her damp hair which was quickly reverting from its previously flat-ironed state back into her natural curls.

Tarik leaned in close and smoothed a stray ringlet off her forehead.  "I think you look gorgeous."

Gabby took a step backwards and bumped into the wall.  Tarik took a step forward, his face only inches away from hers.  A flurry of sounds and images flashed through her mind.   Laurent telling her he loved her.  Shauna's searing words on the phone.  Laurent holding her.  Those pictures of Cinnamon in Lau's bed wearing his hat.  Laurent's face.  His beautiful face that she now wanted to slap.

Tarik moved in closer.  Is he trying to kiss me?  If so, so help her God, a tiny angry part of her almost felt like letting him...but that would be beyond wrong...

Before she could complete the thought, his lips were touching hers.

Gabby pulled away in shock.  "Tarik, that...," she glanced nervously around the empty lobby," ...that wasn't supposed to happen. I did not mean for that to happen."

"Hey, it's cool.  No worries." Tarik's voice sounded calm, soothing, and sincere.  "I'm so sorry. That was on me.  I was out of line and I promise it won't happen again.  Will you accept my apology?"

"Um, ok, I guess,"  Gabby muttered, feeling a mix of relief and confusion.

"Now, come on.  Let me get you home out of this weather."

****

Tarik left Gabby's house later that night whistling with a spring in his step.  After apologizing for the lobby kiss he insisted on taking her home then left like a perfect gentleman.  But, if all went according to plan, he wouldn't have to keep playing the nice guy act too much longer.

Driving out of her neighborhood he reached into his glove box and tossed a pair of severed battery cables out the window.  Mission one accomplished.