Etched

Chapter 26

"Why are we going back so early?" I asked looking upwards at the beautiful dark clouds clustering in the sky.

No response. I looked sideways to see him clipping his seatbelt, I frowned as he started the car and drove it in the direction of his home.

I was very nervous the entire day not knowing how to confront him even after the meeting. But fifteen minutes after I'd settled, Gabriel came by my door telling me that he'd be waiting for me at the parking lot without saying anything besides.

"Gabriel, I'm asking you something?" he scoffed at my question, making me more confused. He looks irritated, I'm yet to know why.

"Why did you want to stay in the office anyway?" came his only stern response. Okay at least we got something.

I smirked, "Well, exactly why everybody else does. The reason why most businesses work and employees get paid for if-"

"Is that why or you wanted to stay to bag more details about the date?" he cut me off harshly. The smile wore off my face at his tone.

"The- what?" I asked, he remained mum and had his hard gaze transfixed on the road.

"Forget it" he dismissed the topic, completely ignoring my gaze.

"No! You can't bring irrelevant things up and say 'forget it!'" I pressed my hand against my forehead, where is this heading? This isn't what I expected coming from him especially after whatever happened in the morning.

"It doesn't make a difference, it's irrelevant anyway" he added sarcastically.

"Seriously?" I looked at him, hoping he would explain his statements but no reaction from him annoyed me. "Fine, do whatever suits you" I huffed and gazed out of the window. This is what he does, he refuses to say anything. How is the other person to know what's going on and how are they supposed to clear things out.

From my peripheral vision, I saw him fondle with the buttons, blasting conditioner then lowering it, it clearly showed he wanted to let whatever was annoying him out but he is stubborn.

He doesn't start speaking until he is persuaded and I didn't initiate the conversation either, I wanted him to speak without any probing from me.

He needs to start learning to communicate, keeping things in isn't a solution. He has to take the first step, forcing information out always makes a person recoil and hide things. I didn't want to pressure him in doing or saying anything.

I kept looking out, catching sceneries to get distracted and not turn towards him and ask what was bothering him.

After a few minutes of destructive silence, he said,

"So, what did he plan? To take you out for a cheap dinner and to have a little romantic get away, huh?" he snorted, his eyes swarming with fury. A frown marred my forehead, he has this icy tone which I strongly dislike. It makes him feel different, the Gabriel I'm not used to knowing.

I closed my eyes and sighed, "What are yo-?"

"Pauling. He asked you on a date, didn't he? Wanted to try his charm and you obviously said yes" he said clutching the steering wheel in a mighty grip.

"Hold on! What is this about? You think Matt's taking me on a date?" I gazed at him incredulously. Is he even serious?

"Isn't that exactly what he meant when he said he'll pick you up for a date" he sneered. I smacked my forehead, so he had misinterpret our little verbal exchange.

"We're just hanging out" I said, hoping to see some change in his demeanor, instead he scoffed,

"Sure Jenna! And he had to put the word 'date' in it because the other word for hangout is obviously that" why is he making it a big thing. Matt and I were just joking and by date we didn't even mean each other, we were talking about dating movie characters as embarrassing as that is.