Romani Prince

Chapter 28: Luka

•Luka•

Four days on the road...

Four days hitchhiking and train-hopping, barely sleeping or eating.

It has been too long without Gabriella, feeling more like an eternity of agonizing longing for her.

I drop my head back against the freight box's metal wall.

My current travel companions don't bother me. They all have their own thoughts and destinations to keep their minds occupied.

Tired, I close my eyes, allowing myself to be lulled by the motion and letting myself drift back into some of my favorite memories...

Her gentle fingers running through my hair, calming me... The warmth of her body against mine, like home... The taste of her soft lips as she whispers into my mouth, telling me how much she loves me.

Mierea...

But meanwhile, Gabriella is all alone, and possibly under the impression that I have given up on us.

No... She would never believe that of me. Gabriella knows that I am coming for her.

And I would have been there, already, if my father hadn't figured out that something was off.

He saw the credit card charges for my plane tickets to D.C. and the extra cellphones I purchased. And then, bunica Anna told him all about what she read in the cards about Gabriella.

Enraged, when I refused to return home, he froze my bank account, my credit cards, and cut my cellphone service.

At least I had already found all about Gabriella's location after that disconnected call... And everything about a certain Jeremy Van Smoot.

I open my eyes and stare out at the peaceful passing view, struggling to keep cool and be patient. But the troubling images that fester my mind don't make it any easier.

Imagining her alone with this guy is driving me insane.

I am certain that he is pushing every button, instigating each doubt, and using every fear to get through to her.

No man in his right mind would be blind to the treasure that is Gabriella.

But I know her heart. I have seen it in her eyes and felt it from her soul... Gabriella loves me just as hard as I love her.

She may be naive and hopelessly dedicated to her family, but she is also strong and her heart is true.

Her heart... is undeniably mine.

Not even the world crumbling down upon us could change that.

Not her parents. Not my family. Or even Jeremy Van Smoot.

He may be good-looking, intelligent, and charismatic, but he is not me.

He is not "us".

Still... She is all alone with him, and not knowing what is happening is just about killing me.

I can't get there fast enough, but my unorthodox travel methods won't get me there before another couple of days.

Rubbing my hands over my rough face, I can only pray that she is waiting for me... That she is thinking of me.

I'm coming mierea mea... Hold on.

#

•Gabriella•

I insisted on spending the day with Gertie and the dogs.

It is easy being around Gertie. She talks for both of us and doesn't necessarily expect any answers.