Chapter 47
Gabriel
Well, I’m not going to lie. I’m surprised by her reaction to my visit. “I came by to make sure you made it home safely.”
“As you can see. Yes. I’m home safe and sound.” She covers her mouth and mutters, “No thanks to you.”
“Yes, well, I certainly deserved that. I also wanted to apologize.”
“For what, exactly?”
“Well, had I known you were a good friend to Kenneth Griffin, I wouldn’t have gotten so upset.”
Sighing, she leans on her door. “Well, I became ‘good friends’ with Ken after you had your little tantrum at the party.” She’s now got her hands on her hips. “He found me getting ill in the bushes.”
“So, you don’t know Kenneth?”
“Well, I met him the morning of the interview from hell; but only briefly. He recognized me after your tantrum.”
“It wasn’t a tantrum.”
“Uh, yeah, that’s exactly what it was.”
“In any case,” I continue. “If I’d known that Kenneth wanted you to wear green I…”
“Hello? Are you listening to me? No. Of course not. You only hear yourself. You only care about yourself. This whole thing is about you, Gabriel. The reason you’re here is because you now think Ken and I are best buds and you want something.”
“That’s not true. I came to give you this. You left it in the car.” I bend down and pick up the large box I had leaning outside her door.
She gasps. “I’m not taking that!”
“What? Why not? You need a coat.”
“It’s fur!” she squeaks.
“And?”
“Real fur. Made from tiny, helpless creatures that never see the light of day before they’re murdered and skinned just so someone can have a hideous coat.”
“Lexie. You’re overreacting. It’s Mink and Sable. They’re treated humanely.”
“Oh, yeah. Did you check?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Gabriel, I get it. You live an extravagant life. You’re used to people wearing furs and stuff. You thought you were giving me something that would appeal to someone like me and you wanted to get me a coat because you hate my parka. Thank you, really, but no thank you. I’d never, ever, ever wear that coat. I’d freeze to death before I’d wear a fur. So, please, give it to someone else, like Katya. I could see her wearing fur.” Muttering under her breath she adds, “Heck, I could also see her wearing the scalps of those weaker than herself.”
“What is it with you and Katya. What do you have against her? Are you jealous? Because you’ve no reason to be. I feel nothing for her.”
“Wow. You really are something, Gabriel.”
“Thank you, I…”
Before I can finish, a short man pokes his head around me and into her open door. “Delivery?”
“Yes. Thank you.” She hands him the money in her hand in exchange for the bag of delicious smelling food. “Well, my food is here. Thank you for stopping by. Goodbye, Gabriel.”
Before I can argue or even defend myself, the door is shut, no it’s slammed in my face. “I…” I stop speaking aloud. It’s no use. She can’t hear me now.Goodbye, Gabriel?Why does it feel like I’m never going to see her again? That’s not what I want. As a matter of fact, that’s the furthest possible thing from my mind. Shit.I’m sorry, Lexie…. for everything.
