©S A F I E

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Chapter 6

ELLE

I was bored like crazy.

I am in my studio for quite an hour now since I woke up, eating my cheerios with Nutella as I stare at the empty canvas. I couldn't seem to find the effort to paint or focus or even be inspired.

This is because I miss him.

He is still not here. He's on the other side of the world doing God knows what. He left me here floating and cold. He didn't even bother to send me a text or even call me or send Taylor to my aid.

I did try to call him a few times and it just directed me to his voicemail with his very sexy voice saying: 'Gabriel West. I am quite busy at the moment, please leave a message'.

It's quite disappointing that my effort of preparing a dish for him last night is wasted. He didn't even bother to make time for an excuse, I mean it was better than having no reply from him at all.

With pure and utter disappointment, I push myself off the floor and covered my canvas with cloth. Strutting out of the room, I was surprise when the phone buzz on my pocket.

I pulled it out in an instant expecting that it was Gabe but I was mistaken.

It's Neola.

'Hey, are u free?'

"Yes, Y?" I typed back as I descend down the stairs. It didn't take long before the phone buzz back in my pocket.

"I'm heading over to your house"

My eyes almost bulge out of their sockets as I read her message. I recover after a minute and type back, “Seriously, like right now?!"

"Yep ;) "

I didn't even had the chance to finish my way down the stairs before the door bell rings. I opened it up only to be knocked over by the female version of my husband.

They look the same. Same blue eyes, perky nose, stubborn chin and auburn hair, though her features are much softer than that of my husband.

"Neo!" I screamed at her ear as she tighten her hug, "I can't--breathe" I stated, trying to push her off me. "Oh, sorry..." She gave me a smile before she slip a strand of her hair on the back of her ear.

"Can you please remind me again why you are here? It's not like I ask for you to come barging in early this morning. And also, you told me that you have a lot to do...Tailor for Bethany, pass your new gown design to Carle, deliver the flowers--am I right?" I questioned, turning at her with my hands on my hips.

"You're right but, hey! Quit acting like my mother, Elle." She push my hand off my hips and kiss my cheek, "I'm here to check on you as requested by...by my brother." She nodded her head looking more like a spring head than a human.

"So, you're my babysitter now? I thought you promise me that you'll only serve me yesterday because you are opted to-because you are bored-or I didn't know better...until now." I trained my eyes at her as she bit her lips.

Looking up at me behind her eyelashes, I pointed at her," Yesterday was also an order from your brother, right?" She sighed holding her hands up.

"I, guess? But hey...I- also wanted to catch up with you. It's not like everyday that we meet and the fact that I just arrive from London a week ago. The last time I saw you was at your wedding which is a year ago- also yesterday at the café of course-but it doesn't make up with our bond. I didn't even get to celebrate with you on your first anniversary, no proper gift or anything." She said, her voice breaking as she continue to bite her lip.

"Forgive me if I allow myself be used by my brother. He ordered me around like his employee but, believe me: This is the first time that he ask a favour from me. I swear. It was rare, like a raindrop on the desert and for this time, he did ask me to take you out. Just so you won't be alone..."

"So he think about these things just now? Not a week ago? Or maybe two days after he left? He doesn't even text or call me. What is it with him and his reasons?" I was startled when she push me and I found myself sitting on the couch.

"Hey! You are lashing out again. Don't stress yourself, please. It's really bad for you and the baby..."

"God, the baby! Does he know about the baby?" She stared at me and held her hand up, "Nope. Not my place to break the news to him. It's for you to tell him." I breathe a sigh of relief and unknowingly, my hand move down on their own accord, caressing my tummy.

I muttered a 'thank you' and we just sat there- looking at the television which is not even turned on. It was only when her phone rang that she suddenly turn to me again and smiled, "Now, it's time to start our day out. Come, Ryan is already waiting." She stood and offered her hand.

"Who is Ryan? Is he your boyfriend?" She pulled me up on the couch, hiding her face as she blush, her eyes bulging out, "Nope! He is not. He is Joe's nephew, by the way," she stated, her face still red as she open the door for me.

"Wait, who the hell is Joe?!" Gosh, now I'm confused.

"That's Taylor's first name. Taylor is simply their surname," she whispered before looking at the classy guy who is holding out the door for us to a sleek black limo.

So, should I now call Taylor as Joe?

"DOLLAR, DOLLAR, baby!"

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I am glad to be out of the house, out of the claws of the city that never sleeps. We are going to spend the day out away from all these, just like Neo stated it.

As for Ryan, he is a silent guy. Barely speaking, besides the fact that he need to ask Neo about where we are going to go. He's tall like Tay-I mean Joe but not as bulky as him. Ryan is thin, only slightly build and also, he wears an eyeglasses. He almost look like harry potter than a body guard to me.

I jerked from my seat when the limo stopped in front of a shop. Ryan opened the door for us as Neo stepped out, then we proceed to enter the shop. It was small and painted cream but the fact that it was littered with their products made it almost impossible for me to see the real wall. Against the clumped surrounding, I couldn't help but smile. It was warm and cozy and really felt homey.

The shop sells different kind of jewelries, furniture, clothes. Actually, anything that is antique. I glance around, thrilled by the different artworks I saw. There are so many of these things that captured my attention.

One is a simple leather bracelet with an engraved drawing of an angel. It can actually be split. One is larger as the other was smaller. It reminds me of Gabe and also the little bean inside of me. It will be perfect for them. I just smiled and proceed to pay for it though after paying, another thing caught my attention, which is a flute.

I stared at it for awhile but then found myself losing myself in a flashback

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FLASHBACK*****

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“Papa, play my song. Play it, please!" I scream at the man who is sitting beside the piano. His face hidden by a shadow as his hands expertly glided through the keys.

The notes form into a rhythm until a melody was made and soon, another tune pipe in. It was thinner and soft. Almost encouraging me to dance the lessons I learnt from ballet.

I look up to see a boy smiling down at me, his eyes green like mine though he has a blonde hair. He place the metallic tube on his lips and blow through the hole again, accompanying the sound made by the piano as I dance around not until we were interrupted by a voice...

"Jacob dear, come down now; Ela tell your brother, dinner is ready!"

*

I was startled when someone touch my elbow, "Are you okay, miss ?" The very healthy woman beside me asked, she held my elbow and I was glad with that or else I already have fainted.

What with my past turning up now just because of that flute?

I haven't had any flashbacks since I was six. I don't really know when it did stopped. I'm just thankful that they did or I would still be buried in my misery.

I turn my head back on the flute and wipe my forehead, breathing through my nose so I won't puke.

I was about to answer the woman when Neo poke her head out of one of the shelf, "There you are! I thought you are already swallowed by the spirit on that vase..." she stated pointing at the vase beside me before she recognize the healthy woman holding me, "Oh! Hey there, Genova."

"Neo! So, she was the girl you are talking about...the one that your brother had married." Genova inspected my face and smiled, showing all her teeth, "I apologize I didn't even recognize you, maybe it's because of that unfamiliar glow. You're very pale when I saw you at your wedding. But now look at you, you're very beautiful." She pinched my cheek which made them blush. "You're pregnant, am I right?" She stated, looking at me in the eye.

"How-" I answered only to be interrupted.

"Girl, I know it. All women can see that by just looking at you. I doubt that your man won't be proud. Maybe he's already bragging about you pregnant and--"

"Actually, Genova...I'm going to get us some lunch now . Elle here was so hungry that's why she kind of dart from her own world to ours, so if you'll excuse us. I'll just see you tomorrow at the wedding. Don't worry, I'm going to bring the kit you requested from me." Neo stated, not giving any chance for Genova to interrupt her as she pull me out of the shop.

I am thankful that I am able to control myself, that I hold the tears for a minute before the door closes us inside the limo. I sob at Neo's shoulder as the tears flow. I don't know why I'm crying. Is it because Gabe doesn't know about the baby growing inside my womb or about the flashback I don't expect I would have by just looking at the flute?

Thinking about the incident alone made me dizzy.

We pulled up in front of an italian restaurant and Neo ordered for us while I wait in the car. She decided that a take out would be a better choice considering the situation I have. Ryan drove us back to the city and to the mansion. He was silent and I am glad for he didn't ask the reason on why I am crying like a baby.

I opened the door to our house, delighted because now, I feel safe. I'm inside the comfort of Gabe's compound even though he's not here.

Neo set the pillow and the blanket on the couch as I search through the rack of movies beside the speaker. Wanting to cheer myself up, I pick, legally blonde's and watch Neo roll her eyes at me.

I happily popped some pizza inside my mouth and my stomach cheered as it receive some of the pasta. "You like it" I stated at my tummy, before I eat again. After finishing the movie, she choose another one, then another until I doze off.

I didn't know but I swear I heard her say goodbye but the most heart stopping moment here is that, I felt Gabe's presence in the room as soon as Neo left.

I can smell his cologne and as his hands touched my bare shoulder, I shivered. I peek through my eyelashes and felt his head brush my cheeks before he kissed my forehead. Then, he did the most unexpected thing I never thought he would do--He carried me up from the couch and to the stairs to our room.

He laid me down the bed before following, stretching beside me as he collected me on his arms. But then the best feelings are short lived because now, I don't know how I'm going to say to him that I'm pregnant and that it is true. Whether he would believe me or not.

I can give him the proof sooner than later.

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