Tyrant King

Chapter One

A few years have passed, 5 to be exact, and I was still seeing Gabriel a few times a week. Every time he was here, he made sure to seek me out, even if it was a quick little visit. He attended my high-school graduation, and was the first person I told about getting into teaching college.

All of my friends joke that we’re in love with each other but I know he doesn’t see me like that. I also know he’s off limits, but that doesn’t stop my heart from soaring or the butterflies in my stomach every time I see him.

Today is my 20th birthday and a bunch of us are going down to the beach for a big bonfire. I just finished packing my bag with some time to spare for a nap, when there was a knock at my door. I jumped on my bed before calling out for the person to enter.

Gabe stuck his head in, “Hey Princess, can I come in?”

My face heated up and I nodded at him. Any time he’s come to my room, he’s left my door wide open. Not this time. He closed the door behind him, taking a few seconds with his back to me before turning around. The smile that lit up his face had my stomach dropping to my feet. He looked so f*****g hot!

“I got you something.”

I sat up, “What is it?”

“Do you want to come and see?” He asked. “It’s outside right now.”

I jumped up, “Of course I do. You didn’t have to get me anything though, Gabe!”

“I know I didn’t have to, I wanted to.”

I walked toward him and the door to leave. He gently wrapped his hand around my upper arm, stopping me. I turned my face to him, realizing how close we were standing. I could reach my other hand up to his hair and pull his face towards me. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss his lips. They looked so soft.

There was a loud knock on the door, pulling us both out of our trance. “No doors closed in my house, Gabriel Silver. Especially in my daughter’s room!”

Gabe chuckled. “Great timing.”

He let go of my arm, taking one last long look at me before opening the door. My father stood on the other side, pure rage on his face. But his look wasn’t directed at me, he was looking straight at a smiling Gabriel. “Mr. Edwards… so rude of you to interrupt.”

I stepped in front of my dad before he could say anything. “Gabe got me something outside, come look with me.” I looped my arm through his, pulling him with me. I could hear Gabe walking behind us, laughing quietly. I realized my dad’s arm was tense under mine, his posture rigid.

When we got outside, there was a gigantic box sitting in the driveway. I looked back at Gabe, who handed me a smaller box wrapped with a purple bow. “What’s this?”

“I know this is usually a present you get on your sixteenth birthday from your parents, but I couldn’t help myself. You’re going to need something to get you back and forth between school and home.”

“I already have a ride, Gabe. Nate picks me up. You know this.”

His smile fell off his face, his eyes growing dark.

“Honey,” my dad said quickly, “Just accept it. We can talk about this later.”

A few men I didn’t know came over and lifted the box. My jaw dropped… there was a black Jeep Wrangler sitting in my driveway. I looked down at the box in my hand, opening it slowly.

“Do you like it, Nora?”

I couldn’t speak. I nodded my head, tears filling my eyes. “Gabe… it’s… I can’t…”

“You can’t what?” he laughed.

“I can’t accept this.” I said as I tried to hand back the keys. He looked at the box and back at my face. He reached out his hand and I was almost disappointed that he was taking them back. Instead, he wrapped his hand around mine, pressing the key into my palm.

“It’s yours, Nora. I bought it for you. I won’t accept anything but a thank you.” He let go and walked away. His driver opened his car door, but he stopped to glance back at me again. He nodded to my dad before getting in and taking off.

A few hours later I was in my room finishing my make-up. I knew the girls would be over soon and we would leave for the beach. I needed some time away from the house, with my new Jeep sitting in the drive way. I was having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he bought me a car. What does this mean? He always treated me like his kid sister. Or at least that’s what I told myself to stop any feelings from developing.

“Nora! Your friends are here!”

“Send them up please!”

A few seconds later I heard shrieking behind me.

“Happy birthday, Nora!”

“Happy birthday!!”

“Woo, the party’s here now! Happy birthday Nora!”

I laughed. I loved my friends. I noticed Nate wasn’t here. “Thanks ladies!” I said, giving them each a hug. “Where’s Nate? Wasn’t he picking you up?”

The girls looked at each other before settling back on me.

“You didn’t hear?”

“Hear what? What happened?”

“Gabriel Silver happened.” Said Michelle. My heart sank.

“What do you mean?”

“Gabriel sent a car to my place to pick me up and said Nate wouldn’t be joining us. You didn’t know? I thought for sure he would’ve told you earlier.”

I picked up my phone. I had no missed texts or calls from anyone. I dialed Gabe’s number, turning away from my friends.

“Hey birthday girl, what can I do for you?”

“Where’s Nate?” There were several seconds of silence on the other end. I pulled the phone away from my ear to make sure he didn’t hang up on me. “Gabriel… where is Nate?” I gulped.

“He’s indisposed at the moment.” His voice was hard. “He won’t be joining you tonight, Nora. Go enjoy your birthday with your friends.” And then he hung up on me.

“Come on, Nora. Forget Nate, you can see him tomorrow.”

I had a sinking feeling in my stomach that I would definitely not be seeing him any time soon. Gabriel Silver was always nice to me, but I’ve witnessed how ruthless he could be over the years to other people. He’s come over plenty of times with bruised and bloodied knuckles, telling me not to worry about anything. He always promised I’d be safe.

I grabbed the bottle from Nicole, I needed to forget all about Mr. Gabriel Silver for tonight. I took a long swig, enjoying the burn down my throat. The girls were cheering me on. I finished my drink and turned on some music, I wanted to dance.

30 minutes later, we were all half-drunk walking out to the limo. The least Gabe could do was lend us his car and driver.

“Happy birthday, Miss Nora. To the beach I take it?” Asked the driver.

“Yes sir!” I laughed. “You should party with us!”

He shook his head, closing the door once we were all in. The beach wasn’t far from my house, but that didn’t stop us from having several drinks before we arrived. I could see balloons and a banner set up with my name on it. Damn, I needed this night.

We stumbled our way to the area set up, when I noticed the entire beach was full! Everyone screamed in unison. “Happy birthday, Nora!”