THE STOLEN PIECE

CHAPTER 40 - TIME

GABRIEL

-Believe me, this place is really good, it’s what inspired me to open the coffee shop.

   -I can see the resemblance…

   -Really? I have never brought someone here, not even my siblings, this was always my secret place.

As she spoke, the waiter brought my orange juice and a strawberry milkshake with whip cream, chocolate, colored sparkles, and a cherry on top.

   -Thanks, Tony.

   -Are you drinking all of that?

   -Sometimes I order two…

   -I don’t know how you are alive… That’s just too much sugar.

   -Let me be… Don’t change the topic, your childhood, tell me about it.

   -My childhood…

What can I actually tell her about my childhood?

   -Well, I grew up in a small town with my sister, mom, and two uncles.

   -What about your Dad?

   -Mom and Dad had a complicated relationship.

   -Did they divorce?

   -Not sure

Not sure what divorced meant.

   -They lived separately for years until they got back together and then we all lived together with my brother… brothers.

-That’s all you are saying to me? Really?

-Well when I was a kid I was pretty smart, I skipped one grade.

-That I can’t believe it… I thought you were more like… the problematic kid in class.

-What? No, I followed the rules and studied.

-Your sister?

-She was more of a social person, talking with her friends and watching TV programs.

-That I can believe, she sounds lovely on the phone.

-Well she is an amazing doctor.

-She is a doctor?

-Yes she is.

-That's amazing...

She kept looking at me with an intrigued eye.

-What?

-I’m just curious… Why is your sister a doctor? Well obviously she studied to be one… but you…

-I’m a loser that can’t keep a job?

I said that with some sarcasm… If she only knew I was training to be the future Alpha King of the werewolves… 

   -No, no I didn’t mean it like that but…

   -I was not that dedicated to normal life I guess...

   -Then what are you dedicated to?

That’s a good question… What I am passionate about.

   -My family.

   -Just that?

   -Yes… I don't know, I'm still trying to understand it myself…

   -Here you go, pancakes with everything and an omelet house… Call me if you need anything else.

And just as he left the plates Tony was gone. I saw the plate… I lied. I couldn't see the plate. It was full of fruits, whip cream, bacon, chocolate, and cookies.

   -Tell me you are not eating all of that.

   -Why? It smells incredible!

   -That’s sugar for the whole town.

   -Well I run and burn it… Or are you calling me fat?

   -What? No!

   -Then let me eat in peace and you could do the same.

She kept looking at me. I took a bite of the omelet and it was good, but I had some better omelets. Mom was a master at them.

   -So...?

She was still looking at me.

   -It's good.

   -No it is not good, it is the best omelet you have ever eaten.

She intensified her look.

   -What isn't the best one?

   -No, I mean it’s good, but not the best one.

   -Where did you try one that was more delicious?

   -My mom makes the best omelets.

   -You can’t compare food that has memories with some restaurant food, it’s not fair.

Food with memories?

   -You looked confused…

   -It’s just food is food…

   -Food is more than that, food can take you anywhere. You can have pasta and you feel like you're in Italy, You can have sushi and feel like you're in Japan…

   -I don’t know, I have not visited those places.

   -Neither am I, but I bet that’s how it feels to be there right?

   -As I just said, I have no clue.

I kept eating, it was a good omelet.

   -So where are you right now?

I said and she looked at me as If I was crazy.

   -Yes if you are eating pancakes where are you right now?

She looked at the plate.

   -I’m here... Happy, eating pancakes.

   -Alone?

   -Well now I’m with you.

She smiled at me. We ate the rest of our food in silence. I was still thinking about what Eva said about the mates… Was it really that complicated?

   -I’m thinking of going to the beach.

   -To the beach?

   -Yes, I need some time away from all of this disaster, and to rebuild myself up. Just some days.

   -Why?

   -I need a break, just that… and the sound of the ocean helps me relax.

   -Really?

   -Yes.

   -Then I would love to go.

She looked at me with a confused face.

   -Gabriel I wasn’t inviting you.

   -Why not?

   -I need some time alone to think and be away from all of this…

   -But I got nothing to do with all of the disasters, so I’m an exception.

-Yes but…

-And I’m also having some doubts in my life and would love some peace and time away from my place. 

-Then I will pay for the food and tomorrow we will see each other and go to the beach.

-It’s not that simple…

-Why not?

-We need a car and…

-I have a car.

-You do?

-Yes, so it all sort of works outright?

-Yes… 

Her answer sounded more like a question than a real answer.

   -Then I will see you tomorrow.

I stood up, paid for the food, and left the place. I walked towards my apartment but I wasn’t ready to go back so I kept walking around until the lights of the street started turning on. “WHY ARE WE GOING ON A TRIP? WE ARE SO CLOSE TO FINDING MY BROTHER!” “He is also my brother, but I really need to think about some stuff I can’t concentrate on if my mind is all fuzzy.” “Ignore what Eva said! She and her wolf are crazy! Let’s focus on finding Finn!” “I know Zeus, but it’s just a few days.” I opened the door and saw David full of cheeto dust.

   -Finally, someone's home! I was bored to death!

   -How many did you eat?

   -All of them… I have been trapped here since forever…

I wasn’t in the mood for arguing so I just let him talk, and started packing.

   -Where are we going?

   -You are going nowhere.

   -Why? I want to go! Don’t leave me here! I will behave!

   -No…

   -Please… Please… Please…

He kept begging while I packed.

   -Okay but just stop talking!

   -YES!... Where are we going?

   -To the beach…

   -Why? I don’t like the humidity and the seawater makes my fur itch…

   -Then don’t go.

   -Okay I will go pack then… Why are we going to the beach?

He left my room while complaining. “He knows the beach?” “He travels a lot with his Dad, remember?” “Why didn’t we travel?” “We were training to be the Alpha King, remember?” “Traveling sounds better.” “Zeus please I need peace in my mind just for a bit.” I finished packing stuff and then went into the kitchen and packed some food. I sat on the couch and then heard Lucas arriving.

   -Hi, did you take the car today?

   -Yes, did you need it?

   -Kind off… I will take the car and use it for a couple of days. Can you go to the gas station, fill the tank and check the tires?

   -No problem Gabe, but…

   -Are you sure we can’t change locations? Is not too late to choose another thing to do?

David came out of his room. Lucas made a strange face and closed the door leaving the apartment.

   -Was that Lucas?

   -Yes.

   -Why did he leave…

   -My guess? He is tired of you complaining.

   -I'm not complaining… But why the beach?

   -You want to go or you want to stay here?

He then looked at me with pretty eyes but then he left again to his room. Then the front door opened and it was Maria.

   -Hi, hasn’t Lucas arrived yet? He left the hospital earlier than me.

   -He went to the gas station.

She then didn’t say anything else and went to her room. I kept changing the channel trying to find something to see on the TV. I heard the door again and then I fell to the floor with someone hugging me.

   -I missed you so much!

   -Eva let me go!

   -I kept thinking about you during work, I also told my manager about you and she wants to meet you! Can you come and visit me tomorrow? I can introduce you to my manager and then we can have lunch at the mall and then we can go to the movies…

   -Eva close the door when you enter.

I heard Lucas' voice and then the door closing.

   -You are not my Alpha so I don’t need to listen to you.

Eva said with an annoyed voice.