Unguarded emotions

GABRIEL ROMANOS TALE

EPISODE TWO

The man turns to face me, and my heart leaps. Its really him, could this night get any more interesting ?

"...Trisha"?

"Its been so long ! Haven't seen you since graduation"

He rubs the back of his neck ,flashing a soft sheepish smile.

" Sorry about that. I kept saying I'd get in touch, but I didn't want to bother you"

"Don't be ridiculous, you're never a bother ! We weren't close in college just so you could graduate and disappear from existence ".

Seeing his easy smile makes me feel like I'm on familiar ground again. I also feel at ease just from looking into his eyes-it brought back good memories, ones I could never forget.

He's still as handsome as ever... I never thought I'd see him again- at least not today and definitely not here.

" How have you been"?

"Doing alright, you" ?

"Pretty good, I guess. I got a job at a local hotel. Its not the most exciting job in the world , but it gets the bills paid".

" That's what matters...and that's why I'm here, actually" .

"Huh? What do you mean? You working for one of these rich folks"?

" Not actually - work transferred me to this district . I was hoping we'd run into each other again".

His smile falters suddenly, and he furrows his brow.

"Although this sort of dinner party isn't exactly where I expected it to happen. Last I knew, this wasn’t quite your sort of thing".

"Actually....my uncle made me come to this party".

"Your uncle Stanley" ?

"He , uh...has connections here , I guess"

I shake my head ,

"For some reason , he got it into his head that I should come tonight and meet Gabriel Romano".

"What"?!

"I know , I know...I had the same look on my face".

I look around , and then lower my voice to a whisper,

" I did meet him , and let's just say it could have gone better. It's not like these rich Geezers could care about people below their class".

Matteo laughs, and I smile at the comforting sound. It almost feels as though no time has passed.

"So...are you still a book worm" ?

"When I can find the time ".

" Ah. Real life getting in the way"?

"Work ,usually".

I sigh , crossing my arms, " it's always work , huh? Nothing else? Nothing...interesting"?

He says nothing further, just gives me a warm smile.

"Although...I can't feel too negatively toward your job when it brought us together again".

He treats me to a brilliant smile, " I'd say I feel the same. We really do have a lot of catching up to do".

"What sort of job is it anyway. It sounds-"

"Hey, I think something's happening".

All around us, people are starting to gather together and turn toward the front of the room.

Gabriel stands there with Ace just beside him. It looks like he's going to give a speech.

" Oh, right", I move close enough to Matteo to speak in a whisper .

"My uncle said Gabriel is supposed to introduce his fiancée at this party".

Speaking of which, where the hell is my uncle? I hadn't laid eyes on him since we got separated and it really worries me.

Anyways I'm glad I ran into Matteo, else I would have to spend the whole night by myself.

" Unbelievable, what sort of girl would want to get mixed up with a spoilt brat like him? Its obviously going to just be some other spoilt brat ".

"Matteo" !

I shush him , hoping that no one's looking at us as I lead him to the corner of the room and away from the crowd....Yet, Matteo scowls.

"Anyone with a lick of sense would stay away from these rich folks, Especially people like us..the common folks. These cunning bastards care only about their wealth and would do anything to maintain it. No-good criminals, the lots of them".

" There are not all that bad".

Matteo snorts and even I knew I was only trying to convince myself.

"OK....name one then".

" I met a nice gentleman this evening. He probably is connected to Gabriel in someway ,though I haven't figured it out yet. But I really did enjoy his company ...before bumping into you here ".

" That's just a front for the public ,to make them look good in the eyes of people. When really they are just as evil as the devil himself".

"I didn't realize Matteo had such strong feelings about the rich folks just as I did. I can't say he is entirety wrong about them...I mean, I would know that.

At the front of the room, Gabriel clears his throat.

" Thank you all for coming tonight. I have a very special announcement to make. This is a momentous occasion in my life, and I only wish my father could be here to see it".

That's right ,he inherited the family's business and fortune after this fathers recent death...

While Gabriel waxes on about his fathers legacy with more eloquence than I expected, the people standing closest to us move away.

Someone is coming through the crowd towards us. I turn, but it isn't my uncle like I had hoped. Instead...Two men in black suits stop right I front of me.

"Miss Trisha parks"?

" Yes"

" Please follow us"

I furrow my brow , confused.

"Hold on, what's going on here? You'd better not cause any trouble for her" !

Matteo steps forward, but I hold up my hand to stop him .

"Its alright , probably this has something to do with my uncle.

" Are you sure"?

"Yes , I'll be fine".

" Alright , but if you need any help , just shout and I'll be there".

"Thanks I really appreciate it , Matteo. It was good seeing you again" !

Matteo smiles , but it doesn't meet his eyes. He glowers at the two men as they escort me through the crowd...and to my surprise, they lead me straight up to the front of the room.

"Umm...where.."

They leave me , and I look around in bewilderment.

Gabriel glances over with an irritated expression. He nods to me , and I stare at him. Does he want me to join him? Or is this some kind of joke?

When I don't move , he walks toward me and takes my hand. His grip is gentler than I expected from our cold encounters so far.

"This way", He sighs. " I suppose compliance is a virtue".

This jerk has some nerves. Did he really just expect me to comply when I have no clue of what's going on"?!

Despite my anxiousness, I follow Gabriel as he returns to his spot in front of the room, still holding my hand.

"Thank you for waiting, everyone".

He turns to me and looks into my eyes. I find myself captivated by his piercing gaze despite my confusion.

He lifts my hand, and for a moment I think he's going to kiss it like Ace did , instead ,he holds out a beautiful diamond ring. The sight makes me gasp, it had to be ring I had ever seen.It must be worth a fortune!

But why is he...wait— Gabriel slips the ring onto my fingers with a smile unlike anything I've seen on his face before.

Then he turns back to face the crowd, " I'd like you all to meet Trisha parks — My fiancée.