Angel on a Mission

Chapter 20

Gabrielle's POV

I woke up to the gentle ray of sunlight streaming through my window and landing softly on my face. It felt like a warm kiss from the morning itself, coaxing me to greet the day with a sense of cheer.

With a smile spreading across my lips, I pushed myself up from the comforting embrace of my bed, stretching my arms high above my head in a leisurely manner. Today was shaping up to be a lovely day, the kind that beckons adventure and possibility.

After rising from my bed, I shuffled my way to the bathroom, eager to wash away the remnants of sleep. I took a refreshing shower that invigorated my spirit, and once dried off, I dressed in a clean white ruffle-hem peplum blouse paired with crisp white shorts, a perfect outfit for a sunny day.

With my hair drying gracefully down my back, I finally stepped out of my bedroom, ready to embrace whatever the day would bring. My next stop was the kitchen, where I opened the cabinet to retrieve some rich coffee beans. I love the ritual of brewing coffee, so I carefully prepared a fresh cup, relishing in the rich aroma that filled the air. I could sense I would definitely be needing that caffeine boost today!

In addition to coffee, I decided to toast some bread, slathering it with sweet strawberry jam before finally settling down. Once everything was prepared, I made my way to the front porch and sank into the comforting embrace of a rocking chair, where I could enjoy my simple breakfast while taking in the serene scenery.

As I sat there, my gaze wandered to the river, where the water shimmered in the sunlight. It was captivating, and for a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in its beauty. I savored my coffee, taking a slow sip as I reclined my head back, rocking gently, enveloped in peacefulness and tranquility.

However, just as the stillness wrapped around me, I suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of a vehicle pulling up. Curiosity piqued, I opened my eyes to see a familiar car parked not far from the cabin. A moment later, a figure stepped out—a man I recognized instantly.

"Art," I said to myself, a smile spreading across my face.

"Good morning, miss," he greeted me warmly, returning my smile as he approached with open arms. I stood and walked toward him, wrapping my arms around him in a friendly embrace. Although I had only been back at the cabin for a few days, his presence felt comforting.

Today, however, I was leaving again. This time, I would be moving for a longer period, closer to my friends, which I deemed more 'efficient.'

"I have some coffee inside. Would you like a cup?" I offered, hoping to share my warm brew.

Art nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good to me," he replied.

We made our way inside the cabin together, and I prepared him a cup of coffee before handing it over. He glanced around, taking in the rustic charm of the cabin.

"Are you bringing anything with you?" he inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

I turned to survey the space, thinking. "A few things—mainly my school supplies and personal items, but not too much," I explained. "I figured there would be more stuff waiting for me at the next place when I move."

Art nodded in understanding. We settled down comfortably on the sofa, and I smiled at him. "It's nice that you're free today," I remarked, appreciating the time we could spend together.

"Yeah, well, I've been anticipating your move, so I made sure to keep my schedule clear for the day you finally took the plunge," he replied with a hint of humor.

I chuckled, enjoying our lighthearted banter. We continued to chat until our conversation was interrupted by a sudden noise at the door.

"Oh, your not-so-friendly friend has arrived," Art stated, leveling his gaze at the door.

Sighing, I stood up and made my way toward it, curiosity mingling with reluctance. As I opened the door, I saw yet another familiar vehicle pull up. The car door swung open, and out stepped Alexander.

Our eyes locked, and I couldn't help but wonder why he had come all the way here for me. As I watched, I noticed his gaze shift towards Art's vehicle, furrowing his brow in confusion.

Just then, Art appeared beside me, adding to the tension. "You've got another guest," he pointed out matter-of-factly.

Alexander's expression darkened as he turned his attention back to Art, his frown deepening into a glare. Meanwhile, Art maintained a calm and friendly demeanor, unperturbed by Alexander’s hostility, who looked ready to confront him at any moment.

I cleared my throat, hoping to defuse the situation. "Alexander," I acknowledged him, tilting my head slightly.

"What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

He met my gaze, a mixture of determination and annoyance flickering across his face. "I needed to talk to you," he replied, his tone firm.

"Right now?" I questioned, glancing at Art, whose expression remained unreadable, though he shrugged slightly in response.

"Yes, right now," he persisted, his annoyance evident.

I exchanged glances with Art, gauging the situation. "You should go inside first. We can leave a little later than planned," I suggested, hoping to give Alexander the chance to speak.

Art nodded, understanding the unspoken urgency, but I noticed him glance at Alexander as he headed inside. Once Art was out of sight, Alexander took my arm, pulling me towards the riverbank with an urgency that made the weight of his grip felt.

His tension was palpable, and it was clear he was not happy. I hadn't seen Alexander in school for a few days due to a competition that kept him away, so I was taken aback by this unexpected confrontation.

Standing at the river, he faced me, disbelief etched on his features. "What is it?" I asked calmly, trying to meet his intensity with gentleness.

"What is that guy doing at your place?" he demanded, his voice slicing through the serene atmosphere.

"Art? He came to visit and lend me a hand," I answered, trying to keep the tone light.

His eyebrows drew together, skepticism evident. "Help you with what?" he inquired, pressing for details.

"Oh, just relocating a few of my things to another place," I replied with a casual shrug, hoping to ease his worries.

"Your other place?" he echoed skeptically.

I nodded, and he scrutinized my face as if searching for hidden motives. "And you couldn't call someone else? My sister is available, and I’m sure that other friend of yours would’ve been willing to help. Why pick him?" Alexander's frustration seeped through his words.

"Art already offered to help me, so I didn’t feel the need to ask the girls," I replied simply.

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, silence enveloped us. The tension between us felt thick, and I could sense the struggle inside him.

"Did you come all the way here just to talk about Art?" I asked, trying to direct our conversation elsewhere.

"No," he said sharply but then continued, "I came to talk about that evening."

Curiosity piqued, I looked at him, feeling an unease settle between us. "Was it that night when you were drunk?" I ventured, recalling the events that had transpired.

His silence spoke volumes; he merely stared at me with a slightly flushed face. So, it was about that night after all.

"I understand you were drunk. You don't have to worry about me misunderstanding anything you said." I began to reassure him, but before I could finish, he interrupted.

"I meant it all," he declared boldly, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

Stunned into silence, I could only blink at him in surprise.

"I meant everything I said that night. I regret calling you while I was intoxicated, but my feelings remain true," he admitted, the seriousness of his words weighing upon me.

I was left speechless. Alexander had always had a flair for the dramatic, but this was an entirely new level of intensity.

“Martinez, do you understand what I’m trying to say?” he pressed.

I hesitated, biting my lip. "Not really," I confessed, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

Alexander sighed heavily. "Are you really that dense? Are you pretending to not understand what I’m saying?"

"Look, Alexander, this is news to me. Please slow down; I'm just trying to process what you’re saying," I insisted, not wanting to rush towards a conclusion I wasn't ready for.

He massaged the bridge of his nose, frustration radiating off him. "What I'm trying to say is, Martinez, I think I..." he began, but then we were interrupted by a loud noise at the door.

"Gabrielle, where should I put your things? My car or yours?" Art’s voice came through as he carried a box of my belongings.

Alexander’s glare intensified, and I exchanged a brief glance with Art before stepping towards Alexander, gently nudging him aside. "Uhm, Alexander, just excuse me for a moment. I need to help with my things," I said swiftly before sliding past him to join Art.

We ducked inside my room to sort my belongings when Alexander’s voice drifted in from where he stood outside the door.

"I think you should ask your friend to leave. It’s not appropriate for him to stay," he called, stubbornness lacing his words.

We both understood the implications of his statement without needing to say it out loud. It was clear where he meant for this conversation to go.

Sighing, I returned to the doorway. "I don’t think I’ll be able to ask him to leave just like that, especially since you’re here. I bet he won’t leave knowing you’re visiting," I pointed out, acknowledging the complications of our situation.

Art sighed thoughtfully before suggesting, "Maybe you could call his sister?"

"I think that might be a good idea," I agreed, feeling a sense of hope.

Art nodded, and I dashed to grab my phone.

Suddenly, there was a series of loud knocks at the door, and Art sighed again, eyeing the door warily before taking another box from my room and opening it.

When Alexander stood outside looking as disgruntled as ever, I quickly texted Bella.

To: Bella

Hi, Bella! I'm so sorry to bother you on this lovely weekend, but your brother is here with me, and I would really appreciate it if you could come get him. Thank you!

After sending my message, I looked back at the scene unfolding by the door. Alexander shot Art a nasty look, while Art just pursed his lips in response.

I sighed and moved closer to them, lightly nudging Alexander aside to get between them.

Art headed outside with the box while I held onto Alexander's arm, attempting to maintain some semblance of peace.

As I glanced at the clock on the wall, I knew it was time to make a decision. "Art and I should be leaving now. I think you should too, Alexander," I said firmly, meeting his gaze with determination.

He looked back at me defiantly. "No," he insisted, furrowing his brows. "I'm going with you."

I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "I'd rather you didn't," I said frankly, knowing how tangled my day was about to be.

Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly not pleased. "I can make time," he shot back, staring deeply into my eyes, making my heart flutter uncomfortably.

Before I could respond, my phone rang, interrupting the moment. I quickly stepped back into my room to grab it.

"Hey," I greeted as I answered, instantly recognizing Bella's voice.

"Hi, babes! Where's my brother again?" she inquired, her tone skeptical.

I glanced at Alexander, who stood waiting by the door, still looking displeased. "He's here with me right now, and we’re about to head somewhere," I informed her.

“And where do you want me to pick his ass up?” she asked with a playful attitude.

I bit my lip, looking from Alexander to my phone. "I'll text you the location. Please come," I almost begged, sensing the urgency of the moment.

We ended our conversation, and I quickly messaged her the details.

"Who was that?" Alexander asked curiously, breaking away from his tension momentarily.

"Oh, just someone," I replied vaguely, trying to keep my response casual.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not fooled.

"Gabrielle, your things are settled in my car already," Art appeared again, interrupting whatever tension might have lingered between Alexander and me.

Immediately, Alexander shot him another nasty look, and I sighed, realizing this was going to be a challenge.

"Let me quickly wash up, and then we can leave," I said, lightly pushing Alexander out of my room so I could close the door behind me.

I took a moment to tidy myself up before changing into a baby blue tube romper paired with white flat sandals. I secured my hair into a ponytail, hoping to feel a bit more put together.

After grabbing my bag and going through the necessary last-minute checks, I emerged from my room.

In the living room, Alexander stood looking impatient while Art was in the kitchen, taking a sip of water.

"Ready to go?" Art asked when he saw me, and I nodded, feeling nervous energy buzzing beneath my skin.

We both turned our attention to Alexander, who looked at us with skepticism. "What?" he asked, a hint of confrontational energy in his tone.

Art shrugged, and we exchanged apprehensive glances before I double-checked my belongings once more. As we moved towards the door, I locked the cabin behind us before we piled into our respective cars.

Starting the engine, Art led the way out of the driveway, with me tailing closely, and Alexander behind us. Normally, it would have taken no time to reach my new place, just Art and me, but with Alexander coming along, I braced for a longer journey.

As I put a mellow tune on the radio, I allowed the music to wash over me, feeling the gentle breeze lull the tension as I drove my convertible down the open road.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at our destination. Art was the first to park in front of the building where I would be moving into, and the reality struck me; this was my new home.

Although I had never been here before, a strange feeling of familiarity washed over me as I stepped out, grounding me in the present moment.

"Elle!" I heard a voice call from a distance, and I turned toward the sound to see Bella making her way over.

At that moment, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Bella quickly walked to me and hugged me tightly, before her gaze turned serious as she accused her brother with a pointed glare.

"What are you doing here?" Alexander challenged, staring down his sister.

"More importantly, what are YOU doing here?" Bella shot back, not backing down.

“I swear, if you’re harassing Elle again…” she stated, crossing her arms defiantly.

“What? No!” Alexander defended himself, but Bella wasn’t buying it.

"I can't believe you, Alex. You've been acting so strangely lately. What's going on with you?" she pressed, concern lacing her voice.

Alexander clenched his jaw, clearly agitated.

“Listen, I’m sorry, you guys. I’ll take my brother now,” Bella stated, cutting through the tension between them.

"What?" Alexander exclaimed, clearly caught off guard.

Before he could protest, Bella grabbed Alexander by the collar and dragged him away.

I was momentarily taken aback by her forcefulness, but Art merely chuckled at the sheer absurdity of the scene, and I couldn’t help but join him.

He gently pulled me inside, where I helped him with the boxes as we entered the building. We were met by a guard who greeted us like old friends, clearly familiar with the business of our comings and goings.

We stepped into the elevator, and I pressed the button for the 44th floor.

"Oh wow. You’re really high up," Art remarked, looking impressed.

I chuckled, nodding in agreement as we made our ascent.

When we arrived at my floor, I instinctively walked towards one of the doors, and as I approached the fourth room, I knew in my gut that this was my new home.

Pushing the door open, I was instantly mesmerized by what lay beyond. Art followed me inside, and I quickly set my box down to take in the surroundings.

The interior was painted in crisp whites, and everything looked fresh and inviting. The spacious layout amazed me, and the view from the windows was nothing short of breathtaking.

"Nice," Art commented as he surveyed the area.

"I don’t think you’ll have trouble settling in here. It’s gorgeous," he said, and I couldn't help but agree.

With excitement bubbling within me, I explored more, dancing through the rooms until I found my bedroom. It was just as beautiful, radiating warmth and comfort.

Approaching the glass wall in my room, I drew aside the sheer curtains, allowing the stunning view to flood my senses. I leaned against the frame, engulfed by the tranquil scenery before me.

"I could get used to this," I murmured softly, feeling incredibly hopeful about this new chapter in my life.

As I continued to gaze around, I was genuinely impressed by everything in this new place. It contained far more than the cozy little cabin I had grown attached to over time.

Sure, I would miss the cabin and the memories it held, but there was something undeniably exciting and refreshing about starting anew here.

Standing in the living room, I absorbed the magnificent view once more. Yes, this is nice.

It is very nice indeed.