Angel on a Mission

Chapter 22

Gabrielle's POV

I stirred awake to the persistent beeping of the clock perched on my bedside table. Its incessant sound pierced through the haze of sleep, pulling me back to the present moment.

With a gentle flutter of my eyelids, I slowly opened my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the soft morning light filtering into the room. The warm rays peeked through the gaps in the curtains, casting playful shadows across the walls.

With a soft groan, I pushed myself upright, feeling the weight of sleep gradually lift off my shoulders. I let out a big yawn that seemed to echo through the stillness, stretching my arms overhead. The delightful strain in my muscles felt good, awakening them from their slumber.

After a brief moment of savoring the transition from sleep to wakefulness, I stood up, stepping off the bed and making my way to the window. With a flourish, I pulled the curtains open, letting in an abundance of light.

A smile broke out on my face as I gazed outside, taking in the beauty of the day unfolding before me. It was a lovely morning, with the sunlight dancing in through the open window, painting everything in warm hues.

I took a moment to fix my bed just slightly—smooth out the blankets and fluff the pillows—before heading off to the bathroom. Once there, I treated myself to a refreshing shower, squeezing the remnants of sleep from my mind and body, allowing the warm water to wash over me, invigorating every inch of my skin.

After drying myself off thoroughly, I stepped out, feeling renewed and ready to get dressed for the day ahead. I slipped into a cozy beige button-front lounge set, perfectly complemented by my fluffy slippers that cradled my feet in warmth and comfort.

Feeling much more prepared for the day’s potential, I left my room and headed to the kitchen to begin my day with some sustenance.

In the kitchen, I brewed myself a steaming cup of aromatic tea, allowing the fragrant scent to fill the air and awaken my senses. While waiting for the water to boil, I took to slicing up some fresh fruits.

Once I had created a delightful bowl filled with bright colored and refreshing treats before me, I decided to sit down in the living room rather than occupy the dining area today, hoping to make the most of the lovely view.

As I settled into a comfortable chair, I peered out through the large, clear windows of my new apartment. I took a sip of my tea while admiring the picturesque view of the city below.

It was definitely going to take some getting used to living here, away from the familiarity of my previous surroundings.

However, I found that I genuinely appreciated this space and the ambiance it offered, feeling a lack of complaints as I soaked in my surroundings.

As I indulged in the juicy fruits, I let my eyes wander over the vibrant city view outside, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me.

“These fruits are really good too”, I thought to myself, enjoying the delightful flavors while reveling in the beauty that surrounded me.

I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen as I munched on my colorful breakfast, ruminating on what I wanted to accomplish for the day. Ever since I moved to this vibrant place, I had felt a spark of inspiration, urging me to try my hand at some of the activities that Art usually indulged in.

So, I made a list of things I wanted and needed to tend to, as I was eager to establish my new routine. At the very top of my list was grocery shopping, a task that nagged at the back of my mind. It occurred to me that I needed to pick up a few items in order to broaden my culinary options, as I was eager to try out new recipes and rich flavors in my cooking.

After finishing my bowl of fruit, I set to work on cleaning up the remnants of my breakfast, tidying up the kitchen and organizing the living room just a little. Once I felt satisfied with the state of my space, I changed out of my lounge set and into something more suitable for leaving the house and embarking on a grocery shopping excursion.

I opted for a vibrant yellow solid shirred back cami romper that brightened my appearance, pairing it with cute white sandals that added an element of charm. After brushing my hair, I let it fall freely over my shoulders, ready for the day's adventures ahead.

Grabbing my phone and my small bag, I took a deep breath to prepare myself for what lay ahead, then exited my apartment, heading to the elevator to make my descent down to the ground floor.

The grocery store was merely a few minutes away by car, so I knew the trip wouldn’t take long at all. As I made my way, I had a feeling, a hopeful twinge in the pit of my stomach, that it was going to be a good day.

“I genuinely hope so”, I thought to myself, glancing around at the bustling city.

The ride to the grocery store was smooth and pleasant, with the city bustling around me in a lively dance. I observed people walking along the sidewalks, chatting animatedly, carrying bags filled with goods, and simply going about their everyday lives.

It was fascinating to see how their days unfolded in such a structured yet unpredictable manner.

Upon my arrival at the store, I quickly parked my car and made my way inside, grabbing a shopping cart from the entrance before navigating my way through the brightly lit aisles.

The cool air-conditioning provided a refreshing relief from the warmth of the sun outside, and the store was remarkably well-stocked, with rows upon rows of colorful fruits, fresh vegetables, and neatly arranged packaged goods lining the shelves.

I pushed my cart along, stopping intermittently to inspect various items, diligently checking their labels and expiration dates for freshness.

I picked out a delightful variety of fruits, some fresh vegetables, a few dairy products, and a couple of seasonings that caught my eye and piqued my curiosity.

As I moved through the bakery section, the rich, warm scent of freshly baked bread and pastries wafted through the air, teasing my senses. Unable to resist its allure, I grabbed a crusty loaf of sourdough along with a small box of assorted muffins.

Just as I turned toward the frozen food section, a small voice caught my attention.

"Mommy? Where are you mommy?"

I swiveled around to find a little boy, probably no older than four years old, standing near the aisle, gripping the strap of his backpack tightly in his tiny hands. His wide brown eyes glistened with unshed tears, and his lower lip trembled as he glanced around desperately, searching.

Feeling a wave of compassion wash over me, I approached him slowly, crouching down to meet him at eye level.

"Hey there, little one," I said softly, trying to exude warmth in my tone. "Are you looking for your mom?"

He sniffled and nodded, his voice trembling as he replied, "I was holding her hand, but I let go for a second, and now I can't find her."

My heart ached for him, feeling his anxiety and fear radiating off him like a palpable weight in the air.

"It's okay," I reassured him kindly, my voice steady. "We'll find her together. What's your name?"

"Louis," he murmured, his voice small and shaky.

"Alright, Louis," I said, offering him a comforting smile. "Let's go to the front of the store and tell one of the staff, okay? Your mom is probably looking for you too."

Hesitating for just a moment, he finally nodded, taking my hand trustingly as I led him toward the customer service desk.

Once we arrived at the counter, I signaled for one of the employees and quickly explained the situation.

Moments later, a frantic woman came rushing over, her eyes scanning the area wildly until they finally found Louis.

“Mommy!” the little boy called to the woman.

"Louis!" she gasped, scooping him up into her arms with a look of immense relief on her face. "Oh my goodness, baby, I was so worried!"

Louis clung to his mother tightly, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I thought I lost you, Mommy," he whimpered, his little voice filled with distress.

She pressed gentle kisses against his forehead, her voice soothing as she cooed, "Never, sweetheart. Never."

Turning her attention to me, she smiled gratefully, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you so much for helping my son. I don’t know what I would have done if anything happened to him."

I offered her a warm, genuine smile in response. "I’m just glad he’s safe."

After ensuring that the little boy was okay and reunited with his mother, I continued my shopping, filling my cart with the remaining essentials before making my way to the checkout.

Once I made my purchase, I went straight to my car with a satisfied smile on my face.

With my groceries packed away neatly in the car, I decided to make my way to a nearby café to meet Art for tea.

As I entered the charming little café, I spotted him instantly sitting at a small table near the window, a calm yet serious expression etched on his face.

"You’re late," he remarked with a quirk of his brow as I took my seat across from him.

I rolled my eyes in amusement. "I’m only three minutes late, Art."

He sighed, though he didn’t argue. Instead, he studied me intently for a moment before speaking again. "How are you adjusting?"

Taking a slow sip of my tea, I considered my answer thoughtfully before replying. "It's different. But I like it so far."

He nodded, though the hesitation in his eyes told me he wasn’t entirely convinced. "You do remember why you're here, right?"

Setting my cup down, I met his gaze with sincerity. "Of course, I do."

"Then be careful," he warned, his tone more serious now. "You’re getting too comfortable. You’re forming attachments, and that’s dangerous."

I sighed, feeling a slight pang of frustration punctuating his words. "Art, I know what I’m doing. I’m still focused on my mission."

"Are you?" he questioned, his look intense and scrutinizing. "Because from what I’ve observed, you’ve been making unnecessary connections. You can’t afford distractions."

I paused, acknowledging the truth in his words but simultaneously feeling a sense of defensiveness rising within me.

"I can balance both," I told him firmly, determined to make my point clear.

He didn’t seem entirely convinced. "Just don’t forget why you’re here. And don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment."

I exhaled softly and gave him a small nod, wanting him to understand my resolve. "I won’t."

After finishing our tea and sharing pleasant small talk, I invited Art to see my new place.

He walked through my apartment with deliberate scrutiny, nodding approvingly at its minimal yet cozy setting.

"Not bad," he admitted, almost begrudgingly.

"Glad you think so," I replied with a smile, feeling a sense of pride in my little sanctuary that I had created for myself.

Before we left, he gave me one last reminder, his expression serious once more. "Stay alert. The world isn't as kind as you think."

As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a deep breath, recognizing that he was right.

I needed to remain cautious.

I needed to stay focused.

But as I stood alone in the quietude of my apartment, a lingering thought nagged at me—could I truly live among humans without losing myself to attachments?

I sighed.

Why am I even questioning myself.

Of course I can. I know my priorities well.