Chapter 5
875 Words
Chapter 5
Erica noticed the change in Gabrielle before he said a word.
It wasn’t something obvious. He still smiled when he saw her. Still pulled her chair out at the restaurant. Still asked how her day had gone. But his presence felt… measured. Like every word he spoke had been weighed before it was released.
“You’re thinking again,” Erica said, resting her chin on her palm.
Gabrielle looked up. “Am I that obvious?”
“Only when you’re quiet for too long.”
He smiled faintly. “Maybe I just like listening to you.”
“That’s new,” she teased.
“Is it?”
She laughed, then paused. “Okay, maybe not.”
They ordered their food, falling into easy conversation—her work at the mall, a customer who argued over change, a child who waved at everyone like they were old friends. Gabrielle listened attentively, occasionally shaking his head or asking questions.
“You make ordinary things sound interesting,” he said.
“That’s because they are,” she replied. “People just don’t pay attention.”
“Or they’re too busy hiding.”
She tilted her head. “Is that what you do?”
He met her gaze. “Sometimes.”
She wanted to ask more, but something in his eyes warned her not to push. So she let it go.
After dinner, they stepped outside. The air was cooler, quieter. Gabrielle unlocked his car, and they sat inside without starting the engine.
“I like this part,” Erica said.
“This part?”
“When we don’t rush to leave.”
He nodded. “Me too.”
They sat in silence for a moment—comfortable but fragile.
“Gabrielle,” she said softly, “can I ask you something honest?”
“You always do.”
“Do you ever feel like you’re living two different lives?”
He stiffened, just slightly.
“What makes you ask that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Sometimes when I talk to you, it feels like you’re here… but also somewhere else.”
He exhaled slowly. “Some people don’t have the luxury of being just one thing.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It can be.”
She reached out without thinking, her fingers brushing his. He didn’t pull away.
Before either of them could speak again, someone tapped on the car window.
Gabrielle looked over. “Oh.”
A young man stood outside, smiling broadly. He looked familiar in an unimportant way—like someone you’d passed many times without noticing.
“Gab!” the man said as Gabrielle rolled down the window. “I thought that was you.”
“Marcus,” Gabrielle replied, surprised but relaxed. “What are you doing here?”
“Meeting someone. Didn’t expect to see you.” Marcus glanced at Erica. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Erica said politely.
“This is Erica,” Gabrielle said. “Erica, this is Marcus. An old friend.”
“Old?” Marcus laughed. “We’re not that ancient.”
“Speak for yourself.”
Marcus leaned against the car casually. “Didn’t know you were in town.”
“I’m not, technically.”
“Figures,” Marcus said. “You were never the ‘stay in one place’ type.”
Erica noticed the ease between them. Whatever history they shared, it wasn’t tense. If anything, it felt grounding.
“Well,” Marcus said, straightening up, “good seeing you. Don’t disappear again.”
Gabrielle smiled. “I make no promises.”
Marcus nodded once more at Erica. “Take care of him.”
She smiled. “I’ll try.”
As Marcus walked away, Erica turned to Gabrielle. “He seems nice.”
“He is. One of the few people who knew me before I learned how to be careful.”
“That sounds like a story.”
“Maybe another time.”
They drove her home after that. The conversation softened and slowed. When they reached her place, neither of them moved immediately.
“I had a good time,” Erica said.
“So did I.”
She hesitated. “You know… if there’s ever something you want to tell me—”
“I know,” he interrupted gently. “And when I’m ready, I will.”
She nodded, trusting him. Too easily.
That night, Erica lay awake longer than usual. She replayed the evening in her mind—the way he’d answered some questions and avoided others, the way Marcus had spoken like someone who knew a version of Gabrielle she hadn’t met.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Gabrielle.
Did you get home safe?
She smiled and replied, "Yes."
Another message followed, unexpected.
There are parts of me you haven’t seen yet. I hope, when you do, you won’t walk away.
Her heart tightened.
Before she could respond, another notification appeared.
Unknown Number: Be careful with men who speak like they’re warning you.
Erica sat up.
Her fingers hovered over the screen.
She didn’t reply.
But as she stared at the message, one unsettling thought settled in her chest—
Whoever sent it wasn’t trying to scare her…
They were trying to prepare her.
- Writer
