PAY FOR YOUR DISOBEDIENCE

GABRIEL

I thought about Kira the entire weekend.

I knew it hurt her to see me with Lilliana at Jubilee, but life went on. Or at least for me, it was. But who was I kidding? I could see her struggling to keep me away. And I wasn’t doing a very good job either.

I had all weekend to put Kira deep into oblivion. But how could two days heal me?

I pretended to pay attention during reports and feedback sessions at a few meetings on Monday morning while I waited to leave my office and take the elevator down to the third floor. She no longer had an office near me. It was not a punishment or something; it was just my way of keeping her away. But it seemed I just couldn’t stay away. I wouldn’t normally do anything like this, but I needed to see her.

She was already seated at her desk when I stepped on their floor. Her bright red blouse hugged her breasts, and her chocolate hair fell to her shoulders.

“Kira?”

“Yes, Mr. Bates!” she answered, and her politeness struck me like a sledgehammer.

“