FOUR

Gabriella's POV

I woke up to a knock. Groggily I tossed around the bed, swinging my arm to the space beside me.

I patted it twice but didn't feel the figure that should have been there.

I opened my eyes to see an empty room. Where was Mariano?

The knocks came again. I sat up searching for my dress and found it folded on a chair.

I swung my legs to the edge and took a step just to fall back to the bed with a grimace. My legs were completely sore and the wave of pain that shot through me wasn't funny.

"Hello ma'am," a voice at the door spoke "Sir asked me to get something for you."

Sir? Did that mean Mariano?

A wave of relief flooded through me. I wouldn't lie by saying I wasn't disappointed not waking up to him. But this brought a smile to my face.

"I'm coming," I called out and stood up again. It still hurt but I could stand up and waddle up to the door.

A housekeeper was outside the door, with some folded clothes and tubes of cream right on top of the pile.

She entered inside and was kind enough to help me back to the bed. My face was aflame when she offered. She probably knew what happened and who exactly put me in that situation.

"Sir instructed me to get you a change of clothes and some soothing cream for your area."

With shaking hands and an extremely embarrassed face I took the cream from her.

"Thanks."

"He also left a message for you. He said he had some urgent work and will return within the hour."

"Oh, okay"

She bowed and left the room. I waddled to the bathroom and cleaned myself up. Applying the cream helped a whole lot with the irritation and the sweat pants and simple shirt was so comfy.

I looked for my phone and found it by the bedside table with just 12% of battery.

I connected to the Wi-Fi and my phone was flooded with messages.

Majority from my mother asking if I had calmed down. The other was from Davis spewing lies about how he missed me and his travel was boring.

I immediately archived his chat before I would say something horrible. Not that he didn't deserve it.

My dad also sent a text and I hesitated before I opened it. The cold and unnatural way he dismissed my pain was something I wouldn't be able to get past anytime soon.

He just had instructions. That I should come back home immediately because my internship applications were about to be approved.

That pushed me into an even harder dilemma. After my graduation last year I was meant to be assigned to a random company to fulfill my internship, a program that was mandated by the government.

I sighed knowing I was about to return to life that I now realize was a golden cage.

I grabbed my dress and my underwear that was placed underneath. As I pushed open the door and peeked out my heart was pounding.

Part of me knew what I was doing was so wrong. Mariano had done me a wonderful favor and treated me so well. Leaving like this was low but I had no choice. The night was over and I had to go back.

I tip-toed through the corridor and on seeing not a single soul, I sprinted through the room and out of the room.

I was too scared to try the elevator so I waddled down the stairs till I reached my floor and dashed into my room.

I grabbed my suitcase and tossed in all my belongings. The flight company approved my purchase of an impromptu ticket back home.

As I was seated in the taxi, I felt horrible in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't help but remember Mariano's kisses and gentle touches.

I just sighed as the taxi pulled out of the hotel parking lot.

…

The ride to the airport and the flight took a total of seven hours and before 8pm I arrived home.

My dad sent our driver who picked me up.

On getting home my mom was still awake. Seated in the living room with a magazine occupying her attention.

She stood on seeing me and walked over giving me a hug that usually I would have melted in but now I remained stiff. And she noticed.

"Oh come on sweetie," She cooed with a sigh. "You still can't be mad at Davis. Just forget about it."

I just pursed my lips. Anything I said now would mean nothing. I knew my current situation and the best case scenario was to find a way out.

"I know mom, I'm just tired. Jet lag and all."

She nodded and sent me up to my room, scheduling a talk in the morning with my father.

I grimaced at the arrangement but she ignored me and went over to her own room.

I went to mine and plopped on the bed with a groan. I was home but I felt everything except for relief. Instead I was dreading the talk with my dad which will either be about Davis or my internship. Or both.

I couldn't fathom how I would respond from now on. Was I to see Davis and pretend everything was fine? To greet his friends with the same warmth when I knew they only thought of me in a vulgar degrading way.

And his now mistress who was apparently his crazy ass ex. Was I to acknowledge her presence or turn a blind eye?

I didn't expect to actually sleep but exhaustion won and I woke up to my mother's voice the next morning.

She urged me to dress up and followed me down to the dining table where Dad was waiting.

We ate for a while before Dad set down his fork and turned to me. Oh boy.

"The applications office has given us just a day to make a decision. It needs to be processed so you can be in the system next week."

"Have you made a choice dear." Mom asked.

"Do I have a choice? If I said I wanted to work in a company on the other side of town would you agree."

They both had puzzled expressions.

"Why would you want to go there?"

"Our family's company and the Castillo's will attend to your every need. Especially the Castillos."

"Exactly," I took a sip of my coffee. "No choice. It's only expected that I show up to be near my future master— oh I mean husband."

"Don't tell me you are still going off about that matter." Dad glared at me but I wasn't backing down.

"What matter? The fact I caught Davis cheating on me or the fact that I mean nothing to him except another vagina to conquer."

"Mind your language young lady." My mom admonished me. "You are choosing the Castillo company. The distance between you and Davis is the Genesis of this misunderstanding."

Misunderstanding. Wow.

I could only nod. The room slipped into silence until the butler informed us of a visitor. Dad gave him permission to bring the person in and of course the universe is just against me because Davis walked in with a grin on his face.

I really wanted to punch him.

My mom stood to hug him and Dad patted his back.

I, on the other hand, just sat still eating because I wasn't sure of my ability to keep calm. Eventually Davis' gaze reached mine and I could see the annoyance floating in his eyes.

"Baby, why didn't you come to hug me." He whined.

"I'm eating." I deadpanned. "Last time I checked, we had manners."

The air grew still but I couldn't be bothered.

Davis awkwardly laughed. "She must be cross with me because of my absence."

"Sure dear, she is just grumpy from last night."

"What happened last night?" He asked and I was all too eager to answer but my mom's glare silenced me.

"Just some irritation. She went over to her friend's house and probably caught something but she's okay now." She said with a forced smile. "But what brings you here? I believe you just came home yesterday. Why aren't you resting."

An annoyed expression filled his face. "Well my uncle just flew in and I was instructed by my dad to bring Gabriella. He hasn't seen her."

"Your uncle," Dad sat up. "You mean the new family head?"

"Yes," Davis said with a forced smile.

"New family head?" I was puzzled. "I thought Davis's father was going to be the new family head."

"Not anymore." Davis said curtly. "Don't ask too many questions and follow me."

I raised a brow at his commanding tone but stood up anyways. I was really curious to see this uncle who could ruffle Davis's feathers.