Chapter 37: The Notice
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Gabriel's death left me numb for days. I couldn't go to the office; memories of him haunted me. The pain in my heart was unbearable, and the fear of what would come next gnawed at me.
'Ouch!" I winced as sharp pain coursed through my body. This was exactly what I feared. What do I do now? I can't survive the effects of Desirella without someone making love to me. Oh, dear God, please help me. But God wouldn't come without me taking action. I squirmed on the bed, clutching my stomach.
'Ow!" I cried out again, my head thrashing as the pain became unbearable. The heat radiating from my body burned intensely. It felt like a lump had grown in my throat, and I struggled to breathe.
Just then, my phone rang. Maybe it was a savior—or Gabriel's ghost.
With trembling hands, I picked up my phone and answered.
'Hey, baby girl. What's up?" Macho's cheerful voice came through. In my desperation, I didn't care who helped me.
'I need your help," I whimpered, trying to hold back my sobs.
'Are you okay? What's wrong?" His tone quickly shifted to concern.
'Please come over. I need you," I managed to say before the phone slipped from my hand, and the pain inside me exploded. I couldn't hold it back any longer and cried out.
Later that night, after Macho had dressed to leave, I felt nauseous whenever he looked at me. My heart broke a little more each time our eyes met. With Gabriel, it had felt right. But with Macho, I felt dirty, like a cheap, desperate woman begging for sex. If there's a pain worse than that, I don't know what it is.
'What exactly is going on, Scarlett?" he asked. Of course, he had to ask. Nothing about my life is normal. It doesn't even feel like mine when I can't control these overwhelming desires.
I sat up, leaning against the headboard, wiping away my tears and pulling the bedclothes tightly around me.
'Can we pretend this never happened, please?" I begged him.
'I can pretend, but I won't forget. That was the best sex of my life," he said, moving closer to kiss my cheek. I recoiled from his touch.
'This never happened," I insisted, inching away from him. 'And I need you to do something for me. Find the sniper who killed Gabriel. Make sure he is dead before I get to him, or you will see what it's like to die slowly and painfully," I warned, my voice cold and hard.
'As you wish, my lady. Take care of yourself. I need to get going," he said, standing up.
'Drive safely."
After he left, I rushed to the shower, hoping to scrub away the memory of his touch. But no matter how hard I scrubbed, I couldn't erase it. The more I tried, the more vivid the memories became. The water couldn't wash away the pain, and it tore at me from the inside. I dropped to my knees, clawing at my chest.
'This won't be my pain alone," I vowed to myself, my tears blending with the water pouring down on me.
A week later, I pulled myself together. Gabriel wouldn't get the justice he deserved if I stayed holed up in my room, drowning in tears. I got dressed and left my room.
'Good morning, Miss Scarlett," Razi greeted as we both stepped out of our rooms at the same time. It was the mid-year break, so she wasn't in school.
'Good morning, sweetheart. How was your night?" I asked, smiling as she came closer.
'I slept well. Are you going out?"
'Yes. What should I get you?"
'Hmm." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. 'A chocolate bar and some cupcakes. And can you come back early? I want us to play together, please?" She pouted, making cute puppy eyes.
I ruffled her hair. 'Of course, baby. I will come back early so we can play whatever game you want, okay?"
She smiled and nodded. 'Drive safely."
'I will," I said, kissing her hair before heading downstairs. She went back to her room.
In the living room, Kristine was sitting on the couch, cradling her swollen belly, smiling softly.
'Is the baby kicking again?" I asked.
'She is always kicking," she smiled. 'It's good to see you up and about."
'You can say that again. Should I get you something while I'm out?"
'No, I'm fine."
'I insist. You must crave something sometimes."
She smiled shyly. 'Mango tapioca and some strawberries."
'I will bring them. See you when I get back," I said, heading out the door.
After what felt like hours, I parked my car and stepped out, facing the large building of Reyes Legacy Jewels. I stood there for a moment, staring at the towering structure before making my way inside.
After going through the usual routine with the secretary and waiting for approval, I headed to Nathan's office.
As the elevator doors opened, I came face to face with Everleigh. I stepped out before the doors closed on me. She stood in my way for a second before moving aside, glancing back at Nathan as she pressed the elevator button. I waited until she left before approaching him. Without waiting for an invitation, I sat down.
'I wasn't expecting you," Nathan said, picking up a file with the word "divorce" written in bold.
'Getting divorced?" I asked, placing my handbag on the desk.
'What were you hoping for?" he retorted, tucking the file into a drawer before focusing on me.
'Nothing much—maybe resilience? Isn't that what lovers do?"
'What mischief are you up to today?" he asked, changing the subject.
'The divorce didn't leave you in good mood, yeah?" I teased, ignoring his stern expression.
'Are you here to talk about that?" he asked calmly.
'You would prefer we get straight to the point? You might not like what I have to say," I said, staring back into his eyes. My stomach fluttered, but I pushed away the excitement bubbling in me, and focusing on the pain of Gabriel's death.
'You think I can't handle it?"
I placed the file I had brought with me on the desk. 'As you wish, Mr. Reyes. Here is something for you."
'What is this?" he asked, flipping it open.
'That's a notice, Nathan. You have two weeks to pay off your debt or pack out of my house," I declared. His eyes lifted from the file in shock.
