Chapter 62: The Sniper
1206words
I freshened up and changed into a cozy dress before sitting beside Gabriel, who was on the bed, busy with his phone.
'What's so interesting about that phone of yours?" I asked, moving closer.
'Trying to find out where Jaguar lives," he replied, still focused on his screen.
'I thought you already sent his number to your men. Why are you still doing it yourself?"
'Just a minute," he said, his eyes glued to whatever he was doing. I shifted closer to see. The screen was filled with streaming codes that made no sense to me.
'How do you find an address with this mashup?" I asked, puzzled.
'These are codes," he explained. 'I'm trying to get a signal, but nothing's coming up."
'Let your men handle it, okay?" I leaned back against the headboard. 'Jaguar isn't going to fly out of the country tonight. He's wanted, remember?"
He finally put his phone aside and turned to me. 'I'll try using my laptop when I get home, but only if my men haven't found anything by then."
'Alright," I shrugged, stretching my neck.
'Do you need a massage?" he asked, smiling.
'Don't worry, I'm fine."
But he didn't listen. He moved closer, pulling me away from the headboard and kneeling behind me to massage my neck.
'You really don't have to," I said, even though I enjoyed his touch.
'I want to," he insisted. 'Now, tell me the story. I want to hear about you and Nathan."
'Why are you suddenly interested, Gabriel?" I turned to look at him.
'Just tell me," he urged, and I sighed, looking away.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
'Scarlett?" Nathan stormed in, freezing at the sight of us.
'When will you learn to knock, Nathan?" I snapped.
'Don't give me that bullshit. What is he doing here?" he demanded, striding over. Gabriel didn't even flinch and continued massaging my shoulders.
'I should be asking you that. Why are you here?" I shot back.
'I'm talking to you, and he's still touching you?" he growled, pulling Gabriel's hands off me.
'Scarlett!" Gabriel clenched his fists. 'Don't make me murder someone," he warned, his chest rising with anger as he glared at Nathan.
'Are you threatening me?" Nathan shoved Gabriel, making him stumble back.
'Stop this madness!" I shouted, pushing Nathan away. 'How dare you barge into my room to fight my friend? Are you out of your mind, Nathan?"
'Why are you defending him? He's just your bodyguard, and you're letting him touch you!" Nathan's fists were clenched, his eyes blazing.
'Gabriel is my friend!" I yelled, getting off the bed and stepping closer to him. 'You have no right to tell me who can touch me. And for the record, Gabriel isn't just a friend; he's my boyfriend. Now, get the hell out of my room and don't come back!"
Nathan froze, shocked, before shaking his head. 'You didn't mean that."
'I meant every word. I never want to see you again. Leave!" I pointed at the door.
For a moment, he just stood there, glaring daggers at me. 'If you think I'll just watch you choose this bodyguard over me, you've got another thing coming." With that, he spun around and stormed out.
My shoulders slumped, and I turned to Gabriel. 'You shouldn't have said that," he murmured.
'He had no right to attack you," I replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. 'He can't just act possessive of me after everything he did." I sobbed, tears streaming down my face.
'It's okay," Gabriel said, pulling me into a hug. 'You deserve to be happy, Scarlett. Don't let anyone take that away from you." I nodded, sniffling.
***
Gabriel came to pick me up later. His men had successfully located Jaguar's hideout.
'It's still early, Scarlett. Where are you off to?" my mother asked when I walked into the living room.
'I have some business to attend to, Mother. You know how bad Pasay traffic can be," I said, kissing the back of her hand.
'Bless you, child," she smiled. 'I made your favorite meal. Have a bite before you leave."
'No, Mother, just put it in the freezer. I'll eat when I return. But why are you the one cooking? Where's Luningnig?"
'I insisted on cooking today; it's not her fault."
'Good morning, ma'am," Robert greeted as he entered.
'Good morning. Is Gabriel here now?" I asked.
'No, but Juan is. He's insisting on seeing Kristine," he informed me.
'Let him in," I nodded. 'Mother, please fetch Kristine. Let's settle this once and for all." I sat on the couch, placing my handbag beside me.
'Sorry, I'm late," Gabriel said, walking in.
'Are you Juan?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
'Just a coincidence," he smiled. 'Shall we?"
'Give me a few minutes. I need to deal with something first."
'I'm so sorry, Scarlett! Please forgive me!" Juan cried, rushing in and dropping to his knees, clutching my leg.
'Don't touch her," Gabriel growled, pulling Juan back by the collar. Juan fell on his butt but didn't seem upset.
'Easy, Gabriel," I stifled a laugh at the scene. Gabriel sat beside me, glaring at Juan.
'I'm listening, Juan."
'I'm deeply sorry, Scarlett. I'll never lay a hand on Kristine again. Please, let me take her home," he begged.
Kristine finally came downstairs. I turned to her. 'It's up to you, Kristine. If you want to go with him, that's fine. If not, he can leave."
Tears filled Kristine's eyes as she shook her head. 'I can't, Juan. I can't risk my life and my child's. You get grumpy, and I'm scared you'll kill us both."
'I swear I've changed. I've stopped taking those drugs. I won't hurt you ever again. Please, just give me a chance," he pleaded.
But Kristine just shook her head again, whispering, 'I can't."
'That's it. Get out of my house," I stood up.
'Please, Scarlett. Help me talk to her. I won't ever hurt her again."
'Leave!" I snapped, struggling to keep my temper in check. 'We'll see you when we return, Mother," I said as Juan left, heading out with Gabriel.
'Take care."
'What got into you, Gabriel? Why did you push Juan like that?"
'He had no right to touch you after everything he did," Gabriel said, opening the car door for me.
'I wish I had met you earlier, Gabriel," I smiled, getting into the car.
'It's not too late," he replied, taking the driver's seat.
Just then, his phone rang. 'What? How did that happen?" He listened intently, his expression darkening.
'Is everything okay?" I asked, feeling tense.
'Leave the area," he instructed, then hung up. 'Jaguar is dead."
'What? Oh my God!"
'I think his other boss killed him to cover his tracks."
'Who could be so heartless? What if they're still after us? I don't even know if the enemy is from my side or yours. Do you have enemies too, Gabriel?"
'Everyone has enemies, but none that I know of would want me dead," he said.
At that moment, a message popped up from Everleigh.
'She wants to see me," Gabriel said.
'Let's go then," I replied, and he started the car, driving off.
