Falling into Surrender (Falling 3)
After I’m dressed and ready for the day, I call Marvin at the courier office, only to be informed that I no longer have a job there. He had to hire two other couriers while I was gone, but at least had the decency to sound apologetic. I suspect that it has more to do with my stint in the slammer than anything else, but thank him politely anyway.
I grab my camera and head into the city to take some photos. But after an hour, I’ve already given up. My heart just isn’t in it today, so I hop on the subway and make my way to Café Dolce to meet Angelina for lunch.
It’s just past noon when I walk into the small Italian themed café to find Angelina waiting patiently for me. She jumps from her seat and pulls me into a warm hug. “Hey, dollface!”
Her enthusiasm to see me feels nice, and I grin back at her. “Hey Angelina, thanks for meeting me.”
“No problem,” she says, taking a seat across from me.
The waiter appears and I order an iced tea while I look over the menu. Angelina watches me closely, and then laughs when I give her a strange glance.
“You look like you might blow away over there.” She smiles. “I’m under Gabriel’s strict instructions to make sure you eat, so you better not even think about ordering a salad.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. “He would say that.” But even as I say it, I feel a little pang of sadness. He didn’t seem so concerned about me this morning when he was rushing out the door.
“What’s the matter?” Angelina asks, noticing my sudden shift in mood.
I set down my menu and shake my head. “It’s nothing.”
“Tell me,” she demands, with the same intimidating look Gabriel likes to use. I smile at the resemblance I never noticed before. “Did he do something to piss you off?” she asks. “He’s good at that.”
“No.” I laugh. “It’s kind of weird, he’s your brother, I don’t really want to…”
“Just tell me,” she says, exasperated. “We’re friends, aren’t we? You can tell me anything, I promise I will be totally unbiased.”
I blow out a breath and shrug as though it’s not really that big of a deal. “I don’t know,” I say softly. “He just seemed kind of distant last night after everyone left, and this morning too. I don’t know what’s going through his mind.”
Angelina dismisses my line of thoughts with a wave of her hand. “He’s just worried about you honey,” she reassures me. “You should have seen him while you were away. He was so angry, geez you couldn’t say one little thing to him. And then yesterday when he knew you were coming home, he lit up like a Christmas tree. Trust me, you have nothing to be worried about, Victoria, he is madly in love with you.”
“Okay,” I say, resigned.
Angelina smiles knowingly, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “You’ve both been through a lot, it’s just going to take some time to get back in the swing of things.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.” I nod. “I’m just being silly.”
“Well, you shouldn’t feel weird. I’ve never seen Gabriel so happy before. Quite frankly, it’s a little creepy.” She laughs. “But seriously, he’s head over heels with you honey. You’re all he ever talks about.”
“Thanks, Angelina.”
“And you don’t have to worry about Anya anymore because I told her exactly that the night she showed up at Gabriel’s. She was trying to play his sympathy card, and I told her to forget it. I even threatened to tell the media about all the work she’s had done.” She smirks. “So you can rest assured you won’t be hearing from her again.”
Over the next hour, Angelina makes sure I order an entrée, a main, and a dessert. By the time I leave, I’m stuffed, but surprisingly relaxed. I feel good after our conversation, and it gives me an idea for tonight. An offer that I’m sure Gabriel can’t refuse.
***
The minute I hear the front door shut at six o clock, I scurry down the hall and into the sex room. I’m wearing one of my corsets and matching thongs along with my best stockings and stilettos. Grabbing my phone, I type in Gabriel’s name and send off a quick text.