“Damn baby, I wish I could holla at you for a minute but I got a meeting!” He whispered to me before putting me back on my feet and going into his office, where Kenny and Barry his attorney were awaiting him.
I stared at him upset, wanting to march in there and tell Kenny and that little nervous fella Barry that I needed a private word with Gabriel. Why in the world would he kiss me like that, only to leave me high and dry? I rubbed my finger along my bottom lip. Was it weird that I craved his touch? Was something wrong with me?
Maybe Shanice and the girls at Shugga's were right, and my late sexual start was having a negative effect on me. I frowned, if one would consider nineteen a late start, although I will be twenty soon.
Maybe I just felt this way about his touch because he had surprised me this morning when he gave me back my bag. It could be that my gratitude for his action had transferred into this intense sexual chemistry. Surely that had to be it. I mean, why else would I feel this strong pull toward a man that held me prisoner while forcing me to become his wife?
Shaking my head, I gave up trying to figure it out for now as I began my tour. One thing was for sure though. No, I didn’t know if it was normal for me to anticipate my husband’s touch this way. But I was comforted in the fact that he sure anticipated giving it. Shew! We barely made it through one of Chef Lance fancy dinners each night before he was pulling me into his arms.
A couple of times we had made it no further than the table. So, whatever was wrong with me… was definitely wrong with him as well.
Anyhow, I came up with a strategy in touring this massive place. I would start at the top and work my way to the bottom. That way I wouldn’t miss anything except that room in the basement I had been taken to my first night here. I intentionally skipped that area. No need to relive those traumatizing memories.
I was surprised to discover a beautiful pool located on the side of the house as well as a massive back yard. Well... massive for a crowded city. Of course, it had nothing on my beautiful forty-seven acres farm, but it wasn't bad.
I wondered if he would mind if I grew a few things.
It was when I came in from my tour of the outside that I ran into Gabrielle. Much like the first time I saw her, she was dressed in bright beautiful colors. An orange ruffled skirt that fell to her feet with a hot pink tank top. On top of it she wore a beautiful yellow apron with a white flower painted across the chest.
I was so excited to see her that without thinking I threw my arms around her in a big hug. I don't know, out of everybody I had met here in New York, she felt the most genuine.
“Hey sweetheart, how was your honeymoon?” She asked with a bittersweet smile on her face.
Sadness swept over me like a tidal wave. She was Gabe's mom, she should have been there.
“It was alright, kind of wished you were there.”
She chuckled patting my hand. “No worries chica. I'm just glad I can be here to welcome you home.”
Home...
A vision of rows upon rows of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry bushes came to mind; sprinkled in between beds of strawberries. That was home...
This was nothing but a temporary lodging until I found my way back there. No matter how long it took. I prayed to one day find my way back home. But I didn't tell Gabrielle that. Instead, I just hugged her again.
She was so sweet, I couldn't understand why Gabe treated her the way he did. I didn't like it.
“What are you getting into today?” She asked as she pulled a rag out of her apron and began to dust one of the tables that were along the wall. I couldn't stand this. I wasn't raised this way. If we were going to pretend like this was my home this was one thing that would have to change—instantly!
“Well I'm glad you asked.” I told her making up my mind. “Gabe told me I can redecorate the kitchen, and I'm going to need your help.” She looked up startled.
“Oh chica I don't know, Gabe won't be happy with that.” I folded my arms.
“Is this my home?” She chuckled.
“Sure but…” I shook my head.
“No buts, I need your help. I don't know my way around the city and I need to get some things for the kitchen.”
She thought about it long and hard. I gave her the puppy dog look that used to always work on my mom; biting my lip to hide my victory smile when I saw her shoulders slump in defeat.
“Okay, but if Gabe get mad don't say I didn't tell you so!” Grinning from ear to ear, I grabbed her hand and went looking for Jerome.
* * * * *
“Yasmin, why are we here?” She asked a little while later when the truck came to a stop in front of the spa Stacy had taken me to. I turned in my seat to look at her.
“I don't know what to call you. Gabrielle seems a little disrespectful.” For a moment I looked down at the seat.
“Can I call you mom?” I whispered. Tears came to her eyes.
“Really?”
Her voice was hesitant as if she was just as afraid of rejection as I was; that made me feel a little bolder. I nodded.
“Nobody has ever called me that. I would love to hear it!” The smile left her face.
“But Gabe…” I nodded my head cutting her off.
“Yeah I know… Gabe won't like it.” I reached for her hands. “I don't care. My mom died when I was
