CHAPTER 6

While in school,Gabriella couldn't stop thinking about what Rosalind told her. She hadn't seen her mother in a long while, since she was always out on business. She had gotten so used to living without her, so she felt a bit awkward anytime her mom was home, like she was a stranger.

They also had frequently arguments and these arguments ended with her mother leaving the house. The last time while they argued, Gabriella called her mother by her name, Veronica. Veronica, hearing this, angrily left the house and didn't come back until the recent argument.

Gabriella was so out of it that she didn't notice Keith sitting down beside her until classes had started.

"Hey," Keith said with his million dollar smile, Gabriella was almost melting.

"Hey,"

"You seem distracted today, anything wrong?" He inquired.

"No, nothing's wrong," she responded, standing up from her seat. "I'd see you after recess,"

Keith looked at her confused for a brief moment and then laughed.

"We all just got back from recess," he said loud enough for her to hear, but the others couldn't hear him. Gabriella checked the time on her phone and confirmed his statement.

She had zoned out for over thirty minutes that she didn't realize recess had come and gone. She slapped her forehead with the back of her palm, and just then the English teacher came in.

"Please have a seat Gabriella, you know I hate people standing in my class," she looked around for an empty seat, but there was none except her original seat.

Keith smirked, tapping her chair, signalling her to come over. Was he toying with her? Gabriella wondered and finally sat beside him.

Keith knew Gabriella was avoiding him, he also knew why. Even though she wasn't obviously avoiding her, he knew for a fact that she was keeping her distance.

Gabriella said nothing to Keith throughout the class and also felt awkward sitting next to him. She looked around and when she saw no trace of Renee, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Gabriella had managed to sit close to him without forgetting to breathe, but to her dismay, they had a project, the person sitting next to you would be your partner.

Keith grinned as if he knew that was going to happen. Gabriella accepted her faith because whatever their English teacher said was final and although countless people, girls especially, would want to partner with Keith, so she decided to sacrifice her comfort.

"Let's meet at my house," He said, waiting for her to respond.

"Why not my house, or I do my part and send them to your email?" She asked. Keith chuckled, once again, before shaking his head.

"My parents would be home tonight, and I'm sure they'd be happy to see you," he said.

Gabriella once again was confused. Both she and Keith weren't dating, so why on earth did he invite her for dinner, and why would they be happy to see her?

"So, what do you say?" Keith asked

"Fine, I'd be there by 5 and hope we can get to work as soon as I arrive, let's get this thing over with," she said.

"Okay, that's fine," Keith said.

Damn Gabriella, damn…

★ ★ ★

"Are you sleeping at home today?" Astrid asked, over the phone, the sound of someone taking a shower could be heard.

"Probably not, I have another family dinner tonight and as much as I don't want to, I have to," Damian said.

The shower sound stopped as Astrid stepped out of the bathroom with a towel tied around her chest.

"That means, I'd just order take out," She said with a sigh.

"You know you can with me, right?" He asked and Astrid laughed.

"As what? Your girlfriend? Plus, is your room soundproof or far away from the others?" Damian, who understood what she was saying, also laughed.

"Well, as for the invite as a girlfriend, that brat brought a girl for the first dinner we had," he said.

"Hmm, he's got a girlfriend? Tell me more," She said.

"Well, they aren't dating, but it's quite obvious the punk likes her,"

"Wait, don't tell me the girl is oblivious,"

"She is actually, and also a little stalker," He said with a scoff.

"Oh, now I understand. The girl your brother invited is that stalker of yours?" Astrid asked.

"Yes,"

"What if she wasn't lying, what if she actually wasn't stalking you?"

"I'd call you later Astrid,"

"Touchy subject, alright then. I might be home or not when you get back, if you come back," she said and he hung up.

Damian had been in his car throughout their conversation, he had just got off work and was preparing to go home. She started the car and drove off. Perhaps Astrid was right, maybe the supermarket and the dinner were just a coincidence. He did like her boldness, though, how she confidently walked up to him to tell him she wanted to help.

He arrived home just a while before dinner. The first person he met was Joey, she was always the first and most times seeing her would leave him in a foul mood until he left the house.

"Oh, Damian, you're here," she said with a smile. The same annoying smile he had always hated since the day they first met.

"Yeah, I am," he said, walked away.

He needed to wash up before dinner, so he headed to his room. The room he stayed in was the room he had been in since he was a child.

He got up and took his cloths off, so he could take a shower.

Before stepping into the bathroom he received a text from Astrid, more like a video, a really sensual one which made Damian grin.

Astrid was indeed something else.

As soon as he stepped out of the bathroom, and checked the wardrobe for, couldn't find any cloth that could fit him. All he could find were cloths he used as a teenager before he left for college. Obviously, he was a lot more ripped than he was in high school, Dad's genes.

He had no other choice than to ask his brother for cloths, since they were about the same size. He got closer to the door, taking a deep breath, he knocked. There was no answer, so he opened it since it wasn't locked and saw someone he wasn't expecting to see.

"You again?"