Bellatrix

Bruised, NOT Broken

CHAPTER 31

Gabriel

I have been spending so much time at the office and returning home late out of guilt. Tara had committed suicide after she was told that Mason’s body had surfaced and that they suspected that from the way he was tortured, it was mafia related. I just didn’t know how to share that bit of information with my Bella and Jacob and still look them in the eye without telling them the whole truth. Would they hate me for it? I sensed my Bella was not doing well, and she looked very withdrawn and depressed lately. I was considering trying to convince her to go see our family therapist, but I was waiting for the right moment to speak to her about it. It was waaày after midnight, and I sneaked into our room, which has become like a routine over the past couple of weeks. I went straight into the bathroom, and only when I got out did I notice she wasn’t there. She’s probably crashing with Jacob or Arianna. How was I to fall asleep without her lying next to me? I asked out loud to our empty room. After much tossing and turning, I somehow dozed off.

I decided to take the morning off and try to talk things out with my Bella and tell her the truth about what happened to Mason. I completed my morning routine and was about to go downstairs when three neatly folded notes got my attention. I saw who it was addressed to and ran out of my room to Arianna’s. She was surprised to see me looking the way I did and took her note, and read it. “Oh my God! Gabe, what happened? What did you do? She was fine yesterday when we came to your workplace to surprise you! She got all dolled up and everything for you! I was with Alex and she went to your office but apparently your secretary said you were in an important meeting and couldn’t be disturbed. What the hell happened, Gabe? Bell would not leave just like that without a valid reason and she says here in her note that she had to leave Jacob behind cos you could press charges against her for kidnapping and asks me to please take care of him and tell him she’s sorry and love’s him!”

Ohhhh Heavens, please tell me this is not happening! “Ari, please calm down and give me a chance to get a word in. You mentioned yourll came by the office, around what time was that?” Did she hear what Mia said? Damn it! Did she see us? “It was late afternoon. She wanted to surprise you and was hoping to sort out stuff. She’s been dealing with a lot of internal demons, Gabe, and she felt terrible about how it’s affected yourllz relationship. She wanted to work things out!” Ari then grabbed her phone and showed me the last message my Bella sent her. I used her phone and dialed Alex and quickly explained things to him. I asked him to get all our guys out to fine tooth comb every inch of this city and to check the bus and rail stations, too. I then sent a photo Ari had on her phone to circulate to our men who didn’t know what she looked like.

How the heck did I allow this to happen. She probably only saw and heard what Mia did and said, and she left before I pushed Mia away and told her how much I loved my Bella. She must be thinking the worst of me right now! I explained to Ari what happened, and that could be the only reason why she ran off. That was a bad move! I have never seen my sister explode with anger as she did after hearing about what happened. I have seen her in hectic fits of rage but not like this. Thankfully, she didn’t have her gun close by cos she would have definitely put a bullet through me!

Bella

When I left the mansion, I asked the cab driver to make a stop at the bank and then at a pharmacy. I got some boxes of hair dye, toiletries, and a pair of dark sunglasses, which I spotted on a rack close to the till. I then asked him to drop me off in the central part of the city, which was a bit of a distance from the rich folks' residence. I didn’t want him dropping me off at a specific place where I could stay cos knowing Gabriel’s men,they would track him down. I went to the train station and bought a ticket to a town about eight hours distance away from here departing in a few hours. My phone was switched off and couldn’t be tracked. I booked myself in a motel nearby, stripped my hair, and changed the color. By the time I was done, it was almost time for the train to leave. I rushed to the station and got there just in time. I got into the train, switched on my phone, stuck it safely under a seat, and got off .

Gabriel would probably search for me to save face and just to please Jacob, Ari, and his parents. Can’t believe I fell so hard for that cheating moron! Oh well, another lesson learned! He just bruised my heart! I am not going to break down because of him, I remind myself. Now, it's time to rebuild my life. I have to find a job for starters. I had enough savings to see me through a couple of months if I spent sparingly. I bought some clothes from a thrift shop and decided on what to wear to go hunting for a job.

The next morning, I got an early start and after stopping at Café for coffee and a muffin, I went from business to business checking for vacancies with out any luck Eventually, I saw a sign outside a bakery and decided to give it a shot. When I got in, I was greeted by a beautiful young woman. The inside of the bakery was charming and had a warm, inviting atmosphere. I greeted her, introduced myself as Brianna, and explained the reason I was there. She introduced herself as Erica, and her tone of voice immediately made me feel so comfortable.

She asked about my experiences and explained that even though the bakery is not very big in size, she caters to big events too. Her partner had recently relocated, and she desperately needed extra help. I told her that I honestly didn’t have much experience with baking, but I am a hard worker and fast learner. I told her that if she hired me, I would give my all and would not give her reason to complain. Erica seemed impressed and said “How about we give it a shot? We can try it for a couple of weeks and see how fast you catch on and will thereafter decide on a more permanent position.” I more than happily accepted her terms. “ There’s a flat for rent sign also outside the bakery. Are you renting it out?” I asked her. “It’s kind of like a flat. It’s just behind the bakery. And yes, it belongs to me. The place has been vacant for a while now, and I only recently decided to let it out again. Are you interested?” Erica asked me. I nodded a yes, smiling from ear to ear. “Okay then, here’s the keys. It’s just out back. Take a look, and if you’re interested, we’ll see what we can work out” she said.