Bittersweet

~ ~ When life gives Lemons... ~ ~

Her eyes widened.  "Does your father know you're here?"

I shook my head. "No one knows I'm here. You don't have to worry."

This wasn't going well. But what did I expect?  

"Why, why come now?" she fired back, her voice a whole octave higher as she stepped back, almost afraid of me.

Shit! This wasn't a good idea. 

I took a step back from the door. More distance would hopefully make her feel less threatened by my presence. Shaking my head. "Look, I'm sorry for just turning up, I'll leave you alone.  I didn't want to upset you. And clearly that's what I've done."

Shift it, Gabe.    I turned, mentally cursing.  Next time I had the idea to turn up on someone's doorstep eleven years after they last saw me—I would give myself a swift punch—or better still, ask Jake to do it.

"Wait, Gabriel."

I stopped and turned around.

"You look the same," she said, her head tilting to the side.

I smiled.  "So do you." And she did. Those amazing dark eyes and long thick hair.

"Seeing you here, shocked me. I apologize for my rudeness." 

Of course it would. "No, don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. It was a dumb idea just turning up and I don't want to upset you.  I just hoped to ask a few questions. But if you don't want to—then that's okay."

She gave me a hesitant smile, running her hand up and down her arm. "Please, you can come inside."

I walked a few steps closer.  "Are you sure? Don't feel you owe me anything."

She shook her head. "No, please come in."

She stepped back, gesturing with her hand. I followed her inside as she shut the door behind us and led me to the kitchen where she offered me a drink, which I respectfully declined.

Pouring a glass of water, she sat down, keeping a measured distance between us. "What can I do for you, Gabriele?"

"I want to know what happened. Why you and your entire family disappeared without a word."

She shook her head adamantly. "No. It's better than you don't know."

"You don't have to be afraid, Ileana. I know something happened."

She eyes me carefully but remained tight-lipped.

I reached inside my pocket and pulled out the photograph sliding across the table.

Her small hand reached out and winced at the image staring back at her. "I'm not allowed to talk about this, Gabriel. If he—" she stopped.

"He, who?" I prompted.

She chewed on her nail, staring hard at the picture. "Whatever I share with you, can go no further.  I cannot risk any harm coming to my family. Promise me."

I reluctantly nodded.

She took a sip of water and cleared her throat. "After the assault." Her voice wobbled. "My father moved us to the other side of the country. He wouldn't say why. But I knew it was because of your father."

"Please Ileana, tell me what happened?"

"I'm honestly not sure if the two things are connected, but that summer, when you were away at football camp.  Tony kept asking me to go out on a date with him."

Tony? Why was I not surprised!

She continued. "He kept telling me I should choose him over you.  He would be better for me than you. Of course, I said if no... but he looked so defeated and sad.  So, I lied and said If I hadn't met you first, I would have dated him."