Not Until Then

Not Until Then Chapter 3

I took that as a cue.

I didn’t look back as I spun on my heels and headed out the restaurant. I heard someone call me but I didn’t turn nor stop on my tracks. I carried on until I was out of Le Diner and a strong hand yanked me to a halt. “What is your problem?” I snapped, glaring at Gabriel.

“Wait here.” He hissed, looking pissed as hell.

“Why would I do that?” I shot back.

“We need to talk.” He said in finality that I didn’t have it in me to counter. My subconscious seemed to tell me that this guy could punch me anytime and I wouldn’t want a contusion. Just as he said, I stood on my spot with my arms tightly crossed against my chest as he made his way back to his date.

He smiled at her in a way that made my heart flutter. In a way that made me wish that he’d smile at me like that instead of snapping at me. I believed I deserved that. I mean, come on, I just bailed him out of a possible wash-the-dishes-because-you-didn’t-pay scenario. The least he could do was thank me. Maybe that was why we—as he put it—needed to talk. That made no sense though; he could’ve just thanked me then and there.

He ushered her in what I assumed was her car. It was a yellow, convertible Ferrari. He leaned in the car but before their lips met, I looked away. I definitely didn’t want to see that. I heard an engine start; that’s when I gazed back at their direction and saw Gabriel sauntering towards me with a hard expression.

Taking in a deep breath, I dropped my arms to my side. “I really should go you know.” I voiced, peering at him impatiently.

He ran his hands in his messy black hair and scowled at me. “Why did you do that?” His voice was low and menacing. Like he was containing his anger.

I shrugged. “I did owe you a shirt.” I said, remembering last night.

Recognition flashed in his eyes. “Oh,” he said.

“You mean to say that you didn’t even recognize me?” I demanded, appalled.

He rubbed the back of his neck absentmindedly. “I thought you were… never mind.” His flustered state easily shifted to infuriation. “That doesn’t get you off the hook though, why did you do that?” He asked, but he wasn’t as irate as he was earlier.

“You looked like you’re in trouble so…” I trailed off with yet another shrug.

“What did you mean by doing that?” He pressed, crossing his arms against his chest with an arched eyebrow.

“What do you mean, ‘what did I mean’?” Perplexity mashed down my eyebrows.

He shook his head with a bitter smirk. “What, so you could rub the fact that you’re a Michaels in my face?” He proffered, looking smug with a hint of irritation.

My head jerked backwards in disbelief. “Really?” I laughed humorlessly “Well, I’ll take that as a thank you. You’re welcome, Gabriel.” I sneered. With that, I turned on the opposite direction and walked off. It was good news that he didn’t call me back again. If he did, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from punching the hell out of him.

How could he think of such a concept? The thought didn’t even cross my mind! My sole purpose was to help him. The urge was there since I must have ruined his night last night. He could’ve just thanked me. Or if he wasn’t the thanking type, I would gladly take a nod. Or, hell, it’d be so much better if he just ignored me.

I huffed and continued walking, but this time, faster. I went for a walk to leave stress behind and I come back feeling pissed as ever. It took me about half an hour to go back home. When I did, I quickly took a cold shower, hoping it’d cool me off. It half-did the job.