SOMETHING'S OFF

It has been a month since this nightmare began. I can't believe I managed to survive a whole month without losing my sanity. It wasn't easy, never did. 

I had to swallow my pride, take in all the mockery and humiliation they gave me, and be as low key as I can be just to surpass everything.

I had to compromise with my husband's attitude towards me, my parents' sudden distance from me, and my ex best friend's treatment of me. 

My only saving grace, the only thing that kept me from hanging on, was the fact that I did all of these out of love and gratitude. Love for the people who unselfishly gave life to me and brought me up to who I am today, and gratitude for raising me well. That's the only thing I hold on to right now. 

Today was no different from the rest of the days that had passed. I saw Lucy a while ago with Gabriel, as usual, doing their abominable scenes before entering the master's bedroom. I don't need to guess what was actually taking place there now, because they were loud and unashamed as ever. 

'Horny asses. Shame on them.' 

Good thing the servants here were paid highly enough to be mindful of their boss' affairs. As for me, I also mind my own business and distance myself from them as much as possible. 

"It's a pity I can't go out in public with you. I missed our times together in the open." 

"You knew our situation. It will be just a matter of time before things get back to their normal state. By then, you can have me wherever you want." 

I can't help myself but to huff with distaste at what Gabriel said. After disregarding it, I continued reading the book I was holding as I comfortably laid back on the cushion. As I was about to flip a page, I secretly caught a glimpse of Lucy looking straight at me. She mockingly stared at me with raised eyebrows and a haughty smile. 

"Honey? Could I stay here a little bit longer?" She exclaimed loudly, obviously trying to annoy me, before locking both arms around Gabriel's neck and began showering kisses on his lips. 

'As if I'll get affected with what you are pulling at, Lucy. In your dreams, bitch.' 

"But I have a meeting to attend to. That's why I need to get prepared. I don't want to shoo you away, you know I wouldn't do that to you, but this meeting is very important." 

"What a shame. Try your luck next time, bitch" I murmured wantonly, intending to be heard, as I mindlessly stood up and purposely acted as if I didn't notice them.

Both of them disturbingly glanced at me. But it was Lucy who first reacted. 

"What did you say?" 

"Huh?" I looked at them with innocence. "Oh! I didn't notice either of you were there." 

"I said, what did you just stated?" She demanded with sarcasm, which made me smirk inside. 

"What? Oh, I was reading a line here" I raised the book I was holding. "I wasn't aware that I'd uttered it loudly." 

She watched me suspiciously, looking me straight in the eye as she grinded her teeth, displeased. 

"Liar. I know you intentionally said that on purpose, Angelou. Were you affected by my intimacy with… Your husband? You shouldn't, you know." 

"And what made you think that I will be affected? I don't give a damn what the two of you do, with or without me around."

"Quit it, both of you!" He interrupted before gazing back at her. "You better be going, Lucy, I badly need to rush." 

"But Gabriel…" 

"I don't need to say it twice. You know what will happen next if you insist." 

"Goodbye, Lucy." I pointed out the goodbye before walking past them, heading towards the grand staircase. 

The smile on my face was priceless. Though it wasn't a hard blow, I knew I screwed her today and that's enough to light up my day. 

I was about to open my room when I heard heavy footsteps tapping loudly on the marbled floor. I don't need to look back to see who it was.

"What was that all about?" 

I sighed before turning around and stared at him. "What?" 

"You did that on purpose, did you? You did that to piss her off and get even with her" He specified with conviction. His deep eyes darted daggers at me.

"You know what, Gabriel, what you do inside this kingdom of yours is none of my concern. Do not assume things because your accusations were way out of imagination. Now if you will excuse me…"

"I'm warning you, Angelou. Stop being nosy and mind your own business!" 

I didn't answer back. It was useless having an argument with him, he wouldn't accept defeat anyway, so why bother at all. I would just be wasting a breath on him, then might as well shut my mouth and let him think he won.

But before I could even close the door behind me, my phone rang. The ringtone was distinctly designated for my parents' number, so I didn't bother to look at the screen and hastily answered the call. 

"Angelou!" It was my mother. 

I was a bit startled and was taken aback by the mention of my name. All my senses got alerted. Something's off. Something's odd with the way she spoke and how she delivered it. I know something bad has happened. 

"Mom? Is something the matter? Where's Dad?" 

"I'm in the hospital now! Go here, Angelou! Hurry! I need you now, please hurry!" She says hysterically as I hear noises in her background.

"What? Where? Where are you, Mom? What hospital?" I voiced out instantly with tremble. 

Panic enveloped my entire system as I started to feel the coldness creeping in, from my feet upward. My body tensed up and I could feel my hand literally shaking as I cradled at my phone tightly. Several scenarios entered my mind, thinking of every possible reason why my mother was hysterical right now and why on earth she was in the hospital.

"I'll send you the address… Hurry Angelou!" 

"Wait! Mom! Tell me why you are there! Where's Dad? What happened?" 

"Your father's been shot… He's in a critical condition…" 

I dropped my phone, together with the book I was carrying, the minute I heard what she informed me. My eyes pop open with disbelief as great fear took over me. 

"What happened?" 

Gabriel's voice reached me, which made me look at him with uncontrollable tears streaming down my eyes. I couldn't find my voice as my mind tried hard to register everything I heard from my mother. When I finally found it, the words came out. All were laced with fright and extreme nervousness. 

"Dad's been shot and he's in a critical state."