Chapter 9

GABRIELLE'S POV

Did this hoe just call me Gabz?

That's it, strike mother-fucking three!

I don't like this girl and that's final.

Gerry looked over to me and mouthed 'please behave.'

I've already caused enough drama for one day, so I decided to let it slide.

"G-Bear, could you grab my suitcase for me? I brought presents for everyone."

Does she think she can buy her way into this family? I don't think so! I folded my arms and waited to see what this trick had up her sleeves.

Dad was standing behind the sofa while Chastity sat beside mom. Gerard and I sat on the carpet facing them.

Grandpa was still not back from the room. It's safe to say that we all knew what he was doing in there.

Eew! Eew! Eew!

Chastity unzipped her suitcase.

Wow! I thought. That's a lot of lingerie.

Dad had an uncomfortable look on his face. Mom's eyes shot over to Gerry, whose face was now looking like an overripe tomato.

This girl was really trying everything to get upgraded from a booty call to a girlfriend.

I don't blame you, chica.

She eased her delicates to one side of the suitcase and then took out a bottle of wine.

"This is for you, Mr Smith," she handed it to my dad. "Gerard told me you had a wine collection."

Dad took the bottle and examined it. His eyes went wide. "This is a 1992 bottle of

Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon. This costs over 4000 dollars," he hesitated.

"Before you say no, Mr Smith. Know that I didn't spend a dime on that bottle. My father has plenty, and I just asked him if I can take one for a friend."

"In that case, then. Thank you, I'm going to go put it with the others."

She then took out a pack of Cohiba Behike Cuban cigars. I guess those were for grandpa.

"I can give these to Wesley later," mom took them and set them on the coffee table.

"And these are for you Genevieve," she handed mom a matching Mommy and Me Gucci floral outfit. Mom took them and thanked her.

What was with this girl and expensive brands? I was so not impressed - she could not buy me - Oh! no sirree! A shiny object caught my eyes.

"This is for you," Chastity held up a beautiful diamond necklace. It wasn't too flashy. It could be paired with every outfit I had in my closet.

I took the necklace and gave it a closer look. Was it silver or white gold? I wasn't sure, but I could tell that the diamond in the pendant was real and it looked expensive too.

"Gerard told me you liked jewellery, but he also said you didn't like them to be too flashy, so I thought pure silver necklace with a diamond pendant would do," she spoke, her eyes begged to know if I liked it or not.

"Thank you, Chastity, I like it a lot." She smiled in relief.

Maybe we could be friends after all.

The rest of the day flew by quickly. We learned a lot about Chastity.

We were all surprised though, that she was studying to become a Wolf Biologist.

A Wolf Biologist is a specific type of Wildlife Biologists employed to observe and study animal behaviours. In this case, their research and study are limited to wolves.

I did not know that such a thing existed.

I could definitely see her and Gerry together now. A Wolf Biologist and a Veterinarian. They would make the perfect boring couple.

Her parents were also Wildlife Biologists who made millions over the years doing researches for a few private companies and select government agencies.

She was here in Los Angeles accompanying her parents, who were guest speakers at a seminar to be held tomorrow.

"So when are you going back to Canada?" I questioned her.

"We're leaving tomorrow evening after my parents' seminar," she gave me a little smile. "Gerard told me that you enrolled at our University."

"Yes, both my best friend and I will begin in the fall."

"Your best friend?"

"Yes, her name is Hazel."

"G-Bear, you didn't tell me that," she gave Gerry a scolding look.

"It must have slipped my mind," Gerry shrugged his shoulders in annoyance.

Grandpa and Dad were preparing dinner and mom was taking a nap.

Chastity took out her laptop and started showing me photos she'd taken of the campus.

The University of Toronto sure is a beautiful campus.

Her phone began ringing. She looked at the caller ID. "Excuse me, I must take this. Feel free to continue looking through the photos."

I was scrolling when a photo of her and Gerry caught my eyes.

This photo is definitely magazine-worthy. I laughed to myself. They both looked like models.

I hated to say it, but my brother was looking sharp in that photo. I zoomed in to admire Chastity's flawless looking skin when my eyes caught the person standing behind them in the frame.

He is gorgeous - but where have I seen him Before?

He looked so familiar.

I shifted the photo so I could get a better look at the guy.

Wow! His eyes were sinfully beautiful.

"Oh sorry about that," Chastity announced, jolting my attention to her.

"Where was this picture taken?" I inquired as she sat down and smiled at the photo on the screen.

"It was taken a few weeks ago at a charity event my family hosted to help raise money for wildlife conservation." Her face lit up. "Someone donated twenty million dollars!"

"Really - Who?"

"We don't know. It was donated anonymously. But a few sources say that the guy is 'Bill Gates' wealthy, and he just likes his privacy."

"Ok, I can respect that. Do you mind sending this picture to my phone?"

"No problem, I see you checking out the hottie in the background," she giggled.

"Guilty! So do you know him?"

"No, I'm afraid I don't. He's probably the son of one of those old wealthy farts who attended the function," she laughed jokingly.

We didn't conversate much about the photo for the rest of the evening. We all shared a few laughs before we went off to bed.

I went to bed that night staring at the photo on my phone.

I knew I had seen him before.

But why couldn't I remember?

Maybe he is a porn star. I have been watching a lot of porn lately.

But I would have remembered if that was where I saw him.

I placed my phone next to me on the bed. I was exhausted. I snuggled in the sheets and fell asleep.

The next morning Chastity left. She promised to come back for a visit as soon as Mom gave birth.

Grandpa was the saddest of us to see her go.

It was Sunday, so Gerry decided to go visit his old friends Larry and Dane.

I spent the remainder of the day in bed eating Doritos and watching Sixteen Candles. I just love me some Molly Ringwald.

On Monday night Grandpa left to go back home to Florida.

After Grandma Ellen died, Mom and Dad invited him to come live with us, but his stubborn old ass declined.

I missed my bestie. So with Grandpa gone, I could finally go see my favourite girl tomorrow afternoon. I decided to send her a text.

Gabz Hey girl - I miss you ?

It took a few minutes for her to reply.

Haze Aww, I miss you 2. ???

Gabz What are you doing?

Haze I'm catching up on my paintings.

This girl was really talented. She sings and dances but her paintings were unbelievable.

Gabz It's almost midnight. Don't stay up 2 late.

Haze Ok I won't.

I bet Haze stayed up late last night. That girl could paint for days without food or water.

And that guy she kept painting, he's - WAIT A MINUTE, I quickly went to the picture Chastity sent me the other day.

NO FUCKING WAY!

Could this be HIM? I knew I had seen him before.

It's the guy that Hazel had been making portraits of.

But I thought he was just some imaginary guy Hazel dreamt about.

Well, I'll be damned!

He is as real as the air I breathe.

I have to text Hazel.

END OF FLASHBACK.

---

HAZEL'S POV

"And that brings us back to now with us being in your art room, I wanted to make sure it was really him before I showed you the photo," Gabz exhaled loudly.

"Ok."

"Ok? That's all you've got to say?"

"What else do you want me to say?" I got up and left the art room.

"Haze, wait up," Gabz was hot on my tail. "Talk to me."

I hurried into my bedroom. "Look Gabz, I don't know what the fuck you want me to say. You want me to tell you I want to find him now that I know he's real?"

"YES! That's exactly what I want you to say," Gabz shouted.

"Gabz we don't even know his name."

"No we don't, but I know he probably lives in Toronto."

"Gabz I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"You don't find it strange that I've been drawing this guy for years and now dreaming about him, and we've never met in person?"

"Of course I find it strange, but it's also exciting," she clapped her hands cheerfully.

"You're right, we need a little excitement in our lives."

Gabz nodded in agreement. "So what's the plan?" She asked me with a mischievous look on her face.

"Aunty said that she wants to pay for a brief vacation for us this summer as a graduation gift. I guess Canada is as good a place as any."

"Who vacays in Canada?" Gabz scrunched her nose.

"Gabz, you're not getting the bigger picture?"

"What's the bigger picture?" Gabz implored, a little confused.

"Since we're going to the University of Toronto, I can convince Aunty to let us go there for a few weeks to get acquainted with the city before we start school."

Gabz eyes stretched wide with realisation. "Yes, I see it now. And that would give us plenty of time to search for your dream guy!"

"Exactly!"

"How long will we spend?" Gabz questioned.

"I say three weeks would be enough time. Today is the ninth of June. So, we can leave on the twelfth and be back before the fourth of July weekend."

"Yes, that could work. I'll be back before Mom's due date, and we would still have seven weeks to spend with our families before school starts in the Fall."

"I'll talk to Aunt when she gets home later."

"Ok, I have to go," Gabz kissed me on my cheek.

"But you just got here!"

"I know babe, but I got to start packing. I have so many things to pack; how many shoes should I bring? Is it cold in Toronto? I bet I can meet a hot guy and - " Gabz started rambling.

"Ok, ok. I get it. I'll see you later then."

She responded by nodding her head.

"Haze, before I forget. Gerry wanted me to ask if he could see you."

"I - umm I - I don't know if that's a good idea," I stuttered.

"Please. At least think about it for me." And with that, she walked towards the door.

I hadn't spoken to Gerry in almost two years. I wondered what he wanted to talk to me about? He did me dirty, but I guess I needed closure for me to move on.

"Gabz wait." She turned around and looked at me. "Tell Gerry to meet me here tomorrow."

Her mouth fell open.

"What changed your mind?"

I've been thinking about forgiving him for a while now. Uncle Abe always said forgiveness sets you free. I quoted a Bible verse that Uncle Abe always cited to me. "The Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13."

"What?" Gabz looked at me like I was crazy.

"It's just a verse from the good book."

"Oh - you gotta lick it before you stick it, Gabrielle 69," she started laughing like a maniac. I had a disgusted look on my face. "I thought we were quoting verses from the good book?" She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Good book as in the Bible, not Gabz' Nasty Pleasure House," I threw my pillow at her.

"See you later Haze."

"Yeah, see you later." And like that, she was gone.

I was left in my room alone with my thoughts.

So, Alpha is real.

I wondered if his name is Alpha, that would be a crazy coincidence.

I needed to find out why I'm seeing him every time I close my eyes.

"Am I doing the right thing?" I asked myself.

Well, even if I was not, something told me I was going to discover all my answers in Toronto.

Now I just have to wait for aunt Jules to come home.