Chapter 32
Chapter 32 FearThis content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Alice looked hurt at first, but that was the best I could do, and it also calmed Gemma
Ava looked at me disappointed, and when I moved my gaze to look back at Alice, I saw anger in her eyes. That was the first time I saw she can be angry too. I could see she was about to tell me something, but she swallowed that back. I was happy about that. If she would have talked back, everyone would expect me to teach her a lesson, and I was sure I wouldn't have been able to do that.
I claimed little Ava's hand, she was upset she must come with me, but she never argued. I held Gemma in my embrace, and even if I felt that was so hard, I left her. She didn't follow us, and she didn't come closer.
Soon, the trainer came back. He kept watching Alice, which annoyed me, but again, I needed to remain quiet about it. Thankfully, it didn't take long for him to turn to Ava, and finally I could see her smiling when the trainer held her hand and led her to the ice. All of us watched her. The trainers gave them some lessons, and we all clapped when Awa made them successfully. She felt twice, but thanks to the protection, she stood up like nothing happened. The happiness was written on her face. I think she truly loved skating. Even though I loved my little niece, and I was happy for her, I never forgot to have a secret look at Alice. To see her watching Ava with sadness, leaning on the paling made my heart ache. I was thinking about how I could comfort her, but there and then I had no chance to do that. I promised myself that I would send Gemma home today, ask her to watch a movie, and order her favorite food for dinner. That will show her I am not a monster, not with her at least.
As I was thinking about this, I could feel someone hit my back. I looked around, and I saw my dad smiling at me wildly.
"Do you enjoy the show, Gid?"
"Of course I do. Why do you ask?"
"You are looking nervous."
"I'm not
He laughed.
"Come on, you two, come and join us. You are standing so far away, like you do not even belong to this family. Come and take a seat
"I wanted to tell him I wanted to stay here, as that was a perfect place to see Alice, but Gemma didn't help me at all.
"Gideon, Mr. Sullivan is right. Come on." She said while she tried to pull me with her, holding my hand
My dad just smiled and nodded at her. So we moved to them. I choose a place where I had a clear view of Alice, but just before I would have sat down, my dad took the seat with a smile. I didn't say a word, and I sat next to him. My dad made himself comfortable giving a full cover for Alice. I tried to think of a solution, but nothing appeared on my mind.
"Dad, can we swap places? I'm just not comfortable here." I told him, hoping that he would do that for me, but he just grinned at me
can see Ava clearly from here. You can see her anytime in the future, but who knows how many years 1 have got to live? Let me enjoy the show."
"Come on dad, don't say that." I frowned.
He just laughed and clapped for Ava. She just made a small hop with another two little girls. The situation made me frustrated even more. I could move a bit to see her, but that would make that obvious I was watching Alice. I hoped the gala would finish soon and I could take her home safely. Eventually, they made the last lesson, and they slowly left the ice rink. All parents went to their children, that made me thrilled, as I hoped I would get back my clear view of her. I wanted to stand up, but my dad held me back,
"Gideon, it's not finished yet. There will be a gala soon, and I promised Ava we are going to watch that together."
I
"Yes, Gid, I want to see that too." Gemma said that with a smile, while held my hand. Finally, everyone moved away from the paling, and that was when
I nearly collapsed. I couldn't see her. She wasn't there. I looked around, and she was nowhere. I breathed faster, and I nearly forgot about myself when my dad put his hand on my arm, and looked at me. For a moment I felt like he was apsolutely aware of my state, and the reason for that. "Calm down, son. Everything is going according to the plan."
Chapter 32 Fear
I think that was when I started sweating as well. What did he mean? Recalling those men I saw when we arrived, I felt my heart was breaking into pieces. I wasn't ready for that. Realising I never wanted to lose her, I wanted to stand up, but my dad held me back, and he leaned closer to whisper into my ear.
"Calm down, son, just enjoy the show."
That moment, that trainer who introduced himself to us earlier went on the ice, and he let the audience know what was coming next. "Alice".
I felt so happy. Finally, I could go close to little Ava. And that I could help her with something that I can and love doing, just made me happier. Lots of plans appeared on my mind. I planned to show and teach her everything, I was thinking about those happy moments that I would spend with her on
the ice.
Her parents probably got every information about this sport, as they got every necessary, best quality equipment that needed to keep Ava safe. I only saw that her skates weren't tight enough, so I couldn't watch her fall and get injured because I had no courage to help her. So I did, and because no one said a word, I also said yes to her when she asked me if I could go on the ice with her. I didn't know how she knew I could help her, but I didn't really care. I was happy she liked me.
The only thing that really annoyed me since we arrived was Gideon's girlfriend, Gemma. I hated her. Actually, Gideon wasn't that horrible, but when Gemma started her stupid games, he went mad. Well, okay... even if I didn't understand why he wanted to keep this stupid woman by his side apart from her look, I understood he defended her.
I guessed this was how a boyfriend should behave. Lukas sometimes defended me when someone tried to bully me, or make me feel sad, but he was the only one in my life who did that for me. I missed him really much, but I often felt sad when I watched Gideon with Gemma. It seemed like he treated her well, even if she was horrible inside and out most of the time.
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And he was my husband. I told myself many times not to fall for him, but sometimes I imagined him to take me, like he takes her. Sometimes I imagined him defending me, like he defended her, and yes, I was a virgin, but sometimes my cheeks turned red when I imagined him close to me.
But at the moment, all that I felt was anger. What he told me hurt me. It looked like he wasn't against me skating, but here, he ordered me to stay away from the ice. He kept me with him against my will. I needed to marry him, and only God knows where would I end up. He owned me that, to let me do what I really liked.
And that was all because of Gemma. Her satisfied face made me fuming. I still needed to laugh about those lots of bullshit she said about ice skating. Obviously, she had no clue of it at all. But what really annoyed me, the family might believe her, and that could put little Ava in danger.As I stood there at the paling. I put my arms crossed on it, and I laid my head on them. I couldn't get over what he told me and Gemma's expression. I thought maybe he just didn't want the attention on me, as it may save me. That may give me a way out of their prison.
They wouldn't dare to take me then, and then all the money that they paid for me would have become superfluous.
These thoughts occupied my mind when a voice made me lift my head and look behind me.
"Alice Lessard?"