Chapter 44: A Loving Stepfather

After tossing and turning from a restless night, I finally get out of bed the moment I see sunlight brighten the day. As usual, I was still afraid to sleep because of the nightmares that plagued my dreams. Though it’s not like I would be able to get much sleep in the first place, not with Julian always on my mind that night.

*Stupid bastard…*

I cursed him over and over in my head throughout the night. It was as if he had mood swings that were more severe than my own and I was fully aware that I’m really fucked up in the head and in need of some medication like my mom always asked me to. Of course, I always shot her down and told her “I’m fine.” Now I’m having second thoughts.

*I outta slip it in Julian’s drink…*

Even with daylight just barely lighting up the sky it was still early in the morning and everybody was still asleep. I could only hope that Julian was asleep too. It was hard to predict what the man would do next. So I put on my baggy, white sweater that was long enough that I didn’t have to wear pants or shorts. Barefooted and pulling my hair up into a messy bun, I grabbed my pack of cigarettes and headed out with quiet footsteps. I at least had enough respect for Gabriel that I’d smoke outside instead of huffing away in my room and staining the walls with nicotine.

As I walked down the halls, down the marbled staircase, and across the living room I jolted when I saw a silhouette in the kitchen.

*SHIT! I left my knife in my room!!*

Fully prepared for a confrontation, my riled instincts turned to bewilderment when I heard a void I didn’t expect.

“Sukia? What’re you doing up this early?” Gabriel turned on a nearby lamp so that we had more light than just the dim sunshine coming in from the windows.

“I could ask you the same,” I responded in my usual sassy tone just out of habit. It may have sounded like I didn’t like the old man but I honestly didn’t mind his presence. The sad look in his eyes told me that he thought he did something wrong to earn my hostility so I lifted up my pack of cigarettes as my own way of answering his question.

When Gabriel saw my pack of cigarettes he smiled when he got the point, a ‘somewhat’ friendly gesture from me. “I see. A morning smoke used to always do the trick for me too.”

My eyebrows lifted with unexpected surprise. “YOU used to smoke? Seriously?”

Gabriel struggled to resist a sheepish smile as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Started in my teens and it took decades to stop. When my kids were born it gave me resolve to stop smoking. When my ex-wife left, well… urges can be haunting and hard to ignore.”

My heart-shaped lips pursed and I looked away from him. Many things in my life that are nothing to be proud of crossed my mind. “Yeah… I get that.”

“But.” Gabriel’s single word brought my attention back to him. I was taken off guard when I saw him with a warm smile on his face as he looked at me with gentle eyes. The look in them reminded me of my father. “Now I have your mother in my life. And I have *you* too. It’s made my life a lot brighter. And interesting too.” the bright look in his eyes dimmed ever so slightly with his next words. “I know I’ll never replace your father in your life and I hope I never do. But, I hope I can at least get you to like me.”

His last words had a chuckle in them and I snorted with amusement. He catches on quickly, already knowing what he needs to gain from me isn’t my love but my approval. “You’re a funny guy. I’ll give ya that.”

*He’s… really not that bad of a guy…*

The look in his eyes that he gave me made my chest swell with a feeling I couldn’t identify. An emotion that I hadn’t felt in so long that I didn’t even know what it was. All I did know was that it hurt, but in a good way, and wanted to bring tears to my eyes. But unfortunately, my tears dried up a long time ago. “You’re alright, Gabe. You’re alright.”

My words of approval practically made the man beam. I could see why my mother was drawn to him. The woman had suffered from severe depression for years since my father’s death. But Gabriel was an optimistic man who practically always looked at the bright side of things despite his past relationship ending both bitterly and sadly.

*I’m actually starting to think Mom will be safe with him…*

Gabriel cleared his throat as if to change the atmosphere before I could become annoyed or bored. “I made a *glorious *change to my morning that helped me smoke less.” his humorous tone made me tilt my head in confusion until he lifted his mug. “Coffee! The perfect counter. Want a mug?”

I hesitated at first but reminded myself that I didn’t need to be wary about this man. Not to mention that the coffee smelt pretty damn good. “You know what? Sure, why not.” Gabriel quickly poured me a mug and handed it to me. It was straight-up black coffee and I couldn’t remember the last time I even had a sip of coffee in the first place since I was always drinking liquor or soda. So for the first time in years, if not ever, I took a small sip and immediately coughed as if I just had my first taste of alcohol. The coffee wasn’t only hotter than I expected it to be but the taste was the foulest I’ve ever tortured my tongue with too!

Gabriel couldn’t resist laughing at me and I instinctively gave him an unamused scowl. His laughter instantly turned into an awkward but apologetic smile. “Ah, sorry! I should’ve warned you it was hot. Hmm.. oh! Here, let me see.” the older man took my mug back and put milk-looking liquid into my coffee. When he handed it back to me he looked rather proud of himself as if he had just accomplished a grand feat. “Try this, it should be a lot better.”

“Uh huh…” I mumbled and took a slower sip this time. But to my surprise, it tasted a lot better this time. The way my olive green eyes lit up was enough to tell him that he had a good reason to be proud.

“I put some vanilla creamer in it. I have multiple flavors actually: hazelnut, mocha, and… something else? I’ve completely forgotten it. Ha ha, my memory must be slipping already.” he gave a hearty laugh at his own joke meanwhile I was still shocked by the magic of this ‘creamer’ that I had never heard or tasted before.

*I could get used to this. Maybe a coffee in the morning instead of a cigarette isn’t a bad idea after all.*

“Your mother told me you don’t have an education.” Gabriel started a new conversation that made my jaw clutched in instant frustration.

*Of course, she fucking did. *

“Not to poke in your business–” Gabriel quickly did his best to correct the situation before I got fed up and walked away. “I was saying that maybe I can help with that? I used to be a professor–”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I grumbled, cutting him off without a second thought. I could tell his heart was in the right place but I was still convinced that someone like me has no use for an education.

Gabriel looked disappointed to the point he resembled a kicked puppy. Fuck, he actually looks like Julian! I did my best to keep those frustrating thoughts off of my expressions as he finally replaced his pout with a soft smile. “I understand. I won’t pressure you. Though I must say I’ve noticed your car has been in the shop for a while.”

I winced at that comment. *Oh shit. Yeah, I forgot about that little fib…*

“In the meantime, I have a spar car. How about you take it? I’ll let you get your license.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Whoa, wait, you’d actually give me one of your fancy cars?? For real!?”

“Of course! You’re a part of the family.” Gabriel gave me a kind smile.

As grateful as I was, he had no idea that he was going to regret that generosity *real* fast...