I'm so very sorry for the delayed post. I've been so busy during the holiday, I haven't had time. Again, I would like to say thank you for the reviews. You all have been so supportive. Also if the Photobucket links aren't working, just click on my Photobucket home page and under All Albums, click on the album that says "A Father For My Babies story". You'll find the pics there. Anyway, enjoy the story!
By the way, have a very Happy New Year! ;)
Chapter 4: "Compromising"
Gabriella
Around 10:55 later that night, after Iesha had dropped me home, I leisurely strolled down the long corridor towards my apartment door.
At that moment, I felt as if I could do a hundred flips down the corridor in joy. My night had gone much better than I had expected. I couldn't keep my mind off the gorgeous, irresistible man I had met at the nightclub earlier. After he gave me his phone number, I kept unfolding the piece of paper and taking a peek at the large numbers. He also wrote his name, which was written in neat cursive. Troy Bolton, my mind echoed. I almost drowned in those incredible blue eyes of his as he approached me, and they sparkled when he smiled at me.
I was almost stunned by the way he was so generous towards me. Never had I met a man who was as perfect and selfless as Troy was. It was very thoughtful of him to buy me drink, despite my objection. He was willing to spend his hard-earned money just to buy a drink for me.
Even my "husband" never did that for me, because he would always think about himself, rather than his own wife. And now that I think of it, he never thought of me as important. I had always put Dre ahead of myself, and I did everything I could to make him happy. I had taken sacrifice to a whole new level. The least I could have gotten was a "Thank you". That would've been nice too.
'I probably never meant anything to him,' I would often tell myself, feeling the greatest pang of dejection.
Before unlocking the door, I pressed my ear against the door, expecting to hear screaming or crying.
Carefully, I opened the door and peeked inside.
The place was in an absolute mess, but it was way too quiet.
"Raquél, honey?"
I stepped through the foyer, avoiding piles of toys and junk food.
As I glanced to my left, I spotted Jazmyn asleep on the time-out mat.
I plucked her off the ground, and—being extra careful not to wake her—placed her onto the couch.
"Raquél?" I called louder, walking into the cluttered living room.
"I'm in here, Mama," I heard her yell from the bathroom.
I hung my and jacket into the closet and kicked my heels off before walking to the bathroom.
That was where I found Raquél sitting on the edge of the bathtub, washing Chaya's hair.
"Hey, honey."
Chaya was the first to look up, and her face lit up once she spotted me. Raquél looked up for a moment, and then turned back.
I stepped over the pile of damp towels that were scattered in the doorway and walked into the room.
"Hey," she replied casually.
I leant over the tub and gave my two girls a kiss. "How was babysitting?"
She shrugged slightly. "The usual, I guess."
The room fell silent as she continued to wash her sister's hair.
I watched Raquél as she squeezed another drop of shampoo onto her palm before sweeping her hands through the mass of black hair. But Chaya began to thrash around in the tub when the bubbles dripped into her eyes, which caused water to splash onto the floor, including Raquél. She let out a frustrated sigh, then used a towel to dry her damp clothes.
I hated seeing her so miserable; having to handle all the responsibilities that were meant for me to take care of. I felt terrible whenever I had to leave her to take care of her siblings alone. She was only 14, yet she was almost like a second parent to her younger siblings.
For one thing, she's an even better parent than Dre.
Even though I could never bring my self to say it, I knew I was selfish.
My poor daughter looked so drained.
I felt more than guilty for making Raquél babysit her siblings while I was out dancing, so I began to rummage through my satchel and brought out my red leather wallet.
"What's this?" she asked as I handed her $30 dollars.
"You earned it. I shouldn't be out dancing while you're stuck here looking after your siblings," I apologized, brushing my fingers through her hair.
"That's okay, Mama. Thanks." A slight smile crept onto my lips as she smiled back.
"Why don't you change out of those wet clothes and let me take over?"
She stood up, then stretched her arms above her head.
"Alright. Do you need any help cleaning up?" she asked while using a towel to dry her hands.
"No, it's fine; go ahead. Goodnight."
She gave me a tight hug before walking out of the room.
"Hi, mommy," my younger daughter chirped.
"Hi, baby girl."
I took a seat on the edge of the tub and began to rinse her hair.
"Why were you out for so long? Jazmyn was chasing Lína with a knife."
I chuckled softly while wrapping her in a towel. "I know. Raquél told me. Your auntie wanted to stay out a little longer."
"Where was Papa? I wanted to say goodbye to him last night, but Raquél said he had to go to Abuelita's house.
I frowned slightly at the acknowledgement of her father. Everything would suddenly become awkward whenever the subject of the kids' father came up. I never wanted my children to know that I kicked their father out of the house, but I never wanted them to lie to them. So I would always change the topic.
This time I said, "Uh, so did you girls have fun tonight?"
"Not really. It's kinda boring when you're not here. I wanted to show you the drawing I made," she said disappointedly.
'As if you hadn't felt guilty before, you just had to disappoint your daughter, didn't you?!' my mind scolded bitterly.
"Ohh, I'm sorry, baby girl. You can show it to me tomorrow, okay?"
I lifted her out of the water and kissed her cheek.
"Look at you, mija! You're so clean. Go get ready for bed and I'll be there to tuck you in soon."
Right after Chaya left, a very grumpy Jazmyn marched into the bathroom and folded her arms angrily.
"¿Dónde estaba usted (where were you)?" my three year old demanded, glaring up at me.
"Vaya ahora a la cama. Estoy demasiado cansado para hacer frente a usted ahora (Go to bed now. I'm too tired to deal with you right now)," I replied firmly.
Before she could put up a fight, I shot her a warning glare, and she stomped off to her bedroom in a huff.
I let out a stressed sigh before heading back into the cluttered living room.
Earlier, I had been hoping to come straight home and go to bed. Unfortunately, I had to clean the whole house rather than get a full night's rest.
I glanced at the large clock that hung above the television, which read "11:35."
This was going to be a long night.
(12:50 A.M.)
Later that night, as I had just finished putting away all the remaining toys, the doorbell began to chime throughout the house.
I stood upright and looked at the door suspiciously.
Who in the world could be ringing my doorbell at this hour?
I cautiously advanced towards the door, and peered through the peephole, but all I could see was a navy-blue sleeve.
"Who is it?" I called aloud.
"State police, Ma'am," an unfamiliar voice answered.
'State police?' I thought skeptically.
I unlatched the door then swung it open, only to find Dre standing beside a police officer on the doorstep.
I noticed that his hands were restrained by handcuffs behind his back, and I folded my arms impatiently.
"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave yesterday," I started.
"Sorry to bother you, Ma'am, but I found this man sneaking around the parking lot outside. He claims to be your husband," the officer replied.
I narrowed my eyes at Dre, who stared heedlessly at me.
"Yes, he's my… husband, Officer," I stated calmly, although I really wanted to smack Dre across the face.
The officer nodded before removing the handcuffs.
"Now, I'm going to leave you with a warning this time. But if I catch you trespassing again, you will be spending the night in a holding cell downtown, you got it?" he warned sternly.
"A'ight, whatever," Dre muttered, pushing his way past me.
Once the officer left, I shut the door and spun around to face him.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What are you talking about?" he replied curtly.
"First of all, why were you sneaking around the parking lot?"
He plunked onto the couch and placed his feet on the coffee table, ignoring my question.
I marched up to him and shoved his feet off the table.
"Hello?!" I demanded. "I'm waiting for an explanation!"
Dre sighed, and defiantly placed his feet back onto the table.
"Andre!"
He ignored me again, and grabbed the television remote from the table, but before his finger could tap the power button, I snatched it out of his grip.
He finally brought his head up and sneered at me.
"I wasn't sneaking around, okay? I was asking the doorman to let me in, but he wouldn't let me," he explained.
"That's because I told him not to let you in. I told you to leave yesterday, and you didn't listen to me. Plus, aren't you supposed to be staying at Rita's house?"
"Well, my momma didn't want me in the house, okay? So I thought that you would let me in."
"What the hell makes you think that I would let you in? My god, your head is so damn hard! What does it take for you to listen?!"
I knew I was probably being a little too harsh on Dre, but after countless times of warning him to stay away from my house, I couldn't help but yell at him.
"Listen, you need to leave now. I don't want any of my kids coming out here to see you, because you'll never leave."
He looked back at me incredulously.
"Your kids? Oh, so are you saying that I'm not their father? Are you saying that the six kids I gave you don't mean a thing to me?"
"Of course not, Dre; but you don't understand what I've been going through for the past 18 months."
"Gabi, I do understand…"
"You've done nothing to support this marriage, and I have no choice but to quit. You've done nothing! While you were in jail, I was here, laying in bed; wide awake and worrying every night, about what you were doing or who you were with. Everyone I knew kept telling me that you deserved to be sent to jail, but I didn't think so."
"Gabi—"
"Even my doctor—he was scared for the health of our son because every minute of the day, I was either stressed out or anxious, or tense; a-and I didn't want to risk losing the baby. And when you came back, it was like you didn't care. You didn't care that I had to go through forty hours of labor to have your only son. You've never cared about your kids or this marriage. And as much as it breaks my heart to say this, this marriage isn't working. At all. It's like… You haven't been the same since…" I trailed off hesitantly.
"Since what, Gabi?" he questioned, this time with concern.
"You haven't been the same since… Aunt Mary died."
He remained still in his seat, stunned silent at my confession.
Even if he wanted to deny all the wrong he has done this family, in truth, he knew I was right. After his Aunt Mary died of lung cancer, Dre had completely forgotten how much our marriage had meant. Aunt Mary was so important to him, and she was the only person who really understood him. Since her death, he became lost. Nothing made sense anymore because he wouldn't have her for guidance anymore. He didn't know what to do, so he built a wall to keep out everyone he loved; everyone who ever cared about him, mostly me.
I read his face closely, searching for any signs of anger. But his face became grief-stricken. Almost immediately, his eyes softened before filling with tears.
He turned his head away when I moved closer.
"What does she have to do with this?" Dre sighed.
He kept his voice soft, so that I wouldn't hear the slight crack in his voice.
"I know how much she meant to you. But ever since she died, you've abandoned me; you've abandoned your kids. I loved her too. She was as important to me as she was to you, and just because we lost her, it doesn't mean that we should give up on our kids; most importantly ourselves."
He sniffled softly, and swiped a hand across his eyes.
"You don't know what I feel," he muttered, almost angrily.
"I do… You don't feel a thing. Don't try to tell me that you understand what I'm going through, because you'll never understand. So just leave before this turns into an argument, Dre. Just leave," I replied, my voice breaking.
He stood up and tried to wrap me in his arms, but I pushed him away. "Baby… baby girl, please. I'm sorry."
"Stop it. Don't touch me!" He ignored my protest, and engulfed my tensed body in his arms.
I relaxed against his body, crying into his chest as he rocked me back and forth.
"I don't want it to be like this. I'm so sick and tired of living like this. I can't do it anymore," I sobbed.
"I know, baby. But I promise you, we are going to work this out… We're gonna get through this," he reassured; though I didn't know whether to believe him or not.
He brushed his thumb over my cheeks, wiping away my tears.
"It seems like everytime you make a promise, it's always bound to be broken."
"I know that, but I'm serious this time; I'm gonna keep my promise," he replied earnestly.
"You promise?"
"I promise… Now can I sleep over tonight? I don't have anywhere else to go right now. I'll leave early in the morning before the kids wake up, if you want."
I wiped my eyes and sniffled softly, pulling out of his embrace.
"Okay… Just for tonight."
I went to my bedroom to retrieve a blanket and a pillow and tossed them onto the couch. "You have the couch," I replied.
"Thanks, Gabi."
He leaned in to kiss me, but I turned my head to the side, causing his lips to hit my cheek.
Dejectedly, he sunk back into his seat and removed his jacket before snuggling into the blanket.
"Goodnight," I called softly as I strolled towards the bedroom.
"Goodnight, baby. I love—"
I quickly shut the door before he could finish, and I rest my head against the door, feeling a pang of guilt.
Deep down, I just wasn't in love with Dre anymore. I had already given up.
(2:10 A.M.)
I was awoken later that night by splitting headache.
After dragging myself out of bed, I maneuvered my way through the dark hallway.
The only source of light I had was the dim blue glow which emitted throughout the family room; from the television, I guessed.
Once I had successfully made it to the kitchen, I retrieved a glass from the cabinet above the stove and filled it with water, then drank it down with an aspirin.
While gulping down the glass off water, I peered into the living room.
Dre remained on the couch sleeping peacefully.
I sighed once I noticed articles of his clothes scattered over the floor, and a dirty plate sitting on the dining table.
Apparently, he did leave the television on. And he was watching the Playboy channel.
A quiet scoff left my lips as I paused to watch curiously.
On the screen, a stick-thin, blonde woman who was dressed in lacy négligée, slid the satin robe from her shoulders before slinking into a brightly lit studio.
Dre would've gotten a hard slap, had he not been sleeping.
Quickly, yet carefully, I collected his clothes before shutting off the television and walking over to the table.
Just as I reached across the table to grasp the plate, I gasped as I was startled by a pair of calloused hands gripping my backside.
"You look mighty sexy bending over that table," a deep, husky voice breathed into my ear.
"Damn it, you scared me!" I hissed, smacking him in the chest.
I spun around and met his eyes, which were darkened with lustful desire.
"That little lace dress is just tempting me right now."
I tensed in his arms, backing into the table as he tugged at the waistband of my panties. I winced slightly as he pulled the elastic, and let it snap sharply against my skin.
"Dre not now; it's too late. I have to go back to bed," I protested, though I was quickly ignored.
He chuckled lightly before sweeping my hair aside and latching his lips onto my neck.
I couldn't resist letting a moan escape my mouth, as he slid his hands up my nightgown, tracing small circles on my waist.
"You're so beautiful. I'm so glad all you're mine," he replied, caressing my face lovingly.
"While the kids are in the house, Dre? What if someone wakes up?"
His gaze dropped to my pursed lips, and he glided his thumb across my bottom lip.
"I'm willing to take that risk… Can't I have you just for tonight, baby girl?"
My mind had begun to debate whether I should let myself give in to him.
I didn't love him anymore, and the idea seemed somewhat... promiscuous.
But then again…
I hoisted myself onto his body, hooking my legs around his torso.
He smiled, and carried me into the bedroom, kicking the door shut as he went.
Almost two hours later, Dre and I lay in bed wrapped up in the covers, listening to the sounds of our own labored breathing and racing heartbeats.
It was after two o'clock in the morning, and we had spent the rest of the night making love.
He dropped a gentle kiss onto my forehead, before gazing into my eyes.
"I love you, baby," he whispered, affection evident in his tone.
Usually, I would think that after a passionate love-making session with my husband, I would feel peaceful and content.
But I didn't.
I felt guilty.
My eyes drifted towards the ceiling, and I swallowed hard.
"… I-I love you too," I lied, quickly wiping away the tears that had fallen from my eyes.
Unaware of the slight quiver in my voice, he shifted onto his side, and brought me into his warm torso, resting his chin onto my shoulder.
A miserable sigh left my lips as I felt his lips leaving gentle kisses along back of my neck.
I felt a sense of comfort knowing that he still loved me, but I didn't know what to do. I was indecisive when it came to the conclusion of choosing what I think feels right. Should I divorce Dre or continue to live the rest of my life built on lies?
All I knew was that I didn't have much time left.
I closed my eyes, letting sleep slowly take over my body, wrapped in the protective arms of my soon-to-be ex-husband.
I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive about posting this chapter, because I know Troy and Gabi are just getting to know each other. But I just felt that this chapter would make things more interesting, and Gabriella still isn't sure about her feelings. Hope you enjoyed it, though. Thanks for reading, please review!!!
-PasiondeZv
