Hmm, so my 'Bullied Into Love' story is finally coming to a close. For those readers who haven't read it, there's still a chance! Check it out; you don't know if you don't try!
Anyway, I know you all want to know what's going to happen next so, here's the next chapter!
Chapter 4 – Dinner Alone
GABRIELLA truly dreaded getting out of the car with Richard clasping roughly on her wrist. He unlocked the door and Lupin leapt out of Gabriella's arms and jumped onto the floor and rushed out into the kitchen. He cowered behind one of the chairs.
Richard kicked Gabriella into the Lodge and she cried and went colliding into the stairs. Richard laughed.
"Falling through ice huh? You're filth you know that." He said nastily.
"I'm…I'm sorry Richard…I'm telling…the truth…I did…fa…fall through ice." Gabriella cried holding her hands over her head.
"Get into that living room." Richard ordered and Gabriella picked herself up and cowered into the living room away from Richard.
Richard drew the curtains quickly and looked over at Gabriella who stood nervously crying, she was so scared.
"Come here." He demanded.
Gabriella hesitated for a moment but walked over to Richard and bowed her head. Richard seemed to be studying her for a moment. He raised his fist towards her and punched her in the face; she went tumbling to the floor.
"What is it with you? Why can't you just be a good wife! I swear Gabriella that if I don't see any improvements when we're married you'll get the fines beating of your life." Richard said.
"I'm sorry Richard." Gabriella sobbed, her lip was bleeding and she clutched it tight.
"You'd better be you nasty little witch. Get up, be a woman." Richard snarled kicking at Gabriella.
Gabriella felt she couldn't get up, she felt Richard kick her again and she groaned in pain.
"I said GET UP!" He bellowed.
She pulled herself up off the floor and felt her head go dizzy, She felt Richard's lips on her neck hungrily nipping and biting on her, she did not push him away.
"YOU NASTY BITCH! LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME!" Richard growled and he pushed himself tight against Gabriella and she felt the bulge of his desire, he wanted her!
Richard always took delight in seeing Gabriella get hurt before he slept with her, to him it was a big turn on.
He removed her top and punched her in the stomach, she was nearly sick there and then and he laughed.
"You'll pay for your petty lies Gabriella, 'He laughed, "I'm always going to be around to make your life a misery." He said before his lips cascading on her neck once more branding her his…
GABRIELLA woke the next morning with a thumping headache, the alarm clock next to her rang loudly and she turned it off as quickly as she could trying desperately not to wake Richard.
She didn't succeed. Richard murmured in his sleep, "Turn the bloody thing off now." He ordered and she whispered that she was sorry.
She showered as quickly as possible feeling the hot water soothe her scratches and bruises over her body. Richard was always violent and she hated him for it. She got changed quickly and tugged her hair up into a bobble. When she came out of the bathroom Richard was already downstairs.
When Gabriella arrived downstairs Richard was sitting in the living room smoking a cigarette, her mind immediately flashed to Troy. He didn't smoke! She brushed him from her mind, she felt like she was betraying Richard!
"Where's my breakfast you cheap slut?" Richard demanded.
"Oh…I'll…I'm doing it." Gabriella replied.
Richard picked up one of Gabriella's books, he glared down on it. "How may of these do you take out of that rubbish library?"
"Only four every time I go down. Their lovely books." Gabriella said smiling to herself as she separated some eggs.
When Gabriella and Richard had moved in together, Richard stopped taking Gabriella out to the movies and to dinner. He always said a woman's place was in the kitchen. (I don't believe that's true, women have as much equal rights as men, I certainly won't be a house wife when I'm older!) The only thing he permitted Gabriella to do was to go down the library to get some books.She had pleaded with him so much until he had given in, but she had paid a terrible price. A black eye!
"This is trash!" Richard said slamming the book down.
"Its not trash, it's wonderful. Nicholas Sparks writes the most beautiful Romance novels." Gabriella said softly.
Richard came up behind Gabriella and groped her, she gasped shocked as his hands travelled up and down her body.
"You don't need Romance Gabriella, you've got me." She shuddered under his harsh breath and moved away from him.
Richard laughed and said, "By the way when you're finished with the breakfast, run down to the store and pick up some shopping."
BEFORE Gabriella went shopping decided to go to a little coffee shop down the road and get some coffee and a cake. She was starving, her lip was sore, when Richard had hit her he had bust her lip and it was swollen.
She had just sat down with her a warm mug of hot chocolate, she hadn't been able to afford a cake, Richard wouldn't allow her to spend over their shopping list , when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder.
It was Troy.
"Gabriella, 'Troy said grinning, "It's great to see you again." Troy said and then he saw the large gash on her lip.
"Oh my, what happened?" He asked.
"Um…I slipped and smashed my mouth on a radiator." Gabriella lied and Troy saw the flicker of embarrassment, he didn't believe her.
"Mind if I sit?" Troy queried.
"No please, sit." Gabriella said cheerfully and Troy placed his hot cup of coffee and a chocolate cake in front of them.
He leaned across the counter to one of the employee's.
"How about another slice of chocolate cake for my friend here?" He asked.
"Whatever you say Mr Bolton sir." His employee replied, Troy chuckled, he loved being the boss!
"Oh you don't have to do that." Gabriella said shaking her head.
"Gabriella, you're my friend and my friends always eat exceedingly well." Troy said triumphantly.
As they were eating Troy and Gabriella talked about a lot of things, they liked spending time with each other; it was wonderful to be just so laid back around someone. Gabriella believed Troy to be incredibly handsome, he had rich enchanting Ultramarine eyes that gleamed with something Gabriella had never seen before, (Ultramarine is a really bright vibrant blue) He had scruffy sandy brownthat she just longed to reach out and touch and he was extremely muscular, he had a firm strong looking body, a lot more powerful than Richards!
"I like making you laugh." Troy said smiling.
Gabriella felt her cheeks go crimson, "I like you making me laugh."
Gabriella's phone started ringing and she answered it, it was Richard.
"I'm going away for a few days; one of my nightclubs is going down hill. I'll be gone at least three days! Can I trust you not to fall in ice again?" Richard asked sarcastically.
"Of course, I'll see you soon." Gabriella exclaimed softly.
"What's wrong?" Troy asked.
"Oh, Richard's got to go away for a few days, he was just telling me." Gabriella said.
"Troy laughed, "So I guess it's just you and me for dinner tonight then."
Troy couldn't believe his luck, alone with Gabriella Montez. He felt like all his dreams were coming true.
"Yeah, I suppose, 'Gabriella replied, "But do you really want to be seen with me with this lip?" She asked nervously.
"I don't care what you look like Gabriella. I'd just like to get to know you." Troy said.
Gabriella blushed, and Troy looked down on his watch.
"Whoa, look at the time. I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow in the Ice Dinar." Troy said and he stood and left Gabriella alone.
Gabriella shook her head feeling dizzy, Troy made her feel…weird!
She was about to pay for her cake and hot chocolate when the counter girl shook her head, "Mr Bolton said anytime you want to come in you can. Everything free of charge for you."
"Oh, 'Gabriella gasped, shocked and thrilled, "Thank you. Goodbye."
GABRIELLA was sure to look nice for her dinner with Troy. She stood looking into the bedroom mirror holding dresses up to her body to see which would look nice. She looked out at the snow and cringed, she couldn't wear a dress in the snow. She settled for a pair of jeans and a large fluffy white jumper. She hoped that Troy too would be wearing something similar.
She looked over at Lupin who was busily grooming himself on his bed.
"What do you think handsome?" She asked the feline.
Lupin lifted his head at the sound of his Mistress's voice and meowed gently.
"Great, I like it too." Gabriella said and she nodded triumphantly as she grabbed a brush to fix her hair….she was so nervous…and yet excited, but why?
TROY looked at his watch impatiently; maybe Gabriella had stood him up. She was after all engaged. He felt his heart sink in his chest; she didn't like him then, the way he had hoped.
"The Dinner menu Mr Bolton." A waiter said bowing to him; you see Troy owned everything within Sampoe Ski Lodge, from the Top class restaurants to the toilets.
"That's fine Jim…I might not be staying after all." Troy replied dejectedly but suddenly a vision of beauty entered the restaurant and Troy stood feeling like a sixteen year old again.
"I'm so sorry I'm late. My car broke down and…I had to walk." Gabriella said shivering.
"That's fine! Don't worry about! Please sit down." Troy said, he removed Gabriella's coat and handed it to Jim who bowed before he helped her into her seat, Gabriella smiled, he was such a gentlemen.
Jim returned with two menus and Gabriella smiled thanking him before he left to serve someone else.
"How's your lip? It looks sore." Troy said softly.
"It is, I'm so clumsy. I'd trip over my own feet." Gabriella laughed.
Troy didn't really believe her, he was sure that Richard was a lot more assertive than he let on but he didn't want to alarm Gabriella, just in case he wasn't.
"I'm like that!" Troy chuckled.
The waiter returned and looked at them questionably, "What would you like to order Mr Bolton?"
"I'm not in the mood for anything to elegant tonight; I'll have a burger and some fries and wine!" Troy said and then looked at Gabriella.
Gabriella looked unsure.
"Please don't tell me you're one of those girls who worries about diets! You're fine the way you are." Troy said encouragingly.
He saw Gabriella's eyes light up at his praise and she looked a little determined, "I'll have the same, 'She looked at Troy, "If…if that's alright?" She said hesitantly.
"Hey, 'Troy chuckled, "I love girls with great appetites."
"Your meals will be ready soon, please enjoy." The waiter said bowing before walking off and leaving them alone.
"Thank you for still inviting me here tonight. It's lovely to go out." Gabriella said.
"What do you mean?" Troy asked intrigued.
Gabriella realised that she hand landed in it and quickly tried to change the subject, "So…do you miss your basketball?"
Troy, although he knew she had changed the subject purposely, decided to let it go for now, he could tell Gabriella was uncomfortable.
"I do miss it sometimes. The injury affected me so much but it's nice that I had money to go into businesses like this." Troy said looking proud.
"How come you haven't got a wife or girlfriend? I mean, a successful man like you, you should fighting off the girls with a stick." Gabriella said and Troy laughed.
"No! I want to find the right girl, why should I waste my time with girls who are only using me?" Troy said shrugging his shoulders.
"You're right, 'Gabriella said as Jim filled their glasses with white wine, "I'd feel horrible if I thought…thought someone was using me." She said and she looked at her lap as the realisation hit her, Richard was using her. She was a plaything, a cook, a cleaner, a carer, soon a mother if he had his way and all the other things he expected of her.
She decided to once again change the subject, her aim had been fulfilled, Troy was indisputably single!
"I love Sampoe Ski Lodges; it's the most beautiful thing ever!" She said gazing around as she took her glass in her hand.
Troy looked at her, evident desire in his sparkling blue eyes, "I don't know, I can think of others." He said eyeing her lovingly.
Gabriella blushed and was glad that she could sip her wine to hide her embarrassment and her thrill, no – one had ever been so sweet before.
The waiter returned with their meals and bowed before leaving them to eat.
"It looks lovely." Gabriella said softly.
"Dig in." Troy replied and they began to eat and enjoy their evening…
TROY drove Gabriella home that night and they talked about their wonderful evening together. Troy felt incredibly lucky to be in the presence of such an amazingly beautiful woman. Gabriella was truly the most striking young woman he had ever seen.
He walked her to her door and they both stared at each other for a while.
"Um…I was wondering whether you wanted to come to see my friends with me tomorrow in Albuquerque. It's my friend Zeke Baylor. He owns a cake shop and I'm kind of aching for his famous Crème Brûlée's." Troy asked.
"I'd love that." Gabriella said cheerfully, she smiled and looked at Troy warmly.
"Thank you for an amazing night." She said.
"No Problem, you're more than welcome." He replied and suddenly he was taken aback by a pair of lips crashing down on his.
He repsonded completely when he realised Gabriella was kissing him, he weaved his arms around her waist and smiled against her lips. Despite the slice in her lips, they were gentle and he wanted more and more.
Suddenly Gabriella yanked herself away from him, "I'm…I'm sorry." She cried and she ran in and left him alone looking startled and delighted all at once.
He couldn't wait until tommorow!
Hee! So they kissed, Gabriella likes Troy and Troy likes Gabriella! Ooh , where does Richard come into it?
Keep reading and reviewing if you want to know what happens next! xoxMusicalxox