I managed really quickly to write another chapter Here it is!

Chapter 8 – Super Scrumptious Strawberry Sundae!

WHEN Gabriella woke up Richard was already gone. She was surprised to see him gone for normally she would hear the alarm clock and wake up first to make him breakfast and to iron his clothes. It was very unusual.

She showered and got changed quickly and went downstairs. The thoughts of Richards's phone call last night still coursed through her mind. She found Richard sitting on the sofa eating two of Zeke's cakes.

"What crap." He said as he'd devoured the last scone.

Gabriella couldn't believe it, they tasted wonderful! Richard stood and brought his hands to her waist pulling her close to him.

"No Richard." She said pushing herself away from him.

Richard looked shocked, she had never said yes to him but she had never said no to him. He controlled her! He pushed her to the floor and kicked her in the stomach. She cried and he grabbed her by the arm tightening his grip.

He threw her into the kitchen and locked the door behind him. He smacked the door and screamed, "AND YOU CAN STAY IN THERE UNTIL I GET BACK!"

She heard the door slam shut and she sat on the floor and began to cry. Lupin prowled around her feet and she scratched him between the ears affectionately.

She looked down on her arm and there was the bruise, fresh and full on! She hoped to dear heaven that it wouldn't become any more noticeable.

RICHARD returned later that evening. He opened the door for Gabriella and she stood looking at him with dull eyes.

"We're going out, get changed." He said.

"But I –"

"Don't argue with me." Richard snarled and Gabriella stood quickly and moved upstairs to get changed.

She got changed quickly in a soft black skirt and red top. She brought her hair up into a tight elegant knot of curls. She did her makeup perfectly and Richard just walked in when she was putting on a necklace and some earrings.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked.

She nodded and grabbed her bag and they drove down to a local nightclub in the Lodges, Gabriella was pleased to hear that Troy would be joining them.

Everyone was dancing when they got there; Richard's eyes seemed to be on the crowds of people, searching for someone.

Gabriella noticed a certain person in the crowds walking towards them, it was Troy. He shook Richard's hand and hugged Gabriella kissing her on the cheek.

"It's good to see you. I've got a private table for us and you guys can order anything you want!" Troy said leading them to the V.I.P. area.

They sat at a table and drinks were brought to them, Gabriella was determined to only have an orange juice. She didn't like to drink much.

"So Troy, 'Richard said, "I was wondering, how do you feel about a partnership?"

Gabriella looked at Troy and made eyes, pleading that he'd say no! Troy seemed to read her message.

"I'm not looking for partnerships my friend. I'm happy with my own businesses and investments."

"But you could really do with some help. We could do so much with Sampoe Ski Lodges!" Richard said enthusiastically.

"Nah, I'm fine! My business is doing fine by itself." Troy said shaking his head and Richard let it go and sat back with his drink.

"So Gabriella, how have you been?" Troy asked the pretty young brunette.

"Well thank you. Yourself?" She asked shyly.

"As well as can be, I'm in a good mood with Christmas coming up." Troy said smiling!

Richard looked at Gabriella, "You can go and pick up some Christmas decorations tomorrow." He ordered and Gabriella nodded.

"I'll go get us some more drinks." Richard said.

"I'll come help. Do you want another orange juice Gabriella?" Troy questioned.

Gabriella nodded, "Thank you."

The two men went up to the bar; Richard's eyes seemed to be on every girl in the bar. Troy seemed to only have eyes for Gabriella.

"So…do are you married or dating?" Richard asked as they waited to be served.

"I'm…sort of dating someone but she wants to take it slow. She's a real sweetheart." Troy said smiling.

"Tough luck man, women are hard creatures. You've got to tame them." Richard said.

"Not me, I like them with their own personalities, not the personality you make up for them." Troy said a little coldly.

Richard rolled his eyes, "Don't you ever play away? You know, have both?" He laughed.

"No! I'm faithful to my girl. I'd never hurt her." Troy said.

This young blonde haired woman came up to Richard and kissed his cheek, Troy recognised her, she came often, a proper alcoholic.

"Are you ready to go?" She asked Richard.

"Look, tell Gabriella I've got another business arrangement coming up. You know how it is." Richard laughed and before Troy could say anything Richard was gone.

Troy retrieved the drinks and went back over to Gabriella. She looked sullen.

"He's not coming back tonight is he?" Gabriella asked referring to Richard.

"No, I'm sorry." Troy said.

"I don't mind, it might be peaceful without him for a while." Gabriella answered.

A song came on that Gabriella really liked, she suddenly had the amazing desire to dance, she would never ask Richard but she was with Troy.

"Will you dance?" She asked.

"Come on then." Troy said and Gabriella laughed and put her juice down and took his hand leading him to the dance floor.

Dance!
It's so hot
I can't stop
The music fills the room
Vibrations
Sensations
That beat goes boom boom boom
I've got to keep it together
I've got to keep it together
I've got to keep it together
Watch the crazy people dance

They held each other close dancing in a fast rhythm as they moved. Gabriella had never felt so alive in his arms. His hands caressed her body moving everywhere and anywhere.

Let's dance (tonight)
Show me (feels so right)
Hold me (hold me tight)
Control me
Let's dance (right now)
Take me (spin me round)
Shake me (shake me down)
Make me

She turned in his arms and their bodies locked together in a perfect fit, Gabriella noted this, they were like two jigsaw pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Their bodies fit in every possible way.

Let's dance
Just like that
Don't hold back
Get crazy on the floor
We'll have fun
All day long
And then we'll still want more
I've got to keep it together
I've got to keep it together
I've got to keep it together
Watch the crazy people dance

It suddenly seemed like no – one else mattered in the world. They were the only two dances, their bodies moving erotically against each other in an attempt to get as close to each other as they could possibly get.

Let's dance (tonight)
Show me (feels so right)
Hold me (hold me tight)
Control me
let's dance (right now)
Take me (spin me round)
Shake me (shake me down)
Make me

Look in my eyes
you'll realize
We can't deny
I'm into you and you're so into me
And you know you can't fight what is meant to be

Troy could feel her backside gently grinding into his front, she was gentle with everything she did and he captured her neck with his tongue nibbling at her hungrily. He heard her moan with pleasure over the music. He found great delight in hearing her soft mumbles.

Let's dance (tonight)
Show me (feels so right)
Hold me (hold me tight)
Control me
let's dance (right now)
Take me (spin me round)
Shake me (shake me down)
Make me

Let's Dance

When the song finished Gabriella and Troy's bodies were so tight together that Gabriella could feel Troy's heart thumping against her back and their bodies pulsing against one another's. Troy kissed her cheek one more time before he dragged her across to where they were sitting and ordered some drinks.

There was awkwardness between them, Gabriella sipped her orange juice and tried not to meet Troy's eye. Whatever had just happened was definitely not platonic and a lot more sexual than either of them would like to let on.

A few minutes past and Troy could think of nothing more to say than, "Shall I take you home?"

"Yeah, 'Gabriella said nodding grabbing her coat, "Sure."

And they left unsure what they were feeling!

GABRIELLA invited Troy in when they got back. She felt a little nervous but she knew Richard wouldn't be in. She set her purse on the table and went into the kitchen. She poured two glasses of wine and took them to the sofa where Troy sat. She sat opposite Troy and they sipped their wine nervously.

Troy glanced at Gabriella and saw a large bruise on her arm, "Where did you get that bruise?" He queried though he didn't really need to ask.

"I suppose you know already." Gabriella murmured.

Troy put down his wine and scooted over a little so Gabriella was resting in his arms, "He hurts you doesn't he?"

"It's nothing, 'Gabriella said shaking her head, "He just gets a little violent sometimes."

"Nothing! Gabriella it's everything. You need to get away from him." Troy said.

"I can't! He'd kill me." Gabriella complained.

"He'd have to get through me first." Troy said heatedly.

Gabriella smiled faintly, Richard was unstoppable. He'd never let her go. Never!

"I'm sorry Troy but I'm stuck with Richard." She whispered.

Troy kissed her cheek.

"I'd better be going." Troy said.

"No! Um…don't…you can sleep here. Not with me…I mean on the sofa." Gabriella said looking out at the snow.

Troy laughed, "Nah, I should be going." He disagreed.

"Please Troy, don't leave me here." Gabriella pleaded.

He saw the sorrow in her eyes, how can I say no to her, he told himself. He touched her face and shook his head.

"You've swayed me again." He laughed.

Gabriella went into the kitchen and returned with pillows and a blanket, Troy smiled and took them happily. He kissed her forehead and watched her leave the room calling goodnight. As he cuddled up in his bed he sighed, Lupin hopped up and nestled on his chest. He stroked the tabby and listened as his purring gently sent off to sleep…

GABRIELLA woke bright and early and was happy to see Richard hadn't returned. She went into the kitchen to find Troy with lots of ice-cream and two large glasses.

"What's all this?" She laughed rubbing her eyes.

"Well I was hungry and it's Sunday so I decided to make one of my Super Scrumptious Strawberry Sundaes!" Troy said.

"Okay, I only got the hungry part." She chuckled perplexed.

Gabriella sat down and Troy looked at her, "Well come on Missy, I want some help." Troy laughed.

Gabriella stood and came to join him.

"Okay, do you want a Super, Scrumptious Strawberry Sundae?"

Gabriella nodded like an eager five year old little girl and Troy laughed, "So it's a very special way of doing it. I put two scoops of ice cream at the bottom, sliced up strawberries and some strawberry sauce. Then we put an extra scoop of ice cream in the middle. We sprinkle a few nuts on top of that a half of a strawberry and then some chocolate chips on top. What do you think?" Troy asked. (Sorry if I've just given anyone an ice cream craving! Damn I have one too!)

They helped each other out making the Sundaes together, Troy could tell Gabriella was enjoying herself and all thoughts of what had happened last night were gone.

"Do you always make Super Scrumptious Strawberry Sundaes on Sundays?" Gabriella chuckled.

"Mostly, that's why I love Sundays so much." Troy said cheerfully.

"You're crazy." Gabriella giggled.

"Well out of all the Sundays ever this is my most favourite!" Troy exclaimed.

Gabriella looked up as she sprinkled a few chopped strawberries on the ice cream, "Really, why?"

Troy looked up at her seriously, "Because I woke up to you."

Gabriella blushed and looked away, she had just finished her Sundae as had Troy and she couldn't wait to dig in. They sat down together opposite each other and began to eat.

"What if I hadn't fallen through the ice?" Gabriella asked.

Troy swallowed a strawberry and looked at her baffled, "What do you mean?"

"Do you think we would've met?" Gabriella queried.

"Sure! We would've met. Fate is fate and nothing can stop it. We would've met if you had fallen in front of car or heck if I fell in front of a car." Troy answered.

"I like that." Gabriella said sweetly.

Troy started to laugh and Gabriella looked across at him worried. She was terribly self conscious.

"What?" She questioned.

"Nothing it's just…you've got ice cream on your cheek." Gabriella was about to reach up and get it when Troy's lips fell onto her cheek and removed it clean off her skin.

"Thanks." She giggled and she dabbed a large chuck of ice cream covered strawberry onto Troy's face.

"Hey Montez, don't mess up my handsome face." Troy chuckled and he removed the strawberry and Gabriella licked it from his finger.

"Troy, I love your Super Scrumptious Strawberry Sundaes!" Gabriella said happily.

Troy swallowed a rather large nutty spoonful of ice cream; he edged closer to Gabriella and kissed her full on the mouth. She gave a squeak of surprise and flinched in his arms but she suddenly melted into his arms and entwined her arms around him.

"I care about you more than you know." Troy whispered to her.

"I care about you too!" Gabriella replied.

SHE was sure that Troy was trying to cling to her tighter as they embraced later on that morning. Gabriella felt his arms tighten around her and he kissed her nose affectionately.

"I'm serious now, 'Troy said pulling away from her, "If he touches you and I mean dares touches you once you call me and I'll be down to take you away for a few days. He said rubbing her back.

"Okay." She said.

Troy pecked her cheek one more time and said, "I'll see you tomorrow precious."

"Okay." She answered nodding.

He was about to walk off when he smiled, "And Gabriella, I'm serious, this Super, Scrumptious Strawberry Sundae Sunday is the best day of my life! Thank you."

"Thanks too Troy. You make the best Sundays." Gabriella giggled and she waved goodbye suddenly so unaware that the feeling burning her side her, her head spinning, her body trembling, the unrecognizable smile on her face, was love!

There you go! My mother decided she isn't dismantling the computer until tomorrow so I decided to treat all my wonderful readers and reviewers with an extra chapter! Also, I have great news, apparently though I may be wrong HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 is coming out on the 21st in the UK! I'M PRACTICALLY DANCING! Woo!

Please guys stay tuned for the next chapter 'Daddies Gentle Words'

I hope you guys keep looking out for this story! xoxMusicalxox