Two short chapters, sorry everyone !!!
But oh, such amazing reviews!
Carol, I never thought of her parents that way until you pointed it out haha.
Thank you so much everyone :)
CHAPTER 23
Gabi swung her arms as she headed up the path to her best friend's house and knocked on her door excitedly.
Steph opened the door, her afro hair all plaited neatly and her dark skin shining healthily.
"Gabiiii you freaaak!!" she screamed and grabbed her and Gabi giggled happily, hugging her back as the pair of them jumped together
"Stephiee!! I missed you" she beamed and they hugged a bit longer before Steph let her in.
"I can't believe you get to go on set with all these stars Gabi, I'm so jealous." She tutted.
"Steph, you're a dancer, you go on tour with all the hottest acts" she reminded her.
"Oh yeah. But they're not Troy Bolton are they? Come on; tell me what he's REALLY like? Is he like they make out? Is he a womanizer? Is he hot?" She was speaking at full speed and Gabi was troubling to keep up.
"Err, there's something I have to tell you…" Gabi began.
"Oh, don't think I didn't see you stepping out with him in that nightclub" Steph cut in. "I bet you snogged didn't you?" she guessed.
"Well, we're kind of seeing each other…" Gabi hedged .
"What!? Oh my fucking god Gabriella! You didn't CALL me?! I'm hurt" she feigned hurt.
"It's really new Stephie. I'm kinda still trusting him you know?" she said gently and Steph hugged her again as she sat at her breakfast bar and Steph made snacks.
"I know. I know you've had some real bad luck with men and then there's your dad…"
"And my mom" she added with rolled eyes, wondering what it was Troy had said to her before she'd taken his call.
"Your mom?" Steph screwed up her face.
"Yeah she's been speaking with him on the phone" she admitted.
"Wait a minute. Your MOM has spoken to Troy and I didn't even know you were dating?" she repeated.
"It's a long story…" she sighed.
"Then get comfy, girl, cos you are not leavin' til I know it ALL" she said firmly and linked arms with Gabi as se grabbed her array of food and dragged her through to the living room.
--
Troy stuck his hands into his jeans pockets and frowned as he headed down to the bar to meet Gabe. He'd whispered in his ear before they broke for the day to meet him at 8 and Troy had no idea what was going on but he didn't like the feel of it.
Gabe was sat in a quiet corner and Troy headed over, sitting opposite him.
"Hey" Troy said uncomfortably.
"I'd like to think we can talk man to man" Gabe said and Troy flicked his gaze up. Uh oh.
"Sure" he agreed blithely.
"What will it take to make you go away?" he asked directly.
Troy was so shocked that his lungs went tight and he struggled to breathe.
"What?" he asked, thinking this must be a dream or that he was on candid camera.
"I don't want to see you near my daughter again" he said blankly "Now name your price" he repeated.
Troy screwed up his face "You have got to be kidding me right? This is some sick joke?" he asked again, to be sure he hadn't misheard.
"I can pay you whatever figure you want. Or…I can get you a job" he offered.
Troy rubbed his hand down his face, thinking he would struggle to finish filming this movie after this little encounter, but Gabe was sat there as though this were his daily routine. And that's when he realised this was what happened to Gabi's boyfriends. They got paid off. And they were scumbag enough to take the money and give up their affections for her. He doubted they had any if they could do such a thing.
He might never work again, if that's what Gabe's silent threat meant about getting him a job, but he couldn't give up on what he had found with Gabi just yet. It was possible things wouldn't last but he had to find out the long way round. Her dad was right, she was amazing and she did deserve the best and he was damn sure he wanted to try and be that for her.
"Thank you for the offer Mr Montez, but I politely decline" Troy said as he kept his calm and stood up and walked away, shaking his head as he went.
Gabe watched the boy go and a mixture of emotions hit him. First and foremost he was impressed with the boy's refusal. He was the first one to pass his hardest test. And then he felt afraid that his little girl was no longer his little girl, because she had so obviously given her heart to Troy. And Gabe was stunned to see that Troy had given his back, because if his refusal was anything to go by, he was a man Gabi could be proud of.
He sighed as he realized what he needed to do.
---
Gabi walked into town in her favourite white sundress, her shades on and a smile on her naturally made-up face as she looked around her and remembered the sights of her home.
She went into her favourite shop, Sarah's Sweets and chatted with the owner as she picked out some treats for her, and some for Troy as she planned in her mind her trip back to Colorado. She had booked a flight for Tuesday that was meant to get in at night but she hadn't told her dad or Troy yet because she wanted this time to herself and not think about what she would face when she was back.
She considered that Gabriel might employ Margaret permanently and she would be left hanging around on set with nothing to do but twiddle her thumbs in which case her trip would be short and sweet.
But she also tried to work out in her mind how she could keep seeing Troy after the shoot and it struck her that it was entirely possible they wouldn't be able to. If she wasn't working for her dad she would have to get another job.
Maybe she should start looking. She had a few contacts from two weeks ago when this thought had first crossed her mind and it was beginning to blossom into her mind now. She could find a job that was based nearer home and didn't involve quite so much travelling and if Troy wanted to, she could see him more easily. She wondered if he would want that or maybe he was just going to end things when the shoot finished, but he could have ended things a long time ago, or not started them, knowing what her dad was like.
She frowned as she thought about how her dad had acted with Troy before she had left and she knew Troy kept re-assuring her that it wasn't a problem but she couldn't see how it wasn't. If it were the other way around, she would find it very hard to withstand that kind of pressure from his family.
She walked by a window of a men's clothes shop and spotted some soft fine knit jumpers in the display, thinking that Troy would look nice in one and thinking it would be nice to buy him one as a surprise for when she went back.
She loved his pale blue jumper that she had borrowed after their last night together and he had let her sleep in it and she had snuck it into her suitcase so she could sleep in it at home, too.
She picked up a V neck style from the rack and lifted it up, considering the array of colours and opting for baby blue to replace the one she had adopted.
She paid for the jumper and left the store, surprised to see a photographer outside.
"Gabi! Where's Troy? Are you an item? How's your eye?" he called and Gabi blushed, wondering what the heck the paparazzi would want with her. It's not like she was famous.
She just smiled bemusedly and carried on her shopping; hoping he would eventually go away which he did after she went into her fifth shop.
She pulled out her phone and texted Troy as she enjoyed her drink of hot chocolate, sitting in the sun.
Gabi: You should probably know that I stole ur jumper
Troy: I know I looked in your room for it for ages!
Gabi: Hey ur there.
Troy: Its break time. What u doing?
Gabi: Being papped. Shopping
Troy: Paps are there? im sorry…
Gabi: I got you a surprise for when I get back
Troy: Really? Does it involve massage oil?
Gabi smiled at his text
Gabi: No but I will give you a massage if you u want.
Troy: When's your flight out here?
Gabi: Ah it's a surprise.
Troy: :/
Gabi: Okay its Tuesday. I should get in about 8pm.
Troy: Are u ok?
Gabi :-) I'm really good. And u?
Troy: Your dad was scarily nice to me today. Weird
Gabi: Mmm. Odd. I would have liked to take you roller blading with me and Steph tonight.
Troy: Not if you saw me on skates. And now I have to go.
Gabi : lol & ok x