Emma lay on the grass taking her nap under this tree, Belle is reading beside Emma. Last night was foolish to do by serving Gibson at the diner. Luckily he didn't hurt Coco.
Thank God for that. But, what could Gibson mean by that anyway.
The novel is about a high school girl who was captured by her school teacher. The novels are based on real life and interesting to read. Belle borrowed this novel from the library, and couldn't believe this book existed in the school library.
What were they thinking?
"Oh I love the smell of fresh cutting grass". Emma rolled over her body. "This is what Heaven looks like for.. I guess". Belle shakes her head with a smile. "It calms me. Oh I wish there were no more bell rings. I hate class".
Belle closes the book, turn to Emma. "What subject after this in your class?"
"History of course. I don't get it who creates history. It's ancient. And we forget". Emma sighs hard. "Belle? what about we're going shopping after school".
"Okay. I actually wanted to buy something for myself too".
Exactly the school bell rings. Belle and Emma walk inside the building. Belle didn't tell Emma about Gibson last night, she really wanted to tell but let it be a secret between her and Gibson.
Moments later. Gibson write something on the chalkboard which he write: 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧. Gibson put the chalk down, his eyes met Belle and smiled.
"All right, class. Keep your book away. Today we are learning Literature. Any collection writings specifically considered to be an art. Fiction, Drama and Poetry. Which is now (show the book) Pride and Prejudice".
He smile again. "One of my favorite books by Jane Austen and also Sense and Sensibility. Can you tell me what you understand after reading this book?" one of the students raise hand. "Yes Miss Alicia".
"Love of course".
Belle looked up as the class cheered. Gibson nods and smiles.
"Of course. Love, marriage, wealth, hasty judgment, class and heir. Where Elizabeth Bennet meditates on her own mistakes thoroughly in chapter 36".
Gibson read the chapter 36:
"How despicable I acted!" she cried; "I, who have prided myself on my discernment! I, who have valued myself for my abilities! who have often disdained the generous candor of my sister, and gratified my vanity in useless or blameable distrust...
How humiliating is this discovery! yet, how just a humiliation! Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind. But vanity, not love, has been my folly...
Pleased with the preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepositions and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till this moment I never knew myself".
Gibson look up from the book. "Well of course through their interactions and their critiques of each other, Darcy and Elizabeth come to recognise their faults and work to correct them". his eyes on Belle. Another student raise hand. "Yes Mr. Blake?"
"Darcy's and Lady Catherine come from a wealthy family. They lived in such luxury. If you watch the movie, look at Darcy's house in Pemberley. Damn! That's huge. Compared to the Bennet's who live in a barn".
Gibson nods. Blake spoke back. "Of course Lady Catherine is looking for an upper-class family for Darcy's wife. She thinks the Bennet's are scoundrel".
"Yes. Which is I.. want all of you considering this is your homework (students grunt) I know. I know. I want you to understand the expression of what you feel and understand about this book. But before you start, please understand the assignment. The plot, what this book is about, relationships and so on. I will look forward to Monday at my table".
Noon past. After school Belle and Emma went shopping. Belle bought herself clothes and shoes. Not much.. just for her.
She walks to the counter, she gives the cashier the credit card. "I am sorry to say this Miss. Your card is declined, do you have another card that you can use".
"That was the only card I had. My salary was inside it too. How is that possible!"
"Maybe the card is scratched or screwed. Sometimes it happens when you pull it out roughly from the wallet".
"No kidding! yesterday I went to the ATM and it's fine".
The cashier smiled. "In that case you should go to the bank asking for your replacement card or something. Probably your card is frozen".
"Nah I pay for you Belle. It's alright. We're going to the bank after this". Emma gives her card to the cashier.
"Thank you for shopping with us". the cashier smiled.
Belle still can't believe what just happened earlier. How that is possible, yesterday it went well and now this. So it's true then. What Gibson said to her last night was real, he wasn't trying to scare her but he was ruining her life.
She texts Coco about this, turns out.. Gibson ruined Coco's life too. He controls everything. The money, their life. Belle afraid to go outside, could be someone waiting to kill her. "Belle!" She looked up at Emma. "You all right?"
"I'm fine". She lied.
"Is there something you want to tell me that you have been keeping? Secret? Belle. We promise there is no secret between us".
"It wasn't Emma. Soon you know but for now I can't". They take a taxi straight to the bank.
Gibson was on the phone with someone, smirking after hearing Belle and Coco try to use their credit card but declined. It wasn't just that, there was more until Belle begged him.
"What do you mean my account suddenly froze!" Belle shouted. "I went to the ATM yesterday to withdraw my money and today I cannot use my own card for an unreasonable thing".
Emma sighs, said. "Is there anything to unfroze this matter?" ask Emma to the bank employee. "My sister needs the money. You can't freeze her bank account without issues, black and white form. Whatever! We may be teenagers but we have a right to issues".
"Look". said the bank employee. "There is nothing I can do with your account even if you went to see our manager about this still we cannot help".
"Was that the bullshit reason I ever heard!?" Emma calms Belle down, she drags Belle out from the building with thank you. "I am not finished with her! how could she do this to me!"
"Belle? I want to know what is going on. You have to tell me right now this instant so then I could help you!" There was silence, Emma spoke back. "Was this Gibson doing?"
Belle shakes her head no, she knows Belle was lying to her.
"I know you're lying but if you want your money back, convince him. I don't know how but you must, he is trying to play a game with you. So you play with his game, we play his games that he wants. Go to him, there only chance".
Emma smiled, touched Belle's back body.
"I will never let him hurt you. I am always with you Belle. I've got plans. And I know you will love to hear it whenever you like it or not". Belle and Emma smile.
Moments later. Someone knocked at the door. Gibson opens the door, he sees Belle standing right in front of his door. Belle looked up at him. "You were right and I was wrong Mr. Gibson (she wanted to throw up) I'm sorry".
Smirking. Gibson laid his hand on her cheek, she didn't shove his hand away.
"I've told you it will not be a problem if you listen to me". Belle was shocked as Gibson kissed her forehead and smiled as his eyes met hers. "For now on Belle. If you want to live just do what I say, never hurt my feelings nor ever run away from me. Is that clear?"
Belle bite her lips. Her lips stuttered as she spoke. "Can I have what is mine Mr. Gibson?"
"Of course my love. I am giving back what is yours". Gibson leaned to kiss Belle's lips. That was Belle's first kiss, she was saving for the right man. And Gibson was not included in her list, he stole her kiss that she hated.
The diners. Late evening. Belle and Coco were talking about what happened today, including that she had sacrificed herself for Gibson through the planning she and Emma had. Coco was delighted but somehow she was worried about Belle's safety. Belle shouldn't have done this, she is too young to be...
"Obviously this is insane Belle! Look, all we had to do is report him to the police that he is the threat".
Belle rolled her eyes up. "Coco, look what he did to us today. Hacking the system, froze our account and I don't know what he will do to us. We are too beautiful to die young Coco and I am sixteen. I need to lived".
"So you rather sacrifice yourself to that maniac. You are just sixteen and you don't know what you are doing".
Frank pushed the call service, he said. "Will you two girls stop talking, there a customer. Take their order. We are busy right now. And the order's up!" Belle and Emma resume their work. Belle rushed to take the customer's order. Obviously she loves her job, she loves working at the diner.
"Mac and Cheese with cheeseburger!" Belle passes the order to Frank. She walked to another table. "What can I get you sir?"
"Your meal". Coco laid the plate on the table.
Minute moment. Belle and Emma standing side to side. Belle eyes on the table no. 2 . Her high school friends are here. Belle bite her lips. "Oh terrific".
"You want me to take it?"
"My section. I've got it". Belle walked to the table no. 2, she smiles while greeting them. "Hey guys. What's up?"
They look up at Belle. "I didn't know this place was so crowded. In that case urmm.. how about I start with mozzarella sticks". After Belle took out the order Belle noticed Gibson was inside his car staring out of her. His eyes never left. Belle shakes her head, ignoring him.
Later that. Belle took a short break, arm crossed on her chest, her back leaned on the wall. She totally forgot that Gibson was still there outside the diner watching her. She looked up at the time exactly ten at night, he didn't move.
Coco takes the order at her section then walks to Belle. She passes the order to Frank. "I notice someone is here". her eyes to Belle. "It was him wasn't it? gosh he so f*cked up".
"What can be more horrific?"
Coco sighs, she too leaned on the wall. "Relax. Just two more days". Belle turns to Coco. "Just two more days".
"What happens after two more days? Are you quitting!"
"My naive Belle. Didn't you know (Belle shake head) that we are going for a trip. L.A that I'm talking about now. This monday".
Belle blink, said. "Monday? I had to send my homework to him. This is so sudden but I am happy we are going. Just two of us?"
"All of us. Jonah says we need to lay off a bit. He took care of everything for our trip but he wasn't going with us. He says that he sort of has a family business. Whole weeks".
"Whole week? even us". Coco nod yes. "Terrific. Which means I don't have to see him for whole weeks. Interesting planning".
Belle snickering, she really wants to jump for fun right now but afraid Gibson will see it. Coco nodded. "Damn that man! He was born for the devil itself. Just look at him right now (Belle eyes to Gibson) I really want to crawl out his eyes and squeeze his eyeball".
"You're lucky. I am the one who stuck with him". There is silence. Belle spoke back. "I don't know when it will stop. And will he know where we are going?"
Coco looks up at Belle. "You don't have to do this Belle. This is crazy, I am worried about your safety".
"You don't have to Coco. I could handle him by myself".
Later that. The diner closed for good. Belle thought Gibson wasn't there anymore and returned home. But her thought was wrong, Gibson was still there waiting for her. She was about to open the door car as usually Coco was sending her home, Gibson approached the girls with a smile, he said.
"From now on (he talks to Coco) you don't have to send Belle home. I will take her home". Belle and Coco stare at each other. "Come on, my love. It's past midnight already, tomorrow is your school day. We'll discuss it on the way home".
Gibson closed the door car where Belle had it open. Coco sighs. "You were right (she played along) go on Belle. I'll see you tomorrow".
"Goodnight Coco".
Belle walks to Gibson's car followed by him behind her. Coco watches them as Gibson drives his car and disappears around the corner.
She sighs again. "What have you done Belle".