Gabriella placed the dress and the chain on the bed as gently as she could. She couldn't keep this, not when it would only bring up reminders of a life she wasn't part of, a family who would approve of her and him. She brushed her hair out of her face, she was wearing a pair of jeans and a wore T-shirt with a hole on the shoulder. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror she let out a sigh and reached for her coat. She was bundled up as best as she could be for the Chicago winter, Gabriella frowned as she saw snow layering itself on the window pane. It was almost three in the morning, she was sure he was asleep by now. Picking up her trash bags, she began to make her way down the stairs. After one last look she opened the door and walked through it. Once she was outside she climbed into the back car waiting for her in the drive.
"Took you long enough," Victoria said as she leaned back in the seat. "I was wondering when you were going to come home."
"I don't have a home, I got evicted." Gabriella adjusted her bags.
"Georgia, it breaks my heart when you just assume I'm going to leave you out on the streets." Victoria said placing a hand on Gabriella knee. "We can work something out add it onto that contract of yours."
Gabriella took a deep breath. "Here is the payment for the gig, I want to put it all towards the money I owe you." Gabriella said handing her then envelope.
"A couple of hundreds isn't going to get you any closer to your end date." Victoria grinned as she opened the envelope and began to count.
"He paid me four grand." Gabriella said adjusting her gloves.
"Over charging now I see," Victoria was quite for a moment and then she closed the envelope and looked back at the house. "Does know you've gone?"
"No, I slipped out." Gabriella removed her gloves.
"Then get back in there,"
Gabriella froze and looked up at Victoria. "The job is done,"
"No it's done when I say it's done. Now you listen to me, if you want out of the contract you're going to have pay for it." Victoria said placing the envelope in her purse. "You're one of my best, loosing you would be a big affect on my business."
"Victoria I'm going to pay you back I swear." Gabriella turned to face her.
"Yes you will by going back in that house and getting me more money." Victoria opened the door. "Maybe should use that street rat charm of yours to get him to marry you without a prenuptial arrangement."
"He won't do that,"
"Then get a joint bank account and empty it." Victoria said in frustration. "I will extend your contract to fit the current project and increase the bill for the inconveniences you're costing me."
"That's not fair," Gabriella felt her lips quiver. "I can get you the five grand on my current contract."
"Why should I settle for five grand when you're in a situation to give me ten?" Victoria grabbed Gabriella face. "I want 15 grand, Even if I have to sell you myself to highest bidder, it's time you learn some god damn manners and rule about the business. I've taken care of you for the last four years, I've put up with you, and I've made sure you had what it takes to be a success, time to repay the favor. If you want out of my club I can find somewhere else to put you."
Gabriella pulled herself out of her grasp and felt a tear rolling down her cheek. "Fine." Gabriella grabbed the door handle and pushed the door open grabbing her trash bags she slammed the car door shut. The window rolled down and Victoria smiled. "I will be watching, don't make me have to get rid of you the old fashion way."The engine started and the car pulled away leaving Gabriella in cold in front of her newest cage.
Troy woke up the next morning and put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, something causal for a Sunday. Coming down the stairs he whistled a tune and came to an instant stop when he heard someone in the kitchen. Walking into the kitchen he stopped instantly for the site of her standing on her tiptoes to reach a glass in the cabinet. She was wearing only an oversized t-shirt, her hair was in waves and ringlets going down her back. Troy eyes wondered down her body to the luscious view of her bottom where a hint of her cheeks peeked out from under the shirt.
"Hey you," Gabriella said as she turned around and smiled at him.
"Hey there yourself," Troy looked at his watch and it was almost ten. "Thought you'd be gone by now,"
"Thought you paid to have me till Monday morning?" Gabriella said walking over to the fridge to get out the orange juice. "Besides I still have nowhere to stay just yet, you wouldn't toss a girl out in the snow on a Sunday would you?" Gabriella flipped her hair and walked over to him offering him the glass of orange juice.
Around her neck was necklace he got her. Troy smiled, "If you need a place to stay why not just ask me?"
Gabriella smiled as guilt settled in her stomach, she knew of five shelters that would take her in for the night. She could end this all right now, say good bye leave him with a smile and handle the consequences. Gabriella watched as he sipped from the glass, she wanted her freedom; she needed it two weeks ago this would have been the perfect solution. Two weeks ago she didn't care about anyone but herself. Gabriella shrugged her shoulder. "I swear you won't even know I'm here."
Troy let out a laugh and walked over to the stove. "I don't think that's possible."
Gabriella let a small grin come to her lips. "Little old me distract big old you," Gabriella leaned on the table and watched as he opened the bread. "I find that hard to believe,"
"Your right I got some work to do in my office," Troy placed the bread in the toaster. "Do you eat toast?"
Gabriella nodded, "I love Toast, are you really going to work all day on a Sunday?" Gabriella said frowning a little.
"I don't see why not, I mean sometimes I get my best work done on Sundays." Troy reached in the cabinet for a plate.
"I always hated Sundays," Gabriella looked down at the counter top. "Sundays are the days everyone spends with their family, for us girls on our own, it's the one day that no matter what you do you really are alone."
Troy placed both his hands on the counter. "Alright then what do you suppose we do?"
Gabriella smiled and bit her lips. Looking around the kitchen she tilted her head. "How come you don't have any Christmas stuff up?" she said looking back at him.
Troy looked around, "I don't have the drive for Christmas stuff," Troy walked over to the fridge for the butter. "I don't have the time."
"Don't have or won't make the time," Gabriella turned towards him, "I mean here we are on a Sunday, nothing to do…"
Troy shut the fridge door, walking over to the counter he let out a sigh, "Okay, we'll go,"
Gabriella smiled, "Yes perfect!" Gabriella walked around the counter and placed her hands on his chest. "I'll go put some pants on, and I'll be down in a bit."
"Alright,"
Troy watched as Gabriella walked out of the room his eyes glancing down at her rear end as he heard the toaster pop.
Gabriella closed the door to his room and began riffling around quickly. She had to find something, something of value, something of with a bank account number. Her jeans were waiting in her room with shoes the great thing about her job was she could change fast and be ready in an instant giving her at least a few moments of searching time. Deciding she couldn't find anything in his bedroom she left the room and slowly shut the door behind her.
Grabbing her coat she began walking down the stairs to find Troy on the phone, "Yes Chad, I know and I understand but what do you want me to do,"
"I'm ready," Gabriella walked over and smiled as she reached her hands into his coat and around his body from the inside. Troy looked down at her and offered a small smile. "Taylor is a nice girl; I'm sure you're both adults who know what a drunken hook up is."
Gabriella chuckled and pulled away placing his wallet in her side pocket quickly. Troy hung up the phone and smiled. "Are you alright Gabriella?"
There was her name again, the real one right on his lips. "Yeah, I mean can't a girl just be thankful when I guy gives her a bed for night," Gabriella followed Troy as he led the way. As he locked the door Gabriella shifted the money into her pocket and then placed the empty wallet up her sleeve so she could put it back.
Troy walked over to the door and opened her car door. Gabriella smiled and got in quickly slipping his wallet on the seat next to him. When he got into the car he didn't even notice the wallet, he sat down and smiled as turned on the car. "So where too?"
"Where can we get a tree?"
Gabriella wondered the tree lot alongside Troy as they pointed at trees and made fun of the different shapes and sizes.
"Oh my god this one reminds me of this lady who use to watch me on Sundays." Gabriella stood next to the tree and puffed up her cheeks. "She always looked bloated."
"Maybe she would retain water easily?" Troy said smiling as she held her hands out in front of her to indicate imaginary weight.
"She looked like she could be Noah's arch," Gabriella said standing up straight. "Oh wow look at this one." Gabriella jumped over one tree to get to another and Troy held out his hands with a chuckle.
"Be careful, I don't want to pick pine needles of your hair later."
"Please, I grew up with a cat like skill?"
"What's that a rough tongue?" he said with an arched eyebrow.
Gabriella tossed her head back in a laugh. "Funny, but no," she said pointing at him as she stood next to the tree. "I'm quick on my feet," Gabriella said posing by the tree.
"Why that one?" Troy said looking at the tree and wincing at the empty holes it had on the left side.
"It's my size, and I want to be able to put the star on top." Gabriella said placing her hand on the top of the tree.
"I'll get you ladder," Troy placed his hands in his pocket. "Let get a good one."
"So the Charlie brown look is out?" Gabriella said pointing at the tree.
"I think it's over done," he said walking away.
"So, what kind of tree are you looking for here, because in all honesty." Gabriella threw her hands up and looked around. "They all look the same, brown stumps, green leafs? Not really going for diversity," she said shaking her head.
"We'll know it when we see it," Troy took her hand and pulled her out of the tree piles.
"Well can you tell me when we're going to see it, I'm cold." Gabriella wrapped her arms around herself and looked around the lot. A man in the corner was watching them, his dress completely out of place for a Christmas tree lot.
"Are you always impatient?"
"No just when there snow on the ground." Gabriella followed him as he walked on.
"Then you chose a really bad place to live." Troy smirked and removed his scarf to wrap around her. "There only like three months of summer here."
"And the best theaters in the world," Gabriella said as she smiled, his smell surrounded her as the scarf began to generate some heat. He was so attentive and sweet; a hole began to form in her stomach. This wasn't going to be as easy as she thought.
As she turned the corner she saw the same man staring at her from a far her blood ran cold. It had to be one of Victoria's men watching her. Gabriella caught up to Troy, "What about that one?" she said pointing at a tree. "I think it looks great? Come on let's get it and go back to the house."
Troy looked at the tree then at Gabriella, "You really want that tree?" Troy looked up and smiled. "I guess, it's big, but I guess."
Gabriella smiled and looked back at the guy as he watched them. "Yeah um… you know what? Why don't you wrap that up and I'm going to go look for one of those round things we can put on the door."
Troy chuckled. "Alright,"
Gabriella walked down the aisle of trees her hands in her coat pockets as she slowly approached the guy. "You could at least make it look like you not watching me."
The man smiled. "I don't know what you're talking about, I'm just a guy in a tree lot looking for a tree." He held up his hands and looked at a tree.
"Right and I'm Denise Richards." Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Tell Victoria I'll pay her as soon as I have the money."
"How much do you have so far?"
"I don't know yet, and I haven't exactly guaranteed a spot in the house yet."
The man placed his own hands in his pocket. "Maybe you should work harder."
"Maybe you should mind your own bees wax." Gabriella tilted her head to the side. "I'm trying to do my job and you're freaking me out." Gabriella picked up a Christmas reef and rolled her eyes. "I hate Christmas."
"I hate my job, do us all a favor do yours already." The man walked past her leaving her behind as she stood there with the reef in her hands.
"Bah hum bug." She muttered as she made her way back to Troy.
Gabriella hung picked up the sliver ornament and hung it on the tree the fire was going in the fire place and Troy was placing hooks on ornaments. "So Troy, your rich tell me what was the best Christmas you ever had."
Troy looked down as she seated herself on the floor. "Making gingerbread houses with my grandmother." He said looking at the tree as he hung the last one. "I can't remember the last time I decorated a tree."
Gabriella brought her knees up to her chest. "I don't remember the last time I actually woke up on Christmas morning to one."
"Don't you celebrate Christmas?"
"Yes, I normally pick up all the shifts no one takes at the club. Seems fair, I got no one, some of the girls…" Gabriella was quiet for a moment as she looked up at him, "Well they have families… so I don't see why they should miss out."
"So you're not just in it for the money?" Troy said with a small smile.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Bolton you have a lot to learn about girls like me," she said leaning back on the couch.
Troy smile shrank a bit as he placed his hands in his pockets. "The tree looks amazing," he said taking a step back.
"So I was wondering…" Gabriella said letting a leg drop to the side as she looked up at him. "If you won't sleep with me why did you kiss me?"
"I remember someone telling me they didn't do whys," He said pointing a finger at her and then reaching for the empty boxes and picking them up.
"So I sometimes answer a good why question but I mean come on give me a break?" Gabriella stood up as well and picked up some of the spare trash. "Why are you being such a gentlemen?"
"I was raised that way," Troy walked into the kitchen over to the trashcans to toss out the boxes. "Although I must admit, so far this has been one of my favorite Sundays."
Gabriella bit her lip in guilt; she had to get out of here. Just as she was about to excuse herself, the phone rang and Troy walked across the kitchen to answer it. "Mom?"
Gabriella placed her hands behind her back and walked around the counter slowly making her way out.
"Dinner tomorrow?" Troy looked over at Gabriella and she froze in her spot. "Of course I'll let Gabriella know about it."
Gabriella smiled, something about the way he said her name was growing on her. She couldn't help it, the way he said it made it seem as though she was just a girl. Most men never had a problem calling her Georgia, she'd heard it in many tones and ways but never had anyone ever said her name real or fake name like that.
Troy nodded and rolled his eyes bringing his hand up to make a talking to much sign. Gabriella giggled and covered her lips, but it was too late his expression shifted. "Yeah she's right here," Troy rolled his eyes and again and went to hand her the phone. "She wants to talk to you,"
"Me," Gabriella panicked. "No, tell her I'm not here," she whispered.
"Just talk to her," Troy said with a small smile.
Gabriella pouted as she took the phone from him, "Hi Mrs. Bolton," She said in a chipper voice.
"Gabriella I was wondering about that voice of yours, do you have a talent agent because Sharpay and I we're talking and she is getting ready for a musical she's directing. I just figure with times how they are you might want to come sing a litter something for her." The voice on the line sounded concerned and Gabriella guard went up like a white flag in surrender.
"There really isn't a need for that, I mean I haven't even finished school,"
"Dear your almost family, we just want to see you happy, tell you what come on over for dinner tomorrow night and show us that amazing voice my son fell in love with and we'll see what happens."
Gabriella looked at Troy with a stunned and helpless expression. Pulling away she looked at him, "She's asking me about dinner?"
"I'll pay you," he whispered.
"Is there anything you want us to bring?" Gabriella said over the phone.
"Just your bright big smile."
Gabriella chuckled and nodded her head. "We'll be there, wait what time will we be there?"
"7 Dear,"
"Alright we'll see you there Mrs. Bolton."
"Call me Lucile."
"Alright Lucile," Gabriella said with a fake happy voice.
Once she hung up Troy looked at her and held his hands up, "Alright what about this, I'll pay flat out on top of the four grand an extra 7 grand, it'll be enough to pay for a new apartment get out the club and finish school."
Gabriella looked at him and placed the phone down on the table. "Troy I'm not too sure about this I mean just for a small family dinner?" Gabriella took a step back. What was she doing? This was almost too easy, he was almost too gullible. Gabriella felt her insides twist and her stomach began to hurt.
"Stay with me until after new year's," he said placing his hands out in front of him.
"What?" Gabriella eyes opened wide and she took a deep breath.
"I'll pay 8 grand."
Gabriella looked away from his blue eyes. This was what she wanted, not for the reasons she wanted but what she wanted. Gabriella looked back up at him, "10 grand." She wanted her freedom; she wanted the right to do as she wanted, when she wanted, with whom she wanted and not to be told who and when for how much. Gabriella heart pinched. Maybe one day she could be with someone like him, be a part of someone's life like he wanted her to be in his. Problem was with him there was a price tag, guilt and the nagging suspicion and Victoria wouldn't stop here if she could get the money this easily.
"Done." His voice shocked her and brought her out of the chain of thoughts pulling together in her head. "14 grand." He said with a smile. "You should be able to pick up your life and start over."
Gabriella frowned, she was still 5 grand away from that possibility and even when she got it she'd be starting from bottom. This was more proof, she had to get out of there, she couldn't let Troy know and there would never be anyway he could trust her.
Troy smiled and leaned in to give her a small kiss on her cheek. "I'm really glad you're staying,"
Gabriella grin was small as she looked back at him, his blue eyes looking into her brown ones. She couldn't fall for him, she couldn't sleep with him, and for the first time in her life she couldn't trust herself not to. "I would have stayed for nothing." She whispered actually meaning it.
"I would have given you my life saving." He said taking a step forward Gabriella took one back and hit the counter top against her the small of her back. His hands rested on either side of her and her eyes fluttered. Her body was betraying her; it was fighting against every thought in her head that told her to run. It was telling her to take the consequence, because she didn't think she had it in her to break his heart.
"You really think you're going to be able to let me go come January?" she asked in a small whisper.
Troy's smile made her knees weak, made her rely on the counter for balance and an upright position. "This is business, a Transaction? I believe that's what you called it, but I believe you're free to go whenever you please," He said leaning in.
Her eyes shut and his lips came down on hers his hands remained at her sides pressed against the counter top, he didn't even bring his body closer, just his lips. Gabriella never felt so much from just someone's lips against her own. Before she even knew it her body reacted in a way she never expected and before she could act he pulled away.
"I'm going to make a few calls to confirm an appointment tomorrow." He said with a smoky haze in his eyes.
"Alright," she said with a slow nod of her head she watched as he left the room and her shoulders fell into a slump and her lips pouted. "Oh fuck me," she mumbled annoyingly.