Page 7 of Tainted Empire

Chapter 5

Gabriette

A week into my self-imposed exile at the safe house, I find myself slumped on the couch, mindlessly flicking through TV channels. The images blur together, a meaningless noise that mirrors the chaos inside me.

I’m still in my pajamas, my hair a tangled mess. I can’t remember the last time I felt like myself. I’ve been drifting through the rooms, a ghost in my own life, unable to shake off the pall of that dreadful night.

It’s on one of these aimless mornings that Lee finds me in the living room, staring blankly at the wall. She takes one look at me and shakes her head, a mix of concern and exasperation in her eyes. There’s a no-nonsense air about her that has always commanded respect, even in my current state.

“Gabriette, this moping around isn’t going to help,” she begins, her voice firm but not unkind.

“What do you expect me to do, Lee? Just carry on like everything’s fine?” My voice is a hoarse whisper, strained from disuse. I look at her, my eyes probably reflecting the chaos and hurt I feel inside.

She sits down beside me, her posture relaxed but her eyes piercing. “No, I don’t expect you to pretend everything’s okay. But I do expect you to not give up on yourself.”

I want to argue, to tell her that I don’t see the point, but the earnest concern in her eyes stops me. Lee has always been the embodiment of tough love, but beneath that exterior, I know she cares deeply.

“You’ve been through hell, I won’t deny that,” Lee continues, her tone softening. “But you’re stronger than you think, Gabi. And wallowing in here isn’t going to change what happened or help you heal.”

Her words, meant to inspire, feel like a heavy mantle on my shoulders. Being strong is exhausting, and right now, I feel anything but strong. I know she’s right, but knowing and feeling are two different things. The betrayal, the fear, the uncertainty - it all lingers like a dark cloud over me.

Lee seems to sense my hesitation, my internal struggle. “Look, I’m not asking you to move mountains,” she says, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Just... start with something small. Get out of this place for a day. Go to a spa, get your nails done. Remember what it feels like to take care of yourself.”

The idea seems almost laughable given everything that’s happened, but as I glance at Lee, I see only genuine concern in her eyes.

“A spa day?” I echo, disbelief tingling my voice.

“Yes,” she insists, her hand giving my knee a reassuring squeeze. “And I’ll ask Natalya to join you. It’ll be good for you to spend time with someone else, too.”

The thought of spending a day getting pampered, away from the confines of the safe house, is strangely appealing. And seeing Natalya, someone who’s been a constant in my life, might be just what I need to feel a semblance of normalcy.

“Okay,” I find myself saying, the word feeling foreign on my lips. “Okay, let’s do that.”

Lee smiles, her face lighting up. “Great. I’ll make the arrangements. Trust me, Gabriette, this will be good for you.”

As she leaves the room to make the calls, I sit there, a flicker of something like hope stirring in my chest. It’s not a solution, not a fix to everything that’s broken, but it’s a start. A step towards healing, towards reclaiming a piece of myself that I thought was lost in the chaos of the past week.

And maybe that’s enough to start finding my way back to myself.

The day of the spa visit arrives, and I can’t deny the flutter of nervous anticipation that dances in my stomach. It’s a strange sensation, one that I haven’t felt in a while. Stepping out of the safe confines of the safe house and into the world feels like a big step, a venture into the unknown after what feels like an eternity.

As Lee’s car pulls up to the spa, I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. The spa is a serene oasis, its exterior exuding a calm elegance.

The sound of gentle, flowing water greets me as I step out of the car, and I can’t help but feel a small sense of relief. Maybe this was a good idea after all.

I enter the spa, my heart pounding in my chest. The interior is tranquil and soothing, with soft, ambient music playing in the background and the subtle scent of lavender and jasmine in the air.

The environment is designed to relax, to soothe, and I find myself slowly unwinding, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly.

That’s when I saw her - Natalya. She’s waiting for me, her face brightening into a smile as our eyes meet. It’s a familiar face, a reminder of simpler times, and the sight of her is like a balm to my weary soul.

“Gabi!” Natalya exclaims, her voice filled with warmth and genuine happiness. She rushes over and envelops me in a tight, comforting hug.

I’m taken aback by the rush of emotions that her embrace brings. Tears prick at the back of my eyes, but I fight them back, not wanting to break down here. Her presence is a stark reminder of what normalcy feels like, and for a moment, I allow myself to bask in the warmth of her friendship.

She pulls back, her hands resting on my shoulders as she looks at me, her eyes filled with unspoken concern. She doesn’t ask about the events of that night, nor does she probe into how I’ve been coping. Instead, she offers me a bright, reassuring smile.

“I’m so glad you could come,” she says, her enthusiasm infectious. “We’re going to have a great day, just you wait and see!”

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