Page 6 of Fragile

It was stunning. Like the rest of the apartment, it was decorated in neutral colours, with a large bed, dressing table and wardrobes down one wall. As I walked around the space, I went towards the large windows, my eyes feasting on a stunning view of the city.

“Well? What do you think?” Gabriel said from behind me. I hadn’t realised he’d joined me in the room and I suddenly felt nervous as I glanced at the bed over his shoulder.

“It’s amazing, lovely. But I imagine I won’t be able to afford it. I didn’t realise it would be so big, or have those views.” I said with a flick of my head towards the large windows that ran the length of one wall.

“Have you discussed rent with Asher?” Gabriel questioned, dashing a hand through his hair. The movement suggested he was uncomfortable discussing money with me.

“No, not really, but I must be out of the apartment I’m in now by the end of the week. Otherwise, I will have to sign for another six months.” That fact sat heavy in my gut.

“What are you paying?” He just fired the question at me but I wasn’t shocked by his direct approach. He was going to be a lawyer and that’s what they excelled in—getting to the point.

I told him and he looked surprised. “And this flat is in London?” His tone suggested he thought the price was low for London rents and he was right. But now I knew the reason my landlord had only charged me half of what he did the other tenants and it had nothing to do with him being nice. The total opposite, unfortunately. He expected me to work for the other half off on my back and once he realised that wasn’t going to happen. Things went pear-shaped.

“Where is it?”

“Wood Green.”

He suddenly changed the subject. “I’ll give you a minute alone in here and then we can talk money. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

I watched him as he walked out, closing the door softly behind him. Did that mean he would offer me the room?

I spent a good ten minutes in there and took some pictures with my phone. Excitement at the thought of living in such an amazing space thrummed through me. It was so clean and fresh, with plenty of room for me to practice without stumping my toe on something. It was also free of Simon Davids, my current lowlife landlord and his wandering hands.

After one last look, I left the room and went back in the direction of the kitchen. Gabriel was in the process of removing two glasses from the drainer. Leaning against the counter, I watched as he withdrew the cork from a half-opened bottle of wine and poured the liquid into both glasses. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted a drink. He just made that decision for me. I imagined that is exactly what he’d be like in a relationship. He would have to call all the shots. He had ‘alpha male’ stamped all over him. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that as I wasn’t the most assertive person. If I lived there, would I allow this man to walk all over me; probably. But with that came the feeling of being safe; or at least safer than I was now.

I took the glass with a soft thank you and we faced each other across the space. Gabriel leaning against the counter opposite.

“We could let you have the room on a trial basis for three months and we’ll charge you the same as your current rate. See how it goes. By then some of the other apartments may be ready and you could move into one of those. But we’d have to up the rent of course. As you said, when you get back on your feet.” Wow. He made up his mind fast. I suspiciously wondered why.

As the words left his lips, I had to replay them in my head. Was he serious? And if he was, what were the strings? After coming to London from the sweet little village I grew up in with my foster parents, I knew strings came with most arrangements in the big city.

I took a sip of wine. It tasted expensive. Gabriel did the same and watched me over the rim of his glass. He was so good-looking, his tanned skin crafted by the Gods purposefully to stir those female hormones. He had black hair and light brown eyes; almost hazel I would say and they glowed a mixture of amber and green under the lights.

“What’s the catch?” I said, attempting not to sound ungrateful.

“There isn’t one. Not really. Just the usual rules. Respect the place; pull your weight. Tidy up your shit, don’t eat other people’s food, that type of crap. Oh, and don’t hog the main bathroom. The rest is common sense.”

“And that’s it?” I questioned with wide eyes as he savoured his wine. I ran my gaze over his lips as they touched the glass, wondering what they’d feel like against my own. Shit, no! Back off lustful thoughts. I had my future career to think about and boys were not a factor in that.

“Oh, and just a couple of other things,” Gabriel whispered, his eyes hooded as he placed his glass on the counter.

I raised my chin, here it comes.

“Respect our privacy. I don’t tolerate people who gossip about my family.”

“OK—and?” I had a feeling there was something else coming.

“I’m in charge, and so you’ll have to toe the line whilst living here.”

My heart was thudding in my chest. I wanted to do cartwheels of joy around the room.

I knew from Ash that his brother was a major control freak. He’d probably been controlling Ash’s life for years, but could I let this man who was a stranger dictate to me?

I took another sip of wine before I placed the glass gently on the counter.

My mind flipped back to his charity case comment which had stung, pushing my tongue into gear I said. “How about I clean the apartment each week? As an extra thank you for the low rent?”

“If it makes you feel better, why not, but I warn you, Asher isn’t the tidiest of people,” he explained with a grimace. I didn’t care, I cleaned my apartment. Yes, this was bigger but it would make me feel less of a sponging so-and-so.

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