Chapter 29: STORY 12

Gabriel Michel was spending time in jail for tax avoidance when I got matched with him. 29 to my 24 years, all that I am familiar with him comes from letters and messages, and ultimately calls done in sixteen-minute additions. I've never seen a picture of him, had refused to do a video call with him and never sent him an picture of myself. Somehow or another, I feel like I know him personally, enduring Nine months getting to know him through letters prior to consenting to finally talk with him on the telephone at last. In any case, in alternate ways, he's a complete outsider to me. Undoubtedly, I never expected to meet him. But then, here I am going to walk right into his nest.

The nervousness I feel as I approach the huge wooden entryways before me begins where it counts in my stomach and shouts its direction up through to my brain. This is a horrible idea. I would've turned around multiple times as of now if I thought briefly the gatekeepers at the front gate would let me back through. Be that as it may, I naturally know going forward is only way out of here.

One of the entryways opens before I get the opportunity to knock, and a man well over 6' stand before me. He has massive shoulders, a trim abdomen, dark hair, and tan complexion. He has the lightest grey eyes I've ever seen, excellent yet cold as they evaluate me. Also, some way or another I realize this is Gabriel without being told. A chill runs down my spine and I need to turn and run, to put as much distance among me and this man who emits controlled danger as I can. I need to move far away and never look back.

"Lillian," he says, his voice the low. The imposing timber I've gotten comfortable with throughout recent months creeps me out.

It's too much. My legs freeze and I quit walking. Going any further would be beyond dumb, but I can't step back either. However much I've conversed with this man over letters and calls, nothing has prepared me for the dark predator stands before me. Nothing's prepared me for his etched great looks or the intense scrutiny of his gaze. Furthermore, in the seconds I stand there, locked before him like some sort of powerless deer, I've turned into his prey, and I know it.

"I, umm..." I squeak out on a defenseless murmur.

"Come, pet," he expresses, reaching for me. His enormous hand dwarfs mine, while his other hand comes up to stroke my cheek. At last I unfreeze, attempting to make a stride back, out of his space, yet all the same it's past the point of no return. He holds me tightly in his grasp and the tightness of his hand as it folds over mine lets me know I'm not going anywhere. I'm his however long he want it so.

We enter a huge hall, done in floor to roof marble. Two more gatekeeper prepare for action on one or the other side of the entryway, and I nibble my lower lip in dread and confusion. Nothing about this man feels safe, but the men selected for our church's pen pal friend had been screened! Minister John met with each and every single candidate and assisted pair them with us. He should be safe! A first offender with no violent background and nothing to show he was anything except some person who got discovered making an effort to evade paying taxes. But I realize that I'm in more difficult situation than ever, that I've stepped into Satan's den without even a protest. In attempting to be bold, I have offered myself up like the sheep to the lion.

With a gesture to the gatekeeper, the front entryways close and lock behind us. Gabriel leads me down a hall way, his hold firm yet delicate. "We have so much to talk about," he says, his voice calm such that I believe is intended to relieve me however which inclines up the dread fear radiating inside my chest. He's conversing with me like I'm a wild animal he needs to tame.

What was I thinking coming here? Why have I been so dumb, meeting him at his home rather than a public spot interestingly? A year of correspondence lulled me into having a real sense of security, feeling great. My entire life has been lived with caution, never following the hazardous way, never getting out of my usual range of familiarity... but the one time I take a leap of faith it leads me here, with a man who has men positioned throughout his property, and who easily trapped me in his den. So dumb!

To be continued…..