The Uninvited Guest

"Ah… finally, there you are, my baby. I've finally found you again."

"Gabriel…."

Grace was too stunned to speak. 

The man, in front of her…. Was Gabriel. Gabriel Lucius Ambrose. How could he be here? What made him arrive at her door? 

Gabriel himself smiled sweetly at Grace. Her jaw dropped, too shocked by his sudden appearance. He stretched out his hand to touch Grace's chin. A rustle sound caught his ear. He took a glance at Arthur who sat silently behind Grace's back.

"And look, who's there? Is that my baby too?" 

The jet black hair resembled him so much. Gabriel didn't know why he took a quick conclusion that the young boy behind Grace was his son. Maybe because they did it without any protection a few years ago? 

When Gabriel wanted to take a step inside, Grace stretched out her hands. 

"No! No, You can not go in."

"Move, Grace. I want to see him," said Gabriel firmly.

If the boy was his son, he would never forgive her because she hid his son!

'He is not! He is my son!"

"And mine too."

"No! Not yours! Never!"

"But... move, Grace."

Gabriel deliberately pushed Grace aside harder so he could see the boy. But when the little man looked up, there was a pang in his heart. Black eye… Grace had green eyes and he had blue. There was a big disappointment but he quickly covered it with a smirk.

"Hello, young man," Gabriel greeted Arthur with a stretched hand to do a handshake.

"Hello, sir," Arthur greeted him back and accepted the handshake. The boy glanced at his mother who looked uncomfortable.

"What's your name, boy?"

"My name is Arthur, sir," answered Arthur politely.

"Gabriel, please leave."

"Arthur, eh? Hello, Arthur. My name is Gabriel."

Gabriel took a look at Arthur closely. This boy… How could he appear? Did Grace marry someone without him knowing? Or did she end up doing another one night stand with a stranger again and got herself pregnant?

Gabriel turned his head to look at Grace.

"Where is his father?" Gabriel asked Grace,

"Not your business. Now get out of my house."

Arthur looked at her mother confused. He never saw his mother raise her voice at someone. She always talked politely even to the people who were younger than her. 

"Arthur, can you go to the bedroom? I need to talk to this stranger."

Arthur nodded. He left his puzzle and ran quickly to his room. Before he took the stairs, he glanced back at the strange man that suddenly appeared at his house.

"See you again, Arthur," said Gabriel, waving his hand toward the little man.

He bowed his head and left. Leaving Grace and Gabriel alone.

"Who is the father? Who is this fucking bastard's name?" asked Gabriel.

"He is dead."

"Don't joke with me, Grace. Don't hide him from me."

"I told you! He is in the army and died in another country!" Grace tried so hard to stick with her lies.

Gabriel took a big step and stopped right in front of her heels. The man slowly touched Grace's face. Rubbed her cheeks several times with his thumbs.

"Perfect. If not, I will make him lay six feet under ground by myself."

His index fingers touched the side of the eyeglasses and in a swift movement, Gabriel took her eyeglasses.

"Gabriel! Give it back!"

Gabriel was taller and had longer arms, so when he extended his hand, Grace couldn't reach the eyeglasses. She jumped and jumped but all her attempts were futile. Gabriel busied himself with Grace's glasses.

"You have bad eyesight, don't you?"

"Please, Gabriel. Leave me alone. Leave this house, please…." Grace started to beg.

The man put down the eyeglasses on Grace's small face. 

"What do you want, Gabriel? Tell me and leave."

Gabriel laughed at Grace. She tried so hard to look intimidating. She even scrunched her nose. The cutest, he thought. Gabriel left Grace alone and sat on the sofa. He took a look at how small Grace's house was. Even though it was small, everything was tidy. And the small living room gave him a warm feeling.

"Sit, Grace. Let's talk like adults."

Grace closed her eyes. She needed to calm down. She adjusted the position of her eyeglasses and took a seat in front of Gabriel. With the table separating them, it's enough to prevent Gabriel reaching her again.

"What is it?" asked Grace without any chit-chats.

Gabriel folded his arms.

"Let's get married."

"...."

"I'm not asking. You will marry me."

Grace rubbed her face. She thought she just heard the most unfunny jokes ever. Grace stroked her ears to make sure she won't hear something absurd again next time.

"You said you wanna talk like an adult. Then don't joke with me."

"You think I'm joking, huh? No, I'm serious. You will marry me."

The look on Gabriel's face showed no trace of joking. His blue eyes looked at her menacingly. Grace would see a tingle of anger behind the cold of his eyes. Like a bubble of emotions but Grace didn't know what she did wrong. All she did was living a normal life. She already promised herself not to get involved with the Ambrose family again.

Either it's Agnes or Gabriel… She just wanted to keep her distance. She had Arthur now. All her priority was Arthur. She didn't want to trade her happiness back to her old days. 

She got a job, a house, and a good son. She was already living her dream life. 

"I'm sorry, Gabriel. I don't know why you suddenly ask something weird like that. But, I have a son now, and I am already happy living with my son. Please, I need you to understand."

"Did I ask for your opinion? When I said you will marry me, You will marry me," Gabriel answered without backing off.