They both walked side by side to the garage. Blayne opened a side door and stepped in. Gabriella's mouth dropped open at the row of cars lined up in front of her. They passed a black Rolls Royce, a red Jaguar XK8 Convertible and a powder blue Porsche. Blayne then stopped in front of a car Gabriella was not sure she recognized.
"This one is mine. I keep it here." She opened the passenger door and Gabriella sat down. She looked around and admired the lacquered wood and the softness of the kid leather. The dashboard was filled with different types of clocks and buttons…she was sure that the car could fly. The vehicle exuded strength and power. And she inwardly told herself that it suited its owner.
Blayne got in on the driver's seat and smiled towards her. "You like it?"
"It's an amazing looking car. What is it exactly?"
"It's a Bentley Arnage T. Their most powerful car in its history," she said excitedly.
"I can see you really like it. Somehow I never thought you were the sports car type."
Blayne turned to her with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"
"This car…it looks …maybe it is you. It's conservative on the outside then it surprises you with the unexpected on the inside."
Blayne smiled. "I'm the unexpected, huh?"
"I've never known anyone like you, Blayne," Gabriella said sarcastically.
"If I analyze that I think it might be a compliment." Blayne then turned the key and as the engine roared into life the garage doors automatically opened.
They had been on the road for a few minutes when Gabriella noticed the seriousness of Blayne's face. The woman in front of her was obviously in deep thought.
"This hasn't been easy for you either, has it?" Gabriella suddenly said.
Blayne looked towards her then back to the road, keeping her eyes straight ahead. She seemed to be debating whether to answer the question or not.
"I wish I had never met you," Blayne said suddenly still looking straight ahead.
Gabriella looked down at her hands and said nothing.
The silence began to cut at Blayne. She could not resist the desire to look towards Gabriella and as she did she saw the tear roll down her face as Gabriella turned her face to look out the window.
Blayne then pulled over to the shoulder, turned off the engine and then faced Gabriella
"That didn't come out right," Blayne said apologetically.
"I know what you meant," Gabriella said sadly still looking away.
"I'm sorry," Blayne said as she placed her hand over Gabriella's
Gabriella then looked towards her and Blayne could now see the tear stained face.
"Are you?" Gabriella asked softly.
"Yes," Blayne said as she looked down at both their hands. "I don't like hurting things. I don't want to hurt you. I want…" Blayne suddenly stopped talking, looked up at Gabriella then just as quickly looked down again.
"What do you want?" Gabriella asked softly.
Blayne looked up again and this time her eyes didn't leave Gabriella's when she spoke.
"I want you like I've never wanted anything in my whole life," Blayne said passionately. "I want things I don't understand and yet I know…I want you so much, Gabriella, that I'm drowning in this." Blayne finished desperately.
Gabriella pulled her hand away.
Blayne's whole semblance changed and her body stiffened at Gabriella's withdrawal. Without saying another word Blayne started the car and pulled back into traffic.
"Didn't work, huh?" Blayne said jokingly after a few minutes of silence.
Gabriella turned towards her with an incredulous look on her face.
"Hey, be a good sport. I like you. I want to…. Well, you know what I want. When I'm like this I will say anything. No harm no foul okay?" Blayne said as she kept smiling. "Oh! There is something for you to see," She pointed to a building across from them. "That is the Quincy Museum."
Gabriella looked towards the museum and followed Blayne's lead. Anything was better than the silence that had occurred between them a moment ago.
"Let's stop there first," Blayne said then maneuvered the car in that direction and drove into the parking lot.
"And Blayne," said Gabriella as she looked at her again.
Blayne put the car in park and turned towards her as well.
"No more games okay?"
"Okay, no more declarations of love," Blayne said with a smile. "But I won't promise not to try to get you to bed," she said cheekily.
Gabriella could not believe her gull. Gabriella then got out of the car.
Blayne's eyes suddenly showed incredible sadness. She took a deep breath and then got out of the car with a smile on her face. It was as if a cloak had been put back in place to cover what lay beneath. She would never allow her feelings to surface again.
The day passed pleasantly enough. They visited many of the historic places that the small town of Quincy, Massachusetts had to offer. Blayne was attentive and politely distant. Gabriella could not find any fault in her behavior and yet she didn't quite understand why Blayne's politeness now seemed to bother her.
They had lunch together in a little place near the ocean. They spoke of Gabriella's interest in art and her upcoming exhibition. Blayne asked her many questions and yet managed to keep all the subjects safe ones.
"What are your children's names?" Blayne asked surprisingly.
"Elena and Christopher," Gabriella said with a smile. "Elle is thirteen and Christopher is eleven."
"Elle?"
"Her nickname, I call her Elle."
"I don't know why I thought they were younger. How long have you been married?"
Gabriella looked at her for a moment then answered. "Sixteen years."
"That's a long time being married to someone you don't love," Blayne said looking down at the cup of coffee in front of her.
"Why do you assume that I don't love my husband?"
Blayne looked up and said nothing for a moment as she searched Gabriella's eyes.
"Have you talked to him lately?"
"Two nights ago," Gabriella said defensively.
"Does he know you are here?"
"No, I'm calling him tonight to explain things to him."
"I see." Blayne looked down at her cup again.
"You see what!"
Blayne looked up again and challenged Gabriella. "You receive news that has shaken up your entire life and you haven't told him. He doesn't even know you are here. And you would never have kissed me back if you loved him. Affairs are not your style." Blayne waited for the response knowing by the look of Gabriella's eyes that she had struck a nerve.
The silence again began to grow between them. Gabriella was the first to break eye contact.
"We should start back," Blayne said suddenly. "We have to get ready for dinner and Arthur wants to talk to me. Unless you want to order desert or something?"
"No, I'm ready. Let's go," Gabriella said as she began to rise.
Blayne paid the bill and they drove back to the house in silence.
"Hello."
"Hello Mama, how are Elle and Chris?" Gabriella inquired.
"They just finished having their dinner. There is a message from Joseph leaving a number where you can reach him tonight. You haven't told him have you?" Elena knew but asked anyway.
"No, I haven't. I will when I call him later tonight."
"Have you….?"
"Yes, I've seen him," Gabriella said right away.
There was silence for a moment.
"Are you all right, Leila?" Elena asked with concern.