"Why do you automatically assume that she is to blame for everything?" Gabriella sounded angry.
Arthur surprised her by saying. "Because she is too much like me."
"But, she's not you."
"You're right, of course. Maybe I don't want her to make the same mistakes." Arthur finally admitted.
"She said you two had talked about me. What about?" Gabriella wanted to know exactly what had been discussed and this was the perfect opportunity.
"I told her to stay away from you. Blayne…Blayne is confused right now," Arthur said vaguely.
"Confused?"
"Yes, she is experiencing feelings she shouldn't," Arthur looked at his daughter.
"What feelings?"
"To do with you" Arthur seemed embarrassed.
"Anger is understandable."
"It's not anger."
"Then what?"
"Inappropriate feelings."
"She told you this?" Gabriella stood up.
"It wasn't exactly like that."
"What was it then?"
"Gabriella, I don't think…"
"You started this. What did she say to you?" Gabriella was really angry now. She felt betrayed by Blayne and furious at the audacity of the man in front of her for interfering and making decisions about her life.
"Gabriella, this is not something that I think…"
"You started this. You seem to think you have a right to interfere in my life. You have obviously done so. I don't need you to run interference for me. I am used to looking after myself." Gabriella was furious.
"Blayne had no right to push herself on you. She clearly told me that you did not welcome her advances. She can be very insistent." Arthur tried to explain.
"How dare you assume that I can't defend myself! I have news for you, I have been defending myself without you my whole life. It's too late now, father. Now, I don't need you." Gabriella's eyes challenged him.
"I just wanted to protect you…" Arthur said softly.
"What makes you think I want protecting." Arthur's eyes quickly came up to meet his daughters. Clearly, he had misread all the signs. Gabriella was not a victim, rather it would seem she was an active participant. He had been wrong about this as well. He had naturally assumed that Blayne had been the aggressor, and to some extent maybe she had been but now looking at his daughter it was all too clear. Gabriella was the strong one here. She was more his daughter than even she knew. And Blayne… Blayne would be the one who would be hurt.
"I think it's time I went home," Gabriella suddenly said as she walked away leaving Arthur alone in the garden with yet another realization.
Arthur sat down on the bench. He seemed quite old as he sat there; an incredible sadness began to show on his face. Now he knew what would happen. He knew exactly what would happen.
Gabriella left that night. The cab pulled up to the house and her bags were placed in the trunk. She walked up to the door that the cab driver was holding open for her then suddenly stopped before getting in. She turned and met a set of eyes that held her own for a moment before she turned and entered the cab.
Arthur had stood by the front door and turned to see Blayne standing by the window that Gabriella had looked towards before getting into the cab. She had not bothered to look towards Arthur to say goodbye.
"Vivian?" Gabriella opened the door wider to allow her cousin to come in.
"Hi," Vivian said as she passed Gabriella.
"Did we have plans for today?" Gabriella asked as she closed the door and followed her cousin into the living room.
"No," she answered as she sat down.
Gabriella sat on the other end of the same sofa her cousin sat on.
"Well, it's nice to see you Viv."
"How did it go? And why didn't you tell me?" Vivian waited for an answer. "And when were you going to tell me? You've been back over 48 hours."
"How?"
"Tia Elena was besides herself."
Gabriella ran her fingers through her hair.
"I had a lot of…there have been…I'm so confused Viv," Gabriella finally said as she sat down next to her cousin.
"She told me all about it Gabriella…I'm sorry. I think Mom is still in shock."
Gabriella nodded.
"How was he?" Vivian asked as she put her legs under herself facing Gabriella on the sofa.
"I don't know…you can't know anything about someone in a few…" Gabriella didn't finish the sentence. Blayne suddenly filled her thoughts. She got up and walked towards a window. " I mean…you can't make life changing decisions…." She ran her fingers through her hair again in exasperation.
Gabriella turned towards her cousin; her face showing all the fears and uncertainties she was feeling within. "Oh Viv, I met someone."
Vivian blinked twice in surprise then got up from the sofa. "You what? Wait! Wait! You mean…?"
Gabriella began to pace around the room nervously. "Oh Viv, what a mess. I never thought…I mean I…" Her control began to slip.
"Holy shit," Vivian said in a trance. Vivian then noticed her usually composed cousin fidgeting nervously. "Gabriella?"
Gabriella turned towards her. Vivian was surprised to see the tear filled eyes looking so miserable and lost. She immediately walked over to her cousin and put her arms around her. "Oh Christ Gabriella, you're scaring me," Vivian said as she held her tighter.
After awhile they both sat down. Gabriella's eyes avoided Vivian.
Vivian placed her hands over Gabriella's. "Talk to me. You and I have always confided in each other. Remember when I cut math in high school and mom found out?"
Gabriella looked up with a smile as tears rolled down her face. Vivian tightened her hands around her cousin's, encouraging her to talk.
"Oh sweetie, it's going to be okay, tell me," Vivian coaxed.
Gabriella suddenly got up. "No it won't. Nothing will ever be okay."
Vivian tried another approach. "Well, we can't always control our feelings, Gabriella. Why don't you tell me about it."
"I can't…" Gabriella put her arms protectively around herself.
"You are not the only woman to have an affair. It happens." Vivian insisted. "It's not something that women plan on; but it happens."
Gabriella remained silent.
"Look if it's that important…Jesus! divorce your husband. I think he's an asshole anyway."
Gabriella still remained silent.
"This is more than an affair isn't it?" Vivian asked cautiously.
Gabriella looked up at her and again tears ran down her face.
"Oh Gabriella," Vivian realized that this was really serious. Something was really wrong.
"I couldn't stop it, Vivian. It was stronger than I was." Gabriella covered her mouth to control the sob. "Oh my God, what am I going to do?"
Vivian got up and tried to console her cousin again. "Then maybe this is a good thing."
"No!" Gabriella became agitated again and took a few steps away from her.
"Is it only one sided?"
Gabriella shook her head.
"Then you can make it work. A divorce won't be easy but…"
"I can't."
"Why not? If you want him so much and he wants you."
"It's not that simple." Gabriella murmured softly barely above a whisper.
"I know it's not honey. The kids would understand. They are great kids."
"Oh God." Gabriella covered her mouth again.
"Is he married?" Vivian dreaded asking.
"No."
"Does he want a relationship with you?" Vivian couldn't understand so she kept on fishing for answers.
Gabriella nodded. "I wanted just to stay in those arms for the rest of my life." She closed her eyes as tears escaped them. "I've never wanted anyone like…" Gabriella said miserably.
"If he wants you too Gabriella, then why not?"
"There is no he, Vivian!" Gabriella turned and looked her straight in the eyes without avoiding them now.