Nadine’s POV
I toss and turn, barely getting a wink of sleep last night. But today is Saturday, and all I want to do is curl up in bed with my boy by my side.
The thought of going back to my apartment exhausts me – I don’t have the strength to face it. And honestly, I’m scared of unwanted guests showing up unannounced.
My mind still reels from the near-attack at my apartment. All I crave is a peaceful day with my son, in the comfort of my mother’s home.
I need my coffee, so I quietly make my way downstairs to the kitchen, trying not to wake my son or mother, who I’m sure is still sleeping soundly in her room.
Just as I’m pouring myself a cup of coffee, a sudden knock on the door startles me. I wonder who it could be, so I cautiously make my way to the door and slowly open it.
On the other side, I see a well-dressed man around my dad’s age, with a kind face and a warm smile.
“Hello,” I say nervously.
“Hello,” he replies, “I’m Gabriel, the kidney donor.” His words take me by surprise.
“Oh my goodness!” I exclaim, my eyes wide with surprise. I’ve been wanting to meet this kidney donor, wondering who he is and what his story is, and now he’s standing right in front of me.
He smiles warmly and asks, “How is Martha?” My heart skips a beat as I realize he’s asking about my mother. “My mother?” I clarify, and he nods, his eyes locked intensely on mine.
There’s something about his gaze that I can’t quite put into words – it’s as if I’ve seen him before, but can’t place where. He looks… familiar.
“Yes, your mother,” with a deep affection that makes me curious. What’s the connection between this man and my mother?
Just then, my mother steps into the living room, her eyes scanning the space as she notices I’m talking to someone at the door. “Who’s there?” she calls out, with curiosity.
“Come see for yourself,” not wanting to let someone who’s just mentioned my mother’s name have free rein to enter our home.
“Okay, coming,” making her way towards the door. But when she reaches the threshold, she stops dead in her tracks, her eyes fixed on Gabriel with a look of utter shock. It’s as if she’s seen a ghost.
I have to call out her name to snap her out of the trance she’s in. “Mom!”
She blinks, her gaze still locked on Gabriel, and takes a step back, her hand on her heart. “Gabriel?” she whispers, with a trembling voice.
The air in the room seems to vibrate with tension as the two of them lock eyes, with a thousand unspoken words.
Gabriel’s face softens, and he takes a step forward, his eyes never leaving my mother’s face. “Martha, it’s been a long time.”
My mother’s eyes welled up with tears, and she looked like she was about to collapse. I rush to her side, supporting her as she takes a few deep breaths. “What’s going on?” looking from my mother to Gabriel.
“Are you okay, Mum?”
“Y-yes, I am fine,” she stammered. “Gabriel, what are you doing here?
I got a message that someone wants to meet the kidney donor.” The man looked between me and my mum.
“Come in,” my mother invited him inside while she looked around to see if there was anything suspicious.
I sit at the dining table, sipping my coffee and trying to appear nonchalant while keeping a close ear on the conversation between Gabriel and my mother on the couch.
My mother tries to shoo me away, suggesting I go check on Shawn, but I’m not having it. I know she’s trying to keep me from hearing what they’re discussing.
“He’s still asleep, Mum,” knowing Shawn would never miss an opportunity to chime in if he were awake.
She turns her attention back to Gabriel, her voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing here?” her eyes locked intensely on his.
Gabriel’s eyes are fixed on my mother, “Aren’t you happy to see me at least I’m happy you’re fine again.”
He takes a step closer, his hand reaching out to hold hers, but my mother subtly withdraws her hand, her eyes darting away.
I sense a history between them, a complicated past like a secret.
Alarmed by Gabriel’s intense gaze on my mother, I intervene, trying to break the spell. “Can I get you tea or coffee?” attempting to divert his attention.
But Gabriel’s eyes linger on my mother for a moment before she finally turns to me with a sly smile. “Oh, don’t worry, Nadine, he’s about to leave,” my mother interjects hastily, with unease.
But Gabriel’s eyes sparkle with mischief as he responds, “I’d like coffee.”
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by his boldness.
“Coffee it is, then,” I say, standing up to head to the kitchen. As I brew the coffee, I can’t help but wonder what’s brewing between Gabriel and my mother.
I walk back into the living room, and the hushed discussion between Gabriel and my mother immediately grabs my attention. And I can sense that they’re hiding something.
I place the coffee on the coffee table beside Gabriel, and he looks up at me with an intense gaze. “You’re Nadine, how is Nathalie?” he asks, his eyes piercing mine.
But there’s something about his eyes, the shape of his nose, and his smile that seems eerily familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“Yes, I’m Nadine, and Nathalie is fine,” I reply politely, trying to move away from them.
But Gabriel’s gaze lingers on me for a moment before he turns back to my mother. “You haven’t told them, right?” he asks.
My mother’s eyes darted to me and then back to Gabriel; her face froze like she’d been doused with ice-cold water.
“Gabriel, please, now is not the right time,” her eyes pleading with him to drop the subject.
But Gabriel’s gaze remains fixed on her.
“Tell me what,” I asked.
My mother’s eyes darted to me, then back to Gabriel, “Oh, Nadine, please, there’s nothing at all,” she said hastily, trying to brush off the conversation.
But I’m not buying it. I can sense that there’s something more, something they’re not telling me. I took a step closer, my curiosity piqued. “What’s going on?” I ask.
Gabriel’s eyes narrow, his gaze piercing as he looks at my mother with indifference. “Are you sure, Martha? How long will you continue to hide the truth?” he asks.
My mother’s eyes flash with frustration, her hands clenched into fists.
“You have denied me the privilege of seeing them for so many years,” Gabriel continues, with accusation. “But where was he when you needed him most? He denied you and didn’t care one bit about your health.”
My mother shakes her head, her eyes welling up with tears. “Oh, Gabriel, don’t go down that lane,” she pleads, her voice trembling.
I watch in shock as Gabriel’s words cut through the air, his anger and frustration boiling over. “Oh, don’t tell me that bullshit, Martha,” he spits, his eyes blazing with intensity.
“Despite the years of pushing me away, I have been here, no matter what, waiting for you to suddenly grow some balls and admit that he doesn’t want you, that he is only using you.”
My mother’s patience wears thin, her voice trembling with restraint. “Oh, please, Gabriel, can you just stop it?”
But Gabriel’s anger only grows, “No, I won’t stop! I mean it, I won’t stop until you do what’s right by letting them know the truth!” he thunders, his finger jabbing accusingly at my mother.
I’m confused, my mind racing to keep up with the escalating drama. “What truth, Mum?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Gabriel’s eyes flash with triumph, his voice dripping with malice. “Go ahead, tell her… or I will,” he snarls.