Allison
I quickly typed out a response, providing him with the location of my school. My eyes widened as I read Gideon’s latest message an hour later. He was waiting for me outside a cathedral church, just a stone’s throw from my campus.
Gideon’s next message arrived promptly, instructing her to meet him outside the cathedral. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the campus grounds as Alison made her way to Nina’s dorm room.
As I read Gideon’s message, my heart skipped a beat. He was waiting for me at a cathedral church, just a stone’s throw from my campus. I felt a flutter in my chest as I quickly typed out a response, providing him with the location of my school.
I looked up to see Nina trying on dresses for the club party that night. She was surrounded by a rainbow of fabrics scattered across our dorm room floor.
“Hey, girl, I think I need to leave,” I said, rising to my feet.
Nina turned, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “And where are you off to? Oh wait! I guess you’re off to see your sex partner?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
I shook my head quickly.
“No, just a friend.”
She nodded, though a sly grin still played on her lips. “Alright, but you’d better hurry. The party’s in a few hours.”
I nodded, already heading for the door. Nina called out, “And don’t think you’re getting off that easy! You owe me the juicy details about that guy.”
I laughed, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. “Which guy?” I asked, playing dumb.
“Don’t play coy with me!” she laughed, taking down the zipper of a dress she was wearing. “Your humble fuck buddy, of course.”
I just shook my head, laughing as I left the room. Now, stepping outside, the warm sun on my skin was a pleasant surprise. I made my way down to the cathedral, a short walk from my school. That’s when I saw Gideon, standing a little ways ahead, puffing on a cigarette. The smell of smoke wafted through the air, and I felt a pang of surprise. I had no idea Gideon smoked.
I approached him, calling out his name while waving an arm up in the air. “Gideon!”
Gideon turned, flashing a bright smile. He flicked the cigarette to the ground and stepped on it before walking towards me.
“Hey,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You came?”
“Why not? You called me, didn’t you?” I chuckled, rapping my knuckles against his temple.
Gideon smiled, nodding his head. “So, hm. I actually booked a table for us at a restaurant. Let’s grab something to eat. I’m starving.”
“Alright,” I muttered, thinning my lips. “But we need to be quick. I have somewhere to be tonight.”
“Oh? Where’s that?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
I hesitated for a moment before answering. “A club party. I’m not supposed to miss it.”
His face lit up with a smile, then he suddenly extended his hand towards me, and I felt a jolt of surprise.
“I’m not supposed to tell you to hold my hand, am I?” he teased.
I laughed, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. “I’d rather keep my hands to myself. I wouldn’t want my boyfriend to see us holding hands.”
Gideon’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, what? You have a boyfriend?” he asked, his voice tinged with shock.
I nodded, smiling mischievously as I knocked my head to one side.
Then, he leaned in, his voice low and curious. “Can you tell me who?”
I hesitated for a moment before answering. “It’s Jayden, the guy you saw that day in town.”
Gideon’s face changed in an instant, and I chewed on my lip wondering what he would say next and how he would react.
“What?” he whispered-yelled. “Your brother?”
“No!” I shook my head quickly, my voice raising a bit. “He’s my stepbrother. Well, I mean, he was my stepbrother. Our parents are divorced now.”
Gideon’s expression softened, and he nodded. “Oh, I see. Let’s go.”
We headed to the restaurant, the aroma of exotic spices and freshly baked bread enveloping us as we entered. After a brief conversation with the waitress, we were led to our table, where a stunning, mouth-watering dish awaited us.
I gasped, my eyes widening in surprise. “Oh my goodness, did you buy this? It’s very expensive!”
Gideon smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s fine, it’s my treat. Just eat.”
I smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. We began eating, the flavors dancing on my palate.
Just as we were savoring the meal, Gideon dropped a bombshell that made me cough. I struggled to catch my breath, and he quickly handed me a glass of water.
“My grandma,” he had said, his voice low and somber. “She couldn’t make it. She died.”
I felt a pang of shock and sadness, my eyes welling up with tears. The atmosphere around us shifted, the sounds of the restaurant fading into the background.
I reached out, my hand covering his in a gentle gesture of comfort. I looked up, meeting his gaze, and saw the hint of sadness there.
“I’m really sorry about your loss,” I said, my voice sincere.
He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. “It’s fine. I’m getting better now.”
“And I’m deeply sorry for not calling or texting since that time. Please forgive me,” I whispered, blinking my eyes like a programmed doll who wanted validation.
“Apology accepted,” he chuckled, and I let out a sigh in relief.
“Thank you, Gideon.” I said softly.
We continued eating quietly, the atmosphere around us subdued.
After we finished our meal, we decided to take a walk to the nearest park. The fresh air and serene surroundings were a welcome change. We sat down on a bench, surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature.
As we sat there, watching people play and laugh around us, Gideon turned to me with a serious expression. “I guess you’re ready to hear the truth, Allison, aren’t you?”
“Truth?” I laughed, my eyes locked on Gideon’s. “Shouldn’t it be called our story… the past I forgot about us?”
He nodded slowly. “Whatever you call it – the truth, the past, the whole thing… about us.”
I leaned in, my voice barely above a whisper. “Okay, then. I want to hear it. I’m dying to hear it.”
“Firstly, I want you to watch this,” he said, his voice trembling as he swallowed hard. “It’ll help me explain everything more clearly, so you can understand better.”
I nodded, and he brought out his phone and began to play a video, which I suppose was a porno because the sound was obvious and low.
“Hey?” I hushed. “What the hell are you doing? We are in public right now!”
Gideon’s eyes seemed to cloud over, and he handed the phone to me. “Just watch,” he said, his voice low.
“What is this?” I asked, confused with my eyes fixed on the screen.
The video showed a lady in a blue micro dress, wearing a bunny mask and sporting curly, golden hair. I squinted, then my eyes widened as a spark of recognition ignited. Jayden had given me a similar makeover days ago, transforming me into the exact image I now saw on screen.
But why would he do that? Who was this woman? And how was Gideon connected to this?