Joan never called Gabrielle just Ella only when she is n trouble or she is in need of help. It's been their secret code since their childhood.
Gabrielle moved around the house hurriedly, stuffing different things into her bag while Ariel and Alex stood watching her from opposite sides of the room looking so confused.
She grabbed a bottle of water from the table, shoved it into the bag and zipped it halfway before opening it again to check if she had forgotten anything.
"I think she has started chemotherapy and she is scared," Gabrielle said as she continued packing. "Joan would never ignore my calls like this nor call me Ella." She added emphasising the name.
Ariel folded her arms.
"If you learn how to use your powers properly, you might actually be able to help her."
Gabrielle stopped briefly, placed her hand on her waist.
"You were the same person that told me I can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved."
Ariel opened her mouth to reply but Gabrielle was already heading for the door.
"I have to go."
The door shut behind her.
For a few seconds, silence filled the room.
"What is wrong with Gaby?" Alex asked still lost.
Then Ariel dropped herself onto the couch and picked up the television remote.
"Follow her."
Alex blinked.
"Why me and not you? I don't even know what is going on."
"Because you are part of her mother's army."
"Really? You are her mother's assistant you should." Alex replied.
Ariel pointed at the door.
"Go."
"I hate you."
Alex disappeared instantly. Ariel smiled seeing that he left.
"Finally. Some peace and quiet."
However, at the Yungie mansion, Eadlin sat behind his desk working on his laptop. The room was quiet except for the sound of his keyboard that filled the air.
A groan suddenly came from the bed. Eadlin however, kept his face on his laptop.
Freddie slowly opened his eyes. His vision looked blurry at first before gradually becoming clear then followed by a migraine.
He immediately held his head like he was support it from the pain.
"Ugh."
Without looking away from the laptop, Eadlin spoke.
"There should be something for your hangover in the kitchen."
Freddie sat up carefully.
"Thanks."
He rubbed his face before looking at Eadlin.
"Have you heard from my dad?"
"Yeah." Eadlin said finally looking up. "I told him you slept over."
Freddie nodded.
"Thanks man."
Then he got up and left the room.
******
However, Gabrielle arrived at the hospital only to discover that Joan had not started chemotherapy. The information left her even more confused than before.
"She has not registered but has not also been given any treatment yet." The nurse replied. "Do I know you?" The nurse added.
"No!" Gabrielle replied sharply.
She recognized the woman from their last encounter where she wished for a fight.
Gabrielle walked out of the hospital. She tried calling Joan again.
Voicemail.
She called a second time.
Voicemail.
A third time.
Still nothing.
She paced round the entrance of the hospital, then a wild idea popped into her head. She hurried to the bathroom, hid in one of the stale.
"Why worry when you've got magic." She said then she took two deep breathe, closed her eyes and then said;
"I wish that when I open my eyes, I will appear in Joan's room."
She counted to three then opened her eyes…...to her surprise….
She was still in the bathroom.
"What? Why didn't it work?" She said surprised.
She tried again, three more times but she got nothing.
Without wasting another second, she called Eadlin, since he was the other person that she knows Joan was close to.
"Hi Eadlin. Can you please direct me to Joan's house?" She said immediately he picked the call.
At first he began explaining the directions to Joan's house then halfway through his explanation, he stopped. Freddie's words suddenly replayed in his head.
"You always chicken out when it comes to Gabrielle."
Eadlin sighed.
"You know what? Forget the directions."
"What?"
"I'll take you there myself. Where are you at?"
Eadlin, stood up from his table, hurried and put on a cloth, sprayed his perfume and then rushed out.
"Where you going?" Freddie asked holding a plate of soup.
"Joan's"
"Let's go together." Freddie said dropping the plate.
"Don't worry about it, just take care of yourself. " He replied as he picked his key and leaves.
He ran to the car park, hopped in and drove for the hospital.
"Your chauffeur ma." He said as he opened the door for Gabrielle.
"Thank you." Gabrielle replied smiling. "Your perfume...it smells nice."
"You like it?" He asked then winked before entering the car.
The drive to the house was not quite more like fun and lively.
On getting to the house, the security guards opened the gates immediately after spotting Eadlin's car.
As soon as they stepped inside, several members of staff greeted him warmly.
Gabrielle looked surprised.
"You come here often?"
Eadlin shrugged.
"Not really."
"Then why do they all know you?"
"We grew up together."
Gabrielle stared at him.
"I honestly had no idea you and Joan were that close."
Eadlin laughed.
"Funny. She never talked about you either."
Together they climbed the stairs until they reached Joan's room.
Eadlin knocked.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Joan stood there.
For a brief moment she looked genuinely surprised.
Then she smiled.
"Gabrielle."
She stepped aside.
"Come in."
Gabrielle entered while Eadlin remained outside.
"I'll wait here."
Joan rolled her eyes.
"You know there are chairs downstairs."
"I'll survive." He said smiling.
On the other side, Serf and his assistant Kady watched them inside the room.
Joan sat beside Gabrielle.
Then Joan slowly steered the conversation elsewhere.
"So..."
Gabrielle looked at her.
"So?"
"You and Eadlin."
Gabrielle laughed immediately.
"No."
Joan narrowed her eyes.
"No?"
"No."
Joan smiled.
"Okay."
A short silence followed.
Then she spoke again.
"I know about your friends."
Gabrielle froze.
"What?"
"The strange ones."
Joan watched her carefully.
"The twins?"
Gabrielle looked away.
She already knew there was no point pretending.
"I'm sorry."
Joan remained quiet.
"I wanted to tell you."
"Then why didn't you?"
Gabrielle sighed.
Joan leaned back.
"So they really have powers?"
Gabrielle hesitated.
"A little."
"And you?"
Gabrielle smiled weakly.
"I'm still figuring that out."
However, outside the room, Eadlin sat on the floor with his back against the wall. At some point, a maid offered him a chair but he refused. Nearly forty minutes later, the door finally opened.
Joan stared at him.
"Eadlin."
He looked up and said; "What?"
"You could have waited downstairs."
"I know."
"Or in the sitting room."
"I know Mummy." He replied rolling his eyes.
Joan shook her head.
"You are impossible."
All three of them walked downstairs together.
As they approached the entrance, Joan suddenly spoke.
"I might go clubbing later today, you coming?"
Eadlin stopped walking.
"You hate clubs."
Gabrielle nodded.
"Exactly." Joan laughed weirdly.
"I was joking."
Gabrielle laughed too but Eadlin didn't instead he looked uncomfortable and he felt something was wrong. By the time they reached the front door, the feeling had become stronger.
"See you on Monday."
Joan hugged Gabrielle tightly.
Then she stepped back.
Gabrielle and Eadlin left together.
Halfway through the drive, Eadlin suddenly spoke.
"I'm hungry. Are you?"
"Na I am good. I will eat when I get home. You want me to make you something?"
A few minutes later they pulled into a restaurant.
Eadlin handed her the menu.
"Order."
She looked at the prices.
Then immediately pushed it back.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because a plate here costs more than my monthly happiness and what is this? Are we to pay for the air as well?" Gabrielle replied.
Eadlin burst into laughter, without arguing further, he ordered for both of them.
After a while, the waiter came with their food.
"Ohh wow, I wont act as surprised as I am." Gabrielle said.
Eadlin smiled briefly.
They talked about childhood memories embarrassing moments during their childhood and how it haunted them for years.
"What about your mum?" she asked.
The smile on Eadlin's face faded. He looked down briefly before answering.
"She's been missing for over ten years."
Gabrielle's heart sank.
"I am so sorry."
Eadlin forced a smile.
"It's okay."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Eadlin changed the topic.
"What? So tell me about your painting for the art festival in your middle school. " Eadlin said then took a sip.
Gabrielle laughed. " It was terrible."
By the time they finished eating, Gabrielle was completely full, yet she kept trying to finish the remaining food.
Eadlin watched her struggle.
"You know you don't have to finish everything."
"I can't waste food especially expensive ones."
Eadlin called a waiter.
"Please pack the rest."
Gabrielle looked relieved immediately.
"Thank you."
The waiter nodded and then did so.
After this they drove back to Gabrielle's house. Eadlin carried the food while Gabrielle unlocked the gate.
"I'll walk you inside."
"No."
"Why?"
"I can see my front door from here."
Eadlin smiled.
Gabrielle collected the food from him.
"Thank you for today." She said smiling almost blushing.
"It was nothing."
She smiled. "Thank you."
Then she turned and started walking away.
"Gabrielle."
She stopped and then turned.
Eadlin walked toward her slowly. His heart beating louder than usual.
Before Gabrielle could ask what was wrong, he stepped closer.
One hand settled carefully on her waist the other moved to her cheek then he leaned forward and kissed her.