Bored Little Rich Girl

Sabrina opened the double mahogany doors of her father’s study. He was sitting at his antique desk looking over some paperwork and appeared to be neck deep in it. Sabrina walked over to one of the wingback chairs in front of her father’s desk and sat. It was then that her father finally looked up.
“Ah, Sabrina, perfect timing as usual,” he said.
“You have always taught me the importance of punctuality.”
“That indeed. Now, I have someone for you,” her father said.
“Someone for me? Is this a date?”
“What? No, of course not. You’re too young to date.”
“I’m eighteen and graduated school already, so I think I’m old enough.”
“Moving on, I have hired someone to look after you. I know you get lonely since you’ve finished school.”
“I don’t need a babysitter!”
“He’s not babysitter, think of him as your tutor or you as his charge.”
“So you’re basically paying someone to hang out with me?”
“If you want to put it bluntly, yes.”
“You don’t think I can make friends?”
“It’s not that, Sabrina, it’s only to keep an eye on you. Besides, I don’t like anyone befriending you for the wrong reasons.”
Sabrina sat back and rolled her eyes and wrinkled her nose.
“So, when do I get to meet this ‘tutor’?” she said.
“He should be coming any minute. He starts today.”
“Oh, lovely.”
As Sabrina stretched out her legs, there was a knock on the door.
“Ah, he’s here. Come in,” said the father.
A young man of about twenty-two years entered the room. He stood a little over six feet, with dark hair and eyes. He can be more handsome if he were to take off his black rectangular glasses. He wore his light blue argyle sweater, a white collared shirt underneath, gray slim cut trousers, and black square toed Chelsea boots. As Sabrina looked him over from her seat, she reminded herself to slow her breath, while she bit her lower lip. When the young man neared her father’s desk, Sabrina quickly stood up and walked up to her father’s desk as well.
“Sabrina, this is Gabriel Wilde. He will keep you company from now on.”
Sabrina reached out and extended her hand and Gabriel reached out and grasped it in a firm hold.
“Hi, I guess you’re stuck with me,” she said.
“I wouldn’t say ‘stuck,’ just as long as you’re not too much in my hair.”
Sabrina let out a soft giggle and moved her hands in front of her and grasped her skirt, the knuckles have turned white.
“Okay kids, you guys go on now and get acquainted. I’ve got a lot of work to catch up.”
“Alright, dad. Come on Gabriel, I’ll show you around.”
As Sabrina walked alongside Gabriel in the half acre English garden inspired lawn, she kept a four foot distance from him and stole side glances. Gabriel was taking in the scenery and looked forward, never glancing over at Sabrina’s direction. Sabrina took one of her curls and looped it around her finger; opening and closing her mouth, but no words came out. They passed a large patch of flowers containing hibiscus and roses and also another strange looking floral that took Sabrina’s concentration away from Gabriel.
“Oh, look! Pussy Willows!” she said.
“I beg your pardon?” Gabriel said.
Sabrina ran up to the patch and ran her hand through the silky bunch as if she was petting luxurious ostrich feathers. Sabrina grinned at the feeling and turned her head to look at Gabriel.
“I haven’t been around this area since I was a kid. I’ve always loved to touch these things. They remind me of big, fat caterpillars. I wonder why they’re nicknamed Pussy Willows. Kind of weird, don’t you think?”
Gabriel walked up next to her and touched one of the buds.
“They’re cute,” he said.
“Do they feel weird?” she said.
“No, they feel nice.”
As they continued, Sabrina filled Gabriel in about the history of her family estate. She told him the reason it was so isolated was that her ancestors valued their privacy and never socialized. After about a half hour of walking on the lawn, they headed back indoors and Sabrina showed him the library. The library consists of more of the feminine tastes in books; among them were Austen, Bronte and Radcliff. There was a fireplace with Sabrina’s late mother on the mantel, red velvet wingback chairs, plush chaise lounges, and also a spiral staircase leading up to the second floor book cases. Gabriel walked up to one of the shelves and browsed at the titles.
“Have you read all these?” he said.
“Some but not half as much as I wanted. It would probably take me a lifetime to read all these.”
Gabriel continued browsing through all the titles, oblivious to Sabrina’s stares.
“So, what are you going to tutor me on?” she said.
“What was that?”
“My dad said you were hired as either a tutor or guardian. A friend for hire doesn’t have a good ring to the title.”
Gabriel turned back to the books and plucked one out of its shelf. He walked up to her and handed it to her. Sabrina looked at the spine for the title.
“Lolita?” she said.
“Yes, it’s a great one. Have you read it?”
“No, but I heard it’s about some old man who fell in love with a really young girl. Sounds perverted to me.”
“If you put it bluntly, then yes, it is about that, but the way it is written presents itself as a beautiful story.”
“How would you know that?” she said.
“I have a degree in Literature.”
Sabrina’s eyes grew wide and she clasped the book to her chest.
“Oh, really?” she said.
“Yes, if you want we can read it together and I can teach you comprehension and explication,” he said.
“I would like that. I’ve always liked reading the classics, but I can’t get past the surface. I think if we start with this book, then you can tutor me on the others. Deal?”
She stuck out her hand and stood with her back straight and head high. Gabriel took her hand and shook it.
“Okay, deal. Get your father’s money’s worth, I suppose.”
The next day, Sabrina and Gabriel met in the library. The arrangement was that they would meet in the library after breakfast and Gabriel would give Sabrina her nightly reading assignments, then they would discuss what she read on from those previous nights. To supplement their discussions, Gabriel would bring in essays from different scholars and present her how they form their opinions on the texts. Their session would last for about an hour each day and after that, Sabrina can go and do anything she pleases as long as Gabriel was there to oblige and heed her wishes. On one of their sessions, Sabrina wanted a change of scenery, so they held it in a form of a picnic in the more secluded, wooded area of the property. Sabrina was lying on the picnic blanket, barefoot, and eating her second cupcake, while Gabriel gave a lecture on duality prevalent in Poe’s tales. He paced on the grass as if giving a lecture to a whole classroom. When he concluded his speech, he sat on the corner of the picnic blanket.
“You should cut back on those cupcakes. You haven’t even touched that vegetable plate. It would help you grow if you eat your vegetables,” said Gabriel.
“I’m already grown.”
Gabriel gave a side glance at her.
“Indeed, you are,” he said.
“You should have a cupcake, live a little,” she said.
“I’ve outgrown liking sweets, but thank you,” he said.
Sabrina got up after finishing her cupcake and sat on her knees. She used her hands to edge closer to Gabriel, who was sitting legs crossed on the corner of the blanket, deciding on another passage from his book for discussion, his back was to her. Sabrina got so close that she could detect his light, musky cologne. Her lips ghosted over his neck, as if she found something more delectable than the cupcakes. Gabriel was so engrossed on finding an interesting passage from his book that he did not notice Sabrina’s warm breath on his neck. It wasn’t until she put her lips on it that he felt a slight stir of arousal. Gabriel’s spine straightened and turned his neck towards Sabrina. He found her sitting with her legs folded under and smiling. Gabriel turned fully towards her and mimicked her sitting position. He leaned forward to compose himself.
“Sabrina, what was that for?” he said.
“Gabriel, don’t deny that you enjoyed it.”
Sabrina moved closer, but Gabriel put a hand on her shoulder to keep her at arm’s length.
“Sabrina, that was inappropriate. Your father is my employer.”
“He’s clueless, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Sabrina nudged his hand off her shoulder and made her second attempt to slink closer. As she took off his glasses and wrapped her arms around his neck, Gabriel did not put up a fight.
“It will be our little secret,” she said.
She moved closer and sat fully on his lap. She smelled his neck and rubbed her cheek against his clean shaven one. After a couple of light pecks on his cheek, Sabrina gave him a gentle, chaste kiss on the lips. Gabriel broke the kiss and his hands roamed over her lower back.
“I must confess, I love this perfume you wear every day. It’s so intoxicating,” he said.
He buried his face in her neck and breathed in her scent. As he nuzzled his nose and lips on her neck, he lowered them both down on the picnic blanket, never breaking apart. With Gabriel on top, he latched his lips on Sabrina’s neck and gave every exposed spot a lingering kiss. Sabrina clutched onto Gabriel tighter and the blush on her cheeks grew deeper. As Gabriel’s ministrations made Sabrina’s panting grow louder, he almost did not hear her father’s voice calling out to them, almost.
“Why did you stop?” she said.
Gabriel quickly sat up and straightened his clothes. He then grabbed Sabrina by the shoulders and hauled her up in a sitting position.
“I think I hear your father calling,” he said.
Sabrina’s father was making his way through the wooded path, too occupied with trying to avoid a stumble from the trees’ roots, that he missed the spectacle between his daughter and Gabriel. By the time he reached the picnic area, Sabrina and Gabriel were sitting side by side, each with a book in hand.
“Oh, there you kids are,” the father said.
Sabrina looked up from her book and smiled up at her father.
“Hello, father. We were studying more on Poe. Gabriel is doing a great job on teaching me the subject.”
“Ah, good. I knew I can leave you in capable hands. Oh, Gabriel, I think if you want to read better, you got to pluck those glasses off the blanket and put them on.”
Gabriel’s eyes darted quickly to search for his glasses, but Sabrina had been quicker in finding them and handed them to him.
“Thank you, sir,” said Gabriel.
“Alright, I’ll let you kids get back to studying. I need to get back to my office. Oh and Gabriel, I need you to come see me after your tutoring session is done.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Sabrina’s father left them alone and Gabriel ended the tutoring session for the day, neither Gabriel nor Sabrina uttered a word to each other during the whole trek back to the mansion. When they arrived, Sabrina resigned herself to her room and Gabriel walked the long corridor to her father’s study. His pace was slow, but his heart beats were building momentum. As he approached the double mahogany doors, Gabriel stood in front of them for a few seconds and slowly raised his fist to knock. As he was summoned in, the father was sitting at his desk with his ubiquitous mountain high paper work.
“Gabriel, come have a seat.”
Gabriel slowly walked to one of the winged backed chairs and sat. He studied Sabrina’s father’s face and observed that it stayed its usual serene self.
“What did you want to discuss, sir?” said Gabriel.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Yes, I have a business trip coming up in three days and it will last two weeks. For that time period, I need you to stay here and be in charge of Sabrina since she will be alone during the night when the staff go home. I will have one of the staff prepare a room for you. Also, there will be a bonus, since you will also be spending your usual days off here during the two weeks.”
Gabriel wiped his palms on his lap. He swallowed so hard that his Adam’s apple bobbed visibly.
“Anything else you need of me, sir?” said Gabriel.
“No, that will be all. Back to your duties now.”
Sabrina waited in the corridor for Gabriel to exit the study. She paced back and forth, biting on one of her fingernails. Her pacing stopped when Gabriel exited the study. She quickly ran up to him and stood before him.
“Are we in trouble?” she said.
“No, on the contrary, I’m moving in,” he said.
“What!”
“Only for two weeks. Your father is going away on business during that time and he needs me to be on the property twenty-four/seven, so I can keep an eye on you while he’s away.”
“We can have a slumber party.”
Sabrina moved in closer to embrace Gabriel, but he took a step back.
“Sabrina, we crossed the line back at the picnic, we shouldn’t do that again.”
Sabrina pouted and looked at her shoes.
“Okay, fine,” she said.
Three days passed and during those three days Sabrina appeared unfocused during Gabriel’s lectures and kept away mostly to her room during the rest of his time on the clock. Gabriel noticed her aloofness, but hoped she would come around. He would pass by her room every hour to see if she would come out.
On the morning of the father’s departure, Gabriel was in the library reading and Sabrina was in front of the estate seeing her father off. After saying her goodbye, Sabrina entered the library and plopped herself on one of the wingback chairs.
“Father left and he told me to tell you that one of the staff has your room sorted out.”
“Excellent, where is it at?”
“Across from mine,” she said.
“Oh, well, for convenience I guess. Okay, shall we get started?”
“I don’t want to,” she said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said, I don’t want to!”
Sabrina quickly pushed herself off from the wingback chair, walked over to Gabriel and shoved off all of his essays and books he had on his desk. Gabriel did nothing, but stare at the mess on the floor as Sabrina stomped out of the library. As the day waned, Gabriel took his lunch and dinner in the dining room alone, while Sabrina took her meals in her room. After dinner, Gabriel retired to his room. When he approached the door to his room, he looked over at Sabrina’s door. He memorized every line and curve on the door before he entered his room. After he prepared for bed, Gabriel opened the French glass doors that led out to the balcony and looked out at the full moon. The only sound to accompany him was the ticking of the grandfather clock next to his dresser. The chill of the night got the better of him and he closed the French doors and slipped into his large four-post bed. As he lay on his side facing the moon, the sight of it and the steady ticking of the grandfather clock slowly lulled him to sleep. He did not notice Sabrina opening his door and sneaking into his room. She slowly slipped under the thick goose down comforter and had her body parallel to his. She slipped her arm around his waist and as she made her way to plant a kiss on his cheek, Gabriel’s eyes shot open. As he frantically turned around, he discovered Sabrina lying on her side. He could not make out her expression, but the faint glow of the moonlight indicated a small smile.
“Sabrina, what are you doing here?”
“I came in here, because I wanted to apologize for my behavior for the last couple of days. I shouldn’t have gotten mad at you today, I’m sorry.”
She reached out to him and made an attempt to stroke his cheek. Gabriel quickly grabbed her wrist before she made any contact.
“Apology accepted, now, go to bed,” said Gabriel while clutching her wrist.
Sabrina slipped her hand out of his grip, but did not get out of the bed. Instead, she laid her head on the pillow and pulled the covers up to her neck.
“I meant go back to your room,” said Gabriel.
“But I want to sleep here with you,” she said.
“I’m not at liberty to have you here with me,” he said.
“Please, let me? I didn’t feel good when I ignored you for the past three days. I will feel better and safer if I sleep next to you. It will be like a slumber party.”
“Alright, fine. Just stay on your side of the bed and don’t disturb my sleep and I won’t disturb yours.”
Gabriel faced the moon once again and closed his eyes, leaving Sabrina staring at the back of his head in the dark.
“It’s okay if you want to hold me. I love it when you hold me, you feel so strong.”
“Goodnight, Sabrina.”
The morning sun’s rays shimmered into Gabriel’s room and woke him. He turned his head and glanced over at Sabrina. Her breaths were the steady pace of a deep sleep and Gabriel contemplated in waking her up. He moved his body so as to fully face her and observed the naiveté and brilliance from her sleeping form. He observed her pale, delicate arm and concluded that nothing dirty or heavy has ever come in contact with her marble-like limbs. He brought up his hand to stroke her arm, but stopped just above her shoulder to resist the temptation to do so. Instead, he did what he only could to squash his yearning; he poked his index finger in her arm to wake her.
“Sabrina, wake up.”
“What? Not this early on Saturday.”
“Is this what you do on my days off, sleep in?”
“Yeah, so sue me.”
Gabriel got out of bed and went to the armoire to pick his clothes for the day and headed to his bathroom.
“You better be out of bed when I’m done getting dressed,” he said.
When Gabriel finished his shower and dressed in a dark blue sweater, light gray shirt underneath, dark jeans, and black Converse shoes, he found Sabrina still in his bed with the covers over her head.
“Sabrina, get out of bed.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“When your father’s away, I am in charge of you and he wouldn’t be too happy if you are misbehaving, young lady.”
When Sabrina still refused to move, Gabriel marched over to her side of the bed and yanked the covers off of her, causing Sabrina to gasp. He took a second to scan his eyes over her attire of a short chemise before composing himself. He then proceeded to pick her up bridal style and carried her towards her room. Trying to ignore the feel of her lithe, soft body in his arms, he put her down in front of her bedroom door causing Sabrina to cross her arms in front of her and look back at him with a hard stare.
“If you promise to behave, I’ll drive you to the city today,” he said.
It was then that Sabrina clasped her hands and her face brightened with excitement. She quickly opened her room and hurried inside to ready herself. Gabriel could not help but smile to himself as he made his way to the dining hall for breakfast. When Sabrina came to the dining room, she wore her white sundress with a ruffled hem that stopped at mid-thigh; topped off with a cashmere cardigan. Gabriel was sipping his orange juice when Sabrina made her entrance and almost choked on his beverage when he saw her attire. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and got up from his seat to greet her.
“I’m too excited for our excursion to eat. I think I’ll just have juice and some fruit,” she said as she sat down.
“Isn’t that dress a little too short?” said Gabriel as he sat down with her.
“I don’t think so,” she said.
“I think your shoes are a little too high.”
“No, they’re not; they’re cute.”
“You might get into trouble,” he said.
“How? They’re just shoes.”
“Never mind,” he said.
After they finished their breakfast, Sabrina dragged Gabriel to the car garage. She insisted that Gabriel drive in one of her father’s cars. Gabriel eyed the 1939 Chrysler town car, but she told him to stay away from the vintage ones and pick a more modern car. That was when Gabriel spotted a red Aston Martin in the vast collection. Sabrina skipped to the wall cabinet containing all the keys and grabbed the keys to the Aston.
“Are you sure you want to go fast?” he said.
“Yeah, it will be fun. Funny thing about this Aston is that it was a gift for my sixteenth birthday, but I can’t drive stick.”
“Well, you’re lucky that I can. Shall we?” he said.
They pulled off the property and were met with the crisp blue sky and a paved road built between lush trees. Gabriel took advantage of the car’s engine and drove as fast as he could without breaking the sound barrier.
“Can you slow down?” she said.
“Never tell a man to slow down when he’s driving an Aston.”
“I like to see the scenery without it being a blur,” she said
“As you wish.”
When they arrived to the city, they parked at a shopping area with a reputation for catering to the rich and famous’ every whim. Sabrina was unfazed by the shoppers’ attire and whatever surgical enhancements some of the shoppers had. Gabriel, on the other hand, did not know whether to laugh or be disgusted. Sabrina spotted a dress shop featuring upcoming spring fashions and made a beeline for it with Gabriel in tow. Sabrina tried on at least a dozen dresses, while Gabriel sat in one of the chairs in the store. She purchased three dresses that happen to be the shortest ones. They left the shop and walked the sidewalk with Gabriel toting Sabrina’s purchases.
“You picked some really short dresses,” he said.
“They weren’t that short. Coming from a person who dresses like a grandpa,” she said.
“I’ll have you know that I like a more classic approach with the way I dress,” he said.
“So do I, but you have to up it a little, put more edge like a leather jacket.”
“I can’t pull that off; I’ll look like an idiot.”
“I think you’ll look cute.”
Sabrina stopped in front of a lingerie store. She looked at the displays and admired the French styles and retro-inspired silhouettes.
“I need to go in here,” she said.
“No, you don’t.”
“Gabriel, its just lingerie. Don’t be shy.”
“You go ahead, I’ll stay out here.”
“I just want a pajama set, come on.”
Sabrina grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into the store. She riffled through everything the store had to offer, while Gabriel sat in one the Rococo-styled seats and kept his eyes to the floor. Sabrina kept asking about his opinion about some of the items, but Gabriel would not have any of Sabrina’s jabbing and kept staring at the floor. Sabrina spotted a night chemise similar to the one she usually wears, but this one was made of white satin with light pink lace trim on the hem and neckline. She picked the item off the rack and walked over to Gabriel.
“What do you think of this one? It’s a prettier version of the one I usually wear to bed,” she said.
“It’s lovely, just purchase it already.”
“You’re not even looking.”
With a heavy sigh, Gabriel looked up and saw Sabrina holding up the chemise against herself. He smiled but shook his head before his smile broadened further and cleared his throat. Sabrina could not help but smile back and went to the shopkeeper to ring up her item. The shopkeeper was a middle-aged woman wearing a tweed jacket and matching skirt, accessorized with a strand of pearls.
“You two are simply adorable. How long have you been together?” said the shopkeeper.
“Oh, we’re not together. He’s just in charge of me,” she said.
The shopkeeper furrowed her brows for a moment before morphing into a stiff smile as she handed Sabrina her shopping bag. Sabrina went over to Gabriel and tapped him on the shoulder indicating that she was ready to leave the shop. They walked by the other shops, but nothing caught Sabrina’s interest. Gabriel checked his watch and an idea formed in his head.
“We should grab some lunch,” he said.
“Okay, do you have anything in mind?” she said.
“Yes, not here though. We should venture into my territory now.”
“Where would that be?” she said.
“Let’s go further downtown.”
“Downtown?”
“Come on, princess, it’s not that bad,” he said.
Gabriel drove her to the more gentrified area of downtown. What used to be rundown and graffiti ridden became a mecca for the artistic, college age crowd. They parked in front of a diner packed with students and families for the lunchtime rush. As they got out of the car, passers-by gave long glances at Sabrina and the car.
“What’s everyone staring at?” she said.
“Not everyone sees an Aston Martin every day. The car is a little ostentatious.”
Gabriel escorted her into the diner and grabbed the next available booth. Gabriel looked through the menu, while Sabrina scanned her eyes at all of the patrons and the eclectic décor. She looked through her menu and picked the most familiar thing.
“I think I’ll just have a salad,” she said.
“Now, you need to live a little,” he said.
“I don’t know if anything on the menu is good.”
“Everything is good. I used to eat here all the time during college. As a matter of fact, I still eat here all the time.”
“Okay, if that’s the case, you pick something out for me. I trust you.”
A waitress with a blond French twist and wire rimmed glasses approached their booth.
“What can I get for you kids?” said the waitress.
“I’ll have a cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake and she’ll have a BLT with fries and a strawberry shake,” said Gabriel.
After the waitress left with their order, Sabrina took the opportunity to scold Gabriel on his choice for her meal.
“BLT? That’s so greasy,” she said.
“You’ll like it, princess.”
“Why do you call me that?”
“What?”
“Princess. You make it sound like my dad locks me in a tower or something.”
“Have you ever eaten in a place like this?”
“No,” she said.
Gabriel smirked at her answer and it caused Sabrina to squirm in her seat. Feeling uncomfortable from his stare, she twirled a curl of her hair. She blurted out the first question she can think of.
“Gabriel, where do you live?”
He raised his eyebrows at her sudden question.
“I live around this area. Forty minutes from where you live,” he said.
“I want to see your place,” she said.
“It’s just a one bedroom apartment, Sabrina. It’s nothing special.”
“Yeah, but they say you get to know someone better when you see their place.”
“Okay, we’ll stop by and you can glance around. That will give me an opportunity to pick up some DVDs for the viewing room when we get back home.”
Sabrina smiled at his plan and the waitress came back with their order.
“You kids enjoy now,” said the waitress and left them alone once again.
Gabriel took the cherry from his milkshake and bit it from the stem, then he immediately snatched Sabrina's and consumed that.
"You stole my cherry" she said.
"So, I did."
Gabriel took a bite of his burger and noticed Sabrina poking at her BLT with a knife and fork. He swallowed his bite quickly to avoid choking from laughter.
“Sabrina, it’s a sandwich. Pick it up with your hands and eat it.”
Gabriel’s remark rendered a sigh from Sabrina and she picked up her sandwich and decided it wasn’t so bad after the first bite. Gabriel felt victorious from Sabrina’s acquiescence. He picked up one of his fries and dipped it into his chocolate shake. Sabrina observed this while taking a sip of her strawberry shake.
“That’s gross,” she said.
“What is?”
“Eating your fries with your shake. Ewww.”
Gabriel pushed his shake toward her and stared at her defiantly.
“Try it,” he said.
“No, I won’t.”
“If you don’t try it, I won’t let you see my apartment.”
Sighing, Sabrina slowly picked up her own fry and dipped it into the chocolate shake. She pulled it out of the shake and looked at the thickly coated fry. She taste tested it by licking some of the shake off of the fry before popping the whole thing in her mouth. Gabriel unconsciously licked his lips at the scene before him. Sabrina perked up after her first taste of the chocolate shake fry.
“Oh, that is good,” she said.
“It sure is,” said Gabriel.
After lunch, Gabriel drove Sabrina to his apartment as promised. The building was a couple of blocks from the diner and was a brownstone style with exposed brick walls. They climbed two flights of stairs and Gabriel led her to his apartment at the end of the hall. He unlocked the door and let her in first. She observed the simple brown leather couch, coffee table, entertainment center, and large bookshelf on the north side of the living room. She noticed pictures of him at various eras of his life and the one picture that stood out was of his recent college graduation. Gabriel grinned at her curiosity and went to his entertainment center to grab some DVDs. Sabrina wandered into his bedroom and observed a simple bed and desk with a computer and a wall shelf with his music collection. His bedroom walls were lined with vintage art house movie posters. Gabriel walked into his room and found her sitting on his bed.
“I got the DVDs. Let’s head back home,” he said.
Their drive back had been a quiet one. Sabrina fell asleep on the passenger side, leaving Gabriel driving on the quiet path in between the trees. He glanced over at Sabrina’s sleeping form and suppressed the urge to place his hand on hers. When he parked into the car garage, Gabriel gently shook her shoulder to wake her. Sabrina stirred from her nap and stretched a bit.
“Oh, perfect, I get to try on my new dresses,” she said.
Gabriel chuckled and shook his head. He stepped out of the car and opened the trunk, handing Sabrina her bags as he carried his DVDs. Gabriel went to the movie room and sat on one of the overstuffed velvet couches. Sabrina came in a few minutes later, wearing one of her new dresses.
“What do you think?” she said.
Sabrina stood in front of Gabriel and twirled around.
“It’s very nice,” he said.
“Thanks, so what movies did you bring?”
“Some of my very favorite old Hollywood movies,” he said.
“None that contains guns and fighting?” she said.
“I left those at home.”
Sabrina showed Gabriel how to load and control the DVD player that connected to the giant viewing screen. She went to the kitchen and had one the staff load a trolley with their dinner and dessert. After dismissing the staff for the night, Sabrina rolled the trolley into the viewing room and set it next the couch.
“I thought it would be more cozy to have our dinner while watching the movie,” she said.
“Eating on the couch? Perish the thought,” he said.
“My dad’s not here, remember?”
They each had a tray on their lap and ate as they watched the movie. The movie was with Audrey Hepburn as a princess and Gregory Peck as the reporter showing her around Rome. Sabrina was so engrossed with the movie that she hardly touched her dinner. Gabriel finished his tray and was working on his dessert. He nudged Sabrina with his elbow.
“Your dinner’s getting cold, young lady.”
Sabrina looked down at her tray and gave a sheepish smile. She picked up her fork and could not help but getting the last word.
“Yes, daddy,” she said.
Gabriel raised his brow at Sabrina’s tease, but shook it off and resumed eating his cherry cheesecake. Towards the end of the movie, they were sipping hot chocolate and migrated closer towards each other on the couch. When the end credits rolled, Sabrina put down her hot chocolate and browsed through the other DVD cases.
“Can we watch another one?” she said.
“It’s almost eleven. It’s getting late.”
“Who goes to bed this early on a Saturday night? One more movie, please?”
She folded her legs under herself on the couch and faced Gabriel. She held his arm and shook it; giving her best puppy dog face. Gabriel leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
“Okay, one more, but after that it’s off to bed,” he said.
She clasped her hands and bounced on the couch, handing him the next movie.
At one in the morning, Gabriel had readied himself for bed. He looked outside his window and noticed the heavy springtime rain and the deep growl of thunder. He heard a soft knock on his bedroom door.
“Come in, Sabrina.”
Sabrina walked in clutching at her satin robe to her neck. She appeared to be lost and nervous.
“I don’t like the thunder. Can I sleep next to you?” she said.
Gabriel crossed his arms and looked up to the ceiling. He composed himself to appear as stern as possible.
“Sabrina, you can’t always sleep in my bed. You need to deal with it on your own.”
She switched her scared expression to her puppy dog face.
“Okay, you win,” he said “but try not to make a habit out of it.”
Sabrina did a little victory jump and slipped off her robe. She was wearing the new chemise she had purchased earlier. Gabriel took note of her nightgown and quickly turned around and faced the window. He took a moment to slow his breath and waited till his heart beat slowed down. He faced her again when she jumped into the bed and pulled the comforter over herself. After Sabrina made herself comfortable, Gabriel took off his robe and slipped into bed. He took off his glasses and placed them on the nightstand and turned off the lamp. The patter of the rain was all he could sense in the dark. He laid on his back, staring out into the darkness and he could feel Sabrina moving closer and snuggling next to him.
“You’re taking up all the space,” he said.
“I’m cold.”
“You should have worn warmer pajamas.”
“This one’s prettier,” she said.
The rest of the two weeks had become a routine of going into the city and coming home for dinner and a movie. No matter how much he fought it, Gabriel always relented and let Sabrina sleep next to him.
When Sabrina’s father returned, it was back to the side glances and chaste encounters. One morning in the library, Gabriel and Sabrina were sitting on one of the chaise lounge sofas playing a game of chess.
“Gabriel, what are your plans for the future?”
“Well, I’m going back to school to get my masters. I can’t be your tutor forever,” he said.
“But you can’t quit so soon, I need you.”
“Sabrina, you’ll be fine. You don’t need me.”
“I don’t just need you; I want to be with you.”
Gabriel let out a breath and placed his hands on the sofa and pushed himself up. He paced the library and ran his hands through his hair. Sabrina watched him with pleading eyes.
“Sabrina, even if we do end up together, it won’t work.”
“How would you know that?” she said.
“I’ll be away. It won’t last.”
Sabrina got up and walked up to him. She took his hand and stroked it. Gabriel observed her forlorn expression and stroked her hair with his free hand. He then placed his hand under her chin and tilted her head up.
“You still have your whole life ahead of you. You don’t need someone like me to hold you back,” he said.
She sighed and took his hand that was holding her chin and held it against her cheek. She closed her eyes and relished the feel of it. When she opened her eyes, Gabriel was looking down at her and had a melancholic smile.
“Don’t worry, you won’t be seeing the last of me,” he said.
With spring fading and summer fast approaching, Gabriel and Sabrina continued their arrangement. The conversation that took place in the library was never brought up again and was squashed in a dark place. One day in the library, Gabriel was looking at his college website on his newly purchased laptop to prepare for what lies ahead in the master’s program. Sabrina walked in and saw what Gabriel was looking at. Her eyes went downcast, but immediately put on a smile when she approached him.
“Are you looking at your new school?” she said.
“Yes. I was wondering, have you thought about going to college?” he said.
“No one has ever asked me that question, not even my father. I suppose he just assumed that after I inherit everything, I wouldn’t need college.”
“But do you want to go?” he said.
“Actually, I do.”
“You shouldn’t let anything stop you,” he said.
The next week, Gabriel was helping Sabrina research potential colleges. When she told her father her plans, he did not deny her, but did express a bit of surprise. She was so busy sending out applications and finding the perfect place to move to, she almost did not notice Gabriel’s last day as her tutor closing in.
Summer had ended as quickly as it came and fall snuck in with the crisp air and turning of the leaves. On his last day, Gabriel came out of Sabrina’s father’s study and went straight to Sabrina’s room. He knocked on her door and she came out dressed in muted dark colors.
“I just said goodbye to your father. He’s been good to me. He said I can come back anytime,” he said.
“I’ll miss you, Gabriel,” she said as she stepped closer.
“Back at you, princess.”
Gabriel wrapped his arms around her and held her in a tight embrace. He kissed the top of her head and let her go. Sabrina clasped her hands in front of her and looked at her shoes. Gabriel reached under her chin and tilted her head up.
“I’m proud of you, Sabrina. Good luck on getting accepted to the college you want. I’m anticipating your first day for the spring semester.”
“Thanks, Gabriel. Keep in touch?”
“You know where I live.”
After Gabriel’s resignation, Sabrina did not enter the library for a week. Instead, she spent time in her room or the garden. When she got her letter of acceptance from the college she most wanted, she mustered up enough courage to go back in the library, turn on her laptop, and email Gabriel her news. Gabriel answered back offering his congratulations and filled her in on what he was up to. They continued being pen pals and constantly corresponded to each other. Answering his emails would be the first thing she would do in the morning. When Christmas came along, they sent each other presents. Gabriel sent her a leather bound notebook and she clutched it for solace the minute she unwrapped it. One of his emails was of regret that he was unable to visit her during the Christmas holiday due to his visiting his own family.
When spring arrived, Sabrina loaded her belongings in boxes for the moving truck. When it was time to leave, she looked at her near empty room and headed outside.
“Ready to the leave the old nest, huh?” said her father.
“It’s now or never,” she said.
They looked out at the trees in front of them in silence. Her father turned and handed her the keys to a new Mercedes. Sabrina embraced her father and kissed him on the cheek.
“Bye, dad. I’ll call you when I get settled.”
Once the boxes and furniture were brought in her new apartment, Sabrina looked out of the hall to see if there were any neighbors. When she spotted no one, she closed the door and went to work on sorting out her things. An hour into the work, she heard a knock on the door. When she opened the door, she found a person holding a large stack of books that obscured his face.
“I don’t think those are mine,” she said.
The person lowered the stack of books and revealed himself. Sabrina beamed when she saw Gabriel’s face. Gabriel dropped the books and lifted Sabrina in a bear hug and spun her around the living room. When he put her down, he lowered his head and touched her lips with his.
“How did you know where I live?” she said.
“I asked your father earlier and wanted to surprise you.”
“So, does that mean we can be together?” she said.
“I don’t see why not. You do live closer to me now and I’m not letting you venture out in this world alone.”
Sabrina wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his cheek and gave him another kiss on the lips.
“My father will be so surprised,” she said.
“Because you’re with someone who’s not rich?”
“Oh no, he actually though you didn’t like girls.”