Arielle Immortal Resolve (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 8) (14 page)

“Will you get Annabel’s number for me?” he asked, just before he dropped her off at her house.

“Yes, I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said as she stepped out of the car. She turned and, leaning over the seat, asked for another kiss. She kissed him with hunger this time and he responded to her kiss with a chuckle.

The next day he anxiously waited for Cinzia’s call. It didn’t come until late that afternoon and he was going out of his mind. He thanked her and told her he'd call her soon. Eagerly he dialed Annabel’s mobile. He thought his chest would burst from sheer excitement. He was getting closer to his quest for Arielle.

“Hello?” he heard a soft voice on the other end.

“Is this Annabel?” he asked.

“Who wants to know?” Her voice was quite abrupt.

“It’s Gaston.”

“Gaston!” she exclaimed. “Where are you?” Her voice was filled with excitement.

“I’m in Salerno for the summer. Where are you?”

“So am I!” she cried in sheer bliss. “When can I see you?” she asked eagerly. His instinct urged him to have this meeting as soon as possible.

“Can we meet today?” he asked.

“Right now would be just fine with me,” she replied.

“Tell me exactly where you are and I’ll come over.” She gave him her location, and they hung up. The drive wasn't long and soon he was knocking at her door. He was startled as she threw the door wide open and fell in his arms in pure pleasure.

“Oh, Gaston, you look just as stunning as ever!”

“And you’re just a beautiful as ever, Annabel, how have you been? I heard you’re still breaking hearts left and right.” She looked delighted with his comment and laughed aloud in joy.

“Well, you know me. More men more fun. How about you? Is there a permanent girl in your life? Or are you still looking?”

“Still looking,” he chuckled. “Do you see any of our old acquaintances?” he asked and noticed a dark flash that crossed her eyes.

“Yes,” she murmured, her eyes narrowed to slits. “Many of the people we knew back then are still around. A few have moved to other countries and some were killed in stupid fights.”

Gaston nodded. His heart pounded while trying to find a way to get around to Sebastian. He pulled his gaze away from Annabel’s and looked around.

“This is a beautiful home,” he complimented. She followed his gaze around the room.

“It’s just a place for the summer,” she replied.

“Do you spent a lot of time in Italy?” he asked.

“No, not really. I move around a lot.”

“Why is that?”

“I guess I like to change the view every now and then,” she chuckled, bitterly. “But enough about me. What've you been doing? I haven’t seen you for nearly 500 years,” she said, watching him intently. Gaston could tell she was troubled and avoiding his question.

“What do you want to know?” he asked softly.

“I want to know where you’ve been for all this time. What have you been doing with your life?” She kept a pleasant look on her face.

“Well…” his voice trailed. “You don’t want to hear my boring life story.” He gave her a quick glance and looked away. Annabel moved closer and sat right across from him.

“Why would you think that?” she asked in surprise. “I care about you Gaston, you were always trustworthy.” Her eyes scanned his face. Silence fell between them. Gaston closed his eyes and all he could think about was Arielle. How was he going to find a way back to her? He shook his head, opened his eyes, and forced a smile.

“Would you like a drink?” Annabel’s voice broke into his thoughts. There was quiet concern in her voice.

“Sure, that would be nice.”

She rose and walked over to the bar. “Scotch all right?”

“Fine.”

She poured a class and walked back with a smile. “That should hit the spot,” she chuckled, as if she knew something was bothering him.

Gaston took a sip and his voice came out soft and calm. “I moved around this boring planet for a long while. When I left France, I moved to Brazil where I found a great bunch of friends and spent approximately a century there. Then a few of us ventured out to the Far East where I spend nearly 300 years. That has to be the most amazing place I've ever lived. The women are fascinating and their way of life peaceful and graceful.” He took another sip of his drink and continued. “Later I met a young lady in Singapore and we dated for a few years. I followed her to her native Russia, where we lived together for a while and when I got bored I moved to Spain.” Gaston looked over at Annabel. “Spanish women are hot!” he chuckled again and she laughed with him. “I spent a reasonable amount of time in Spain but still hadn’t found what I was looking for,” he said bitterly.

“What is it exactly that you’re looking for?” she asked, watching him with extreme curiosity.

“I’m not sure, Annabel, but I seem to be in quest of something.” He stared at his glass and swirled his drink around. “I have a gut feeling that I might be getting close,” he said, and bit his lip.

“Well, I hope you find what you’re looking for,” she said, with a kind smile. “Gaston, if you need my help, remember that I’m here.” Her voice was firm. Reaching over, she gave him a soft pat on the hand.

“Right,” he said, absentminded.

“So how did you end up here in Italy?” she asked softly.

“I tired eventually of being away from home, and returned to France when I connected with the old bunch and we're here for vacation. But I’ve always known that I would end up back in France or Italy. They’re two of my most favorite places on this planet.” Gaston focused his attention somewhere in the distance. He remained silent for a long time, as memories flooded his mind like a huge title wave and he stopped breathing. Annabel cannon-balled him a stunned look.

“Gaston,” she called out. “What’s wrong?” His blue eyes looked up at her a bit shocked.

“Oh…I’m sorry Annabel, I just got carried away.” He smiled softly before he came out with his next question. “Why don’t you tell me a bit about what you've been doing with your life?” he asked.

“Gaston…Gaston…” she said, shaking her head disappointedly. “My life has been a real roller coaster. Not that I would admit that to anyone else,” she gazed at him intently. “I’ve roamed this globe for over 500 years and accomplished very little.” She smiled resentfully. “I’m completely aware that I’ve screwed up most of the great opportunities that could've improved my miserable existence.”

She tapped her fingers on the armchair and kept silent for a short while. She finally shot out of her chair and started to pace the floor nervously. Gaston was hoping that while she was in a rant, she would come around to talking about Sebastian. He was sure there was a lot to say and it didn’t take long.

“I wish I could get rid of the awfully powerful animosity I’ve been carrying around for so very long…” her voice trailed and more silence. She finally looked at Gaston and her face went still. Her fists balled by her side and her voice turned cold, freezing cold. “I want to hurt him, I want to hurt him so bad!” her voice was filled with passion, her teeth clenched.

“Whom are you talking about?” Gaston asked, in sheer shock with Annabel’s inconceivable fury.

“Sebastian!” she screamed and ran her hands through her hair, utterly frustrated.

Gaston flinched at his former best friend’s name and tried hard to hide his excitement. He wasn’t going to say anything to Annabel about the photo he’d seen and his theories.

“Sebastian?” he said acting astonished. “I thought Sebastian would be dead and gone by now. “

Annabel’s pacing came to an abrupt halt. “Oh, Gaston, I made a big mistake. I turned Sebastian to an immortal a long time ago.

“What are you saying Annabel?” Gaston drew in an anxious breath.

“Sebastian's an immortal now because of me,” she said. She laughed and it was a laughter of loathing and contempt. Then she sighed deeply but remained silent.

“What is it?” he finally asked breaking the silence.

“Gaston, the line between hatred and love is very thin, actually barely visible. I didn’t want him to die. I wanted to make sure that I could punish him for centuries to come. I wanted my revenge to be long and painful,” she said, and her eyes looked wild, filled with revulsion. “I was never going to let him be happy with another woman. I'd make sure I killed whoever he loved, just to deliver pain and misery in his life.”

“So what’s going on? Where is he?” he asked, pretending nonchalance.

“Gaston…”

“What?” he asked.

“I never really cared about his unimportant escapades with different women throughout the centuries. However this time around he's given a ring to a miserable human and planning to get married,” she grimaced and cursed out loud. “I hate them both,” she shrieked and pounded on the table. “I’ll never let this marriage take place.”

“Whom is he marrying?”

“I told you, some miserable human.” Her lips pressed in a thin line.

“Who is she?” he persisted.

“Her name is Arielle and I loathe her,” she murmured, and cursed again. However she didn’t go into details about how many times she’d already tried to actually get rid of her for good. Her thoughts were interrupted by Gaston’s thoughtful voice.

“I met a girl by that name and her two sisters, back in Calais.”

“When?” she asked a bit curious.

“Oh, way back, when Sebastian and I were in our twenties.”

“Then, I’m sure she’s not the same girl. The name is just a coincidence.”

“Are you sure?” he asked and hauled in a deep breath.

“Yes, I’m very sure. This girl is definitely human.”

“Do you happen to have a photo of her?” he asked.

“Why?” She was now searching his face.

“Well do you? I need to see the girl’s face.”

“Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I’ve used the photos when I need to locate her whereabouts.” She laughed contemptuously. She walked over to an end table and pulled a photo out of the drawer. She handed him the photo and watched him carefully. Gaston gasped in utter shock. It was Arielle, his Arielle.

“Annabel,” he said, in a husky voice. “I met this Arielle girl back in the 1500s. Back when Sebastian and I were in our twenties. Way before he met you. She and her sisters were at a gala his parents gave in Calais. She couldn’t possibly be human and still here after more than 500 years.” He stopped talking and hauled in a deep breath. He ran his hand irritably through his hair in sheer frustration.

“I don’t know anything about the Arielle you met,” she said. “But there’s nothing in this world that I’m more sure of, than the fact the marriage between this Arielle and Sebastian is never going to take place.

“But…” his voice trailed off. His expression was that of complete confusion. Annabel understood there was a lot more going on in his mind. Gaston appeared unable to separate his meeting with Arielle back in Calais and Annabel’s testimony.

“But what? What's so upsetting to you?” she was now sitting next to him watching him extremely close.

“Annabel,” he said, and exhaled deeply. He gazed in her eyes looking for answers.

“Are you sure this is the same girl?” she asked and pointed at the picture.

“Yes, I’m positive,” he murmured, and silence fell between them. She looked totally mystified but soon enough she broke the silence.

“Well I’m not sure what all this means. I can tell you that I’ve met the girl and she’s human.” Her reply was stern, her eyes fixed on his face.

“Annabel, I’d like to see her again. Can you arrange that?”

“Why are you interested in this girl?” she asked, looking at him with extreme curiosity. Gaston shifted uncomfortably, as he couldn’t help the odd feeling that traveled like a heat current through his body.
Arielle a human!
How strange,
he thought to himself. He hesitated for a moment.

“How long have they been together?” he asked in a low voice.

“Almost two years, but, Gaston, why do you care about Arielle?” she asked again giving him a serious look. He gazed deep into Annabel’s eyes, as emotion poured out of his mouth.

“I’m in love with her,” he murmured.

Annabel shot out of her seat, as if she was on fire. Her body was locked in a shocked position.

“What?” Her shocked green gaze swept over his face. “What?” she asked again extra forcefully this time.

“I’m in love with Arielle,” he said again and watched Annabel’s mouth drop in sheer astonishment.

“You love her?” she cried out. “When did you meet her?” she tried not to get to excited before having all the details.

“I told you, Annabel, I met her in Calais. I can’t explain how she can be human and here after 500 years, but I can assure you that this is the same girl.” He pressed the back of his hands to his eyes and cursed quietly in total frustration. “I’m going out of my mind. She's the reason I severed my friendship with Sebastian,” he said, his voice fierce with emotion.

“What do you mean?” Annabel asked, puzzled. Gaston swept her face with painful eyes and chuckled inconsolably.

“I told Sebastian back in Calais that I liked the girl and I didn’t want him to interfere. Sebastian and I never argued over girls. If I liked someone, but he really wanted to be with her, I stepped back, and he did the same for me. This time was different. I fell in love with this girl from the moment I set eyes on her. To my astonishment Sebastian moved in on Arielle and wouldn’t let go. I told him I felt strongly about her and that he needed to back off, but he dismissed me, as if I was a stranger.”

“What happened then?”

“We argued, and I ended up leaving his house upset. I went back the next morning to find out if things had calm down between us. At first he was as joyous as always, but when I brought Arielle’s name up he got extremely angry. Bitter words were exchanged between us and that was the end of our friendship. I must admit that I was devastated. Both of my worlds collapsed.” Gaston growled, pain and longing flashed across his eyes.

“Both worlds?” Annabel whispered inquisitively.

“Yes, both worlds,” he repeated. “The feeling of being in love for the first time and a long and treasured friendship. Both crashed and gone.” He pressed his lips together as anxiety spread across his beautiful face.