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Gabriel had always been a careful man. Or, atleast, that was something he often prided hjmself with. There wasn't much that slipped past his piercing gaze or his sharp mind. Which is why, when his mother was so against him putting his trust in Davina, doubts started to rise in his mind. Not that there was enough to really make him think about it, but he still found it odd.
After their... heated conversation, Gabriel found himself wandering around the house of his childhood, staring at the picture that hung on the wall or sat on the furnitures. As he wandered, he eventually arrived in front of the parler, a cozy living room with the door closed more often than not.
As a young child, he would often find his mother there and, when she let him enter, they would talk for hours on end, the sun shining trough the window until it went to bed, then replaced by the moon.
In a state of nostalgia that was uncommon for him, he entered said room, curiously looking for any change in it.
He did see some changes, altough nothing too major. There was a picture of Emmaline, carrying a young Mikey in her arm. But that was no surprise. What did catch his attention though was another photograph, one he had never noticed before. But from the looks of it, it wasn't new either, as the pictures portrayed a younger version of his mother, one he had never know.
And with her there was another woman, one he was certain he hadn't seen before. But despite that certainty, a feeling of familiarty lingered, one he couldn't help but notice. He looked her over once again, determined to put a finger on the person she reminded him of. And as he noted each of her features carefully, those big eyes and wavy hair, he noticed something. If not for the color of both of those, she looked exactly like Davina.
That was strange. Was Davina related to that woman ? Better yet, who was that woman ?
Those questions would be left unanswered for now as he had to leave soon. Adam was ready with the car, Davina was taking care of Mikey and the Lunch basket she had asked for would soon be done. Time wasn't on his side here, he'd have to save those questions for later.
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They had already left Verona about half an hour ago, Adam driving them, the privacy window (?) up and Mikey sleeping on Davina's laps while she ran a hand trough his hair absently.
Actually, now that he payed attention to it, everything she had done since they had left was done in that way. She seemed lost in thoughs and on her face was something he hadn't often seen with her ; conflict.
"Davina." He called out her name, wanting to see if he could learn anything about this unusual behavior.
"Hm ?" Her reply was faint, far different from her usual ones. But her gaze did shift to meet his, atleast there was that.
"When we get back to Lyon, we'll be readying the annex for our return." He decided to continue, not giving up on his investigation just yet.
"That's good." Her gaze went back to looking out the window, away from him. He raised a brow. What had really happened ?
"I'll need your help getting Mikey–" He pursued, hoping she would give him something, anything.
"Yes, sir. Whatever I can do, just let me know." But she interupted him. Something was definitely up. She was lost in thoughs, wearing a cryptic expression on her face. Then her gaze shifted to look at the child laying on her laps, Mikey.
A hint, finally ! As small as it was, atleast he got something. Whatever she was thinking of, Mikey had been on her mind at some point.
But something was up with her. Her expression wasn't entirely cryptic anymore, her gaze now held a hint of... worry ? Lord, he had to know what had happened. But at the moment, he wouldn't get anything more out of her. He would have to try again later.
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And that evening was when he got the chance. Davina had been cleaning a few dishes, wiping one of them clean as he leaned against the counter, staring at her as she did so. He stared for a while, noting her thoughful gaze and absent movement before eventually calling her out on it.
"Davina." Was the way he decided to start this conversation, like he had many other.
"Hm ?" Was her, once again, absent response.
"That plate as been clean for 5 minutes."
"Oh. Yes." She replied, letting out a sigh as she put the plate away and placed the towel on her shoulder. Finally, words.
He saw this as an opening, deciding to try his luck, attempting to answer atleast one of the questions that had been on his mind since they had left Verona.
"... Did my mother say something to you ?"
Her hand, that was previously on her face in despair over her action, left it as she froze up, caught off guard. It was strange how easy she could be to read sometimes.
"...So she did." He concluded, the sentence more of an affirmation and less of a question then before.
"If whatever she said as upset you–" He tried to continue, hoping his mother hadn't told Davina anything she shouldn't have. Whether it was business related or something a bit more... embarrassing.
"I'm not upset." But she cut him again, tilting her head up to look at him as her face went back to that unreadable expression.
"You shouldn't pay her any mind." He continued, still trying to reassure her, or himself, that this wasn't a big deal.
"– that is, if it was about me..." He tried, now wanting to know what they had talked about, hoping it wasn't anything personal.
"No. It was nothing." She replied, her tone firm. It seemed she wouldn't go any further with the subject.
"Or rather, it was nothing important." Bull crap. He knew it. Why would she act so differently if it wasn't important ?
"Nothing... Important." His tone was doubtfull and they both knew it.
Actually, he wanted her to know that he didn't believe that, hoping that would somehow make her more eager to tell him the truth. But she didn't, and his waiting had been in vain.
"I see..." So be it then. He would still try to get those answer a way or another, but maybe acting like he was giving up would help his case.
"I'm sorry, but I don't wish to speak of it further."
"I understand."
"Goodnight, Mr. Angelini." And with that, she was gone.
Of course. He shouldn't have gotten his hopes up, especially not with her and her professionalism, as much as he sometimes wondered where it had gone. But nonetheless, her... nonchalant response, the way she wouldn't open up to him... it made him feel a very unfamiliar and displeasing emotion.
"What else could I expect ? She's made her feelings clear."
His fist clenched and so did his jaw, his gaze set on the floor as the displeasing feeling spread trough his chest despite his best effort to keep it away. The frustration, the anger, the... sadness ? No. That wasn't something he could show, not with his statut. Not when he was second under the boss of the venitian mafia. He would admit to feeling let down, dissapointed, but not sad, vulnerable. Never.
After all, she didn't have to trust him with personal matters and he wouldn't force her. That and also the fact that he wasn't in any position to talk on the matter, not with how little she (or anyone else, really) knew about him.
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The next day was, he hoped, gonna be a lot more lighthearted.
With Mikey and Davina by his side, they arrived in front of the longely awaited new annex. And, without any surprise, Mikey was quite bummed about it's appearance.
"It looks..." He started, his expression completely serious. "... Exactly like the old house." He finished, his now bored expression a drastic change from the previous one.
But as always, Davina managed to bring a bright smile back on his face as she reminded him that this house had a little something more to it.
"But this one has an art room."
"That's right !" The young boy replied, now back to his enthusiatic self as he ran, arm flowing behind him, towards the annex. "I'll pick out the paint color for the art room !"
They followed close behind, the redheaded woman taking a look around, only to agree with his son.
"It does look the same"
"Wait, let's see my room first !" The little ball of energy that Mikey was exclaimed, running upstairs to his room. Davina, as his nanny, was close behind, almost immediatly following his trail.
"I'm right behind–"
But Gabriel stopped her. He had made a deal with the triad and agreed to Alice's conditions. He had to let the her know, as the event for wich she was needed was fast approaching.
"One moment, Davina." He marked a pause, making sure she was listening before continuing his speech. "There's an event next week that I need you to attend with me."
"An event ?"
"The summer ball." He replied to her question, feingining nonchalance. He disliked this situation he had put himself into. Davina wasn't supposed to go with him to the summit and he would make it a point to discreetly nudge her towards turning down his offer.
But then again, he had to tell her why her presence was required.
"I was planning to take Val with me, but Alice insiste on seeing you there."
Her expression changed to one of surprise and wonder as she spoke again.
"Alice ?"
"Your presence was a condition of our business going forward." There. Now that the explanation was done, he could focus on attempting to nudge her towards refusing the invitation.
"It would be in a purely profesional capacity. I'd appreciate your cooperation on this, but I understand if it's outside the realm of your duties." There. He'd said it. Insisted on all the right words. Surely with all of that she would–
"Ah, sure. Whatever you need."
Well fuck him. He should have seen this coming to be honest, of course she would stay profesional, it wasn't like this had never happened before. But still, he had hoped she would pick up on the way he had phrased his sentences and the tone he had used. But then again, she had been hagard for a while now, maybe that was it. But she did look like she had picked up on it, judging by the way she had adverse her gaze. Maybe she just didn't understand.
Whatever, the deed was done and there was no going back now, as much as this irritated him. Screw it.
"Very well. I'll get you the details over the coming days." He said as he left. Well, atleast she would be at his arm, looking like an absolute snack in a beautiful dress as she always di– Nope. His mind shouldn't wander there. Madonna Santa, help him. Just what was he doing ?
They parted ways with that final sentence, Gabriel heading into another room as Davina headed upstairs, most likely going to meet Mikey.