"Banned!"

Ten hours later at eight that night, the family of six who were gathered around the dinning table were looking sombre when the man of the house slapped a white document on the table, barking in rage.

After the showdown at the church in-between service, they had been unceremoniously ushered out of the Church to the large car park to sort out their differences by the church wardens. Raphael Asika, who was an outstanding member of the church committee, had to bear the brunt of the matter by accepting the punishment for the calamitous event, and he was letting his family know how 'unhappy' he was with the situation.

"Banned from the parish for a month! In all my church going years of over thirty years, never has the doors been closed to my face, and now this? Unbelievable!" He was exasperated, feeling like he had aged two decades in just two days. When no one would offer up an explanation, he slumped back into his chair tiredly.

"Can someone please tell me who started all these ruckus?" He demanded, his eyes locked between his two eldest sons.

Gabriel had returned late evening, having dropped by the beach on his way home to reflect on his thoughts. Instead of revisiting that memory from when he was fourteen, he had focused on irrelevant ones, easily stuffing it under the pile, exactly where it should be.

To his surprise, Gina wasn't in the room when he arrived, and a simple enquiry confirmed she was in the library, and wanted no disturbance. Leaving her be, he had gotten to dinner where she joined him, but her stiff posture told him all was not well. Now he knew why.

"Honestly, Father, Gina only act rash to protect Gabriel's image," Malcolm began, trying to act diplomatic.

Did this boy never tire of mentioning his name all the time?

"Even in my absence, my influence seems to reach far." Was Gabriel's reply as he sat calmly beside a nail-biting woman that seemed to want to crawl into his big frame and hide.

"Gina, dear?"

Being put on the spotlight, he watched her adjust slightly on her chair, nibbling paused. Unlike his earlier countenance, he relaxed his features so she could perceive he wasn't angry with her, maybe disappointed was more in tune.

"She boasted about sleeping with Gabriel so boldly, and to my face."

"She called me a scallywag!" Lilah piped up in defence, causing Anthony to snicker.

Raphael glared at his youngest son and sighed audibly. "Is this matter humorous, Anthony?"

Receiving no answer, he shook his head and continued to watch with scepticism the pregnant young lady that his wild son was successfully trying to corrupt. She was too young -in his opinion, too immature- to handle the headache that came with dating someone like Gabriel. He'd ruin her as he had ruined other girls before, like he ruined Malcolm's new assistant, Ada, if something wasn't done about it. Even remembering her sudden appearance at the company had him gritting his teeth hard.

But even as he was bound by duty to save the girl from the 'mess' that was his son, he couldn't help but agree with Malcolm when he insisted Gina was exactly what Gabriel needed. Since she came to stay with them, the altercations between the brothers had ceased, as if her pregnancy was the sort of distraction Gabriel needed to stop trying to snatch the company right from under their noses.

"I understand that this is not a matter that can be resolved so easily," he began, slowing weighing his words to judge their reactions. He was simply playing this by ear, and if all goes well, Malcolm would get his wish, and Gabriel would stop breathing down their necks.

"This is not any of the ladies' fault, as my sons have been highly irresponsible. Gabriel lusted after a woman that wasn't his, and did not bother to resolve the issue with his woman. From what I understand about women, I'm surprised they didn't kill each other. A death would have resulted because of some careless decisions!"

Expelling a heavy breath to rein in his anger, he continued. "My sons tried to put asunder the beautiful friendship you both have cultivated during the week, and I'm deeply hurt by this, and because I know how they can be, I apologise that you have to deal with such behaviours.

"I can't have my future daughters-in-law become enemies because of some minute misunderstanding now, can I? Which is why, I've decided to have my guests stay one month extra to mend their fences."

The look of surprise, disbelief and aghast varied distinctively on everyone's face as they slowly digested the news.

Gabriel was nearly up and out of his chair in an instant, the dinning table keeping him in control. "You cannot be serious! Do you expect me to stay longer in this house after what happened?"

Raphael returned the intense glare. "I expect you to behave maturely since the concept seems to have eluded you recently."

"Acting maturely means I have to take responsibility for something I didn't do, and I won't do it."

"You may be innocent, but your girlfriend clearly isn't." The jab was low, Raphael knew it, but Gabriel was stepping out of line. "And for a woman who was comely when she first arrived, I must admit your influence over her is astonishing."

Gabriel scoffed, his eyes darting between his brother and his father. He could smell a gang-up from a mile away and these two were making it hard for him to fight fairly.

"And what about the whore that your precious son is parading around as a girlfriend? You don't think Malcolms' influence over her is toxic after he sent her to seduce me?"

As expected, Malcolm rose up to her defence. "You don't get to call her that, most especially not after you tried to lure her into your bed. Even your girlfriend was a reliable witness."

The room stilled, obviously unaware of this sudden twist to the story. All eyes flew to her direction, forcing Gina to focus her attention on the grilled fish adorning her plate.

"Is this true, Gina?"

Being put on the spotlight a second time that night made Gina reconsider her surrogacy agreement. She was paid to carry a child to full term, not carry the man's family problems as well.

"Is what true?"

The scoff of frustration from almost all was clear indication that her delay tactic did not impress anyone.

"You saw Gabriel lure Lilah into bed, didn't you? You admitted to it yesterday." Malcolm insisted, pushing her closer to implicating herself.

She was no fool, sensing Malcolm's angle the minute he brought up her part. She didn't understand why the brothers hated each other, and she didn't want to be caught in the crossfire by letting Malcolm use her as a pawn. Gabriels' machinations were more than enough.

"I didn't see anything like that." Ignoring the gasps, she returned his gaze unblinking before continuing. "What I saw was a naked Lilah dragging Gabriel to join her on the floor."

"You're a liar! That's not what happened!" Lilah was incensed and rightfully so. Her eyes were flashing and she looked ready to lunge from across the table.

"He didn't look happy to see you so he obviously didn't invite you to the room. That shows you invited yourself and tried to seduce him willingly."

"Your testimony is as fickle as your words. You reek of lies, Gina." Malcolm hissed at her. "What did Gabriel offer you that made you change your story? Money? Power? Are you that greedy?"

As if thrown into a deja vu, Gina found herself itching to put him in his place. However, Gabriel stole the spotlight right from underneath her.

"Not everyone is like your girlfriend, Malcolm."

Raphael rolled his eyes at the brewing battle of words, before returning his attention to his meals.

"And yet, you attract them to yourself like flies. Because the only thing you could ever offer them is money. First, Tracy, then Amelia. Who's to say Gina is any different?"

Gabriel didn't refute the claim, his mind whirling with scenarios. Once he caught his bait, he dove right in.

"Maybe you're right about that. I mean, Gina isn't any different which would explain why seeing her with me irks you. Judging by how goofy you were with her yesterday, I'm thinking all 'these' is just a ruse for what you really want. First, there was Tracy, then came Amelia, and lastly, Ada. I can't help but wonder if the reason you condone Lilah's behaviour was to ship us together so you could have Gina all to yourself."

He laughed, the strange sound coming off as forced and strangled. "You're saying nonsense."

"Am I? Humour me, then." He pushed his plate away and rested his elbows on the desk, his gaze flickering between his brother and a fidgety Lilah. "You leave your girlfriend all week to torment my girlfriend, drilling her for clues and whatnots, and the minute you sense your opening, you dive in. Is it a coincidence you were with Gina the exact same period Lilah came up to my room?"

"You're making up stories, Gabriel. Those independent incidents has nothing to do with this."

"You know, for a guy who openly declared his distaste for her in front of his family, I find your sudden friendship with her fake. Did you coerce her into enduring your company?" He hissed spitefully.

"For your information, she accepted my friendship wholeheartedly." This statement was news to Gabriel who raised suspicious brows at Gina. She averted her gaze, wondering how to get herself out of the pickle.

Malcolm continued, regardless. "I didn't force her to do anything she didn't want to do. And if you must know, I'm not one to hold grudges till the day I die, unlike some unfortunate soul."

Silence befell the room in waves, bringing notice to the fact that everyone had stopped eating as well. The siblings knew what that statement implied, and the consequence thereof, but to their bafflement, Gabriel chuckled, running a steady palm across his face. His action didn't depict ire.

"I'll hold you to your word that this is mainly friendship. If you make a move on her, I'd not take it lying down, I promise you." His word held weight, and Gina --who sat close to him-- shivered visibly, feeling the deadly chill in his voice.

Raphael attempted to roll his eyes at Gabriels' threat, but his brows rose when his eyes found Malcolm who looked confused and --as he studied him closely, he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the telltale signs-- pained?

Without a word, Gabriel stood up from his chair and walked out the room, his form rigid and his steps calculated.

"I suppose this means you'd be seeing more of me now, Gina," Lilah muttered maliciously, dragging attention back to her.

That statement had Gina snapping out of whatever trance Gabriel's departure had left her in, to hiss at her, before remarking with a sinister undertone wrapped up in an ugly sneer. "Gabriel should have gotten rid of you that first night."

Lilah shivered visibly and inched backwards from the ominous words, seeking solace in boyfriend's arms.

Ignoring the sudden gasps that went round, Gina pushed her chair backwards and slipped out, making a hasty excuse before dashing in the general direction Gabriel had gone through.

Raphael cast a glance in Malcolms' direction and found his gaze locked at the entrance, the same passageway Gina had walked out from, and he wondered briefly, for a moment, if history would repeat itself again. He'd like to think Malcolm wouldn't be that stupid. Would he?

++++++

Gina found Gabriel standing on the front porch, his concentration locked on the large car park ahead. A maid had informed her where he went after exiting the dinning room, and she had followed suit.

She didn't know why she felt she had to explain to him the sense behind befriending his brother, or why she had to apologise for it, but Malcolm had offered a white flag where there wasn't, and she had grabbed it with both hands greedily.

"Gabriel?"

Not expecting her presence, he lifted up his head to regard her, his eyes narrowing susceptibly. He didn't seem angry, but then again, the man was always in a bit of rage that he was quickly becomming an expert at masking it sometimes.

"So, you prefer my brother's company to mine? I should have known your little rebellious act was not random." It was the mirthless chuckle that betrayed his current emotion.

She winced at the accusation, before attempting to clarify the misconception. "The two events are not related, Gabriel. You know how much I hate being cooped up in this house, so I took my chance when I saw it."

"After he had offered you his help, no less."

"He came out of nowhere offering friendship. I accepted it out of goodwill."

"Why would you do that? He's not been nice to you since you came to this house. He's called you a gold digger and a liar straight to your face. And once again this night. Why then would you befriend him?"

"Tell me why not when you sat by me and did absolutely nothing in all these scenarios. Tell me why I shouldn't accept his kindness when you've treated me like some sort of property."

That seemed to drive home a point, so he stepped away from the porch and made his way over to where she stood, watching her. His eyes roamed over her face, taking in her features as if committing them to memory. Then, he inched backwards and muttered,

"But that is what you are, isn't it?"

It was neither the words, nor the way he constructed his sentence that pricked her, but the expression on his face. As if a bucket of chilled water had been dumped on her, she staggered backwards, reeling from shock.

Words left her, common sense abandoned her, and level-headed emotions took flight when all she could see was red.

How dare he?

She turned and began a steady march back into the house. At first, she told herself a soak in the tub would calm her down, but when the sound of his voice filtered through, she made a quick turn and headed for the patio. A swim seemed like the ideal thing to do.

It wasn't the defiant lift of her chin, or the thinning of her lips as he uttered those dreadful words that told him he was beginning to sink, it was her lack of reaction. Somehow, he had expected her to react and lash out, giving it to him as good as she got it, but like yesterday, she had stumped him yet again.

What sort of influence did Malcolm hold over her? He didn't believe this friendship crap.

When she made the curve for the patio, he hastened his step, suddenly feeling chills encroach on his exposed skin. He did not like coming to this patio at night.

"Gina, stop walking." He commanded, not surprised when her pace increased. "Where do you think you're going to this night? It's already dark!" He chided, watching her climb on the deck, quickly making her way to the loungers.

Did she intend to swim this late at night?

Mesmerised by the insanely addictive steps, he watched her make calculated steps to and fro on the dimly lit patio. Shaking his head from the distraction, he schooled his features tightly.

"Gina, this is stupid. Get down from that place," he demanded, getting tired of watching her pace to the edge of the pool and back again to the deck chairs.

"I think this particular property of yours would not mind a swim this night to clear her head," she retorted, pausing briefly to glare at him before stopping at the ledge, to stare into the beckoning water.

He winced at the cutting words before letting out a calming breath. "I don't think taking a swim this late at night is a good idea."

"I think it's better than being around you."

He exhaled, wondering if saying he was sorry would make her change her mind about taking a dive into the pool. But when she tugged on her pink cardigan, he panicked, despite himself.

"Don't swim, please. I can't dive in after you if you have any accident and start to drown."

He wished he could slap a hand over his mouth the minute those words left his lips. Her curious eyes found his, obviously trying to gauge what it was in his words that made her pause. "Why?"

He couldn't pretend he didn't know what she was referring to. His eyes darted to his flipflop covered legs. "I can't swim." He breathed into the still atmosphere. "I'm deathly terrified of big bodies of water."

Like a silent breeze, she edged away from the pool and paused, watching him curiously, probably trying to detect a lie somewhere. He tilted his head a bit and indicated the lawn where he stood. That singular action was enough to break the spell and she smirked at him before moving back to the edge again.

"I know I made a stupid comment. Now, get down from there before you fall in."

That forced her to face him, her face scrunched up. "What you said isn't a stupid comment. It is a condescending statement. You insulted me as if I'm nothing. Although compared to your status, that may be true, but I want you to know that I hold all the cards here. So, I'd be careful with my choice of words if I were you."

"Are you threatening me? Is that what this is? Don't forget, I'm still in charge here and I can have you replaced in a blink of an eye."

She squared her shoulders and regarded him haughtily. "I doubt you can afford to get rid of me so far in this pregnancy. Besides, you can't afford such mistakes now that you know I'm good friends with your brother."

He knew she was playing with him now, he deserved it after all, but he couldn't help feeling caged in by her, so he went for the offence. "I won't grant you anything else. You already have your freedom."

She nodded, moving away from him slyly. "I knew you'd be difficult, but so can I."

She cocked her head in likewise manner. When she spoke up again, he could barely catch her words.

"I forget to tell you that I went to see Dr. Wasiu last week and we got talking. He told me it would be relatively easy to do it since I'm only four months gone. He even said it would be done professionally in such a way that I won't feel any pain or suffer from any complications. It would just be a mass of tissue and blood, just a simple mess."

The horror etched on his face when he understood her message made his fist clench uncontrollably.

"Are you mad?!" He choked. "You can't do that, Gina. We had an agreement."

"An agreement where my opinions are treated as trash, yet you get to do whatever you want?" She countered, looking belligerent. "I won't do it anymore, Gabriel. I won't put your child above my desires anymore. If I have to dance to your tune one more day, be very sure that I would bring harm to this child without a second thought. Decide now, Gabriel Asika, or I'll help you do it."

He hated the ultimatum she posed, knowing he couldn't call her bluff because everything was relying on the birth of that child.

She snorted when he didn't say anything, breaking into his thoughts. "You know, for a man who hasn't asked after his child's wellbeing in over a month, I'm surprised it still means so much to you."

He wanted to let her know why he refrained from worrying about the child's wellbeing, but he abandoned the thought.

"Fine," he breathed audibly. "Let's reach a compromise."

"What's the makeup of this compromise so I can decide if I agree or not? I would not be played for a fool again by you."

He refrained from rolling his eyes at her rigid stance. He supposed his ways of solving disagreements lately had been uncovered, and the discovery was not too palatable.

"I can only blame myself for this present predicament called you. I knew there was something about you when I saw you dancing on that stage that night. I also knew I shouldn't have chosen you when I woke up that morning, but I've always had this stubborn streak to push against my own limits. And, as surprising as it seems to me, I know I'm loosing my control, so, I must get it back."

"What are you talking about?"

He shook his head, flashing her a benign smile that melted the confusion on her face away.

"Nothing you should worry your little head about. Just know that I heard your message loud and clear, and I'm willing to cave, but only for some things. I'm never changing my mind about a signed contract, and you must abide by what you agreed on."

"As far as I'm allowed a little freedom, yes."

He covered the distance between them in seconds, forcing them back into the cocoon of the derilious desire that threatened to engulf him earlier. Looking into her wide eyes, he breathed deeply,

"Now that you're no longer breathing fire, can I kiss you?"

She tilted her head upwards, allowing his lips to allign perfectly with hers. Their lips barely an inch apart, a smirk creased her lips as she parted them ever so slowly,

"No."

Gabriel eyed the cold pool and toyed with the idea of taking a deep plunge to calm down his raging hormones and throbbing member.

You're in trouble, he chided himself, watching her hips swing behind her as she retreated. You're in big trouble.

~~~~~~~

At least, that is one way to be in charge.

Gina's strike came at a time when Gabriel is vulnerable. She should bask in her superiority while it lasts.

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