Whippingaround she followed his gaze towards the ceiling a few feet away from her face.Along the white crown molding was a huge black spider. With the speed of a catshe jumped off the ladder letting out a piercing shriek, in seconds she wasbehind Gabriel clutching at his white button-down shirt.
Lettingout a deep, harsh laugh Gabriel pulled away from her stepping closer to thebookshelves and turned around to face her.
"Ohmy God that was great," he laughed as he yanked off his blue silk tie,throwing it on the empty desk. "So I take it you are afraid ofspiders?"
Salenedid not answer the dark question, he was not seeking an answer he was justseeking a reaction. Averting her gaze from his mischievous smile she nearlyscreamed again as the spider quickly crawled down the shelf. Pressing herselfflat against the open door Salene watched in horror as Gabriel carefully turnedand cupped his hands around the disgusting eight-legged creature. Turning hishead back to her Gabriel gave her an unholy smile. A smile she was quitefamiliar with growing up with three brothers.
Lettingout another scream she ran out of the room as he lunged forward. Racing downthe hallway towards the living room she practically vaulted the sofa. Turningon her heel, she screamed when she saw him right there on the other side of thecouch holding to what she presumed was the spider in his cupped fist.
"Gabrielstop!" she shouted as she moved left a little when she saw him inch to hisleft on the other side of the couch.
Gabrieldid not say anything, the evil smile he gave her only grew larger as he jumpedthe sofa.
"Stop,"she screamed at the top of her lungs. With the speed that could have only beengiven by God himself, she rounded the sofa just in the nick of time as Gabriellanded on her side.
Withher bare feet hitting the hardwood in the hallway she made a hard left turn atthe first door, she came across. The sound of footsteps right behind her madeher ignore her surroundings as she barreled through another door slamming itshut behind her. Looking around she realized she must have ran into Gabriel'sbathroom, miscellaneous male toiletries scattered the bathroom counter.
Thelocked doorknob behind her jostled followed by heavy knocking. "Salenecome out." Even through the bathroom door, she could hear the laughter inhis voice.
"No!Go away you asshole." Leaning against the door Salene tried to control herbreathing as her heart thudded against her breast.
Theshuffling noise of movement against the door made her freeze. Would he try andpush the spider through the bottom of the door? Beyond terrified Salene yanked atowel off the nearby rack and stuffed it at the door's base.
"Justcome out," he laughed darkly. "I promise I will not put it onyou."
"NoI do not believe you," Salene could hear her voice crack as she felt tearsstinging her eyes. This was beyond terrifying, why was he doing this to her?"You would not have chased me if you were not going to put it on me youasshole!"
"Salene,"now his voice was so close to the door that she backed away slightly. "Ifyou keep calling me an asshole I am going to tear this door off the hinges andput this spider down your shirt."
Backinginto the wall next to her Salene tried not to let his threat affect her, but itdid.
"Pleaseleave me alone Gabriel." Salene did her best to make her voice soundstrong despite wanting to cry in frustration.
Theslight scratching at the door followed by a high whimper made her rememberBishop in all the chaos. He was most likely confused.
"Ialready told you I would." Gabriel's voice had lost the mischievous tonebehind it, now he just sounded bored.
"Butyou still have the spider," she countered.
"FineI will kill it."
"No!"she shouted coming back closer to the door.
"Whatthe fuck," she could hear the long groan that punctuated his words."I thought you…"
"Pleasedon't kill it, spiders are integral to our ecosystem." Without spiderskeeping the insect population at bay, humans would most likely have to slatherthemselves in pungent chemicals daily for any peace. "I do not want you tokill it. I just don’t want it on me."
"Christin heaven," he mumbled along with a few curses.
Theroom beyond the door went silent, Salene could not even hear the slightjingling of Bishop's collar. Removing the towel from the door, she stepped outinto the dark bedroom. Everything was so quiet. Holding her breath, she steppedlightly but quickly around the large bed towards the door. Reaching the bedroomdoor, she was just about to step one foot over the threshold when Gabrielstepped in front of her.
"Boo,"opening his hand over her shirt.
Screamingshe jumped back while madly wiping at her shirt. Stumbling back onto the bedshe scrambled to see that there was nothing on her shirt. Holding onto thedoorjamb, Gabriel doubled over in laughter at the scene she caused. Frustratedand beyond embarrassed Salene could feel her eyes sting with oncoming tears.Getting up from the bed she moved to push past him, but Gabriel stepped infront of her path.
"Ohfuck, are you going to cry Salene?" He taunted cruelly, forcing her totake a step back until the back of her knees hit the bed.
Everymuscle in her body screamed to slap him, but she felt she knew Gabriel wellenough by now, to know that he would probably hit her back. Shaking in angershe averted her gaze from his, she did not want him to see her break.
