my breath, I waited until he disappeared through the door I had thought would lead into the closet. When I was finally alone, I took my time unpacking, stacking my clothes inside the drawers and arranging my toiletries on top, then dropped on the bed to rest and gather my thoughts. A week alone with Gael, away from his busy schedule, from our families and my money worries, and yet all I could think about was the tattooed guy at the airport and the moment our eyes connected. There had been something in his green gaze, something deep and twisted and unnatural.
I groaned at myself and closed my eyes, willing sleep to free my surprisingly vivid imagination from visualizing a guy I had seen for all of a few seconds.
"Soph." A hesitant voice broke through my bubble. Someone touched my arm gently. I opened my eyes groggily to stare at Gael's shape leaning over me. For a moment, I thought his eyes had turned black as coal, soaking up the light seeping in through the curtains. Whimpering, I pulled back from him. When I blinked, the vision was gone.
"Hey, it's just me," Gael whispered. "You had a bad dream."
I nodded and rubbed my head even though I couldn't remember having any dream. Just the pitch black I had been seeing for months now.
"Ready to get some food?" He held his hand out and I grabbed it, noticing how cold his skin felt in spite of the hot weather. He had changed into a pair of khaki slacks and a white shirt that made his tanned skin look darker.
"Yeah, great." I smiled and let him accompany me downstairs to the waiting limousine.
"You've been a bit strange lately," Gael resumed the conversation as soon as the driver sped off.
"How so?" My gaze met his. I hoped he couldn't see the turmoil inside me. Yes, I had been strange, but it wasn't because of anything he had done or said. I just didn't feel like myself. It was as if someone else dwelled inside my body, controlling my mind and emotions. I couldn't remember the last time I hadn't been jumpy and harried, just like my songs, but I guessed that's what the death of someone you were close to does to you. It makes you numb, dead inside.
Gael shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe distant?"
"I'm just tired, that's all." I leaned against his shoulder and wrapped my arm around his waist. He didn't react. "Sorry, I didn't notice. It's not you, it's me."
"Just don't let it affect us, okay?" His tone was harsh.
I nodded in spite of my anger flaring up. I didn't like anyone telling me what to do, but he had a point. I couldn't let my personal problems destroy my friendship with Gael. I should've said 'relationship', but I knew that one had no future. For a second, I felt jealous at how well he handled the loss of his brother.
Gael pulled me closer and planted a kiss on my forehead. "Good. Now let's focus on what we came for. I promised you a special time and that's exactly what you're getting."
"What did you have in mind?" I raised my brows at the secretive grin on his face.
"Just trust me."
A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a restaurant and we stepped out. A black shadow scooped over my head and perched on a nearby drainpipe. I raised my gaze against the glaring sun and peered at the large crow. The light caught in its beady eyes, making them shine like a mirror. My heartbeat sped up even though I wasn't really surprised to see the bird. It couldn't be the same and yet I knew it was, just as much as I had somehow known all along it'd be following me all the way to Brazil. Inclining my head lightly, I nodded at it, feeling instantly stupid. The bird let out a caw and flew away.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving," Gael said, pulling me through the open door.
"Yeah, me too." My stomach growled in agreement. We sat at the table near the window overlooking the busy street outside. As we ordered, the crow returned and settled on the roof of the opposite building. Something told me it was there to watch. The uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach returned as my appetite dissipated.
Chapter 3 - Thrain
Under the hot Brazilian sun, I crouched down to the ground and touched the cracking earth, which