Chapter 26
Gabriel drove away from Melissa’s house on Blackstone Drive. His heart thumped wildly as he replayed the evening in his mind, how Melissa’s fingers interlaced with his, how her lips melded with his. His hand unconsciously touched his mouth as if searching for a sensation that lingered and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Her words resonated in his ears, three in particular. The expression she articulated, I love you, was indelibly imprinted in his core. He had never heard those words spoken together, for him. Melissa loved him. She had said so herself. She professed the most profound of feelings a human being could have for another, for him.
Although that fact evoked an emotional and physical response more potent than any book or movie could convey, guilt circled Gabriel, stalked him as a ferocious beast shadows its prey.
He turned down the long driveway leading to his house. As he pulled his Explorer in to one of three garage ports, self-reproach descended on him, tore at him with fanged teeth. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. Everything about him was a lie. His home and his relationship with Terzini, why he was in Harbingers Falls, his existence, were all carefully crafted lies. Shame overwhelmed him. Closing his eyes and depressing pressure points would not lessen his burden, though. He knew that such actions were irrelevant, ineffective. Hampered by despair, he reluctantly exited his SUV.
His stomach rolled as he crossed the threshold of the beautiful house. It stood as a beacon, an elaborate reminder of his many falsehoods. The structure, bought not by his father as he had led Melissa Martin to believe, but by Dr. Franklin Terzini, enabled research and development; the same research and development that led to his creation.
Dr. Franklin Terzini was responsible for his existence, had created him, but not as other men claimed responsibility for their offspring’s actuality. Gabriel’s maker had hand-selected and altered each strand of his DNA. Terzini was singly accountable for his being, had offered little more than his genius to achieve it.
Gabriel knew Dr. Terzini had acquired the genetic material of others, how he had preyed on those who sought the help of fertility specialists to enhance their chances of conception, and had exploited them. Utilizing several pseudonyms and the anonymity proffered by the World Wide Web, his maker had relieved countless fertility candidates of their samples but never united them as they had hoped. Instead, he engineered their matter to suit his scientific pursuits. He used it to create Gabriel.
Yet Gabriel did not view himself as an innovation, an idea realized. Nor did he regard himself as a product of corrupt activity. Rather, he considered himself as human as anyone he encountered thus far–more so in some cases. He wondered if presented with the truth, Melissa would deem him a monster. After all, she had not been given the opportunity to know what he really was. Melissa was not privy to the secrets of Gabriel’s formation.
Remorse slashed at Gabriel, threatened to consume him. He had lied to the one person he cared about, the one person on Earth who cared for him in return.
It became painfully clear that he needed to tell her the truth. He attempted rationalization, telling himself that if she loved him as she said she did, surely she would understand. But the reality of the situation was that he would not know until he told her.
Gabriel retired to his room and undressed. He desperately needed rest, a reprieve from the unrelenting reflections that raided his psyche. But sleep eluded him. Torment supplanted slumber. He tossed and turned before surrendering his battle with insomnia and conceding defeat.
Instead of repose, he sought solace in his favorite volumes of literature. He took his sketch pad from beneath his bed but could not draw save for the exquisite lines of Melissa’s face. Every attempt at comfort failed. So he lay awake in his bed as the night progressed slowly, torturously until daybreak finally arrived.
He watched from his window as dawn crept at an equally cruel pace and the sun began its indolent ascent from the horizon line. Reluctant rays lazily stretched and strained against the indigo heavens. A new day slowly emerged.
The rising sun signified a reckoning; it was the day Gabriel would confide in Melissa his deepest and darkest secret. He would tell her of his origins.
Motivated by an intense desire to please and impress Melissa, Gabriel began preparing and planning for his evening with her. He showered and shaved then brushed his teeth before making breakfast for himself. After assessing the state of his house, he decided he would need to clean each room. He also planned to cook a romantic dinner for Melissa. But before doing so, he consulted an Italian cookbook and chose a recipe he considered both palatable and appropriate for the occasion. After deciding on a salad appetizer, a linguine and shrimp main course and a decadent dessert, he formulated a shopping list and went shopping.
Busied by various chores, the day passed quickly; more quickly than Gabriel had expected. Shopping, cleaning and cooking had taken several hours. But he performed such tasks with relative ease. As part of his multifaceted learning program, domestic maintenance had an integral role.
His education embraced every nuance of etiquette. As a result, Gabriel had arranged a table setting that would have impressed Martha Stewart. Satisfied with his tableware arrangement complete with fresh flowers and candles, he double-checked that his shrimp linguine dish, perfected with fresh Portobello mushrooms and freshly made linguine he had prepared after his grocery excursion, was simmering not burning.
Another phase of his comprehensive education included the acquisition of culinary skills. Gabriel had cooking competences comparable to world-renowned chefs. His maker valued the concept of a Renaissance man and held that his gift to the world should not merely have generous genetic endowments, but also be highly skilled in multiple fields and multiple disciplines and should have a broad base of knowledge.
In Gabriel’s accelerated learning curricula, exposure to numerous focuses was compulsory. Consequently, he was fluent in seven languages, had unsurpassed spatial awareness that gave him generous artistic ability and was proficient in cuisine creation, philosophy, astronomy, religious studies and literary techniques and analysis.
Cooking was one of Gabriel’s many learned skills that he found enjoyable, especially under the current circumstances. The speed with which he comprehended and executed each subtlety of the craft was courtesy of his superior genes. The pleasure he felt while preparing such fare on this night was credited singularly to Melissa Martin. The thought of her delighting in delicacies prepared by his hands excited Gabriel, filled him with a sense of contentment.
He smiled as he checked the strawberry tiramisu he had constructed. Melissa had a sweet tooth. Because of her fondness for sweets, he believed a store-bought version of this dessert would not be sufficient. He considered every strawberry he hulled, cleaned and quartered them, contemplated the brand of rum used and brooded over the quality of the mascarpone cheese selection at the grocery store. He deliberated over every detail.
After a quick check of the time, Gabriel went upstairs to his bedroom and dressed. He selected a royal blue button-down shirt and khaki chinos.
At 5:15 p.m. Gabriel went to the garage and started his SUV. He pulled out and drove the length of his winding driveway and drove to Melissa’s house.
As he traveled the now familiar route, a pang of sadness struck him. He wondered if he would be driving this route with happiness and exhilaration ever again. After hearing the news that she was about to receive, Melissa may never want to see him again.
Panic seized Gabriel as he entertained the very real possibility of her rejection. His heart pounded. His palms slickened with sweat. His breathing became shallow. He fought the urge to pull his car off the road and vomit. Instead, he settled on opening the windows. The fresh air helped, but did not fully calm his fears.
After a brief blast of chilly air, he felt slightly better. He put his windows up and turned on the heating system as he turned on to Blackstone Drive. He did so for Melissa
; she was always cold and would appreciate the warmth. He left the ignition on as he went to the front door to get her.
Melissa appeared seconds after he sounded the doorbell. Gabriel smiled when she opened the door.
“You look breathtaking,” he admired.
“Thanks,” Melissa said blushing slightly. “I went shopping this morning. Alexandra helped me pick out this outfit.”
Melissa looked sleek and sexy in dark-wash, fitted skinny jeans and black leather riding boots that rose to mid-calf. Her top was feminine and befitting her personality. Ensconced in pale pink, Melissa donned a camisole topped with a cropped cotton cardigan that fell to her hips.
Her emerald-green eyes, lined with charcoal liner and mascara, smoldered. Melissa looked stunning. Gabriel fumbled as he reached for her coat.
Her long, light-brown hair cascaded down to her elbows. Several curls tumbled over one shoulder. As Gabriel helped Melissa with her coat, she lifted her hair from beneath the woolen material. He detected a warm vanilla scent with caramel and coconut undertones, Melissa’s signature fragrance. Each time he inhaled it, he was intoxicated anew.
She looked up at him, caught him grinning as he relished in her fragrance.
“Ready to go?” she asked.
“Yep. Let’s go.”
“Bye Dad!” Melissa called out to her father.
“Remember, midnight, Gabriel. Not a moment later,” he called back.
“Yes sir,” Gabriel replied.
Gabriel opened the passenger side door for Melissa before climbing back into the driver’s seat of his Ford Explorer and pulling out of Melissa’s driveway.
Smiling and holding hands, Gabriel and Melissa drove in comfortable silence.
As they turned on to the private road that doubled as his driveway, his impressive home came into sight.
“Gabriel! Your house is…spectacular!” Melissa marveled. “I mean, you didn’t tell me you were rich!”
“Well, technically, I’m not,” he offered only half-joking.
“This house is amazing. It should be on the cover of Architectural Digest or something.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“No, seriously, Gabriel, it’s a compliment. Wow. Now I’m sorry I let you see my house,” she kidded.
“What do you mean? I love your house.”
“You live here. You cannot possibly love my house,” Melissa countered sarcastically.
“Yours is a home. Mine is just a house.”
“Is there a difference?” Melissa inquired.
“A house is where you sleep, eat and shower, where you exist. A home is where you live, where you make happy memories and, I don’t know, grow as a person.”
“Huh,” she said and looked as though she were considering his words. “That’s really deep. I mean, you’re pretty much saying that you’re not happy here, with your dad. Is that right?”
Cringing at the word “dad” but weighing the sincerity of each word as he spoke them, Gabriel proposed, “Not before tonight.”
Melissa did not respond verbally. Instead, parked in the garage of his house, she leaned over and gently kissed him on the lips.
“Let’s go inside. Dinner is ready and waiting for us,” Gabriel declared, still reeling slightly from the spontaneous kiss.
Melissa let herself out of the Explorer before he could get to the passenger side door.
“Hey, what was that about?” he asked jokingly.
“Gabriel, you don’t have to do that whole door-opening thing for me. I mean, it’s so sweet and gentlemanly of you to even want to, but really, it’s not necessary,” Melissa said.
“It’s not a chore. I like to. Besides, it’s part of who I am, how I was taught.”
“Then I stand corrected,” Melissa smiled. “By all means, open as many doors for me as you like. Knock yourself out,” she kidded.
As if on cue, Gabriel opened the door of the laundry room for Melissa and grandly stated, “After you!”
Laughing, Melissa crossed the threshold and ascended the flight of stairs with Gabriel in tow.
At the top of the staircase, Gabriel opened another door for Melissa and used the same exaggerated statement.
Melissa and Gabriel, both giggling, stepped into the hallway of his house.
He watched as her eyes widened upon seeing the gleaming hardwood flooring that extended the length of the hallway into the formal living room and dining room.
“This place is amazing,” Melissa commented as she surveyed the living space.
Gabriel knew of his creator’s eye for decorative design. Though Terzini was continuously distracted by improving on his many achievements and chose to live primarily in a bunker, he did have an eye for beauty. Every piece of furniture in the Gothic Victorian exuded refined taste and high quality. Impressive but not ostentatious, leather sofas were positioned around a grand fireplace and resembled furnishings befitting an exclusive hunt club. With cigar-hued distressed leather finish and fabric upholstery, the appointments were equal parts intimidating and inviting.
In the center of the arrangement of sofas, a hand-crafted mahogany coffee table rested atop an intricately designed area rug that incorporated the rooms earth-toned color scheme. On the exquisite coffee table was a hand-painted rectangular black and bronze planter with an intricate fruit design painted on it. Artificial cream colored flowers and several pieces of wax fruit filled the planter. On the mantle of the massive, antique eggshell marble fireplace, an array of cream colored vases adorned with delicate brown flowers sat. Two of the walls were lined with mahogany bookcases filled with books and extended from floor to ceiling. The remaining two walls were painted a light brown and trimmed with off-white crown moldings,
“Gabriel, I don’t even know what to say. This place is…wow. I mean where do I begin?”
Embarrassed, Gabriel did not acknowledge Melissa’s awe.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he faltered.
“I’m starving,” she replied as her eyes roamed the room. “But seriously, this place is a palace. I mean, I thought the outside was spectacular! You are so never allowed in my house again,” she teased.
Then, wrapping her arms around his waist Melissa added, “Hey, you okay? I’m sorry if I’m acting like, I don’t know, I’ve never worn shoes before or something.”
Gabriel looked at her, puzzled.
“What does that even mean?” he asked.
“Honestly, I have no idea,” Melissa laughed.
Melissa’s arms encircling him and her melodious laughter relaxed him marginally. Tension still remained as the most daunting task was still before him. He had yet to share his secret with Melissa.
She released her grip on Gabriel and he reluctantly freed her from his reciprocal embrace. He led her to the dining room.
As they entered, Gabriel watched Melissa. Her mouth fell open at the layout before her, the oversized cherry wood table flanked by upholstered cushioned chairs in a rich garnet shade, how the colors of the fabric were all in the same color scheme as the walls and drapery and contrasted the cream colored crown molding.
The room was illuminated by an ornate crystal chandelier and tapered cranberry candles arranged in a sterling silver candelabra. Every article in the space was lustrous, radiant. The chandelier sparkled, reflecting and refracting light. The silver of the candleholder glistened with the reflective properties of a mirror. Polished and perfect, every appointment resembled that of a royal chamber.
A runner lay in the center of the table. The fabric, an identical shade of blood red to the walls, candles and fabric covering of the chairs, was freshly laundered and pressed. Fine crystal stem wear, utensils and china were arranged deliberately, expertly. Gabriel took his time arranging, polishing, laundering and ironing each article. He wanted the evening to be special, unforgettable.
“Gabriel, who did all of this?”
“I did,” he said.
“Are you kidding me?” she asked, her voice almost a w
hisper. “You did this yourself, for me?”
“Yes,” Gabriel answered simply.
Melissa’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke.
“This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. This must have taken you all day.”
He did not speak.
“Please tell me you have a cleaning service that just came today at least.”
“Nope. No cleaning service.”
“Oh my gosh!” Melissa said covering her mouth in astonishment. “This place is, like, sparkling. I mean, it’s beyond clean. It’s immaculate. All of the silverware is freshly polished. The table is downright glossy. Everything is gleaming!” she exclaimed. “So much preparation, so much work went into this. I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to me; how much I appreciate all that you’ve done, Gabriel.”
“There’s no need to try. I enjoyed all of it because it was for you. Now, can I persuade you, perhaps to sit down and eat?”
“Yes, of course. What’s on the menu? Surely, you didn’t have time to cook right?”
“Oh no, I cooked. I made linguine with a creamy shrimp and Portobello mushroom sauce and,” Gabriel began.
“Hold on a sec,” Melissa interrupted. “I am sorry for cutting you off, but, you made a fancy dinner for me and cleaned and arranged this elaborate table setting?”
“Guilty as charged,” Gabriel said sheepishly.
“I may need to lie down or something,” Melissa joked. “I mean, my head is spinning. Is there anything you can’t do? Your grades are fantastic and you don’t seem to ever study so you’re, like, a genius, you’re pretty much Martha Stewart at home and you look like an underwear model.”
Gabriel watched as Melissa’s face turned the crimson color of the drapery at her last divulgence.
“I’m sorry about that last part,” she stammered and blushed more deeply. “But really, you’re polite and chivalrous. I could go on and on. You’re unlike anyone I know or have ever known. What the hell are you doing with plain old me?”
Struggling with the confession that remained to be imparted, Gabriel measured each word before uttering them.
“First of all, there is nothing plain, or old, about you. You are perfect. I love everything about you,” Gabriel admitted. “And part of what I’m hoping to talk to you about tonight, that is, if we ever manage to eat dinner, is about my origins, why I am the way I am.”
Wordlessly, Melissa turned to Gabriel and kissed him tenderly on the cheek before seating herself in the chair he stood behind.
Gabriel disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, he carried two heavy, salad plates laden with various field greens, ripe cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. He relished in the moment that Melissa inhaled deeply and smelled the tangy-sweet aroma of aged balsamic vinegar.
“My gosh. Even the salad smells terrific,” she said. “The dressing, it smells so sweet.”
Gabriel did not respond. Instead, he smiled and returned to the kitchen a second time. He reappeared with a decanter of sparkling water and a carafe of white wine. In one of the two crystal glasses in each setting he poured water, in the other, wine.
He then seated himself in a crimson armed chair at the head of the table, placed his burgundy cloth napkin in his lap and waited for Melissa to eat before doing so himself.
After eating their salads, Gabriel cleared the emptied plates and vanished into the kitchen. He reentered with dinner plates. He served shrimp and Portobello mushrooms atop linguine. He garnished the main course with fresh parsley and carrots peeled carefully and precisely to form a rose. He was pleased with the overall presentation but awaited Melissa’s seal of approval.
“This looks wonderful,” she complimented.
“Thanks,” Gabriel smiled as he went to the kitchen and retrieved a chunk of fresh parmesan cheese and a handheld grater.
He began shredding the granular block over her dish. Flakes of aromatic cheese fell on her food.
“Thank you,” Melissa said.
“Sorry. I didn’t even ask you if you like Parmigiano-Reggiano. It just compliments the sauce so nicely. Try it. If you hate it, I’ll get you a fresh serving.”
“No this is fine. I trust your judgment.”
Gabriel watched intently as Melissa took her first bite, how she closed her eyes, seemed to savor the rich flavors. He guessed she was enjoying the meal he lovingly prepared for her. He was pleased.
“This is outstanding!” she complimented enthusiastically. “Did you go to culinary school in Russia?”
“No not exactly, but I did read a lot of cookbooks.”
“You have a talent. You really do. I mean, I can read a cookbook, but I would not be able to do this,” Melissa said gesturing to her dinner.
Gabriel shrugged and raised his hands self-consciously, “Thank you. I think.”
“You are so humble, too. I’d be bragging like crazy if I could do all that you do.”
“I’m just not used to the attention, that’s all; all of the compliments.”
“Well, don’t expect me to stop. You’re going to have to learn to deal with it,” Melissa teased.
Gabriel leaned across the table and kissed Melissa’s lips. He smiled then continued eating.
Once dinner was eaten and the tableware cleared, Gabriel brought out his strawberry tiramisu.
“Would you like to eat this in front of the fireplace?” he asked.
“Are we allowed to? I mean, I’m kind of clumsy. If I spill something, I’ll just die.”
“It’s just furniture. I’ll drop something first if it will make you feel better.”
“It just might,” Melissa kidded.
“Grab the wine and glasses and I’ll bring the dessert.”
“I’m so full, I can’t imagine eating another bite, but this tiramisu looks so delicious. My sweet tooth wins I guess.”
Gabriel placed the plates on the mahogany coffee table and began arranging wood in the fireplace. Once the wood was positioned correctly, Gabriel lit a long match. The fire was started.
The combination of Melissa’s fragrance and the burning wood mingled with the warm, rich notes of the leather of the couches. The scent was inviting, enchanting. No one had ever sat on the upholstery, much less entertained in the room. Neither he nor Terzini had ever used the formal space or the fireplace. Everything was new, pristine.
Melissa was a glorious image framed by the striking setting. Each of her features was illuminated by the firelight, the gold of her hair was softened further, irradiated; the clarity of her porcelain skin, brightened; and her green eyes glowed and danced, brilliant, enlivened. She faced Gabriel. Their knees touched. He struggled to repress the urge to take her in his arms and leave, take her away from Harbingers Falls and Dr. Terzini, from the truth. But he knew he could not. She deserved better. She deserved to know. He braced himself, preparing for the words he was about to speak, words that could never be unspoken.
“Melissa, the love I feel for you,” Gabriel began. “It’s a new feeling for me. I’ve never loved anyone before. My feelings for you were… unexpected.”
“I love you too, Gabriel. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love either. I mean, this is a first for me too.”
“There are some things about me, really serious things that you don’t know about,” he added softly.
Kindles twirled and danced about the tinder before enveloping it entirely in flames.
“You’re not a serial killer are you,” Melissa attempted comically. “I like Dexter as much as the next person but being in love with a serial killer might be a bit much for me.”
Gabriel loved her sense of humor; saw how she used it to defuse awkward or tense situations. He couldn’t resist indulging her and seeing her dazzling smile, perhaps for the last time.
“No. I’m definitely not a serial killer,” he said with a wry smile. “And who is Dexter? Do I know him?”
“It’s this amazing show about a blood spatter expert who works for Miami Metro Po
lice by day but by night, he methodically picks off serial killers,” she said excitedly. “He’s like a vigilante, but a killer, too. You find yourself loving this guy even though most people would consider him a monster.”
Her last point intrigued him. Gabriel added, “That’s very interesting. Do you like this Dexter character?”
“Oh yes. Absolutely!”
“Huh. It sounds like a show I’d like, too. Be sure to let me know when it’s on.”
“I will, and sorry for going off on a tangent there. You were about to share something and since I’m nervous that you’re going to tell me that you have a wife and kids in Russia or something, I’m rattling on and on.”
“I promise I don’t have a wife and kids in Russia.”
Melissa took a deep breath, looked as though she were steeling herself for bad news.
“Okay. Let me hear these serious things about you, Gabriel,” she said.
“First, the most important thing for you to know is that I love you, okay.”
Gabriel inhaled and exhaled deeply.
“The man I live with is Dr. Franklin Terzini. He is a geneticist, a genius really, who has made unparalleled strides in his field of research and development of cloning.”
Gabriel paused and inhaled deeply again. Then in a calm, measured voice he uttered, “He created me. But he is by no means my father.”
“Well, father is a subjective term. I mean, of course he created you. You don’t have to love him for that.”
“No, Melissa, you don’t understand.”
“Sure I do. I can understand how that could happen,” she began.
“Melissa everything about me is a lie,” he interrupted desperate to voice what needed to be said. “He didn’t create me conventionally…with a woman or anything.”
“So you were adopted?” she asked then paused. “Wait, what? I ‘m not sure I understand.”
“Dr. Terzini created me. He harvested eggs and sperm from unsuspecting donors, altered the DNA and made me.”
Melissa stood. Her expression was stricken. “What?” she managed. “Gabriel, you’re not making any sense.”
Abashed and terrified that she would walk out immediately, Gabriel pleaded, “Please sit down. Let me explain everything.”
To his surprise, she complied and reluctantly sat.
“Melissa, I love you. Just promise me you’ll keep that in your mind while I tell you everything. Okay?”
“Yes sure. Just tell me!” she insisted.
“Okay,” he said knowing full well he was setting circumstances into motion, the results of which he was uncertain of, terrified by.
“Dr. Terzini, he specializes in human cloning. He used to work here in the states with the Human Cloning Organization but felt too restricted by government watch dog groups. He wanted to further his research and development but couldn’t do so with all the administrative restraints in place. So he left the country and went to the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East. Terzini set up a state-of-the-art underground facility and continued his work off the grid. You see, Terzini has this vision. He wants to change the world. He feels the human species suffers from emotionally charged decisions. Terzini believes that if emotion is factored out, wars would end, drug addiction, political corruption, and terrorism in all its forms would all end.”
“Okay. So this Terzini guy, this genius geneticist you live with, he went rogue and fled the country to Russia?” Melissa asked warily.
“Yes. I was created there,” Gabriel said as tears burned down his cheeks.
Shaking her head in disbelief Melissa’s voice quavered, “You keep using that word, created, like this doctor put you together piece by piece like Frankenstein’s monster or something. What does this mean?” she panicked.
“Dr. Terzini changed the DNA he came across. He improved it. His alterations eliminated every emotional point in my brain so I could use a greater amount of brain matter and have higher cognitive functioning.”
“What?” Melissa demanded incredulously. “What does this all mean? You’re not telling me!”
“I’m saying I am a new version of human beings Terzini will create.”
“So what does that mean? This is all an act? All of this love stuff! For what reason?” Melissa ordered as she got to her feet.
“Melissa, please sit down,” Gabriel begged.
“No thanks. I’m fine where I am.”
Melissa’s face had hardened. She was no longer readable, no longer open.
“Listen. I was designed not to feel anything. That was Terzini’s plan. But,”
Melissa cut Gabriel off.
“Oh! Wait a second! I get it now. How could I be so stupid! Now I realize what’s going on here.”
Melissa touched her forehead as if visualizing her epiphany.
“This is your deranged idea of a breakup! It makes perfect sense!” she began. “I’ve heard about guys who make a nice dinner for their girlfriends before they dump them, like a parting gift or something, then make up some ridiculous story about why they can’t be together anymore, you know, the guy is really in the CIA and she would blow his cover or he’s leaving the country. I watch Dr. Phil, I know all about this stuff!” Melissa ranted.
“Melissa, I am not breaking up with you. I’m telling you because I love you and I think you deserve to know. I don’t want to keep anything from you and I don’t want to lie to you.”
“Then stop!” Melissa commanded. “Just stop all of this craziness! Is it that you want me to break up with you? Because I’ve heard of that too, a guy makes himself sound like a nut because he’s too chicken to break it off with the girl, claims he loves her and all then she dumps him because of all the crazy business. Is that what’s happening here?” Melissa questioned.
“No not at all.”
“Then tell me Gabriel! Tell me! How can what you’re saying be real?” Melissa voice was shrill. She was crying and yelling, gesturing with trembling hands.
“Melissa this is the last thing I wanted to do. I love you. Please –“
“You just said that you were programmed not to love. Remember? You have no emotions because the mad scientist made his monster that way!” Melissa fumed.
Monster. The word stung. He was not a monster; some fiendish beast concocted in a dungeon with parts sewn together, animated by a bolt of lightning. He was human. Furthermore, he was not responsible for how he came into existence. He was responsible for how he chose to exist. Despite Terzini’s objective, the pivotal tenet of his theory had failed. Gabriel possessed feelings. He loved Melissa. He simply could not leave things as they were, with her condemning him as a monster, an aberration. He needed to counter her faltering opinion of him.
“That’s the point!” Gabriel refuted. “I was not supposed to feel anything. But I do. I feel everything for you. I’ve loved you since the day I met you. Don’t you see? I am not an unfeeling monster. I’m not a monster at all.”
Tears streamed from his eyes, raw and honest. He looked to Melissa, noticed that emotion overtook her as well. Her tears pained him further. He watched as she wrapped her arms around herself and stepped back, away from him, suddenly cold. He could do nothing to warm her. Her posture warned him as much.
“This can’t be real. Gabriel, this is just too much, underground labs, a scientist creating a new race. I mean, this is science-fiction; fiction being the operative word.”
Resigned, Gabriel put his head in his hands, ran his finger through his russet locks. Then, wiping the tears from his face, he stood, closed the distance between them and reached out to Melissa. But she stiffened at his touch.
“I’ll show you. I’ll show you Terzini’s lab,” he resigned. “He has one here. It was originally a nuclear fallout shelter. Before we came to America, he had it gutted and renovated. It is now a sophisticated laboratory.”
Melissa looked to Gabriel disbelievingly. “Take me, then,” she ordered. “Take me to this lab.”