Chapter 77 - The Stalker (1/2)
In the old days, he would need to maintain visual of his subject. And there are tricks in order to avoid detection: hug the horizon. Hide in plain sight. Determine her blind spot, and hide there.
But now, with the GPS tracker, Gabriel can maintain a safe distance. The little blue circle that blinks on his phone's screen is Claire, and he doesn't have to panic even when he doesn't actually see her. And besides, the four bodyguards are spread out in all directions.
But then again, this is Claire dating his brother—why so heavy-handed? This isn't another Jake Magno. You can actually relax, because although Miguel's such a womanizer, he doesn't try to drug and date-rape people.
But still. Gabriel is overcome by a powerful sense of protectiveness. He couldn't bear the thought of not seeing Claire, knowing she's with another.
Or maybe…he's just jealous?
Jesus. Jealous? Me? Gabriel laughs at his own thought. Why would I be jealous? I'm on top of the world, I can have anyone. But Gabriel almost trips on a brick fragment, and the train of thought is lost.
The more Gabriel tracks Claire and Miguel, the more he is confounded: why are they merely walking? Where are they going? If they're having dinner, surely, Miguel would choose something fancy to impress her, or at least somewhere private where he could turn the situation to his advantage, because that was what he could do. But the rate of travel that the app shows him makes it clear that the duo are not only walking, but they're strolling leisurely—as though they're having a nice chat while drinking up the sights. What could they be talking about? Gabriel quickens his pace—he wants to see them, even at the risk of getting detected.
Gabriel hides behind a tree. People are staring at him; he stares back and smiles and acts as if it's the most ordinary thing in the world. Even from this distance, he could see Claire, with that pencil skirt, that blond hair. Miguel is walking with that confident swagger, the trademark Miguel Tan sweep, as though he knows everyone in this world is at his beck and call. Gabriel sees that the pair stops by a hotdog stand. They talk and laugh and even though this is his brother, Gabriel couldn't help but feel a bit envious, now that Miguel has Claire's full attention. It somehow pains him that right at this moment, Claire isn't thinking about anything else but the handsome man speaking to her right now and charming her socks off. The two get a hotdog sandwich. Miguel acts as a gentleman, as he shows Claire how to properly hold the sandwich in order to protect the rest of her body from possible mustard stain. Gabriel's brow furrows—why is Claire acting as if she has never eaten a hotdog sandwich before in her life? Does she really need intimate instructions? Gabriel grits his teeth—is this flirting?
Miguel whispers something in her ear, and it must be so goddamn funny because Claire laughs. She tries to cover her mouth but she almost bends over due to uncontrollable laughter. Miguel laughs with her, and he even touches her arm lightly. Boom! Monkey business, Gabriel thinks. His brother has started doing his subtle moves, and for a swift moment, Gabriel's irritation is such that he forgets this is his brother he's looking at, and not some random idiot.
They continue walking. A few paces behind them, there's Gabriel, trying to act cool, trying to blend with the crowd, trying to hide behind every lamp post. Then he panics—Miguel suddenly leads Claire by the hand, and Claire allows him. Miguel seems to be taking the girl to some place exciting, and he's using it as an excuse to hold her hand. ”Damn it, Miguel,” Gabriel mutters, ”you're using all the old tricks in the book, you dog.”
”Oh, my God, Gabriel Tan? Is it you?” Says a much older man in a suit and cane. And before Gabriel knows it, the man is giving him a tight hug. ”It has been a long time. How's your mom?”
It takes Gabriel a few moments to recognize who the man is. It's one of his mother's friends from way back. ”Hi Uncle Leo,” he mutters, his eyes elsewhere, trying to see through the thickening crowd. ”She's fine. She's absolutely fine.”