When she answered, she saw Rochelle standing there looking a little lost.

"Rochelle? What's wrong? Did that man come back?" she asked, looking past her down the street.

"No, I-I need to talk to you about love."

Gabriella's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh! Maybe you should come in then."

Once they were seated comfortably in the living room, Gabriella looked closely at her friend. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem a little lost."

"Last night, I came within seconds of a severe beating. That man... how could I let myself get involved with bastards like him? I knew better, yet I was lonely, and I let him sweet-talk himself...