ESTELLE
“Agh. I’m gonna regret this.”
“Don’t chicken out now. Linden is a good guy.”
“Really?” I asked exaggeratedly. Sarcasm dripped in my voice. “Since when? Because he’s your boss now?”
“Then get to know him. He’s actually a—”
“A good guy? You said it already.”
“I was about to say a trustworthy person. You have to give it a chance.” His reply was conciliatory.
“I hope you’re right.” I looked outside the car window. “This is a business dinner. I know what you’re thinking, so don’t get any idea.”
He chuckled. “The only idea I get is he’s a good cook. His father is a chef. When Linden saved money, he bought a restaurant for him. The older Linden doesn’t work in the kitchen anymore but is always in his restaurant. I found that admirable. His father is his hero, Estelle.”
“Whatever. I hope I won’t regret this,” I said dismissively. I didn’t want more convincing because I knew I had misjudged Linden.
“Just chill out. You can always walk out and call me if he makes you uncomfortable.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“No, thanks for a week of your time.”
“If you want me to continue as your bodyguard, you can always talk to him.”
“I’d love to, but I know you’re bored with this job. You might as well want some thrill, and you will be working with the team. Just be careful out there.”
“Thanks for understanding. I still have to train. Their exercise is pretty awesome, and Osmium has a pretty state-of-the-art equipment and gadgets.”
“I’m happy for you. Truly.”
He looked at me through the rearview mirror. “Me too. But if you don’t like your new PDD, I’m just a call away.” He parked the car in front of the suburban two-story house. “We’re here.” He came to my side, but before he could open the door, someone already did. It’s Linden in a simple white shirt and pants.
“Thanks for bringing her safe to me, Hunter.”
They had this brotherly hug that I didn’t see it coming. Quinn quickly adapted and became close with Linden.
“My job, boss.”
I looked at the simple house before me. I wondered why he chose to have dinner with me here in his home. It was too intimate and personal than a restaurant.
“Welcome to my humble home, Estelle.” He stepped aside when he opened the door and ushered me inside his house.
“Thanks.” I looked around his very homey and contemporary living room. There was a character to it, very Gabriel Linden. I could see him and his guys on these leather couches watching football matches with their beers.
“You look disappointed. You expect a big modern house like yours?”
I couldn’t help but smile as I tried to take off my coat. “I just thought of you and your friends watching tv in this living room.”
“May I?”
“Thanks.”
He came behind, took off my coat, and hung it on the rack. “This has been my home since I came back from my last tour. I wanted Dad to have it, but he couldn’t leave and sell our family home.”
“It doesn’t matter how small or big the house is if you can’t call it home.”
“Exactly my thought. Take a seat. Can I get you something to drink?” His approach was subtle as if nothing happened in Italy, and how I threw him out of my house.
“I’m good.”
“I’ll ready the table. Feel at home.”
Once he went to the hallway, probably to the dining, I went to the pictures hanging on the wall and some framed photos on the tables just right next to the grand piano.
There were pictures of him and Willa in college and his older version. I picked up the one with his team. I instantly recognized the two members.
“Centric Wollf?” Wow! I had no idea he served. Then the other was Striker, and I didn’t recognize the other two.
“That’s Ward. He died in the line of duty.” He was referring to the left with a huge smile.
“I’m so sorry.”
“We still visit his wife often. This one.” He pointed at the man as his height and age. “Beck Corbin. He owns a cattle ranch. Ward is his twin’s widow. Great guy.”
“Thank you for your service.”
“Thank you. Dinner’s ready.”
I followed him as he led me to the dining. I was expecting a simple dinner, but Linden seemed to know how to impress a girl. Candlelit with flowers at the center of a long dark wood table set for two.
He ushered me to my chair. “I hope you don’t have a typical food allergy.” Then he chuckled. “Only to liars, I remember. I’ll be right back.”
“Bon appetit.” He placed the starter in beautiful plating, and it looked already appetizing.
“Are you trying to impress me?”
“Are you impressed?” His eyebrows raised amusedly.
I took a bite of roasted stuffed mushroom with a green salad. I stifled my moan because it was delicious. I didn’t want to inflate his ego. Besides, it was just a starter.
When I looked at him, he was maybe waiting for my comment, but he looked satisfied with my expression.
“I left out the soup.” He laughed as he rose from his chair.
“Fine. Suppose you’re looking for a compliment. It was delicious.”
“You’re easy to please.”
“It’s food, Gabriel.” I stood up. “I’m coming to your kitchen.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Oh, I insist. I wanna see who’s behind the door. I heard your father is a chef.” I followed him, and of course, I saw no one.
“You’re asking about me? If you wanna know something, take it from the source.”
“Shush. Chimichurri?”
“Yeah.”
He watched me with amusement as I dipped the spoon and tasted his sauce.
“Wow. What are we having?”
“Grilled chicken in teriyaki sauce with macadamia and couscous.”
“Yum.”
He started plating. Watching him was already mouthwatering. I couldn’t help but admire how easily he put things together while I could barely slice a tomato without cutting my finger.
“Don’t look at me like that.” His voice deepened.
“Why?” I met his gaze.
“I don’t wanna ruin the right, Estelle.”
“The only thing that can ruin the night is if you won’t give me more chimichurri,” I admitted delightedly. I caught what he meant. I didn’t want to be in trouble tonight, either.
I placed the plate that was supposed to be mine right next to his set. I could feel his surprise as he stared at me for a moment before sitting right next to me.
I sliced my chicken and put a good amount of this sauce. It was cooked to perfection, tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.
He also began eating.
“It runs in the family, huh?”
He chuckled. “Willa can’t cook.”
“Really?”
“Well, she can boil water and fry some egg. Maybe make some salad.”
“Like me, I guess.” I cleared my throat. I may be intruding as well. “Can I ask something?”
“Shoot.”
“I didn’t see the picture of your—”
“Mom? She left when I was five. I couldn’t remember her face. Pops didn’t wanna hurt us, so he burned all her pictures and raised us by himself.”
“He raised his children into strong and good people. My parents were divorced. They were complete opposites. I didn’t know if they had a single thing in common. I grew up between two houses. It was hard at first, but I eventually realized that life is hard, and I have very supportive parents. Dad just turned vain when I earned my own money. He became controlling—” I paused and sipped the red wine. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you open up.”
“Well, your chicken has a way for people to be talkative.” I looked down at my plate. I almost emptied it. “It’s so good.”
We brought our dessert to his patio. It was a chocolate souffle.
“You grow them?” I asked in disbelief as I sat on the chair. I had only seen vertical hydroponic indoor plants online and didn’t know he had like those in his backyard. “So you’re also a green thumb.”
“Green thumb? I don’t think so. I merely utilize the space. Are you cold?”
“I’m fine. Aren’t you humble?” I tasted the souffle. It melted in my mouth. It wasn’t too sweet. It was balanced with the bitterness of the dark chocolate.
“You did not comment on my dessert. You don’t like it, do you?”
“I taste something.”
“Cayenne.”
“Hence the complexity. I love it.”
“Do you want more wine?”
“I don’t wanna get drunk.” I sighed. I was stuffed, but I wanted more of his souffle, only I didn’t know why I was here in his house, and it didn’t seem like a business dinner, so I braced myself. “Why am I here, Gabriel?”
“I wanna help you.”
I looked at him. “How?”
“I wanna buy shares of your company.”
“No. I don’t want you getting involved. It will just escalate the ongoing issue.”
“Let those shareholders back out.”
“Can you afford to buy their shares?”
He smiled instead of getting offended. “If I ask help from Striker, Cenric, yes. I can also ask from Creed.”
“Mykel Creed? Do you know him?”
“Yeah. And Moses will not hesitate.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“I wanna help, Estelle.”
“What’s the catch?”
Now I offended him. His expression darkened. “Why do you always think my help has a catch? Unless you want to marry Weston.”
“No, Gabriel. I want you out of this.”
“It won’t be in my name or our names. We will put it in the agreement as your silent partner.”
“No. I’m sorry.” I stood up. I was ready to leave when he held my hand, forcing me to face him.
“Why can’t you accept my help? There’s no catch, Estelle, except for the profit, of course.”
“You won’t kiss me?”
“What’s wrong if I kiss you?” His eyes suddenly darkened as he stared into my eyes down to my lips.
My heart began racing. My breathing caught up as he raised his hand and placed his finger on my chin, forcing me to meet him in the eye.
“You changed, right? You want to settle down, and I’m not ready.”
“But you’d rather marry him.”
“Why do you think I’m trying hard to avoid this from happening?”
“Then let me help you. Or you don’t want to feel indebted to me and end up marrying me instead.” When his thumb traced my chin to my bottom lip, I couldn’t take it anymore. I wouldn’t stop him if he tried kissing me, but I needed a clear head right now. I couldn’t afford to lose my battle for my lust and desire for him.
“Stop it.” I pulled his hand down and stepped away.
He didn’t stop me anymore. I went inside his house to pick up my bag and coat.
“Why did you want me to stop you back in Marettimo?” I felt him behind me. His presence made my body volatile and distrustful.
I couldn’t answer him. I wanted to see his face before I walked out of his home, but if he told me to stay, I just might. He always had this irresistible way, but I couldn’t be that woman he wanted.
“Because I had this stupid idea of running away with you instead. I realized it wouldn’t solve my problem. I come back, and it is still there. I’m meeting them on Friday, Gabriel.”
“Good luck then.”
When he said good luck, I thought I was free. I was wrong. As soon as I felt his arms around my waist, my restraint was out of the window instantly.
“I want you, Estelle.”
“We can’t.”
“Don’t say no, please?”