THE NEXT DAY I got up early go to my rental apartment for may day off. Although I didn't want to, I agreed to Alessandra's suggestion. I don’t want him to think I want to always be at home to see Gabriel when he's on a day off.
"Are all your things okay?"
Alessandra asked me, she wiped her mouth before finally turning to look at me.
"Uh, yeah. I only have a few things." I replied timidly, they accompanied me to breakfast. Now that I'm with them again, more often than not I reject Alessandra's offer to avoid the pain it brings me.
"That's good, I'll just send you together Gabriel so that it won't be difficult for you to go home, " she declared, before drinking pineapple juice in the glass.
My gaze flew quickly to Gabriel who was holding the newspaper in his hand. He doesn’t bother to engage on the conversation so I don’t know what his reaction was to Alessandra’s suggestions.
"Then, I'll just pick you up maybe tomorrow morning or tonight." she added, without confirming his husband.
"N-oh, not anymore! It's okay for me to take a taxi, I'm used to it." I stop her. My two cheeks were red with embarrassment. Not because of his question but because she thought Gabriel would take me home.
Gabriel dropped the newspaper he was reading and sipped coffee from his favorite cup. He didn't say anything, he just continuing his coffee.
"Because I have an event later, so maybe I'll be late. Gab's day-off is today so he'll take care of you so you won't be in trouble." she added, without a pause. She seemed sure of what she was saying.
I glanced at Gabriel again, thinking he would refuse but he remained silent. I wanted to refuse but I knew Alessandra would insist on what she wanted so in the end I did nothing.
"Enjoy your off-day!" Alessandra waved at me since I got in Gabriel's car. I chose to sit on the backseat ride even though I knew he was the owner of the car. It would be embarrassing for Alessandra if she saw me sitting in the shotgun seat.
I couldn't say goodbye to her when the car sailed out of the beautiful yard, I only gave a wave to Alessandra who was peeking at the gate.
When she disappeared from my sight, I just sat up. I wrapped both my hands over my thighs.
I couldn’t even get a glimpse of Gabriel while driving quietly. He has been silent for a while. I'm afraid he might suddenly find out he just scolding me if I open up a conversation.
I laid my back against the warm seat and turned my head to the window. I just wanted to erase myself from looking at the beautiful surroundings. The horizon started to get red and the the sun is slowly rising. I saw a classic beauty. It was a breathtaking beautiful and absolutely jaw dropping scenery.
The beach was so fascinating, only a few bathed there, due to the strong pounding of the waves. I move closer to the window to look farther, I smile preciously. It's like I want to paddle there and take a swim.
"Want to go on a beach today?"
I caught a glimpse of Gabriel whose attention was just on the road but his eyes were on the rearview mirror.
"Uh," I utter a sound, I don't know if I'll answer Yes or no.
"I'll pick you up early in the afternoon, so you can swim later." He declared, eyes was on the road now.
"N-no, I'm fine." I shook my head with smiling. It's not good for anyone to see the two of us.
He didn't speak yet, so I looked back at the sea and when my eyes widened I adjusted my seat again. I look up at the rearview mirror, his eyes stared fixedly for a moment before my heart stirred.
I averted my gaze and parted the fallen hair. I can’t understand how I feel right now. I feel like a teen-ager looking for attention of the man I like.
I was able to sit properly when his car entered the Village. "Ah, just put me down there." I stopped him. I don't want him to know where I live.
I felt he minimize speed of his car but he continued to move.
"Where is your place? I'll take you home as what Alessandra said to me." he concluded, as if the delivery to me did not spring from within him.
I was left speechless and had no strength to lean back in my seat. What would you expect Emory? I laughed and whispered to myself.
"I'm on the phase two," I said looking away ..
He maneuvered his car carefully, and bliss of a second we were in phase two. "Please just take me down there in front of the red gate," I said softly.
His SUV was parked right in front of the gate, so I opened the door.
"Thanks for the ride." I shyly said, before glancing at him. I swallowed when he turned to me, his eyes emitted a deep serious expression. I feel an uncontrollable shiver run through my bodies, so I can’t move.
He glanced across from my rented apartment. His jaw protruded, as if he were visiting the apartment.
"Do you live here?" he asked curiously, not taking his eyes off the house.
"Uh, yeah." I swallowed hard, as if something was running through his mind as his gaze examined the opposite side of the house.
"Ah, wanna come in?" nothing in my heart said. I blushed more when he looked back at me. It was as if I were fighting to the death because of my continuous breathing.
I'm sure he won't accept my offer so it's okay.
Gabriel took a deep breath, before turning off the engine of his car.
"I'll go check you inside," he said before coming down.
My jaw dropped for a second, watching him arriving manly in his car. He had already descended on me, so I did a few flickers first before I could get down properly.
Confused, I also searched in my shoulder bag for the key to my apartment. "I'm sorry," I said shyly when I finally groped it as well before opening the little gate.
"Come in." I widely opened the gate for him, which he immediately entered.
I also reluctantly walked towards the main door when I heard him speak.
"Is that's your car?" he asked, sounded a bit curiosities.
"Uh, that's the company I'm working for. I plan to surrender this month," I utterly said, I couldn’t help but bite my lower lip at the sewing lie.
He gently stroked it like a pet dog. I bit my lip worse, because the truth is, I bought this car for him. I gave it as a gift to him on our first year anniversary. He didn't even want to accept at first, because he said he could work on owning a car but I still forced him to accept.
"Nice car," he softly said, before returning his hands to the pockets of his pants.
I smiled, my eyes full of hope with very little memory.
"Ah, come in!" I excitedly said, I can't help but blush at the thought of us being together now.
"I'm sorry I haven't been able to clean the house yet," I said shyly before laying down my shoulder bag on the couch.
I went straight to the counter table where there were a few bottles of wine to sip one. And slowly pull the drawer at my side to quickly get a wine glass that is also quickly washed.
"Your house is too big for you, doesn't your husband go here?" I almost jump up to my feet when I heard his soft voice from behind me.
I looked at him standing at the doorway, two arms protectively cross against his broad chest. "H-he hasn't seen this apartment of mine, since I moved here." I sew a lie again.
We settled it and slowly took a step foward. My grip on the wine glass tightened as he approached. I did not dare to make a move, I felt a sense of pressure, leaning my waist against the table.
He stopped opposite me and took the wine in one hand. He lifted up the long-stemmed wineglass in front of me, slowly swirling his wine, then delivered it to his nose for a sniff, until I thought that he did it sexily without him noticing.
I bit my lower lip, when he raised it to sip. My heart sank, as he smoothly swig the amount of wine. The gentle sound of liquid entering his mouthed could be heard. And then, he once more lifted his head up, swallowing the wine.
My eyes open as my mind tremble. How could I be so weak? I haven't been able to lift the glass I'm holding yet. I took strength from the table behind me.
"Your wine is good, you have a fine taste." the gentle voice sounded, this time with the hint of tenderness.
I could not answer. I only got weaker, my elbows taking strength from the table. Damn! if only the earth could swallow me so that he could not see the nervousness and longing in my eyes.
He put down his own wineglass beside me. My long lashes trembling down. I smell the scent of his mighty breaths, the fragrance of it is a long lasting one.
"I'll be going," he said and let out a sigh. I didn't even look at him when he spoke. I still chose to bow.
"I'll pick you up after lunch so we can go out for a swim."