I only opened my eyes when I heard strides walking down the stairs. I can feel my face getting hot as I stared at him for a fleeting moment, wearing his white polo shirt and khaki shorts, partnered by a pair of white rubber shoes. God, he's looking so unbelievably handsome!
I curved my lips to smile but he looked at me with nothing but stone cold eyes. The smile on my lips quickly faltered as I sat properly.
"Are you done? Let's go, Marcus got out first," Alessandra told him.
Gabriel turned to me, jaw clenching at what his wife said. He was mum about it and walked out of the mansion.
I blew a harsh breath before standing up to follow the two at the garage.
I didn't wait for Alessandra to say something and entered the backseat to sit there. I placed my earphones in my ears and played a slow rock music on Spotify so I wouldn't hear what they're talking about later. Because I lacked sleep, I was quickly lured into slumber.
I felt someone shaking my shoulders so I opened my eyes.
My heart suddenly thumped loudly at the sight of Gabriel in front of me. He frowned while looking down on me, the backseat's door is open. His arm was on the backrest of the car chair I'm sitting at while the other was at the car's ceiling. He's peeking at me from outside.
"We're here..." he said in a hushed voice.
I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow as I just stared at him blankly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, I'll go out," I said and ran my fingers through my hair.
He remained at his position, dark eyes stuck on mine, seemingly not wanting to make way though I'm ready to go out of the car.
"You are not supposed to be here," he said in cold voice.
I lowered my lashes down, feeling ashamed of myself. "I know, but I can't say no to Alessandra..." my voice wobbled. I bit my lips hard because of the pain currently surfacing.
His breath hitched, "Fuck!" he cursed sharply.
I lowered my head more because of his curses. I don't know what he meant by that and why he's mad. Is it because he doesn't want me here? Or because of the fact that I've been absent for weeks?
"Look, I know it's wrong to leave my work without any prior notice. If you're gonna fire me, then fine! I can't do anything with that," I said in a hoarse voice.
"It's not what I meant..." he said then gasped softly.
My hands started to shake, I'm not comfortable with the way he stared at me. He gazed at my hair as it slid through my trembling lips so I looked away from him.
"Let's go..." In the end, he chose to said it before he turned his back on me.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I watched him walk away.
I can already sight some cottages even from a distance. They are lined up and situated underneath the coconut trees.
I turned my attention to the azure ocean. The cold breeze touched my skin, I can taste the salty air as it chills through my face. I can't even feel the scorching sun with the strong winds blowing. I can only feel the heat under my feet where the sands lie.
I stopped from walking when I saw them going to one of the cottages. Like the others, it was also built high and you have to walk a few stairs to enter.
I wandered my eyes around, trying to spot where the others are.
"Your cottage is here." He turned his face and looked down at me for a second.
"Uh, where are the others?" I mindlessly blurted.
"They're at the cottage, a few meters away from here," he said while staring afar.
I slowly nodded and held my shoulder bag tightly. He walked up to open the door and enter inside. My heart slowly jittered, I could feel the blood pulsing through my veins as I took careful steps towards the door.
"If you need anything else, just call the caretaker." He glanced at his wrist watch before he continued, "Lunch will be ready at twelve, I'll tell someone to call you later," he said calmly, hand sliding at his pants' pocket and glanced over me.
I nodded slightly while my eyes are busy touring around the csbin. There are two rooms, a kitchen at the far corner, and a small living room with a table and a long chair. On my right is a round table with two seats beside the large window that captures the sea of Galla Via.
"Where is your cabin?" I faced him.
He fixed his gaze at me in wonder and curiosity. He crossed his arms.
"Why, does it matter to you?" he asked, giving me a cocky smile.
I sucked in a shaky breath and looked away. Damn it! I shouldn't have asked!
He lowered his eyes and leaned casually against the table. "Our cabin is right next to yours," he finally answered.
I slowly nodded and massaged my nape. I think it was strained earlier when I was sleeping.
My eyes feel heavy when I opened them and slowly craned my neck towards him. Gabriel stared at me very seriously for a moment, but how his lips lifted while watching me didn't escape my eyes.
"Uh, I'm okay here. You can leave..."
I placed my shoulder bag on the table and walked pass him to go to the kitchen. I'm having an uncomfortable feeling inside my throat, I felt so dehydrated.
I opened the fridge and took a bottled water and jugged it down. Suddenly, I heard heavy steps toward my back.
"You won't come here without any reason. Tell me, what are you planning to do?" he whispered sensually at my ears.
With a single breath, I moved away and face him. I had to swallow all the nervousness just to stare back at him.
"What are talking about?" My voice slightly went high to make him feel my sincerity.
"You know what I'm fucking talking about, Meredith!" His words rang in my ears roughly.
I gasped and wetted my lips before facing him again. I leaned my back against the kitchen sink and looked up at him.
"Mr. Magnus, isn't it you who has plans? It doesn't sit right seeing you in my cottage while your wife is on the other," I said without a blink.
He stared emotionlessly at me for awhile, seemingly reading my eyes, but in the end, he averted his eyes away first.
"I want you to know that I love my wife so much..." he muttered closely.
The indescribable pain coursed through my body. I felt my whole body started to fall, but I quickly made a break and lifted my eyelids to shot a glance at him.
"Mr. Magnus, I'm not asking about how you love your wife. And I don't fucking care if you're madly in love with her. I just wanted to rest, so please... leave me alone!" I held my breath, trying to clam myself.
I tried so hard to stop my tears from falling. Every time he speaks, his words would trample all over my heart. I hate myself for failing to stop it.
He stared unwaveringly at me, jaw tensed hard. Suddenly, he took one step closer and cornered me at the kitchen sink.
"Then why are those tears about to spill out of your eyes, huh?" he said calmly. His hands were on my side, locking me in while not removing eye contact.
Damn! I just wanted to find a crack on the ground and go in. He really knows how to read me. I didn't have any choice but to cower my head.
His hand reached up, slowly lifting up my chin. I started to shiver gently as I looked up at him, eyes confused.