THE AIR was thick with the scent of coffee. I wrapped my long fingers around the mug and took a small sip. Ellwood was seated right next to me while Gabriel is in front. I don't know if the silence was because of the coffee shop's ambience, or because of the tension between the three of us.
"Ah, I didn't expect you to be here tonight..." I shrugged a bit to lessen the tension between us.
"It took quite a time. I needed to go back to the seaport to ship my car into the cargo ship."
I furrowed my brows, "You brought one of your cargo ships?"
Ellwood just shrugged his shoulder and took one sip of his coffee.
I turned to Gabriel, his full attention was on the mug, but his expression was dark and protruding.
"You're just wasting your money for this nonsense trip, Ellwood!" I spat out.
"Of course I'm not! You're much worth than my money..." he chuckled sexily as he lowered his head to look at me.
I pushed out my red lips just a little, I leaned against the chair. Damn it, Ellwood, we're not friends anymore, so you shouldn't act like that in front of me!
"You shouldn't have bothered!" I said lazily.
"Woah! Wait, stop embarrassing me in front of your boss!" He faced Gabriel before leaning beside me.
"Gabriel, right? What a nice name," he smiled vivaciously.
He lifted the mug to his lips and took a sip before he spoke.
"Now I understand why Emory doesn't want to leave this place. If you're not asking, she owns the biggest mining company at Queensland. They have shopping malls and jewelry shops everywhere," Ellwood well stated.
I sweated when I heard Ellwood's remark.
You really need to bring it up? Really, Ellwood? My body was screaming from the inside.
Gabriel slowly nodded, his expression was too dark and I can't read what he's thinking.
"Did you do a background check before you hired a widowed woman like her?" Ellwood fired him a winning smile.
"Ellwood, enough!" I scolded him.
"Well, you go straight to the point, Mr. Echeverrii. What are you trying to imply?"
Gabriel laid his back against the chair with crossed arms. Muscles rippled across every part of his body, seemingly ready for whatever Ellwood's gonna throw to him.
"Emory is too stubborn. If I were to decide, I won't let her work here because she deserved better..." Ellwood clearly enunciated.
Gabriel clenched his teeth, obviously not liking what he's hearing. He then glanced at me.
His dark murderous eyes slowly hit my nerves. I want to talk and end this topic, but he already talked first.
"I respect your opinion, Mr. Echeverrii. But Meredith is not overworked here. Actually, she just came back to work last Sunday. Also, I don't think I would need to background check to know how wealthy she is," he said seriously.
Ellwood grinned inanely, "That's not my point, Mr. Magnus. I want you to fire her from work because I'm taking her back to Queensland."
They fought with their eyes, both not wanting to lose.
I clenched my fist tightly. I suddenly stood up angrily that made them turn their attention to me.
"I'll leave you two, I want to rest..."
"Love?!"
We turned our heads to the new arrival. It was Alessandra, wearing her lovely smile on her face. She quickly went to our table and sat on the chair beside Gabriel.
I swallowed forcefully, my feet stuck to the ground. I can't seem to stride my feet and walk away.
"You said you're meeting is just for an hour? I looked for you when you didn't go back..." Alessandra pouted her lips to Gabriel. My eyes landed to her hands holding onto Gabriel's arm.
I heard a small laugh coming from Ellwood. I stand frozen, I can't manage to face him because I know he'll laugh at me.
Until I felt his warm hand on my wrist.
I faced him in shock. The smile on his face that he's wearing the whole time died quickly. He looked up at me, his eyes were piercing and intense. He tightened his hold on me and slowly pulled me back to my chair.
"Stay, I'm just here..." he whispered under his warm breath.
My lips quivered, I just really wanted the floor to subside me down. I don't know what to react.
I know Gabriel's eyes never left me even if Alessandra's by his side.
I heard Ellwood snapped his fingers twice to call the waiter. He whispered something to the waiter when it arrived before turning to Alessandra.
"Hi, Ellwood Echeverrii, Meredith's friend!" he offered his hand to Sandra.
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Alessandra Magnus, Gabriel's wife..." she politely introduced herself. She quickly glanced at me and threw a knowing smile.
"Nice to meet you too, Alessandra!"
Ellwood leaned over me and slowly shook his head before withdrawing his hand from Alessandra.
"Sorry, it seems that I disturbed your meeting..." Alessandra smiled a bit.
"No, we're actually having a coffee..." Ellwood replied.
"Oh great, you're friends with Meredith? So, you came from Queensland Island?"
"Yes, I just came here for a visit."
Alessandra nodded and turned his gaze at me. "I thought he's your husband..." she teasingly said.
I cracked a fake smile. When I turned my gaze to Gabriel, the side of his lips frowned and his brows shot up. It's like he heard something he doesn't like.
"He's just my friend..." I clarified.
I glanced at Gabriel again, he still looked pissed.
"Hey, when do you have plans to say that you're already a widowed?" Ellie declared.
I quickly turned to Ellwood but he only gave me a nod.
"What?!"
Alessandra was shocked at what she heard, while I'm sweating coldly.
"And guess what, we're engaged!"
My lips were trembling as every muscle of my body just froze.
I quicky searched for Gabriel's eyes, only to find out that his face was set like a stone, mouth in a grim line and shrouded with darkness.
My gaze turned to Ellwood who's sitting comfortably at my side and an innocent smile played in every corner of his damnable lips.
"How could you say that, Ellie? We're not yet engage, we both know that," I said with emphasis.
"What's the difference? It's the samez sweetheart..." Ellie pressed his thumb finger on my cheek.
I moved away. Damn it, Ellwood!
"Is it true that you're a widow? I thought your husband is abroad?" Alessandra asked. Her eyes were now serious.
"Uh, it's a long story..." I uttered slowly. I lowered my head when her eyes narrowed at me.
"Unfortunately, her husband died in an accident three years ago..."
I inhaled air into my lungs and bit my lips. I swallowed hard at Alessandra's gaze.
The table soaked into a silence, I can feel the awkwardness between the four of us. I guess I'm not the only one thinking.
"Well then, congrats to the both of you! I'm happy for you, Meredith..." Alessandra exclaimed. She held my hand while smiling.
My lips pursed tightly, I can't answer in shock. Her face brightened up like nothing just happened.
I was relieved when the waiter came with our drinks. "So, this calls for a celebration. Actually, our wedding anniversary is by next month. Why don't we celebrate early with them, right, love?" Alessandra leaned to Gabriel's shoulder and pecked at his cheek.
Gabriel licked his lips slowly and lowered his head to Sandra. "Not a good idea, I still have a meeting with the investors tomorrow," he said seriously.
Alessandra pouted her lips, she moved away. "You always think about work. Why don't you try having fun sometimes?"
He didn't answer and just gazed at me. His eyes were piercing and more intense this time, his jaw is even more defined now that it's clenching.
"Why, Mr.Magnus, aren't you happy for me and Meredith?" Ellie rested his massive hand on my shoulder. "Any words of good luck? You should be sensible rather than despised." He then smirked a little.
Ny eyes fell to my lap, having no strength left to look at him.
"He's right, are you not happy for them? Meridith's not new to us..." Alessandra convinced. Gabriel didn't bother to answer, he just shrugged his shoulder.
Ellie back straightened and leaned his armd towards the table.