I couldn't take my eyes off the table. Our space is to limited to even wander my eyes around without having an eye contact with him. The last thing I could do is to look up at his piercing eyes, and it's hard for me to do it especially now.
I sighed. "What are we doing here, Gabriel?" I finally had the courage to speak. "Do you typically bring all your dates here?"
His serious, dark eyes looked so furor. His jaws clenched that signified his annoyance.
"If my answer is no, would you believe?" His lips settled into a mocking smirk as if it wasn't a big deal for me.
"How about your fake wife?" I fired back.
Gabriel leaned forward, folding his arms on the table. He tilted his head a bit and looked at me ruthlessly.
"I don't wanna talk about it right now. There's a right time for that," he said tonelessly.
My hand clenched into a fist under the table. I don't want him to notice that I'm affected.
"So, why are we here?" I asked, squint-eyed.
He licked his lips and furrowed his brows problematically. "We're here for my own reasons."
My eyes widened, mind on a haywire as I heard his reasoning.
"That bastard. He really think he can marry you?" He shakes his head and leans backward. His lips lifted, trying to suppress a mocking laugh.
"And you like the idea of marrying your best friend, don't you?"
Bull's eye.
I laughed at the sexual undertone in his question. "There's a reason why he wanted to marry me," I defended.
"And what is it, then?"
His arms leaned onto the table and stared at me intently.
I drew out a deep breath, gulping a few times before managing to speak out.
"It was an arranged marriage. They decided to merge the two companies to form a large institution," I muttered slowly.
I bit my bottom lip whem I heard him cursing expletives. He squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth.
"They think that you're alreay gone, so they fixed me with Ellie..." I said in a low voice.
He chuckled. I know he's not liking what he's hearing, but I don't have any choice but to tell the truth.
"He's indeed taking advantage of the situation. That bastard is badly in love with you," he said sharply.
I swallowed hard. He has a point, even if I don't want to think about it, it just shows. Ellwood is in love with me, while in the other hand, he also wants to manage the company I refused to lead.
I shook my head, "Ellwood is not like that," I defended.
He didn't respond. Damn it! Why do I sound really defensive? It was too late to take my words back when I saw his reaction.
His eyes were dark, almost pitch black. I know he's already mad.
One more thing, I felt like he's dodging something related to Ellwood. I was relieved when our orders arrived, breaking the tension temporarily.
The table fell silent for the whole time. None of us opened a topic again. Though, I still can't help but steal glances.
After a few bites, I raised my head and looked at him who was eating in silence. I can't deny that he outstanding. He oozed an effortless charm enough to attract everyone's heart. His gentle and precise movements while eating showed from a lot of etiquette practices. It hurts to admit that he did change, from the small things to a better version of him right now. Far from the Hezekiah I dreamed of in the past.
Sometimes, I can't help but to think, is this still right? I'm not his mistress, I am his wife, but why do I feel like I'm the mistress he's been hiding from everyone?
I blinked when his gaze lifted to me. My face grew redder in an instant.
He put his spoon down and looked at me with furrowed brows.
I lowered my head ashamedly. I want to scold myself for lacking the self-esteem to talk casually to him, cause' everytime I try to open my mouth, I feel like my heart is about to leap out from my throat.
I sipped my glass of wine out of agitation. I thought that drinking a little bit would help to ease my nerves, but there is no effect on me.
I felt even more nervous when he finished his food and sat professionally.
I know that he's watching my every movement, and I just wanted to hide into a hole at the moment because of his unwavering gaze.
"May I ask you one thing?"
My eyes immediately went to him. Unlike earlier, he looked pleasant and calm. He playfully swirled his wine glass while staring unto me.
"What is it?" I had no choice but to ask him back.
He took a sip on his wine first before he turned his blazing gaze at me. "How much do you know Ellwood?"
I silently placed my spoon and fork onto the plate and wiped my lips with a tissue towel.
"He's my best friend, I know everything about him," I said while shrugging my shoulder.
He smirked, raising his glass once more and drinking it until empty. He placed the glass back to the table loudly that caused a sound between us.
"I don't trust him. He's not good for you," he stated in a hard tone.
My forehead creased. How can he say that when he just met Ellwood.
They really don't get along even way back then. Ellwood is very vocal to his feelings and how he doesn't like Hezekiah for me but not to the point of hating him, and vice versa.
"I don't see anything not worth trusting to him. He may be arrogant sometimes. He looks tough, but believe me, he is really a very soft-hearted man."
He nodded, but I could see disapproval gleamed in his eyes. Because he almost occupied the whole couch, he easily pulled my waist to him.
"Gab!"
My heart leapt out of my body when he suddenly hugged me in his ironclad arms.
My nose was filled with his scent. His warm hand firmly clasped my wrist that made me locked into him. The way his hand gently caressed mine caused my heart to speed up.
"What are you doing?" I murmured.
"I just wanted to prove something..." he whispered softly, brushing my hair away from my neck with his corded finger.
I bit my lip hard at what he did next. He pressed his lips to my neck and kissed way down my shoulder.
He tightened his hold on me, resting his chin on my shoulder as he pulled me closer to his chest.
My breath came out in short pants as I felt his heart beating on my back...
"You're mine..." His voice was laced with seduction.
I closed my eyes to ease to fire starting inside of me. I want to stop him from doing his plans, but before I made a move, he already cupped his hand around my face gently.
He crouched down and looked at me ruthlessly. I found a smoldering heat of desire as his eyes slowly caressed in every corner of my parting lips.
"Zeki..." I uttered his name in low, sexy sound.
"Say it again..." he said in a commanding visage.
I swallowed hard, his eyes dropped to my dry lips that made me catch my breath.
"Now I know the answer to my question..."