When I was a kid and my mom used to force me to go to bed early, I usually protested, considering myself to be a grownup and old enough to stay up late. It was a charm at the young age to act and pretend to be an adult. Little did I knew that when I'd actually be a grownup, I'd kill to have so much as a decent dose of a much needed slumber. These were my thoughts as I entered my office elevators today.

It's alarming how the schedule is shortening the hours of my sleep day by day and it is playing a major roll in exhausting me for almost the entire stretch of it, everyone can tell. The sad part is, I am unable to do anything to help it.

Who shall I blame though? My nightmares probably, but then over the years I've gotten to catch up sufficient hours despite their constant presence and as hard as the task was, I still managed it. Of course I am stubborn like that.

But recently, the cause has been much more than just them. If we were to reference about last week, I could've blamed Gabriel White and how he made his important goal to keep me busy and well if someone asks me why I couldn't sleep last night the answer would still be the same, but this time for completely opposite reasons.

The thought of him made me clench my eyes shut when all the memories from the day before crashed, showering me under them and bringing the familiar giddy feelings of the past twenty-four hours. It's surreal how Gabriel and I managed to transform from evil enemies to something strange.

Yesterday, at the beach, after being in a conversation with Gabriel, him and I sitting side by side on the sand, talking and mostly gazing at the wild waves. We almost lost the count of time. It was just the presence of him that was wearing out all the stress and tiredness that I felt. The easygoing air surrounding us was soothing and the feeling was indescribable.

There wasn't much to say on what we talked about, it wasn't some unraveling of secrets, as if it was even a possibility with Gabriel White being on the other side. It was basically just me being me, asking him random questions, here and there and his monosyllable answers.

I randomly asked his favorite movie and he stared at me as I was talking about something abominable and he hadn't known about any movie, making me gaze at him in astonishment.

He turned his head away, not seemingly bothered by my offensive gaze. That was all it took me to go in a deep rant on my favorite movies, from Disney to typical chicklits. I gave him a detailed explanation of each of the characters and what I loved about them.

When I was referring to the handsome princes or the romantic heroes, his expressions got a bit appalled but he quickly got them covered. If I didn't know him any better I would've thought he was jealous of them but hey, knock knock, we're talking about Gabriel White here and expressions and emotions have never been his form to execute let alone feeling things like these which don't even matter to him. 

It was while I was halfway explaining how Eugene stole Rapunzel's crown and then proceeded off with the further details of the story.

I'm an enthusiastic story teller, I love it when the audience is paying attention and understanding my excitement while I deliver the story to them in my best attempt. I use hand gestures, flailing them around to have a more descriptive scenario of the view to the hearing party.

Which is why, I didn't realize when I'd clasped his hand whilst explaining the romantic scene, I was practically squealing and I didn't pay much attention to it then but thinking of it now has me cringing big time. I didn't even bother losing the grip, I was just going with the flow and going as far as squeezing them to convey the heightening emotions I felt thinking about an animated romance tale.

He was gazing at me, not diverting his attention even in the slight, not even momentarily moving them to take in the vast ocean. I couldn't tell if he was genuinely interested in my rant or he was thinking of ways to strangle me or he had dosed off after realizing that I wasn't going to stop anytime soon.

Coming to think of it now, I feel like wanting to hit my head on the wall for constantly chirping like a cuckoo high on weed.

In between my rambling and his intense gazing, it suddenly came to mind that I wasn't talking to him and I was supposedly meant to stay angry at him for the last week. Late, I know but still... but unfortunately I unintentionally to furthermore prove my point of being hypothetically high, I glowered at him out of nowhere and told him that I was upset. He was obviously taken off guard and his eyes got wide at my weird, uncalled for confession.

He in return, wove his fingers through mine with the hand which I'd placed on his and didn't bother to move. That punched me in my hormones. I know how it is absolutely crazy how I've had it on his hand for so long and felt it natural but the moment he did it, my poor heart decided to somersault.

My resolve on its own was breaking just by how his hand had engulfed mine and it was completely beheaded when he asked me what happened next in the story.

If it was for normal human being, they would've known that the question was a mere distraction but the idiot in me was further liquefied knowing that he was interested in the fairytale and continued from where I'd left prior to my tantrum fit not remembering that I wasn't supposed to be talking with him. Only now after almost the entire day has passed did it dawn on me that it was a trick to lure me in and to make me forget the anger.

Thinking of it now, it is easier to tell why he looked so smug and relieved when I took off from where I had stopped. Not only did he got to know about movie characters and their roles but after that ordeal, he has gotten the courage to hold my hand.

Previously, he use to look skeptical and he did wait for me pull mine out of his and when I didn't, his eyes softened to hazel and contentment filled them. The only thing was that his hand was galvanizing my existence and was turning me into mush. But he doesn't need to know about that.

And so considering his hand in mine as natural as the revolving Earth, I gradually carried my attention towards my proceeding to complete my narrative. I spoke and gave him descriptions of as many movies as I could. I was like an old train with my stories starting of and not knowing where to stop and where the destination was where as he was a silently propelling tube, keeping mum and having me cough my engine dead until I wasn't satisfied.

To most, he might appear to be rude for how he had no hand in initiating any conversation whatsoever but to me he looked at ease, somewhat relaxed and I was happy with what he was giving.

It's in his personality to speak counted number of words in a particular day but mine is contradictory, I like to speak, laugh and just not keep myself quiet because I feel quiet is lonely and I don't want to indulge my soul in isolation.

At instances, I was scared that he might get annoyed of me, might even walk away and snap at me for being a constant pain in his back side, but he didn't say or do anything like that. He added or answered precisely wherever needed. I didn't go telling him life tales or deep hidden secrets just stories, few facts and regular chatted as I would with my friends, only that he hasn't put me up to that position yet but regardless of what he thinks, to me he is a friend.

After the grin he had flashed me earlier, I was expecting him to laugh a little more, to help me have a look at it again. I initiated subjects that might provoke so much as a smile out of him but I have a long way to go, i have witnessed a heart melting laugh, a soul searing grin, now the goal remained a smile. I can only think of how beautiful that may be.

The scary part is that it's not only that I want to have a glance at it once, I want to see him happy all the time because his euphoria is my addiction. The drugging grin and alluring laugh has shaken me up bringing along a strange want of having to see it over and over again.

If my friends had brought me here to relax and have a stress free day they didn't know what the man next to me was doing to my insides. I was hyper active and almost on the verge of hugging the life out of him. He smelled terrific, he was looking cuddly despite him adorning a snug dress shirt and the way he was gazing had my mind blown but I would these blame these overwhelming emotions to the lack of sleep, resulting in malfunctioning of my brain.

Later, when the picnic was over and Ken practically shook us and sat in between Gabriel and I, to remind that we were the only ones present and everyone has started leaving. It was I realized that it really was late.

When I packed things and everyone was filing in the cars, Ken and Matt were stuffing the cooler in the trunk of the SUV and I was about to hop in when a warm hand encircled my wrist in a gentle grab and tugged at it.

I turned around only to come face to face with Gabriel, he was looking me in the eyes and let's not speak about the tingling my skin under his grasp felt. My eyes took in the sight of his hand enclosing my dainty arm. At that point I was instantly begging the heavens to grant a little flesh to where he held my hand. I didn't want him to think that he was gripping a skeleton.

His cheeks were a bit flushed, I'm unsure if they were due to the weather or if he was ...flustered?

He cleared his throat and I groaned.

Darn! now he must be thinking of you as an idiot who is eye raping his hand. Conjuring a sheepish smile, I looked up in his eyes. It didn't appear as if he realized what I was doing.

Phew.

He opened his mouth and he averted his gaze, he was looking anywhere but my eyes and me being unexpectedly bold grabbed his chin and directed it to have him look in my eyes, startling both him and I both by the action. Safe to say, he wasn't the only one with pink cheeks then. I started panicking with my action.

What on earth is wrong with me and how have I managed to get so much strength to do what I was doing... My freaking out was however halted by an interruption.

"Go with me?"

His voice was unusually soft, his eyes made contact with mine and I, like always lost control under their intensity, shuddering slightly. As strong and controlled people take me to be, I'm nothing but a disaster whenever I am with him. It's not a good thing I know but what can one do about it.

And so, without much resistance of any sort and like a hypnotized doll, I nodded.

The frown on his forehead relaxed and a look of utter relief crossed his eyes. He let go off my wrists and slipped his hand in mine. It was warm and so perfectly molded against mine as it was meant to fit in. And the flash of sudden ecstasy filled his eyes, making me gaze in them for the longest of times.

When Ken rounded the car after keeping everything in, he approached us with an eye brow raised and a silly grin on his face.

"What do we have here?"

I blushed harder, inconspicuously trying to hide away behind Gabriel. I pleaded Ken through my eyes to let the topic go and to not embarrass me any further than he's been doing ever since Gabriel scared away Chase when he was yet again trying to come closer to me. Ever since then, he was yards away from Gabriel and I and now was locked up in the car to not have a look at him.

Ken chuckled at me, "you know the fact that you make me stop makes it all the more fun, Smurf"

Gabriel looked down at me, his eyes softened when he saw the blush on my face and then to our entangled hands. I hadn't realized that I was grasping his with both of mine and I was literally hanging from it. As much as it embarrassed me to have people see it, it satisfied Gabriel. He placed his other hand over mine and gave it a gentle squeeze, conveying that he didn't mind it.

My eyes darted to Ken and his eyes were as large as his grin, he fist pumped the air in hopeless victory making me frown, despite my disheveled state. Gabriel was very much oblivious to what his friend was up to as he was still fondling with my hands, melting my insides into liquid.

Ken grinned and held my free hand, pulling towards him, "you're not going anywhere without me" Gabriel was holding my hand very gently and he hadn't suspected that Ken would do such a thing which is why Ken was able to slyly pull me and make me stand next to him.

Gabriel was seething, he reached for my hand and instead Ken slided his in Gabriel's making me stifle a giggle.

"Oh Gabey baby, take me with you. To the hills, across the ocean where we will enjoy the depth of our sentiments, our blooming love in the valleys. Where no one will question our devotion and we will have our own family. Kids with your eyes and hair like mine and-" he shrieked in a high pitched girly voice. I smacked the back of Ken's head laughing like a lunatic and before each of us could say anything, Gabriel pulled me away leaving a squealing Ken behind.

I could hear Ken's yells and laughs all the way to the car, he was hysterical while he screamed on the top of his lungs, "Gabey baby? Gabey baby!"

After walking to the car, Gabriel helped me in and we took off. I was already a mess from the previous incidents, the hand holding and the Ken situation and I knew that if I even tried to do something as much as speak, I would only make fun of myself after turning into a blubbering mess.

He didn't mind me not speaking though, he was used to staying quiet and this time being with him, even the silence seemed comforting and its not like I had the guts to say a word.

My emotions however were still haphazardly sprawled and the scent of his was filled in the entire car drugging me in the musk. When we resort back to being on speaking terms, I might as well ask him what makes his scent so... sexy, if I dare say. 

I was stealing glances at him like a teenager who had been star struck, it would be really awkward if he caught me looking and I can't even tell if he already sensed by weirs habit, as perceptive as he is, it wouldn't be a surprise if he already has noticed.

The route that appeared longer in the beginning was magically shortened, angering me for not having more time to stay with him. It was alarming really but I was doing no efforts in considering the calls, I was with him and I was lost and I was enjoying it. Sue me.

The car stopped outside my apartment, I was seated. I didn't know what to say and what to do. He hadn't unlocked it, he was looking straight ahead and I, him. He didn't say anything for long.

What was I expecting, he obviously doesn't say much, don't you know? you better stop embarrassing him and yourself. I smiled and said, "thanks for dropping me home, good night."

I stalled, slowing the process of grabbing my belongings and collecting them, insanely waiting for him to say something, anything for that matter, even a good night would suffice. I was expecting way too much, I knew. But I just wanted it. 

I turned to unclasp my seatbelt and just as I as about to open the door, a warm hand latched at mine, yet again. My breath got caught in my throat and I clutched my eyes shut tightly. He really is holding my hand again. Someone hold the fangirl in me at bay, please.

 I remained in the position facing the window, not turning back to see in his mesmerizing eyes, I rather kept my gaze fixated the rich looking lock system of his car, when suddenly the air was knocked out of me when he said,

"Can we stay like this for a little longer, it... it feels nice"

Nice. Gabriel White said the word nice. It's so weird coming out of him as much as I know his capabilities at speaking the language fine, it still amazes me how speaking these little words make him emerge out differently.

Let's only focus on him speaking the word and not going deeper in decoding the feels of the sentence because I'll end up squealing and scaring him off. Is it bad that I want to jump in happiness. He is beginning to be my ruin and this is not a good thing.

I bit my lip and twisted towards him. He had undone his seatbelt too and he was facing me. As much as I was feeling insecure with his eyes on me, I kicked the thought away. He's right here to talk, not to have you blush and look stupid.

First, I was confused. I didn't know what to talk about and there was an awkward silence for a while before he asked me if I had ran out of stories and that was a way to have me speak infinite.

So we talked and we talked. Well, I did... I told him a story Jerdy loved sharing with me about an adorable boy and his sweet sibling and how much they loved each other. Jerdy said that they were angels and I was in love with them. I wish they could be real.

It was my favorite and so I enjoyed reciting it to Gabriel just the way I had remembered it, Of how they slayed all the evil that scared them and they became the strongest and despite what came over them, how they loved each other and were there for themselves and for the family. They both were heroes.

I had taken my shoes off and I was curled into a ball facing him as was he, only that his feet were still down and he wasn't dosing off to sleep.

Somehow in the middle of telling the story, I tried to chase the sleep away. But it was still there, the last when my eyes darted towards the clock it was four fifteen in the morning and Gabriel was intently just listening to my story or plain ignoring me, I couldn't tell.

I don't know how long we talked and what was I telling him tales about. I totally lost trail of my rambling and fell asleep because later when I opened my eyes, I was still in the car and not near my apartment but in the driveway of Starbucks.

My seat was eased and pushed back, it was slightly inclined for me to be comfortable while I slept. I helped myself a bit straighter to see his jacket draped over me and a slightly cold air blasting from the vents of his car.

As I sat upright, sunlight blared in my eyes directly from the wind screen making me flinch. I looked to his side to find him absent. It was a second later when he arrived, carrying two huge cups of coffee.

I'm usually cranky early in the morning and I take no responsibilities of my action. He looked mouth watering in his wrinkly shirt from last night, his hair were tousled and not as they are gelled to perfection.

"You're awake!" he said when he entered.

"No, I'm still sleeping. See, I have this talent of leaving my eyes open while I sleep" he looked over at me when I pretended to flay my hands in the gesture of sleep walking, looking here and there, with my mouth curled at one corner.

He chuckled.

DARN! and there goes my intestine.

No, actually spleen or liver or play safe, my organs.

The early morning rumble in his deep voice was driving me insane, probing me to turn deceased from inside.

He passed me the coffee and I instantly brightened furthermore. I'm worried that by the end of the day, I'd be a walking Edward Cullen glittering in the sun with sparkle of happiness if he keeps doing what he is doing. 

He brought me a café mocha and a bag that contained two croissants and a couple of chocolate chunk cookies. I beamed at him, I offered him some of the food but he shook his head. His call, more for me.

He drove me back home and I didn't want to go, but I was being clingy enough so I decided to leave. Majorly, I had to pee really bad. My bladder was almost bursting. Also, we had stayed in the car for the whole night and now we had work to do. Speaking of work... "We're late!" I exclaimed, almost spilling my coffee in the process.

He shook his head, his eyes in the road, "You need rest, you don't need to come today for work. I guess, I can manage" he said and the last part was so quiet and was almost as if he was convincing himself. I wasn't even sure if it was for me to hear but I did anyway.

When we reached back to the busy street of my apartment, I said a quick goodbye and collected my things from the backseat with Gabriel's assistance.

Getting out of the car, I waved him good bye and walked inside my building. After, I finally reached my door was when I heard his car grumbling to life and the gravel crunching under his tyres.

I could've lingered to see him go away but the urge to visit the bathroom had me going crazy so I chose the rational side and chose to race and provide my bladder the much needed release.

After freshening up, I decided to lay on bed to rest for a while but couldn't do so.

Despite of how he granted me a day off, I couldn't sit back at home because of multiple reasons, first I wasn't able to sleep, then I thought that it would be bad on my part if I took advantage of his words and not go even when the stupid deal is still in the middle. It wouldn't be me taking advantage of him when he practically said that on his own, but the thing is... that I missed him already while I was in bed and I didn't want to not see him.

I have literally  gotten sick of feeling this way, hopeless and desperate just to be with him. This want is driving me nuts and I'm unable to know why. It isn't like he is the most entertaining person to be with. Heck, he is completely emotionless but what do I do, my stupid organs have lost their path and are propelling to saunter to wherever he is.

Leaning against the cold metal of the elevator, my eyes shut close and a soft smile graced my face when I remembered how he helped me pick the best sea shells from the shore yesterday. His brows were furrowed in concentration as though he was working on a very important problem and wants it to be accurate.

He was picking the prettiest ones and shook his head when I showed him the ones which were chipped on one side or were monocolored. He chose the best for me no matter it took him time.

The ding of the elevator broke me out of my reverie and pushing myself off from against the wall, I walked out. My heart rate plummeted after stepping on the floor but after I caught sight of him, it was nearly bursting out of my ribcage.

He didn't know I was there, he was in conversation with Michael, his assistant but his eyes were glancing sporadically towards the door of my cubicle. My breath got caught in my throat, he couldn't possible be looking for me or is he?

I ducked my head down and whispered my feet towards the doors of my office to inconspicuously cower away from his very beautiful eyes. But in all honesty I knew that no matter how discreet I act in trying to get away it wouldn't be possible because his eyes were practically fixed on my door.

As I was about to turn the knob of my door a voice had my attention drawn to where I was trying not to gaze at,

"...then you have a meeting with Mr. Lockwo- Mr. White, are you hearing me? Did I say something wrong?" Michael asked scared and I don't blame him. It is a known that when Gabriel doesn't speak when he is mentioned, especially during business conversations, he's most likely not liking what he's being offered, but from what I could see, he didn't even seem interested in the said tasks.

His vivid green eyes were grazing me, transforming me into a puddle of goo. I passed him a nervous smile and raced inside and shutting the door behind me. Couldn't have been more subtle. Ughh Jenna!

After minutes of self stabilization, I somewhat tamed the frenzy. My table was as I'd left it last before Ken dragged me out after my throw-up fest. It still had the bouquet of flowers I'd received on Saturday.

For the past week and more, I'd been getting gifts and flowers every other day and as much as I liked to know who was sending them, I had no time to ponder over it, due to the immense work I was made to do and then a certain CEO was constantly residing in a corner of my mind to leave me to think of anything but him whenever I was free.

Sometimes, I'd just get a rose but with a card always. The message hadn't been distinct due to the use of double meaning sentences. I didn't give much thought to them in the first place to decode the provided letters and just shoved them in the drawer to have a look at them in detail later on.

The one that came with the bouquet that's on the table said,

'But my patience isn't limitless... unlike my authority.'

-have a great day, Jenna :)

My fingers grazed the sharp edges of the card and I gave myself a quick recounting on the number of people who can write something like this.

My ringing intercom had be temporarily distracted when Zoella informed me to be ready for the conference we're bound to have in ten minutes and the presence of mine would be important. She said with a sneer, she knew what it had in store for me.

She'd been doing this for the past week, ever since Gabriel has started to bombard me with work. She is enjoying it, I can tell.

A wave of anxiety hit me like a freight train, this doesn't sound good. Whenever in the last week a conference was mentioned and my presence in it necessary, it turned out to be a disaster for me. I haven't even prepared the presentation so I wouldn't even know what it's all about.

I had somewhat managed to make myself successful by saying something that I did research on and got away with it before, but this time it seems extremely impossible.

Zoella knocked on the door and said, "Ms. Stephens, the meeting starts in two. We don't want to be late" she swallowed her humor in, making me glare at her.

I briskly walked in the conference room. Not many people have entered and they were just the organizers, the table was arranged for more than twenty and professionally set up with microphones, copies of files, some stationery goods and water bottles.

My shivering hands were giving away how nervous I was and it wasn't until a few seconds later that well dressed people started filling in. I involuntarily tried to plaster myself against the wall as if it would do me some good in saving me from the prying eyes.

And if my inner condition wasn't bad enough already that to top it all off, Gabriel entered the room, looking handsome as ever in his navy suit and well assembled self. His stance was rigid and controlled, emanating an aura, having eliciting an air of respect on its own making everyone stand up from their seating to greet him.

He nodded at the salutations, permitting everyone to return to their seats. His eyes scanned the entire table and a frown marred his face as if he was looking for someone and couldn't find. Apprehension glowed in the confines of those orbs and they kept their search until they landed on me.

A splurge of relief filled him and he walked towards where I stood completely ignoring one of the investors who was addressing him. My eyes widened when I caught so many people looking at me and Gabriel, who remained unaffected by the gaze kept striding towards my direction.

He stopped right in front of me and the expression of relief morphed into confusion and for the first time it wasn't only in the eyes but also contorted on his facial expressions, which were just for me to view, while his back was to the entire company sitting and observing the happenings. To them, he would most likely be appearing to be his brooding and intimidating self because his posture was still stiff and usual but the face which only I could see was swarming with many emotions.

When he reached closer to me, i hesitantly looked up to see him from under my lashes. I was wringing my trembling hands and they seemed to grab his attention before anything else could.

Reaching out, he softly gathered my icy hands in his warm, calloused ones making me inhale sharply at the contact. He gave a light squeeze to gain my attention. He did that again. Hes being so used to with the whole handholding thing. The butterflies in my stomach are clubbing because of that.

"Your hands are freezing." he stated, his voice filled with worry making me gaze my snap to his. I didn't experience this execution of emotions on his own, from his side ever before and it took me by surprise.

I offered a soft laugh to distract him and not put an exposition of my nerves in open where there are so many inquisitive and judgemental eyes set on every move I put forward.

"It's nothing"

"It doesn't seem like nothing. Something is bothering you, I can see it." he said concerned.

"It's okay, there's nothing wrong" I offered, feeling uncomfortable under the scrutiny or seventeen to eighteen pair of eyes.

Gabriel followed my gaze, he contained his expressions, transformed into his notorious stony exterior before turning around to face the gawking people who suddenly and not very subtly diverted their gazes, seemingly uninterested in what they were openly gawking at a few seconds ago.

Zoella had entered and was confused as to why the meeting hasn't started yet when his eyes dropped to my hands in Gabriel's grasp. Her jaw was so wide, it appeared as if it got unhinged.

He entwined our fingers in his comforting grip and carefully as to not hurt me, he towed me towards the head of the table. Clearing his throat, he earned attention of everyone, who were only pretending to be busy with the files.

"Ladies and gentleman, I would prefer if we postpone this meeting to the next hour. I know you are all important people and might not have enough time to spare but I have a very significant work to do that requires my immediate attention. 

I will make sure that you're provided with refreshments for the next hour and a comfortable place to rest yourselves until then." he looked at Zoella, who seemed to have understood the predicament and nodded frantically.

A man with graying hair stood up from his seat. He appeared to have a pot belly under his nicely tailored dress shirt. He had vintage style framed glasses. He thought he'd look cool in those but to me he was appearing to be impersonating a clown. Lets name him Tom.

 Tom complained in a very squeaky voice, "You do realize Mr. White that we have other things to do. This hasn't ever been your attitude towards work. Something which is always admired about you in the business world is your dedication towards your work and how you're functional and perfect. Th-"

"No body is perfect, everybody makes mistake. Everybody has those days." I spoke out of nowhere, cutting his rant. It was like my mouth was on autopilot, it on its own spew the lyrics out. And to make matters worse, when all the eyes got diverted towards me, I once again embarrassed myself when I said, "Hannah Montana said that."

Gabriel looked at me in amusement and I blushed under his maddening eyes. A ghost of smile brushed my lips when I looked in his eyes. Our eye-lock was cut short by Tom.

"We were talking. Weren't you taught to not speak when two people are talking" I was about to apologize because in a way he was right, I shouldn't have spoken in the middle but before I could even initiate the word of apology he continued, "you disgusting, disgraceful, po-"

"Enough!" Gabriel bellowed, I yelped at the thunder like voice of his. Tom looked terrified and so did the others. He still covered the fright with a strong demeanor but he couldn't hide the shudder in his voice.

"W-what I'm trying to say is that this meeting is important" Tom exclaimed.

"Then this meeting can wait." Gabriel said without missing a beat.

"These investors are busy people and they might not have time to wai-"

"If they don't have time to wait, they can leave. I hope this clears everything. Now if you all would excuse me" without waiting for any kind of answer he pulled me away from the scene and gave a brisk indication of Zoella to deal with the circumstances and she got what he was implying making her start working immediately.

Gabriel walked to his office and shut the door close, he made me sit on the couch and sat next to me. All the previous inhibitions of icy exterior thawed and he once again helped me in viewing his emotional side, without even him knowing about it, making me a prisoner by the exposition of his heart melting portrayal of genuine emotions.

He placed the back of his hand on my forehead and frowned, "It doesn't seem like you have fever. That's good, you're feeling down aren't you. I told you, you shouldn't have come today." He walked towards the table and filled in a glass of water and brought it to offer me. I sipped at it.

"And I told you I am fine" I said sighing. 

He was constantly pacing, checking my temperature every ten seconds. I glared at him when he approached me for the sixth time.

I clutched his hand in a the best grip I could muster, though it would hardly do him any damage. I'd still like to assure myself that it is terminating his examination for a little while.

I abruptly stood up with a huff and faced him, "I can't do it without any prior notice and no practice whatsoever"

"Practice of what? This doesn't need practice" he scowled,

"See, the last time when I did this, I knew what it was about and what I had to offer"

"You've done this before?" he said and his eyes filled with a strange sadness, he continued "I-I know, its new to me too. I-uh I am o-over-doing it. Aren't I?"

"No, you're used to it" I said confused.

"I have no idea how to do it"

"You're must be kidding me. Everyone knows how good you're at it."

"Don't listen to what people say. This is new for me"

"Couldn't possibly be. You're experienced" I countered. What is wrong with him. He's doing the business for so long. He's been in so many presentations and meetings and now he says, he's new to it.

"Hold on! be a little clear on what are you talking about?" he asked incredulously.

"The presentation! Isn't that what we're talking about?"

Realization swarmed over his features and he said, "The prese-? Oh okay! Yes! that's exactly what I was talking about" he turned around and gulped the glass of water almost nervously, after fetching it from the table, "What about the presentation particularly?"

I squinted to see if there was something wrong with him, because with what I was hearing no part of what he was talking about seemed normal to me.

When I said nothing, he turned to face me and after a few seconds of contemplation and most probably replay of our conversation in his mind, he realized what  I was implementing on, his eyes widened a little.

"So you are scared that I would make you speak and give presentation in front of all these people and you're not prepared for that"

"Precisely" I replied, still frowning.

"I won't" he said with a sigh and came closer to stand in front of me, "The reason I called you there was because you've been raising some really good points in most of our meetings even when you were pushed to do them. Everyone knows how much potential you have in driving deals and sorting with the projects even though you've been appointed as an intern."

Wait a second, did Gabriel White just compliment me? Did I hear it right?

He was beginning to say something else but a knock distracted us and helped me in cooling my cheeks down.

Zoella came in and informed Gabriel that he had provided the guests from other companies with refreshments and comfort. He nodded and answered to what she was saying.

Awareness came down at me as a shattering building when I realized that Gabriel had postponed the meeting for an important cause which he was supposed to tend to immediately and here I am holding him back and talking on useless topics with him.

If Tom gets the gist of how I am stopping him from the meeting where he should be at, he'll have my throat.

Zoella had gone and Gabriel must've seen panic on my face because he was beside me the next very second.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Tom would kill me!" I shrieked. His jaw clenched and his eyes were filled with anger.

"Who is Tom and why would he want to do that?" he asked in fury.

"You don't know who Tom is?" I asked and then face-palmed. Of course, he wouldn't know who Tom is, that wouldn't even be his real name, "anyway, you said you had an important work to do when you walked out of the meeting"

"I did!" he agreed.

"So do that!" I almost yelled, the hour was nearly over. I don't think Zoella can hold those people back any longer.

"I am doing that" he said looking at me like I am a lost cause.

"Uh?" my mouth dropped. He placed his index finger on my mouth and pushed at it a little to shut it up. He seemed amused. "So what you're saying is, this-" I gestured between us, "-was your work?"

"Took you long enough?" he mused.

"No wait! But Tom?"

"Who the hell is Tom?" he asked irritated.

"The old man who was scaring you back there. Or well, trying to?"

"You mean Mr. Austin" he suggested, quirking his brow.

"Whatever" I muttered. My eyes darted to the clock and fear filled me when a flash of Tom's face clouded my mind. He must be seething. I clutched Gabriel's hand and dragged him towards the door of his office.

"Oh my God! The hours almost over. You can't be late, you have to-"

He cut me mid rambling and gently clutched at the handle of his door, "Nobody is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days" he repeated my lines.

A grin stretched on my face hearing that, which in return lightened the green of his eyes.

"I can bet on the last bite of Ken's pizza, you wouldn't even know who Hannah Montana is"

He dipped his face closer to me, his breath fanned the side of my face, halting my breathing and heart beat altogether. He was so close, all I had to do was lean and we would hug but I held myself back when his rough voice whispered in my ears.

"True, but I have you to teach me." he said and left, leaving me all hot and flustered.

Help me Lord!

***

I was seated next to Gabriel, he hasn't taken the chair at the head of the table, surprising me and everyone . He was right beside me, a little too close because it was either I was assuming things or Gabriel was really inching his chair closer and closer to me to a point where our chairs were almost touching.

Every second I diverted my attention towards the actual conversation regarding the presentation that was meant to be heard, whenever I'd return my gaze to note something important or referencing the file, I'd see Gabriel more closer to me than the last time.

At first, I though we were originally sitting like that, that I was improvising his personal space and he must be feeling bothered, so I discreetly scooted away, having him frown. And a few seconds later when I returned to scribble a point I found him right on my face having me involuntarily gasp.

I was adjusting in my chair when my elbow grazed his and I felt a flutter of wild wings in my tummy. Gabriel felt that too and he stiffened as did I. There side of my arm was enduring extreme explosions. I wonder if he felt that.

I looked to my right where he sat, his gaze suddenly met mine and we snapped our gazes away at the same time so rapidly, as if we hadn't noticed inconspicuously looking at each other which was silly because here I'm blushing like crazy and I don't think I have the guts to face him.

In the beginning of the conference, I saw Tom glaring at me from time to time, it wasn't like I was the one to back out. I started glaring at him back so diffuse his and then I realized that I've already got in fuss with him once due to the whole fiasco and if I won't step back now, he would draw his hand out of the deal considering my behavior offensive.

And from what I've collected from other people, the deal seems beneficial. I'm in no position to jeopardize something that might be favorable.

As advantageous as the deal might appear to me or someone else in that regard, Gabriel was totally unbothered by it because as soon as I piped my opinion about the topic and Tom was about to harshly refuse it alongside scowling in his usual performance.

Gabriel glowered at him challengingly, waiting for Tom to say something and him to metaphorically twist his neck. Tom was probably clever and he busied himself with the pen  in his hand.

Typical angry bird move.

Even though Tom had softened the number of blows he was sending my way after being scared away by angry bird, Gabriel still hadn't dropped his flamey, fiery stance, scaring the others on the table too.

When the situation was getting out of control, I placed my hand on his fist which was rested on his thigh, he instantly calmed and his eyes met mine. I could see the hardness chipping away and when I silently tried to ask him to stop, he nodded.

He though, grabbed my hand and interlaced our fingers together, making me inhale a shaky breath. He kept rubbing circle with his thumb in my palm and I blanked out on the rest part of the meeting. Can you blame me?

I swear this man would be the reason of my withdrawing respiratory system. I can hardly breathe properly whenever I'm with him.

When the discussion was over, everyone started seeing each other off and heading out after the final discussions. I didn't know what to do, because previously people just marched out after Gabriel did, that's because he used to be the first one to leave.

Now, he was crowded with some managers of other firms and Tom and were doing some signatures. I decided to not intrude more than I already have and give them space, so I headed outside and towards my cubicle.

Stepping inside, I saw a cluster of fresh roses bound by a twine and placed on the edge of my table. I hunted for the card which is always present in these gifts and without a doubt I found it,

It read,

Jenna love,

 You're being a bit too ignorant. Being casual and not bothering to know who is constantly sending these expensive gifts. Just don't get yourself too used to them, I can't be sure if you'll enjoy the sender as much as you enjoy the gifts.

But don't worry, I guess. I have prepared myself to show you my identity when the time is right. Till then, have fun...

The gifts aren't occasional anymore, they're being sent to me everyday and this is weirdly alarming. Who has developed these stalker tendencies to violate my peace. If I give my mind a thorough go through, these are being sent to me ever since my departure from the hospital.

It started off with the basket of goods but back then there were no notes or cards with messages. The notes and cards came with the flowers I got when I had fought with Gabriel ever since then, the card was never absent from the flowers or chocolate boxes or whatever was sent.

I was in the middle, deep drowned in my thoughts, holding the flowers in hand. I was distracted when my phone blared making me glance at it to see it was Jerdy who called.

"If this isn't my favorite man calling" I greeted. He chuckled.

"It sure is. You must be wondering why I called you again after we talked for so long in the morning" he asked.

"I wasn't. You can call me whenever you want"

"I know bunny. Britney wanted to ask if you had any white dress that you've left here. So she could come by to borrow it." he asked.

"Tell her it's placed in the second last shelf along with a couple others. If she is interested."

"I sure would"

"Alright, I love you." I said, mindlessly playing with the flowers in my hand.

"Love you too. I miss you" he responded.

"I miss you too" I said with a sigh and declined the call.

My eyebrows furrowed and I quickly turned around. I felt as if there was someone there. I had left the door open, someone must me passing by and it made me feeling they were inside.

I shook my head and shut the door, not knowing that someone was indeed there and he has started drawing wrong conclusions based on what he has seen and he managed to hear.

***

A/N:

*Unedited*

I thought I liked this chapter but then I reread and went like Nah... this is not my cuppa tea.

Thanks for loving the book so much and constantly nagging me in my dms for update.

It's just random but I hope it wouldn't disappoint y'all much...

Press the star to vote and share...

Love, S!