Jenna's POV:

"Its nothing really, I'm fine," he said. I glared at him, while my hands wrapped the gauze around his wound while I felt his gaze burning in my head.

"Don't tell me you're fine, I can see the blood" I said in a bland tone making him sigh.

"A bit nostalgic, don't you think?" he murmured. He was referencing to our first meet and it surprised me that he remembered. I didn't let him show and just nodded.

Standing up, I dodged past the broken items reaching for the dresser where I placed the first aid kit.

Turning around, my eyes scanned the floor and I shook my head at the mess. So... this happened.

As I looked at Gabriel, I saw him gauging my reaction and he was rubbing the back of his neck. I stared at him blankly and was about to turn towards the door when I saw him raising his good arm that was clutching the towel.

I raised my brow at him, he was testing the waters with me. His hair were dripping from the shower he'd just taken and he wanted me to dry them. This loon.

"From what I collect, your other hand is working absolutely fine" he smirked at me as he dropped the towel on the bed pretending as though his other hand was hurt too.

"Not anymore" I narrowed my eyes at him and I could've refused but the slight puppy look I was able to see got me as I walked closer to his sitting form and patted his hair dry rubbing the terry between his dark tresses. I was so tempted to ask him about the recent discovery of the catastrophe in his room but I refrained.

I stayed silent ignoring the swarming wave of questionnaire fill up inside me, begging to be spilled. I focused on his hair and kept myself from glancing at his face which was tilted upwards.

I felt his muscular arms snaking around my waist, tugging me closer, halting my actions. His green eyes gazing at me from between the floppy wet hair on the forehead. "You know I can sense when you're brimming with questions to ask" he said in a low and husky voice. I raked my fingers through his damp locks making him close his eyes and hum in approval.

"Ahan, then tell me what do you think it is that I want to ask?" I spoke seeing his eyes open lazily as they studied me before he tightened his grip around me, making me clutch his shoulders at the sudden pull.

He gently caught ahold of my hand and directed it towards his hair making me thread my fingers through them again. His soft green eyes were beguiling and in their leafy hue.

"What is all this, angry bird?" he said gesturing to the items gracing the floor. I bit back my smile seeing him say the words I had a hard time keeping in. I looked down trying to keep him from viewing the pleased look on my face but he already caught on it.

"Be careful with who you call angry bird, only I am allowed to say that but now that you've asked. Mind answering?" he chuckled at me and shook his head making my eyes widen. Sneak.

"Oh alright" I said, removing my hands from his hair and trying to loosen his hold on me making him groan as he turned me around in his arms, making me tumble on the bed where he hovered over me. He took me off guard.

My breath got caught at his action as he held my arms beside my head, giving a quick peck to my lips. My mind was reeling beyond depiction and it had me on a high or was it from the brownies I'd eaten.

I pretended indifference even though it was next to impossible for me with the way his smoldering gaze was scraping me and his misty scent had me in a daze. At this point I should be used to him yet as always his proximity is still as unnerving as it'd always been. 

"So, the answer?" I prompted, he groaned when he realized I'm not going to drop it. He then rolled to the side before sitting straighter with his back to me and that's when I saw him stiffening.

"You said you were leaving me" he answered and I saw his hands fisting the sheets. He took it that bad? I rose up from my position and mumbled.

"I said I was leaving your house, not you..." I was confused. He made it seem then like it made him no difference whether or not I stayed but looking around in his room and hearing him out gives an opposite view to the story.

"You thought I wanted you to go" he looked at me from his shoulder and I saw the tick in his jaw. He really did take it worse than I thought... but what for?

"How long would I keep staying here anyway?" I questioned. This was so illogical, I had to go at one point and recently I'd realized it was the right time to go. Why is he considering this so attacking?

"As long as fucking forever" I frowned as he cursed. It was a while later when his words registered in my mind and punched out all the air inside me. He too was taken aback on the realization of his words because they were unrehearsed and impromptu. I was stuck replaying his utterance in my mind. He mustn't  be meaning what he said... Could he? 

"Where were you planning on going anyway?" he asked breaking me out of my thoughts. Telling him about Matt's assistance in finding me a place would only fuel him more even when we're past that fight which is why I straightened my statement to adjust to his acceptance. I wasn't lying but I didn't want to quarrel over the same thing over again.

"Had confirmed an apartment somewhere" I stated telling him half the truth and I saw him turn around with a scowl on his face. He looked surprised.

"Somewhere? So obviously, you hadn't even looked for it on you own and you think after what happened last time, I'd let you go to just some place" he asked cocking a brow and there was a glint of relief in his statement as though he's caught on something to use for me and also a very strong determination.

He wasn't still over with the break-in and quite honestly I wasn't either, every time I thought about it, I had shivers running down my spine but then it was accidental. It happened once, couldn't mean that it might happen again.

"It wouldn't happen again" I said with confidence, not breaking eye contact. His eyes had a look like they were all knowing, as if they knew so much more than what was seen and how bad did I want to decode them. His grip on the sheet tightened more causing it to wrinkle and when he saw me looking at his action, he immediately let go of it.

"Doesn't give me the satisfaction" came out his reply. He brows were furrowed and his stance was challenging but I wasn't the one to give up.

"And what would?" I questioned, crossing my arms.

"Having you safe here" he said without batting his eye and I gulped. He says these things so easily. Does he even know what he insinuates at times or he just goes with the flow... But it's so strange for him to be casual about anything because it's Gabriel White we're talking about but then again he must be a laid-back, un thought of opinion, where he didn't meanmost of the things.

I can't keep staying at his house for as long as I want regardless of what he says, I should go to my own. Although, I understand his doubts and concerns but I still believe they have to be overlooked at some point.

"Gabriel, it's not pos-" he was expecting me to defy him therefore he immediately interrupted, like he'd guessed my response.

"Okay fine, I'll find you a place that I think is safe till then you'd stay here. Deal?" he offered and there was a look on his face that I squinted to study but as always he isn't an easy man to help me decipher from just looks.

"Don't know since you forsake the last one too" I glared at him but he visibly relaxed as he leaned closer, his disheveled hair flopped on his forehead.

He grinned and clashed his lips to mine making me sink deeper in the sheets. I eased my back on the soft mattress and he was over me and our lips moved in the symphony. His hand wrapped around my waist and that action should've made me tingly and it rightfully did but in the wrong way.

His touch felt ticklish making me squirm and laugh. Instead of getting offended or appalled, he smiled against my lips, looking into my eyes. When I was out of breath, I gently separated my lips from his when a sudden thought came to my mind, hitting me.

"You know we weren't finished with the twenty questions the other day" I said hooking my arms around his neck and he supported his weight on his hands still over me.

"Or just say that your questions didn't run out" he shook his head still amused at me. I blushed realizing how he caught on my cover at the curiosity. But I have questions and this is the nicest way to get answers of them from him.

"Mean" I muttered, he scoffed. 

"That is the only thing you don't see of me or well you do... just sometimes." he replied as he tucked a strand of hair from my face.

"Should I be flattered?" I asked twisting my fingers at the back of his neck twiddling with the hair at his nape.

"Most certainly" he said now lying to my side looking at me. I had so many questions in my mind but had no idea which ones to prioritize.

"Okay so Mr. White, why did you leave my house without speaking with me?" I said and I saw him inhale a sharp breath. His eyes hardened and I realized the answer to my question wasn't as easy as I might've expected for it to be. I wanted to ask why wasn't he receiving my calls and there was so much more I had to ask but now looking at his reaction I'd better stay quiet.

"Just had some things to do" he said in a cold voice and I knew that I shouldn't venture there anymore. I had so many thoughts but none of them were worth his discomfort. May be he doesn't trust me enough to open up and that's completely fine, no one should be pressurized till they voluntarily want to speak. He should just know that I'm here for him.

It seems like it something different and more empowering and the reason for his departure would still remain a mystery till he plans to tell me otherwise. His mood had obviously taken a fall and it was very disturbing for me but it also proved that whatever the reason must be, it wasn't nothing as he'd just worded for it to be.

"Your turn?" I said trying to shift the atmosphere from the gloom that it had started to fade in. I saw that as his eyes were fixated on the ceiling and he was lost in his thoughts. I mimicked him and concluded that the conversation was over until I heard him say,

"Were you ever scared of me?" he didn't distract his gaze but I propped myself on an elbow and sang.

"You wish" he turned to me, assessing my reaction and his mouth lifted at the sides making me squeal inwardly. Yes, his mood was better.

"Okay my turn, the most exotic thing you've ever tasted?" I said and almost in a heartbeat I heard his reply making me gasp.

"Your lips"

"Gabriel, I'm serious" My cheeks were heated and my eyes were the size of golf balls. The flush of feelings that ran past me had me surging inside. My heart beat accelerated at his response.

"I am too" he smirked looking at my reddened face. I gulped, ignoring his statement as I repeated.

"No! Let me rephrase it, the most exotic food you've had?" I said, being unable to meet his eyes.

"Quite a number of cuisines from whenever I'd travelled but I'd say Lebanese" he answered while I worked on reducing the scarlet from my cheeks.

"Show off" I muttered.

"Why? Where'd you go?" he questioned.

"Was that one of your questions?" I said, raising my brow. He shrugged,

"Just travelled in the States. Had to visit my uncle in England but it didn't quite happen" I said, remembering of the time and when it hit me and started to sour my mood, I quickly diverted my attention from it.

"Alright next, okay so this is totally random as was your answer to back when we were at the office party. I was telling you my sob story so you ended up telling me some fact about sea creatures. Why?" I'd been very curious since the day he'd blurted that out. I wanted to know the reason of his .

"I did? So yeah growing up I'd visited the shore so often that it always made me interested to know what lies beyond our view and so I used to do research about things. Quite stupid actually but that's the only past time activity I had and no one knew about it until of course you" he replied and there was a look in his eyes that yet again I failed at understanding. This man is so many layers and I'd happened to not even scratch the surface.

"Well, you're flattering me a lot today" I countered, he raised my hand and placed it in his grasp, giving it a light squeeze.

"What is the most embarrassing thing you did as a teenager?" he asked. It took me by surprise as the answer to his question swirled around my mind.

"No!" I said in horror. I can never voice it for the embarrassment still looms over me like it was yesterday.

"Oh yes!" he said, tugging at our hands  "Come on Jenna" he urged, I groaned and covered my eyes with my free hand. May be if I say it quick he wouldn't catch on it and I'd be fine.

"Okay so there's this day that I'll never ever forget. I was in high school and there was a table close to the toilets that's where we usually sat for no apparent reasons of course. So my friends were all seated and I was carrying my food tray.

Now I didn't know that someone had clogged the bathroom and it was flooding to a point that it had the whole floor around the table wet. I obviously hadn't noticed it. So, I naturally being clumsy slipped and sprained my ankle. All my food was floating in that ungodly pool and everyone was laughing.

That's not even the worst part, Later everyone was so grossed out and I smelled so bad that I couldn't take any classes because it was disgusting and then 'toilet water Jen' kinda stuck with people for a very long time"

As I removed my hands from my face, I heard a chuckle followed by laughs from him and even though I should've been offended, I wasn't.

"Toilet water Jen" he said, testing the words.

"Don't you dare" I warned with no threat of any kind in my voice. It was a good feeling to give him a glimpse of my past life and the fact that he was interested in the tale I'd offered bloomed my heart from inside.

"Oh, I would" He wrapped his arm around me as I snuggled close to him. We didn't speak for a very long time we were both lost in our own thoughts. I had so many things running in my mind but being so close to him made me feel like I was safe and it was a reassurance I didn't know I needed.

"Jenna I am sorry" I raised my head to look into his eyes and the raw emotion in them had my head spinning. What was he sorry about? I thought the Matt story was done with.

"Gabriel you don't-" he shook his head as he cupped my face in his hand, making me glance and the sincerity in his gaze.

"No! I am sorry for making you feel like you were unimportant, that wasn't my intention. You never are and you'd never be irrelevant to me or to anybody else. So don't just don't bring these thoughts to your mind ever. You are the most important thing in all the lives you're acquainted with and you should realize this.

I may act stupid sometimes but it wouldn't make you unworthy. There shouldn't ever be this thought in your mind again or so God help me" he said and I was in a puddle. I'd been self doubting, thinking that I wasn't enough but here he was untangling the mess in my mind without any incitement from me.

Emotions stung my nose and all I could do was gaze at this person in front of me who happened to be the kindest and softest. I thought what I felt for him was beyond my perception but the feeling only happens to run deeper every day. I wasn't afraid of what I was feeling, I just hoped he felt a little of what I did.

I mashed my lips against his, savoring his taste. Trying to thank him with more than just words. His lips were soft against mine, teasing, adoring and gentle and I couldn't ever have enough of them, of him.

Pulling away, I said "One last question?" I was breathing harshly and my forehead was resting against his.

"Why do you call me paraiso and what does it mean? I blurted it out and a soft look graced his face and he pulled me closer to him.

"Someone I knew was Spanish and so I've always heard about the word and I found it beautiful but never really had any context to use it but then when we were at Ken's and everyone was telling the meaning of their names, you did too and well... I should've known"

I frowned, "But the meaning of my name is...?"

"Is?" he urged, his breath brushing my cheeks.

"...paradise" my lips whispered as he pecked them with his own and said,

"Paraiso" I gasped at the meaning and this is how he turned me into a mush. Yet. Again.

***

"She doesn't look too thrilled" I heard Cassie as she passed her observation on me. I was walking towards the cafeteria with two loons on my tail. Ken was incessantly annoying, nothing new? I know but now that I was ignoring him, it didn't sit well with him. If he does that then it's okay no one else can do that to him. He was following me around just instigating me that I talk to him and I was about to break at points but it was fun to see him like that.

"I'll take the credit" Ken replied smugly. I turned around and passed a sarcastic smile at him.

"Blame is what you mean, right?" I offered, he grinned.

"Oh please, don't be stupid here, closer to me... It's annoying" I rolled my eyes at him as I sat after purchasing a sandwich and cupcake. Cassie had to take a call, so she walked out to attend it.

"Okay smurf, I'm sorry" I heard Ken say as I bit into my sandwich..

"No Ken you knew it better than anyone that Matt is just my friend and nothing more. You could've told Gabriel that and not ignored me for no apparent reaon" I said and his brows knitted in utter confusion.

"Wait Matt! he was the problem too?" he shrieked and I looked at him skeptically.

"Too?" So there was something else as well and before I thought it was imagination but Ken just confirmed it and now at my questioning he realized his slip up as I heard him say.

"No as in yeah I knew but I loved the angst running and the sexual tension was thrilling. What fun would it have been had I told him and don't pretend like it didn't excite you, the shmakeup shwex must've been worth it" He winked at me making me choke.

"Ken!" I said in horror, chugging water in my throat.

Cassie returned and she looked between Ken and I, trying to understand what had happened before she sat. "why is she so red?" she asked him referring to me and Ken smirked stretching his arms when I glared at him.

Cassie thankfully didn't get much into it and they started talking about gossips in the building and I was busy eating and wasn't paying much attention to them but one name had my attention spiked, making me pause my movements.

"So from what I heard, don't know how true it is but the other day Carol Jones hugged Mr. White in front of the whole staff and there are so many people who are already shipping them. Can someone confirm this rumor... Jenna wasn't here that day, Ken you know about it...?" Cassie was babbling and my hands were frozen.

I lifted my eyes to see Ken already looking at me and he said he doesn't know about anything and it must just be a rumor, all the while looking at my face. I pretended to look least interested but I wasn't feeling hungry anymore, my appetite was lost.

"When I'm dying, let me eat that cupcake" Ken said breaking me out of reverie. I looked at my cupcake and then at him.

"Okay...But now you aren't..." I frowned, I don't understand him sometimes no actually all the time.

"So, you shouldn't wait till I die, give me that fackuting cupcake" he stated snatching it away from my plate and as I leaned forward to get it, I missed the chance for he'd already licked the icing by then and I knew that the cupcake was a martyr.

"I don't like you right now" I deadpanned,

"Why? I am so sexy" Ken replied, biting into my cupcake. I rolled my eyes and Cassie and Ken fell into an easy banter of her disapproving his statement but I zoned out of there. There was a brick placed in me which I realized was jealousy and it wasn't the best feeling, I realized.

I condemned myself but my consciousness had a mind of its own as it started imaging their hug and potential interactions making me uncomfortable. The situation completely flipped when I saw the chair next to me being pulled.

My eyes darted towards the intruder and it was Gabriel, his expressions soft as he looked at me and seated next to me. He reached forward and placed the last morsel of my sandwich that I'd abandoned in his mouth.

"He's behaving remarkably today. Did you whoop him right" Ken asked, making me glare daggers at him. This idiot never filters his words, ever.

"You look human today. Well, okay don't answer. I know who to blame-" he said referring to Gabriel who rolled his eyes wrapping his hand in mine under the table.

"Credit" Cassie corrected.

"Potayto, potahto" Ken answered, licking his fingers.

I unconsciously looked around and found all the eyes at our table."Uh?" I said, why were people  looking at us, it couldn't be because of us holding hands, they weren't visible to anyone, not even Ken and Cassie.

"Guys it's alright. Focus on your food, he's tame today" shouted Ken and everyone visibly relaxed, calming back in their places and continued with whatever it was that they were doing but I saw some curious glances from time to time.

Okay... what was that?

I pushed my inquisitiveness to one side and got involved in the conversation at our table. Gabriel obviously wasn't saying anything, he was going through his phone while his other hand was unintentionally playing with my fingers, making me a mess.

The moment was ruined when I saw a figure appear at the door and the silence mingled with hushed whispers. To say she was beautiful would be putting it lightly. She was gorgeous and enough to have heads turning which compliantly did.

She looked elite with her designer dress fitting her perfectly, her face with adequate makeup, just to accentuate her beauty and not make it look caked. She walked to our table and all the while, the whole cafeteria was gazing at her and I don't blame them.

She really was the kind of stunning and I just wished I was half as pretty as her. She paid no heed to anyone probably being used to all the attention. Her gaze was solely fixated at us.

As she neared our table, she smiled at Ken greeting him, he responded to the greetings and his eyes nervously flickered to mine. Why was Ken nervous? I looked at Gabriel, who knew nothing and was still on his phone, typing some mail.

"Ms. Jones" Cassie breathed, obviously admiring her like me. At her words I went stiff. She was the infamous Ms. Jones and now I knew why everyone was obsessed with her.

Gabriel probably realized that something happened when my hand went stony in his grasp. He lifted his gaze from our hands to my face but before he could say anything he was interrupted.

"Gabriel, what a surprise to find you here of all the places" she said and man her voice was confident and smooth.

"Carol" Gabriel said with a curt nod, he was back at being the Mr. White. "Why are you here, our meeting wasn't until Thursday" Way to be direct...

"I was passing by, thought I'd drop a few files at your office and wanted to discuss something too" she purred. Okay now, she was annoying. She'd dropped the file right, now she can go.

She rounded us and stood next to Gabriel as she placed her manicured hand on his shoulder and I heard 'awws' from the tables around me and the brick of jealousy in me was suffocating me now. My hand in Gabriel's automatically tightened, making him look at me but I tried staying impassive.

I glanced at Ken and he was biting his nails looking at me. What was he expecting I'd do? I wouldn't be stupid and make a show out of nothing and thankfully Cassie grabbed my arm excusing us from there, saying that we'd some work to do, before I would've considered doing something unappreciated.

My hand released from Gabriel's and his eyes darted towards me as Cassie was pulling me away.

Before leaving, the last thing I saw was her holding his hand while she flicked her hair behind and how I wanted to do bad things to her at that instance.

***

Turned out Cassie took me out to the café outside the building to grab some drinks and I couldn't thank her enough for the distraction at which she shrugged and mumbled what are friends for.

"She wasn't that pretty, you know?" Cassie said as I sipped my frap.

"Who are you lying to?" I asked scornfully. She sighed at my response

"Jen, at least she's not pretty to him" she said as we walked out the cafe.

"He must be blind if he doesn't find her attractive, Cassie. Forget it, I don't want to talk about her" I said, dismissing the conversation.

I kicked my jealousy thoughts to one side because they were ugly and I didn't want to act like Gabriel and have them mess with me even though the disgracing feeling was overwhelming.

Cassie and I were walking on the sidewalk sipping our drinks, I suddenly looked around since I felt someone looking at me. The feeling was very disturbing and I decided to head straight to the building because I constantly had a feeling of being shadowed.

On our way, I kept glancing behind because the paranoia was very much lingering in my and the goose bumps were pricking my skin, I didn't want to alarm Cassie because she happens to panic in situations and that was the last thing needed.

I wasn't focused which is when a bicycle dashed from centimeters beside me in a flash, making me shriek. The involuntary scream was both from surprise and from the pain in my arm as though someone had slashed it with a knife. I jumped in shock at the sudden impact and my hand instinctively reached for my arm.

Raising my eyes from the harmed limb was a bad idea because that's when I saw a scary glare directed at me from the rider who was dressed in all black, as he looked behind from his helmet. The view had a chill running in my body. He wasn't apologetic, heck he seems delighted as if that's what he wanted.

His glare had a warning, a threat and his eyes showed that his actions were deliberate... but were they? Or was he just pissed that I came in his way and wasn't watching my step.

My breath was stuck as I saw him cycle away not looking back even once after he inflicted the fear of his glare on me. My heart was bursting out of my chest and my condition was unkempt.

"Jenna, are you alright?" Cassie screamed over the thoughts in my head. I ignored the pain in my arm as my gaze was fixated at the bustling street where he disappeared but left that glare which remained implanted in my brain.

"Maam, are you okay?" I heard a voice, it was a man and I felt that I recognized him from somewhere. I had seen him somewhere but I had no stamina to match his face in my memory because I was so focused on the glower I'd just received.

"Oh yeah, I'm okay. It was just an accident, I'm fine" I breathed. The man was suited and he looked really worried about me. No street goer would be so interested in a stranger. Where had I seen him, who was he?

"Let's go. You gotta stay careful" Cassie pulled me towards the building, my shaky hand was grabbing my arm where I felt moist, so it was bleeding. After entering the building, Cassie made me sit and drink water, I didn't tell her about my arm and since my shirt was black, the blood wasn't visible but I could feel it flowing under my shirt.

"I have a meeting to attend. Don't worry I'm okay but just don't mention it to Gabriel or Ken, please" I pleaded to Cassie.

"Jenna I don't know. You can't go, you are not okay" she said, poor girl, she was so worried about me.

"Cassie, it happened by mistake, it's nothing. Let's just forget about it" I mustered a smile and gave her a one armed hug because the other one was stinging like crazy.

She didn't look convinced but I didn't let her look much into it and I sprinted towards the elevators, just to my luck, I saw Matt emerging out of there. This isn't the right time to be running in people.

"Hey Matt" I said, he was holding a pile of files in his arms. He smiled looking at me and it contorted to a frown.

"Hey Jenna, you alright?" he said and I realized that I really looked terrified. I should calm myself down but it was difficult since the flare of the man was unforgettable.

"Absolutely" I said smiling "Where had you been?" I asked, hoping to distract him and thankfully it worked.

"Just busy with these but I'm in real trouble for the days I took off. I guess I deserve it though. Anyway will catch you later" I laughed and wished him luck while he walked away but he stopped me before I could enter the elevator, he said "And jinjo, you look gorgeous as always other than the expressions you're giving. Just smile, looks cool on you"

***

I had a meeting to attend but before that I'd to look presentable, Gabriel would be there and he shouldn't know about any of this. He wouldn't take it easy at all, I know him.

The rest room was empty as I pulled my sleeve and sure enough there was a deep gash on my upper arm with blood oozing out of it. Did that man really carry a knife or was it the handle of his cycle but the handle couldn't injure that deep, could it?

I flinched in pain as I splashed water to the wound. It indeed was a deep one. Wrapping around toilet sheets over it, I patted my hair and made my face look presentable. Calming my breaths, I stood straighter, staring at myself in the mirror.

There was petrified look on my face and I was pale, paler than it'd ever been it was giving the picture of I was feeling inside - trembling.

I inclined over the sink and clenched my eyes shut but the glare he'd given, it was very unnerving. Looking at my watch, I realized I was already late and I should go if I didn't it would raise suspicion.

I walked to my cabin before entering the conference room to grab a pullover that would hide the blood from seeping through the fabric, bending my arm to fit it in the shirt had me doubled in pain yet I covered it and pacified my breathing.

Rubbing the sheen from my forehead, I stepped in the dark room. The only light I could make out was from the projector and someone was standing, presenting some stats. I saw Gabriel shift in place and he looked restless, flicking his gaze to the wrist watch, he'd adorned.

I swiftly walked inside and slid into the chair at the back, trying to attract as little attention as possible but I saw a few heads turn, his included. His stature relaxed but I tried not looking at him.

I got a stink eye from the lady seated beside me and I actually deserved it for arriving late but there was also this very outlandish gaze studying me and I tried my best to not be affected by it.

If Gabriel gets to know about this, things would go downhill, it was a known. I invested myself in listening to the presenter but it was so hard because Gabriel's gaze was assessing me and with his brows furrowed, his face showed that he was trying to find what was wrong with me.

Just to divert his attention, I spurted out everything I had in my mind regarding the meeting when we were asked if anyone had any ideas. I never really spoke much during conferences, just noted things down and mostly stayed quiet because I was always nervous to speak my view in front of so many people.

I believed that if my ideas are dumb, everyone would make fun of me therefore I didn't participate vocally which is why when I started speaking most of the faces were in mild shock. Not only that but it must've spiked more of Gabriel's wariness.

I breathed after I was done speaking and all I realized was pin drop silence reverberating around the room until the girl next to me breathed 'Wow' and that broke everyone out of their stupor and I heard multiple cherishing on the views I'd put forward,

"I really enjoyed your ideas and I think they'd be so much better if you're presenting them to our chief executive in our next meeting. I'm sure he'd acknowledge them. How does it sound Mr. White?" one of the men from the other firm had said.

"I'd appreciate that" he said, his eyes were permanently glued to mine, I reverted my gaze from him and I don't know if I'd mistaken but their was curiosity but also pride on his face.

"Great! Now we'll take your leave. See you in the next meeting" The investors from the other company said and Gabriel shook their hands before they started filing out and in no time the room was left with only me and him.

I plastered a big smile to my face because I was happy at the opportunity I was provided and it meant a lot to me, I wouldn't let this feeling be replaced by anything even if the deadly stare was imprinted in my mind and my arm was squealing in pain, I wouldn't let it govern my mood.

Gabriel walked towards me, his eyes still very calculating as he stepped closer to me. His eyes showed that he felt that something was wrong but he wasn't sure what.

As he opened his mouth to speak, the door to the conference room opened and Zoella peeked in making me pull away from Gabriel, he seemed irritated

"Mr. White, Paul wants to speak with you" he stiffened and passed me a discreet look before nodding and gave me a once over before he left.

I exhaled a sigh of relief on realization that he hadn't caught on anything. I walked to my cabin and dunked a glass of cold water. Gritting my teeth at the pain, I continued working.

***

The door to my room was ripped open making me jump in my seat and there stood Gabriel, he was outrageous, even a blind man could tell. His jaw was clenched and I was worried that he might pop his teeth out. He looked murderous and it was a no brainer of what could've happened.

"Cassie told you?" I said more of a statement than a question. He stalked towards me and his anger was palpable. His eyes were the darkest I'd seen but they were still as gorgeous as they come.

"Does that matter?" he countered and his voice was icy, laced with unadulterated anger that could make a person cower away at the intensity of the ferocity in it. 

"It was noth-" he cut me off

"YOU. WERE. HURT" his booming voice made me flinch. Dang angry bird, loud much?

"But see Ken told me the other day that I was the kind of person who would get hurt from even shadows so it actually makes sense when an actual object and subject passes by me" I jabbered trying to tone down his rage but he so close to me that I could feel his breathing on my face.

My attempt at humor was obviously futile better yet it made him more enraged than before and I didn't know how to calm him down. He looked deadly as though he would tear anyone apart.

"Jenna, this is serious" he snapped and then growled in a low tone "I felt that something was wrong while you were trying to play normal" he sensed that something wasn't right but I tried to not show it.

"It was a mishap, just happened but I'm here in front you, completely fine" I sighed, placing my hands on his forearms.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, his voice was so earnest that it made me guilty for burdening him with my illogical problems.

"What could've I told you that I wasn't watching where I was going and I ran into a guy who was very peacefully riding his bicycle?" I answered him as a jolt of pain shot through my arm making me retract in and flatten it against the hard surface of the table.

"Jenna, you and I both know that he came out of nowhere" he reasoned making me glare at him.

"How do you know, you weren't even there? It was both of ours fault but now it's over and see, it's okay, I'm fine. Incidences happen." Although, as the death stare clashed against my mind, I was almost tempted to take my words back. It did seem deliberate but it must just be a delusion of mine.

"I don't believe it" he growled smashing his fist on the table. I gasped holding his hand in mine, what was he doing, he was hurt!

"You open that wound one more time Gabriel, I swear" I frowned at him, he looked at his hand at my statement only then realizing that he had a wound there. "Gabriel, I'm okay"

"You don't take care of yourself" he chastised, his anger didn't completely evaporate.

"I would" I promised him.

He sighed, I smiled and hugged him, trying not to pressure my injured arm. He wrapped his arms around me and I inhaled his scent that calms my mind every time.

"You're still in a bad mood" I spoke softly, pulling myself away from the hug.

"Not as much" he responded. I raised my face to his.

"Wow" I stated surprised, satisfied.

"Because of you" he accused, his face still showed that he wasn't really okay with things but he looked considerably better than the thunderous look I'd seen before

"The bad mood was because of me then what did suddenly I do that changed it?" I asked raising my brow.

"Smiled" he said, pressing his lips against my forehead. He looked into my eyes and the emotions they incapacitated had me out of breath. He brushed his lips against mine, teasing me. I was breathless and we hadn't even kissed.

I clutched his shirt in my fist, bringing him closer and he rubbed his nose against mine. The fackuting butterflies in my stomach were zumba dancing there. I squeezed my eyes shut as his lips brushed mine again before-

"Open the door" someone who suspiciously sounded like Ken screamed, pounding at the door. I immediately pulled away, breathing in huge amount of air. I was panting and my cheeks were flushed.

I looked at Gabriel who smirked at my reaction, I shoved him gently and headed for the door. As I opened the door, I tried to hide Gabriel with my back but that man was huge. Ken was standing against the door frame.

"I was umm doing some stuff" I said automatically as I saw Ken, he simpered at my appearance. He peeped inside despite my refusal, looked straight at Gabriel and said,

"And you must be the stuff she was doing" I gasped at his audacity and Gabriel said nothing, he -was leaned against my table- just shrugged. He wasn't affected by Ken's words. I really need to punch Ken for being so direct and percolating with his thoughts.

Before I could reply to Ken, I saw someone from my peripheral vision walking towards us.

"Jinjo, hey Ken... I wanted to- uh good evening Mr. White" Matt arrived at my door and greeted Ken and I, since we were at the door and later Gabriel after he looked inside. Ken and I responded to his greetings, Gabriel didn't.

I turned around and gave him a look for being mean, he sigh inaudibly before he started walking towards where we stood.

"Evening" he replied in his employer, hard, angry bird voice making Matt nervous. Gabriel came and stood next to me, he looked Matt straight in the eye, wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed a firm kiss to my lips "See you in a while" he said, keeping his gaze on me and flicking it towards Matt like he was delivering some sort of message.

I blushed like crazy. I don't support PDA and especially not in front of my friends. Ken would obviously not find it awkward but poor Matt... I haven't even told him anything. This was totally uncalled for.

"Oh!" he said after Gabriel left. His face had fallen and I felt so bad, what kind of a friend was I? I should've told him about it before him finding out some other way "So...you and him?" he asked.

"Matt, Mr. Lanter is calling for you. You were supposed to give him the file" he was called by someone before I could answer him and clear his confusion but what would've I said... Who are Gabriel and I to each other?

"Oh yeah I forgot. I'll be there" he said, smiling at Ken and I before he left. His smile looked pained, he was hurt but he had masked it.

"Your angry bird deliberately did it to rub it in Matt's face, didn't he?" Ken asked making me groan and walk inside, slumping against the seat.

"Jealous asshole" he sniggered and I could only shake my head. I'll have to clear this out with Matt and apologize to him for not telling him on my own. I'm really being the kind of friend I wouldn't want to have for myself.

But I shouldn't stress about it too much, I already have so much in my mind that I should look for the positive things even when the negatives are painstakingly obvious clouding my head in their shade.

"Ken, you can't believe what happened" I said thinking about the offer I'd been given at the meeting.

"Other than the accident. What new?" Ken said plopping on the sofa. No freaking way!

"Cassie really has a big mouth" I said exasperated.

"Apparently but you seem okay so let's not dwell on that" Ken replied and I sighed dramatically.

"Thanks heaven but you know at the meeting today I got asked to do a presentation about my ideas" I said, trying to sound excited.

"Poor they. Signing themselves for trouble" Ken said as I glared at him and our conversation as usual flowed after that, flitting from topics to topics.

***

"You didn't sleep yet" I asked as I heard Gabriel walking as he sat next to me on the floor. I had all the papers spread around me and it was too difficult to be working on the couch, so I'd shifted it down.

I was working on the project I'd been assigned and although I had ample of days till the presentation I just wanted to give my best in it so no one could say anything as a complain which is why it was late and I still hadn't called it a day.

"You've disturbed my habits" he mumbled, looking at me as I compiled the sheets together. His mood was a bit better now and I was glad.

"Like you had good ones before" I replied distracted, focusing on the work at hand. 

"Where's the lie?" he said and he took the sheets from me and arranged them in the file for me making me thank him "You'd get tired" he said as I returned to typing. He was silently observing me.

"Says a person who works like a robot" I paused looking at him. He placed a cushion on my lap and placed his head over it.

"Not when you're here" he replied and I narrowed my eyes at him scoffing. I'd turned on the television before I started working just as a background so that I wont fall asleep and Gabriel was watching it now that I was working or I thought he was.

Because within a few minutes I heard him say, "You still have a couple of days" he announced, looking at me expecting that I would stop. I brushed the hair away from his forehead and massaged his scalp, making him sigh in assent.

"Yeah but I'm almost finished. Would you see if I'd done it right" I said as I added a few more sheets attaching them with previous ones. He sat up straight as I passed him the file for him to see.

"What would I get?" he asked challengingly. It was a delight to see this side of him and I still wasn't used to it for it brought me happiness every time I experienced it.

"Is this Mr. White speaking?" I asked incredulously, pushing the laptop screen to one side.

"Nope, angry bird" he said flicking my nose, I smiled.

He read the first sheet, "How is it?" I asked,

"Hmm" he answered, kissing my left cheek "interesting." He skimmed through the bottom of the page, "amazing" he said, kissing my forehead.

"You aren't even reading" I said when I realized, huffing as I attempted to pull the file out of my hand, he raised it higher. I reached for it not realizing that it doing so my sleeve was bunching up, exposing my bandaged arm to him. 

I had no choice in clothes, wearing short sleeved was no option and tight sleeved dresses were hurting me so I opted for this one, promising myself to be careful.

I suddenly looked at his face and his eyes were stuck on my arm making me inhale a deep breath, this wouldn't end right, I could sense it.

"You lied to me" he said and I instantly knew he had caught on it. The green in his eyes was indescribable but the pain in them had my stomach turn.

"It was an old wound" I said pulling my sleeve down. It was a useless attempt but I tried hoping that something would keep that hurt away.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" He got up enraged, throwing the file at the table as he stood up. The emotion surging in his voice left me speechless.

"I didn't think it was bad" I murmured.

"You didn't think it was bad! Are you looking at it?" he shouted and he looked away from me. This is exactly why I didn't tell him, I knew how bad he would take it and surely he did.

"It was accidental" I said hopelessly, standing after him. I don't know why was I even bothering now. The truth was out and there was nothing I could do about it. 

"It wasn't" he said as he grasped a vase obviously intending on throwing it away but I eased it out of his hands and placed it on the table.

"Then what do you think that there is an assassin on the lose trying to kill me?" I shouldn't have said this because it obviously triggered something in him. He was wild with rage and a very domineering emotion that I couldn't point was ignited in his eyes as he grabbed my elbows.

"Don't ever say that again. Nothing would happen to you. I wouldn't let anything happen" he said in a low voice but it had so much of reprimand in the tone, it was startling. He undid his hold and walked straight to his office where he started angrily making calls.

I was stuck in my place, whatever I'd said had some conviction in me even when I was trying to oppose it strongly and it was an intuition I wasn't ready to entertain. I walked in Gabriel's office as I saw him fuming.

"I shouldn't have said that, I'm sorry" I told him after he placed his phone down and started going through some random file from his table, he wasn't looking at me. "Would you be upset with me now? I said I'm sorry, I shouldn't have hidden it from you"

"I think you should have security with-" he said in a flat voice but I didn't let him complete.

"No! absolutely not. Stop making a big deal out of it. I said I am fine" I said with confidence, speaking against his implication.

"Just a few guards?" It wasn't much of an option, it was as if he was informing me but I had to decline to it.

"No! This isn't up for any argument" I stated helplessly. I don't want people following me that would be the worst thing ever. I understand his concern or whatever it is but the thought of being monitored didn't sit well with me at all.

"Oh yeah of course" he said sarcastically, pushing the chair away where it banged against the wall, making me shut my eyes at the sound.

"So we're okay?" I asked gently and it was a stupid question because seeing him would only make a person laugh at what I'd said.

"Fuck no!" he yelled, flicking pages of the file he wasn't even bothered about.

I walked closer to him, taking the file and placing it on the table. He picked it up again, I repeated my actions and cupped his face in my hands, rubbing my thumb over his clenched jaw.

Standing on my tiptoes, I pressed a kiss to his lips and his eyes were shut. With one hand I diverted his hand towards my waist, signaling him to hold me and he did after noticing my stubbornness.

"Okay, now?" I asked pulling away, gazing into his dazed eyes.

"No!" he replied in a blank voice.

"So this trick isn't working" I said, attempting to step away but he tightened his hold on my waist and leaned in smashing his lips to mine.

"Definitely not!" he said in between kisses.

The action may delude me into believing that he had gotten over the event but his eyes and stance said otherwise and for the first time I felt more in Gabriel White's stance...

It was distress... for me?

***

A/N: So yeah here's a chapter.

*Unedited...

A question: If you could choose your age forever, what age would you choose and why?

Yeah, I'm bored and I have an exam tomorrow... understand my dilemma lol.

I want to start dedicating chapters to people, whoever comments the most gets the next dedication...

Also, I'm genuinely upset and with IIII/ fandom and whatever happened with them. I had so many people (my friends) crying and I want to say that just reach out. It hurts but we're in this together, it's a hard time and the ones we love are the least expected to inflict hurt yet we should stay expecting, we're with you... <3

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