5

KAYLA'S POV.

The night was already in full swing, and all our guests were clearly having such a good time. The decorations had turned out amazing, and I was so proud of myself.

"Oh dear, you did so great with these decorations." Ana, Jeffery's mom praised.

"Thanks Ana." I smiled.

"You're welcome. Your dress is so gorgeous, by the way. From your brand?"

"Yes, it is." I was wearing one of my custom made pieces in ivory color. I particularly liked how well it hugged my curves in the right places.

"Oh dear, your hands are blessed. You're really gifted, and Jeffery is lucky to have you."

"Where is he, by the way?" My mom was the one who asked this time. She and Dad had arrived a while back, and she stuck to me since then, while he went on to discuss with Grandpa Zach.

"Who?" I tried acting oblivious.

"Jeffery, of course."

"He mentioned he'd be late tonight. An important meeting at the office." I lied, knowing he was probably somewhere fucking out Joana's brains.

Just as I had thought, he stepped in the next minute, a scantily dressed Joana following him behind.

I was shocked he'd actually bring her along to a family function! All these while, his relationship with Joana remained a secret that had never left the walls of our house. So why now?

Was he trying to raise gossips? If that was the case, then he could as well just agree to the divorce I had been demanding.

"Oh, I'm so glad your husband thought it nice to give Joana a job. Thank you for putting in words on her behalf."

The moment my mom said that, I tried so hard to not appear surprised.

Was that the stupid story they had concocted to freely be around each other in public?

"Oh yeah. Jeff did mention he needed a new personal assistant." Ana added. "I'm glad he employed Joana." She grinned at me, and I had to force mine in return.

"What are my favorite women discussing?" Jeff grinned widely as he hugged his mom and mine, before turning to me and giving a chaste kiss on the lip.

God! He was such a good actor.

"You're late." His mom faked a frown, but he blew it off with a smile.

"I guess I can be late, when the man of the night is yet to arrive." I could hear and feel the disdain in his voice. "Isn't it funny this party is to honour him?" He asked, making me release a low sigh of disbelief.

"Good evening ma, Good evening mom." Joana greeted like she was such a wonderful person.

"Good evening gorgeous." Ana grinned. "Congratulations on your new job with Jeffery. Hope it's everything you imagined?"

"Absolutely." Joana grinned. "Can't thank Kayla enough for speaking to brother in-law on my behalf." She caressed my shoulder, making me want to puke in outright disgust.

"Gabriel's here." Mom suddenly announced.

We all looked towards the entrance of the manor, to see Gabriel waltz in with such regal confidence that had me holding my breathe, without realizing it. He was dressed in a navy blue two piece suit, and I could swear I sniffed his cologne from where I stood.

He stopped to greet some of the guests, before heading towards Grandpa Zach and my Dad.

So suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and turned in our direction, giving my mom and Ana a nod of acknowledgment. Our eyes locked, and my breath hitched. He wasn't outrightly smirking, but his eyes held promises of more devastating things to come.

I was in serious trouble.

We all watched in silence, as he made his way to my father and Grandpa Zach, giving a slight bow in respect. I couldn't hear what they discussed from where I stood, but I was happy about one thing. Grandpa looked genuinely glad to see him. For most part of our childhood, I had always felt sorry for Gabriel.

He was always excluded and isolated from the rest of the family, and Grandpa Zach had always made it obvious he wasn't welcome in his home.

"They claim he's a big shot in Italy, but looking much closely now, he isn't all that." Jeffery scoffed enviously, making me douse the strong urge to roll my eyes. I hated to admit the fact that at this point in their lives, any lady would pick Gabriel over Jeffery.

The career achievements Gabriel had achieved at 31, was something Jeffery could never dream of at 27.

Even after inheriting the thriving family company from Grandpa Zach, Jeffery could hardly boast of achieving any significant milestone so far.

I didn't even want to talk about physical looks. Jeff was a handsome man, quite alright. But he couldn't come close to Gabriel presently.

Gabriel had cleaned up really nicely, which was one of the reasons I didn't want to believe it was him, when I woke up at his place earlier this morning.

He was very fit now, judging from how sculpted his abs and biceps looked this morning, and I truly couldn't believe he was the same nerdy teenager who used to be bullied by Jeffery.

Crazy stuff. Those were the things Grandpa Zach had let happen to Gabriel. If anything, I was glad Gabriel had his life put together now.

But all these didn't excuse the fact that I thought he was insane. How dare he think I'd let him have his way with me again?!

An hour later, the place was really a buzzing, and Gabriel was presently with another group of businessmen. I watched in shame, as Jeffery walked up to them, trying to make himself relevant by all means.

Since Gabriel arrived tonight, Jeffery had been so busy, trying to make an appearance wherever Gabriel went. I couldn't tell what their discussions were all about, but anyone with eyes could see how much Jeffery was trying to meet up to Gabriel's standard. Poise and all.

It was pathetic, and I wondered if I was the only one embarrassed on his behalf.

Just then, a message came into my phone and I looked to see it was a familiar number. It was Gabriel's. I had defied his request this morning, refusing to save his number.

'You look sexy as hell tonight. I want you.', the message read.

I looked ahead to see he was already staring as me, that devious look in his eyes. I only prayed every other person was too distracted to notice the exchange between us both.

Was he mad?! We were in the middle of a family function! One which was hosted on his behalf, meaning most guests undoubtedly had their attention on him.

And did I mention that my husband was standing just in front of him?!

"Are you okay baby?" Mom asked.

"Y...ye... yes mom. Why?" I stuttered.

"You look.... pissed." She said, looking confused. "Anything bothering you?"

"Not at all." I released a nervous sigh. "I probably just need some air." I said, walking away from mom and the other guest we had been conversing with

Stepping out through the main entrance, I made my way towards the manor's large garden.

Probably the biggest garden I had ever seen in my life. When we were much younger, Jeffery and I would play hide and seek around this same garden.

How time flies. Things had been so perfect between us, and I wondered how we got here.

I kept going farther into the garden, until I felt someone behind me. I halted immediately, scared at first, until I sniffed the person's cologne.

Gabriel.

"Are you trying to evade me?" He asked softly, and I went mute. How the hell had he followed me here?

"I stepped out for some air." I whispered almost inaudibly, about to take another step, when he gently grabbed my arm, turning me to himself.

"Stepped out for some air, or for my cock?" He asked in such masculine seductiveness, that had me breathing really hard.

"Please stop." I managed to say, close to tears.

"But you know I won't." He whispered, smashing his lips against mine, without any heads up.

His tongue invaded my privacy in such a primal manner, making my body react so shamelessly to him. I placed my hands on his shoulders, in a bid to push him away, but ended up doing nothing. I melted in his strong arms instead, letting myself fall into such forbidden temptation.

His hand suddenly slipped up underneath my dress, touching me in the most intimate part of my body. I let out a low gasp.

"You like...?" He broke our kiss, his hot breath fanning my face. "Hmm...?" He pushed, dropping wet kisses down my neck. A moan escaped my lips, and he released a cocky chuckle. "Of course, you do."