Chapter 2: The Kiss

As Gabrielle acted to leave the venue, Camilla started telling everyone how her friend was just too drunk. “Sorry about this. Gaby just lost it tonight. Please don’t misunderstand her.”

She then grabbed Warren’s arm and suggested, softly whispering in his ear, “Talk to her! Get her to correct things when she is sober. My parents will hate me!”

“She still… is probably hurt.” With glaring eyes, Camilla repeated herself, “Talk to her. This was your idea to get married soon in the first place!”

Warren could only hiss. He forced a smile at his friends and family, saying, “Excuse me, I need to make sure that Gaby is safe.”

“Don’t worry everyone, we will clear this issue when she is no longer drunk. This is all just a misunderstanding,” he added before finally taking the leave.

Outside the halls, Gabrielle was striding fast.

Her chest was utterly aching, realizing the degree of her best friend’s betrayal. She muttered, “Eight months. Eight fucking months!”

That was how long she had been blind. She felt a tear fell down her cheek, and she wiped it with her hand immediately. Scolding herself, she asked, “How could I not have seen it?!”

She was about to breakdown when she heard a voice calling out to her.

“Gaby! Gaby! Wait!” It was Warren, rushing her way.

She hurriedly cleared her face with any tear stain and put up a confident act. Without looking at him, she answered, “I need to leave, Warren. My boyfriend is waiting for me!”

Grabbing her arm, Warren said, “Oh, come on! I know you don’t have a boyfriend and I.” He looked around, making sure no one who knew him was there to witness his words, “Look Gaby, I know we hurt you.”

“We did not mean for any of this to happen. It just happened!” He explained.

“Really?” Gabrielle’s eyes widened before she said, “How about telling me eight months ago? Why cling on to our relationship if it had already been stained?!”

She pointed a finger at him and repeatedly pushed it against his chest as she told, “You – you and Cami lied to me! Never cared about how I would feel in all this! You even wanted to get married without me knowing?!”

“But never mind you -  Cami? She - she is probably the worst person right now for having betrayed me.” A sneer became apparent on her face before she shook her head. “Forget it. I’ve moved on.”

Turning away, she said, “My boyfriend is waiting. Excuse me – “

A scoff left Warren’s lips, hearing her say she was already in a relationship. He sped his steps, catching up with her and he suggested confidently, “I know you don’t have a boyfriend, Gaby! I know you too well! And I know exactly how much you are so in love with me that’s why -”

He stood in front of Gabrielle to reason out with her. He then resumed his thoughts, “That’s why we could not tell you the truth.” Raising his hand, he added, “Cami and I just could not tell you that we fell in love with each other because we… we somehow knew you would react this way!”

“I am done with your bullshit, Warren!” She ran her fingers through her hair before she squinted at him. “There is absolutely no excuse for what you did – for what you both did!”

“Please, Gabrielle.” Placing both his hands on her shoulders, Warren pleaded, “Listen to me. Let’s talk this out tomorrow. Me and Cami – we are going to speak to you about this and help you… We will help you get out of the situation.”

His brows knitted before he continued, “Just help us clear this misunderstanding with our parents when you have sobered up, okay?”

Seeing the look of irritation coming from Gabrielle, Warren said again, “Please… At least do this for Cami. She is like a sister to you after all.”

“I’ll do anything you want. I’ll give you a slow transition to letting go of our relationship.” The added words that Warren said just left Gabrielle in disbelief.

She laughed out of nowhere, still trying to move forward with her steps. She thought, ‘Now he wanted to offer a slow transition! Not before deciding to cheat on me and propose to my best friend a week after dumping me!’

Already reaching the lobby, she shook her head and said, “I won’t do such and I don’t need a slow transition.” Like a tiger, she breathed out onto his face and insisted, “I already have a boyfriend!”

“Oh, look!” Her face suddenly turned delicate, looking past Warren and she claimed, “There is my boyfriend. He must be looking for me.”

Gabrielle briskly walked, approaching a man in a white shirt, standing by the lobby bar. He was the perfect cover; tall and handsome.

By the looks of it, he seemed to be a bartender, judging by where he stood. Either that or her senses have been clouded.

For a second, her eyes fluttered thinking, ‘This guy looks familiar though.’

Nonetheless, she had no time to think thoroughly. She needed to make Warren believe she was already over him and the handsome man was the answer.

She saw the tall man speaking to another man in a business suit, but she did not care. She interrupted their conversation and waved at him, “Hey, handsome!”

When she caught his attention, she stood in front of him and said while plastering a fake smile on her cute face, “I need your help. Help me out will you.”

Without waiting for the man to answer, she closed her eyes and kissed him outright!

Of course, to make it a little more convincing, she did not just taste him for a second, but kept it lasting for another three seconds.

Letting go of the kiss, Gabrielle saw from a marginal view how Warren was standing meters away, completely shocked.

She acted to ignore seeing her ex and just focused on her newfound boyfriend, who was just standing there, frozen in his stance.

Giving flirtatious smile at the man, she said, “I know how much of a shock it is to kiss a beauty like me.” She bit her lip and added, “But consider it as a bonus. You must have been working so hard tonight.”

When she looked back in the direction of Warren, he was already heading back to the hallway where the conference rooms were located.

Gabrielle then took a deep breath and said to the handsome man, “Thanks again, handsome. “ She hurriedly took five dollars from her purse and stuffed it inside the man’s shirt pocket and offered, “Your service fee.”

Before turning around, she said, “Bye! Have a great shift!”