Twenty Two

Gabby’s POV

“Can I… uh… come in?”

Should I let him in? What the hell is he even doing here? Damn it, he’s still so handsome even after a week of not seeing him!

Why am I even talking like this? Ugh, damn it! Rei looks so good right now, it’s ridiculous. He’s drenched in sweat—okay, maybe more like glistening, like one of those guys from the Cosmo Bachelor Bash 2011. All he’s missing is being naked!

What the hell am I thinking? Damn it! This is exactly why I didn’t want to see him! Remember, Gabbriel—he broke your heart. He’s so hot. Ugh, help!

“Gab…”

I shut my eyes. That voice again! It drives me insane. Why does he always have to say my name like that? It’s—ugh—it gives me chills! See what this man does to me? The moment I see him, it’s like all my anger just melts away. Psssh.

“We need to talk. Can I come in?”

His voice is low, serious. I stare at him, searching his face. Those eyes—pleading again. Goddammit. Who on earth could ever say no to Reigan Salvador?

No. No, no, no. I can’t just give in that easily. If no one can resist Reigan Salvador… well, I’m here to prove otherwise.

“I’m sorry,” I say, crossing my arms. “I’m alone here. And I don’t want to be alone with you.”

Good. That sounded firm enough. The last thing I need is him trying to seduce me again. Next thing I know, we’d wake up in the same bed. Nope. Not happening. A girl’s gotta be careful.

“Don’t worry, Gabby,” he says with a grin that should be illegal. “I won’t eat you.”

Oh, please. That face? That body? Tell me that’s not the face of a man who devours hearts for breakfast. Damn it, he’s too handsome. Unfairly handsome.

“Sorry, but—”

“I won’t hurt you,” he cuts in softly. “I promise I won’t touch you. Well… maybe a hug. But we’re not ending up in bed, if that’s what you’re worried about. I just really… really need to talk to you.”

I look at him, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. Did he really have to say it like that? God. He sounds like a mind reader now.

I sigh. Fine. Maybe he’s right. Maybe we do need to talk. That’s what I tell myself, anyway—though truth is, I just want to hear his voice again.

“Okay.”

The moment the word left my mouth, his face lit up. I couldn’t help but notice—he looked thinner than before. Maybe it was just me, or maybe it was the way the light hit his cheekbones.

I opened the door wider and stepped aside, letting him in first. I heard his footsteps behind me and then the soft click of the door closing. When I turned around—

“Jesus, Reigan!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin. He was standing right there behind me. How the hell did he move that fast? I’d just heard the door close! Damn it, this man.

Good thing there was a sofa behind me, because I practically fell into it. If it hadn’t been there, I would’ve landed flat on my ass.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

“Why do you always have to sneak up on people?” I snapped, irritation bubbling up.

“Sorry,” he said quietly.

That stopped me. I looked at him with a frown. He wasn’t smirking, wasn’t teasing me like he usually would. His head was slightly bowed, and something about him seemed… different. Softer.

Why was he apologizing? Did he hit his head on something? Or—God forbid—was he high?

No, that wasn’t it. There was something else. His energy felt different, heavier somehow.

I pushed the thought aside before it could get to me. Sitting up straight, I gestured to the chair across from me. “Take a seat.”

He did, his gaze fixed on me. I tried not to meet his eyes, but it was impossible not to feel them on me—steady, searching. If I looked up, I might be the one devoured this time.

I heard him chuckle, and my head snapped in his direction. One eyebrow arched.

“What’s so funny?” I asked, irritation slipping into my voice. Was he seriously laughing at me? God, was he on something?

“I’m not laughing,” he said quickly, his expression shifting back to serious.

Yeah, right. I rolled my eyes. Whatever. I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him.

“So?” I asked, crossing my legs and leaning back against the couch. “What is it you wanted to say?”

He’d come here saying he needed to talk, but so far, all he’d done was sit there and grin.

His face changed again—this time, really serious. His gaze locked on me, steady and unreadable. I tried to meet it, but the longer I held it, the heavier it felt.

How could he still look at me like that? Didn’t he know he’d hurt me? Of course he didn’t. He couldn’t. How could he, when he never knew I liked him in the first place?

That’s why it was so easy for him to sit there, looking at me like nothing ever happened—while I was here, barely holding myself together.

Damn it. Not again. I feel like crying. Stupid tears—when will they ever run out?

I turned my gaze away from him, refusing to let him see how close I was to breaking.

“I just want to tell you…” His voice was calm, certain. “I’m going to keep courting you.”

My head snapped toward him, eyes wide. Was he serious? Had he completely lost it? After everything? Our first date was a disaster, and he still wanted to continue?

Fine. I’ll ask him the same question I asked back in Tagaytay. He’ll give the same answer—I don’t know. So no, Gabbriel, don’t fall for it again.

“Why?” I asked quietly.

“I want you to be my girlfriend. Still.”

There it was. The same question, the same answer, the same heartbreak waiting right behind it.

“Why do you want me to be your girlfriend?”

Silence.

I looked up. He wasn’t speaking, but something was happening behind those eyes—like a storm of thoughts he couldn’t quite put into words. And then, he smiled.

“I don’t know,” he said softly.

My shoulders slumped. Same as before. Déjà vu. The same story, the same pain.

“But…” He paused, his voice deepening, steady this time. “I know I feel something for you.”

I froze.

No—that wasn’t the same as before. This time, there was something different in his tone, something raw and honest that pulled at me from the inside. And before I could stop it, I felt a smile tug at my lips. God, seriously Gabbriel Lane?

“And I think…” He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking on mine, voice low and certain. “I think I finally know what it is.”

“W–What is it then?” I stammered, my heart pounding so fast I could barely breathe. I didn’t want to hope—not for this. Not for him to feel the same way. Because I already liked him, deeply, maybe more than I should. And hope could be dangerous. But still, it was there—rising quietly inside me.

“Not yet,” he said softly. “I’ll keep courting you. And when I’m sure of what I feel… I’ll tell you.”

My heart sank.

If only he knew—I already liked him. He didn’t need time; I did. He was just being… well, a man. Proud, cautious, maybe even a little scared to admit what he really felt. Typical Reigan Salvador.

I sighed, my shoulders dropping, but a small smile found its way to my lips anyway. At least this was something. Better than that infuriating ‘I don’t know’ he used to give me.

“Okay,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “If that’s what you want. But in the end, the decision’s still mine.”

Because it was true—I was the one being courted here. He could play the patient, mysterious suitor all he wanted, but let’s see how long his charm and self-control last, Mr. Reigan Salvador.

“Thank you,” he said, and then held out his hand.

I blinked at it. Was he seriously asking for a handshake? What was this—a business deal? A courtship contract?

Still, I reached out, amused. His grip was firm—strong enough to make my pulse skip.

And then—

I gasped. Something warm brushed against my skin.

My eyes flew wide as I looked down—his lips were pressed against the back of my hand.

He kissed it.

Just like that, my breath hitched, and every ounce of defiance I had melted right through my chest.

I quickly pulled my hand back.

Holy hell—I felt that. Like a live wire straight through my veins. God, that spark… I wanted to feel it again.

Get a grip, Gabbriel Lane. You might as well stick your fingers in an outlet if you’re that desperate for electricity.

I could feel the heat flooding my cheeks, and there was no hiding it. Great. Just perfect. I was blushing like a fool because I was completely, hopelessly flustere

He smiled, scratching the back of his head like he hadn’t just sent my pulse into chaos.

“Be at work tomorrow,” he said with that teasing grin. “Or I’ll have to fire you.”

“What?!” I yelped. “You can’t do that! I’ll be doomed!” Panic shot through me instantly. “Fine, fine! I’ll show up!”

He laughed, a deep, rich sound that made my stomach flutter.

“Don’t worry,” he said, still grinning. “I’ll make sure you don’t end up out on the streets—just in my heart instead.”

I know that smooth, ridiculous line was a pick-up line but damn. That laugh of his—warm, effortless, confident. God help me.

My face burned even more. When did he learn to flirt like that?

Before I could recover, he reached out, pulled me gently toward him, and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

I froze. My eyes slammed shut—tight.

“Bye,” he murmured before walking out the door.

I was still standing there, eyes closed, heart pounding.

Damn it. My brain’s completely fried. I swear I can still feel the shock buzzing in my head. I’m going crazy. Absolutely crazy.

Because that man—Reigan Salvador—just kissed my forehead.

And I’m so damn giddy I could scream.

Rei’s POV

The moment I stepped out of Gabby’s condo, I leaned back against the wall and pressed a hand to my chest. Damn. My heart was pounding so hard it might just kill me. What the hell possessed me to say something that cheesy?

God… that made me nervous.