Chapter:3

Gabriel hurried to start his car, hoping to catch up with Samantha.

“Excuse me, miss—is Samantha still here?” he asked one of Samantha’s coworker.

“She just left, Sir Gabriel. Why?” Samantha’s coworker, Erika, replied.

“Just wondering... what time did she leave?”

“Around eleven o’clock. She was supposed to clock out earlier, but she was restless, seemed like she was looking for something around here,” said Erika.

“Really? Hmm. I’ll try to find her.”

He hurried off, speeding in his car—but he completely failed to catch up with Samantha. Meanwhile, Samantha felt irritated and resentful, especially after seeing Gabriel’s flirtatious interaction with Dianne.

“I don’t care if you two flirt with each other—I hope he thinks he’s really something. That woman was so annoying. Who does she think she is?” she muttered. She removed her socks and leaned back on the bed. She thought about Gabriel for a long time before finally falling asleep.

---

Later, she asked herself quietly: “Samantha, what’s happening to you? Why do you keep thinking about that man?” But she tried hard to get him off her mind.

Suddenly, her phone rang at a late hour.

“What now? Late at night—what a disturbance. Hello, who’s this?” she said, struggling to keep her eyes open.

“It’s me—Gabriel,” he introduced himself. She snapped awake wide-eyed, startled that it was him calling.

“YOU!? Why? What do you want—and how did you get my number?”

“Oh come on, you clearly were looking for me earlier!” he teased.

“Looking for you? I don’t care what you did with that woman last night!”

“Erika said earlier that at the casino, you looked for someone and seemed restless. I figured it might’ve been me,” he said.

“What do you care if I was looking for someone? And you’re not the only handsome guy at the casino—don’t flatter yourself,” she snapped back.

“Honestly, but your eyes tell a different story—you were staring. Admit it… you like me too,” he insisted.

“That’s ridiculous—talk about wind! Fine, I’m going to sleep now. Do you have anything else to ask or are you just being annoying?” she retorted.

“Alright, Miss Grumpy—sleep well. Maybe we’ll see each other tomorrow,” he said.

“I hope not. Goodnight!” She ended the call.

---

He actually texted her again next morning:

“Good morning! Are you up yet, Miss Grumpy?”

“Haha, since earlier!”

“You’re so grumpy. See you later…”

“See you later what?” she asked, puzzled.

“Come with me to the casino,” he invited.

“No thanks. I’ll just take public transport,” she replied.

“It’s not good to refuse a blessing,” he responded.

“I might get into trouble instead,” she joked.

“See you later, Grumpy!”

---

After bathing, Samantha looked outside, wondering if his message was serious. She then noticed his car! She hurried to get dressed and headed downstairs.

“Hey, Grumpy—come on, let’s go. We’re leaving.”

“You’re persistent,” she sighed.

“Come on—get in,” he said, fixing his hair while speaking.

She couldn’t refuse, especially after checking the time.

“Seems I might be late. Fine, I’ll ride with you. Since you’re here anyway…and you’re kinda annoying me,” she admitted as she got in.

Once inside, she looked at Gabriel up close—he was so perfect she realized why so many women liked him. He had everything.

While driving, Gabriel retrieved something from behind the seat.

“This is for you.”

“Why is it flowery? What’s it supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, I just bought it. I felt sorry for a woman selling flowers outside—she had no buyers. And I don’t have a girlfriend to give it to,” he explained.

“Oh come on… so who was that woman last night?” she asked.

“Oh… that was Dianne, a friend,” he responded casually.

“A friend who nearly swallowed your lips with all the kissing?”

“I was just being nice. Hard to refuse kindness, you know,” he shrugged.

Typical of men, she thought, as they arrived at her stop.

---

“Probably best I don’t go in now—I’ll be late. I just dropped you off so you wouldn’t be late. I have a place to go,” he explained.

“Thanks,” she said, getting out.

“You’re welcome.” And he quickly drove off.

---

Inside the casino, Erika noticed her arrival.

“Oh look, I saw you two—Is Gabriel courting you, Samantha?” Erika asked.

“No! He just picked me up. And those flowers? He said he felt sorry for a lady selling them outside,” Samantha replied.

“I don’t believe it—it sounds like his romantic strategy. But yeah, looks like he is into you.”

“I don’t know. Erika, look at what you’re saying. He told me I was restless last night…and who gave him my number?”

“Bah, I don’t know. I didn’t give him your number. But I admit I did tell him you were restless last night. It was true.”

“You’re making me sound like I’m flirting. You know, he said he was the one I was looking for—like a regular generous guest who leaves huge tips,” Samantha defended.

“You were so defensive—it’s obvious you were so annoyed at his woman last night.”

“Who wouldn’t be? That woman bossed me around like I was clueless, then shouted at me when I spilled the wine.”

“I think Gabriel looked at you so tenderly—that’s why he teased her earlier.”

“But Gabriel’s not my type. You saw him last night—he’s a bad boy. And there are plenty of wealthy guys here too. I don’t like guys who have women chasing them—it’s too much headache. Let’s just work.”

---

Later, the boss appeared with a smile.

“So, how are things with Gabriel, Samantha?” he asked.

“Nothing boss. I don’t know. I think he’s just teasing me.”

“Oh, by the way—I was the one who gave him your number. He’s so persistent, so I just gave it.”

“So that explains why he texted me last night.”

“Don’t worry. He’s mischievous, but he’s also kind. His family’s so wealthy, they travel abroad—nothing holds him back here, so he does what he wants,” the boss explained.

“And the woman he was with last night—boss, who was she?”

“To my knowledge, a former classmate. That woman also likes casinos. She’s wanted him for a long time, but he never gives her attention. She gets drunk almost every night until she passes out.”

“I don’t believe he didn’t do anything with her—he even said it’s hard to resist generosity,” Samantha said.

Hahaha, that kid. Alright, you handle it, Samantha. I have somewhere to go.”

“Yes, boss, no problem.”

Suddenly Gabriel appeared with another woman.

“Tito, where are you heading?” the woman asked Gabriel’s uncle.

“I have a trip to take care of. Looks like you’re with Alexa?”

“Yes, Tito. I picked her up at the airport earlier.”

“Okay, I’ll leave you two here. Enjoy yourselves.”

---

“Alexa, this is Samantha,” he introduced.

“Hi Samantha—she’s fair,” the woman complimented.

“And Samantha—she’s my cousin: Alexa.”

“Hello, Ma’am Alexa.”

“Could you bring me some water, please?”

“Just a moment—I’ll get it for you, Ma’am.”

“Why did you order only water when there are plenty of drinks around?”

“You know… I just arrived.”

While Alexa talked with Gabriel and Erika, I was chatting with my coworker inside.

“Please, I don’t believe she’s really his cousin.”

“Why?”

“Look—he’s holding her waist.”

“You think of everything, don’t you? Maybe Gabriel was just sweet to his cousin.”

---

“I feel something… different with him. Admit it or not, Gabriel’s not like other men. He’s a kind of bad boy, but with a touch of sweetness,” I told Erika.

“Sweet even to a cousin? Now that’s something—I think someone’s jealous,” Erika teased.

“I also have a caring cousin like that sometimes. And I’m not jealous, okay?” I fired back jokingly.

---

Suddenly, Gabriel’s companion from last night returned.

“Excuse me—did you see Gabriel?” she asked my coworker.

“There he is, Ma’am,” Erika pointed out Gabriel. The woman stormed over to him angrily.

“Gabriel, how could you just leave me like that last night?” she said with fury.

“And who’s this woman with you now? Another one?” Gabriel raised an eyebrow.

“Just a moment—she’s my cousin. It’s embarrassing—let’s go talk outside. Alexa—just wait here. I’ll pick you up later, Tito will be leaving soon,” he reassured her.

“Okay, Gabriel.”

“Let’s go outside. What’s wrong with you?”

“Yesterday, you just left me.”

“I’m not obligated to explain. I’m not your boyfriend,” he said coolly.

“And is she really your cousin?”

“I said I don’t have time to explain!” And he walked inside.

“Gabriel!!!” The woman shouted his name after him.

---