Chapter :5

“You know, there’s only one thing I want right now—and that’s Samantha,” he told his cousin.

“Who? That girl from the casino? Is she the one you’re talking about?” his cousin asked.

“Yeah, that’s her,” he replied.

“What if your mom finds out about her?”

“You know, my mom doesn't care about me anymore. With all the girls she introduced to me, none of them lasted.”

“Alright, I’ll get going now,” his cousin said, saying goodbye.

“Say hi to Uncle Armand for me.”

“Didn’t you see him at the casino?”

“I haven’t seen him around for a while.”

“You and your dad are really the same—ladies' men, even at your age,” his cousin joked as he headed out the door.

“It runs in the family. What can we do? We’re just made that way.”

Then he turned to the housemaid and gave instructions.

“Yaya, don’t let any woman in here, no matter what they say—whether they claim to be my girlfriend, wife, or anything else. Don’t let them in unless it’s Alexa, because she’s my cousin.” Then he added, “I’ll be out later. If Dad or Mom calls, just tell them I went to see Uncle Fernand.” He left for the casino.

While I was waiting for Gabriel to arrive, Erika noticed I couldn’t sit still.

“Hey, what’s with you? Looking for someone? He hasn’t arrived yet? I bet it’s Sir Gabriel,” Erika teased.

“You’re too much, Erika,” my co-worker said, teasing back.

“What happened between you two last night?” Erika asked seriously.

“What do you mean what happened?”

“I saw Sir Gabriel’s car… looked like he was waiting for you. Come on, tell me! Aren’t we friends? I’m excited for you!”

“Okay, just between us… he kissed me last night. Out of nowhere.”

“Then what?”

“What could I do? He’s a guy, I’m a girl. He’s strong…”

“And?”

“Do you really need the details!?”

“No, but it’s your dream, right? To be loved by someone handsome, strong, and rich? You hit the jackpot with Sir Gabriel!”

“I think he’s the one who hit the jackpot—I’ve never been kissed before. He was my first kiss. And proudly saying, still a virgin here, girl…”

“He really is the jackpot for you. But seriously, I’m happy for you, Samantha. I’m proud of you—you dream big and your family is part of that dream.”

“I really want to help my parents.”

“Just one question—was he good?”

“Want me to let you try?”

“Okay, okay! I won’t ask anymore, promise. Last one—did he smell good?” Erika teased.

“Erika, that’s your last question, okay? Hold on, I have to attend to a customer.”

I still couldn’t relax. It was getting dark, and Gabriel still hadn’t shown up. I didn’t know what was happening to me—I was starting to look for that man.

“Miss! Miss!” a customer called out urgently.

“Ah—sorry, sir!”

“You were deep in thought, huh?”

“I really apologize, sir. Here’s your change.”

What I didn’t know was that Gabriel had been there for a while, just watching me.

“Have you been looking for me?”

“Me? Looking for you? No! I wasn’t looking for you.”

“Why don’t you just admit it?”

“I’m not! Why would I look for you?”

“Tsk! Just admit you like me.”

“You really think you’re that good-looking?”

“When’s your day off?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“It’s not that.”

“Is this how you treat all the guys who like you?”

“Who says someone likes me?”

“My uncle said lots of guys here like you. But if you keep acting like this, you’ll end up single forever.”

“That’s what you think. I like men who are handsome, tall, kind, and not womanizers.”

“Sounds like you’re describing me.”

“You??? Ha! Not even close. You’re a womanizer. Why would I fall for someone like you?”

He left when I said that and walked over to a girl—and kissed her right in front of me, clearly trying to annoy me. I didn’t know why, but I was affected.

“Hi, Samantha,” Gabriel’s friend greeted me. I kind of wanted to annoy Gabriel too, so I started talking to his friend while Gabriel was still talking to the girl, occasionally sneaking glances at me.

“Remember me?”

“Ed—Edward? That’s your name, right?”

“So you do remember me. Did you see my friend Gabriel? He’s here.”

“No. Why?”

“There he is—with another girl again.”

“Typical. When a girl flirts with you guys, you immediately take the bait.”

“That’s just him.” I was angry hearing that. I didn’t have the right to be mad, since we weren’t even together—but I couldn’t help it. Maybe it was true, Gabriel really was a womanizer. I thought he only did those things to make me jealous. But it turns out it was real.

“Hey, Gabriel’s calling me. I’ll be back. Let’s talk more later.”

“Okay.” Edward left and went to Gabriel.

“Hey, man, are you badmouthing me to Samantha?”

“Come on, bro, I’m just telling the truth. She saw you with another girl.” his friend said sarcastically.

“Let’s make a bet. Whoever wins gets Samantha. Loser backs off completely.”

“What kind of game is that? Fine. I’m in.”

“They sound serious,” my co-worker whispered.

“What are they betting on?”

“I think… a girl?”

“Betting on a girl? Typical womanizers.”

“Exactly.”

“But while they’re playing, they keep looking at me. Did I do something wrong?”

“Maybe you’re the one they’re betting on.”

“I can’t leave work. Can you go over there and listen? Who knows what they’re planning. Gabriel’s in trouble if I find out he made a bet involving me.”

Hours later, their game ended, and Gabriel won the final card.

“Looks like you lost, Edward.”

“Nothing we can do. Good luck, man.”

“So don’t talk to her again. Even if we’re friends—if I see you talking to her, I might do something I’ll regret.”

“Okay…” Then Gabriel came over to me.

“Hi, my Samantha. Are you done? I’ll take you home.”

“Why were you looking at me earlier? Did you bet on me?”

“I just wanted Edward to stop going near you.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I don’t want him to. When I like someone, I want her all to myself.”

“You’ve already got lots of girls. Are you afraid you’ll run out and want a backup?”

“On your day off, let’s go out.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“I’ll still insist.”

“Go freeze somewhere!”

“You’re really something. I’ve never met a girl like you. Beautiful and feisty.”

“Of course. You won’t win me over with stuff like that.”

“Don’t speak too soon. You might give in eventually.”

“Keep dreaming.”

“Go back to your girl.”

“Oh, you mean Sheila? You saw how she just walked up and kissed me. It was her, not me. Hard to say no—you know, I’m just too nice.”

“Whatever, Sir Gabriel.” I was almost done with my shift, but I decided to extend it just to make him wait longer. But he stayed anyway, so I eventually decided to go home.

“Good thing you’re done.”

“Why didn’t you just leave?”

“When I say I’ll do something, I do it. I just want to get to know you more.” On the way, he didn’t drive me straight to my apartment. He suddenly turned.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Do I look like a bad guy to you?”

“I’m sleepy, Sir Gabriel.”

“We’re just grabbing something to eat. I’m hungry and I don’t want to eat alone. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything bad to you.”

“Okay, fine. Not like I can jump out of the car.”

“Good.”

He took me to a simple eatery where you could also drink. It made me think—maybe he was trying to get me drunk, maybe something would happen.

“I thought we were just eating.”

“We are. I’m the only one drinking.”

As I looked into Gabriel’s eyes, I was getting drawn to him. His charisma was something else. No woman could resist him. He’s the kind of man you wouldn’t regret falling for. Even if he acted like a bad boy, there was something loving about him. The way he looked at me, it was like he was calling out to my soul. His lips were the most kissable lips I’ve ever seen. I felt something different when I was with him.

“Samantha, can I court you?”

“What? Why me? There are so many women who adore you—some even rich.”

“You’re different. If you give me a chance, you’ll really get to know the real me.”

“I want us to go out. I know it’s bad timing now, but please give me a chance to show you who I really am. I’m not a bad boy. I only act that way to get your attention.”

“Fine, I’ll give you a chance.”

“Really? Thank you.”

“On my day off.”

“I know a great place.”

“Okay, let’s go home now.”