Gabriel was nowhere in sight, like so many times before, he just disappeared. No one knew where he went. When he says, “I’ll take care of it,” he usually does, maybe that’s where he was off to. She knew better not to look for him and focus her energy on her project instead. There were no notes in her meals, she kind of missed them. No one lurked around the restaurant to spy on her. No one dismissed Melvin every sunset. He didn’t even text her or annoy her with his nosy questions about whether she was taking care of herself or not. Most of all, she missed the bottled-up intensity between them, not knowing if he was going to be super sweet or super irritating, or both. He was gone for two weeks, and still, no one heard anything from him. She was starting to worry. She wanted to call him but she didn’t know where his mind was since he saw that video of her and Eddie. She didn’t know how long he watched it, which part of it and she can only imagine how he must’ve felt about her after th
Gabriel invited them for dinner at his boat that night. As an effort to get to know the man who was going to be Jamie’s partner in raising his child. He knew everything about Perry, everything he could find from his background check, but not the person. They were relaxing on the upper deck dining table, enjoying the sunset over a fresh seafood dinner and a glass of wine. Not for Jamie, though, she stuck to her chamomile tea. Perry told them that he was there for an event at another beach on the East side of the island, but he wanted to spend a week with Jamie before the show. “We’re going clothes shopping tomorrow, Perry’s going to help me pick out my pregnant outfit,” Jamie said. Gabriel nodded, “Just put it on my tab, take my credit card, and get anything you want.” “That’s okay … I can buy my own clothes, it’s just a few essential things, it’s not that big yet,” she declined. “Doesn’t matter, just use my card anyway,” he insisted. “But I can afford it, you don’t have to pay f
She went to the appointment with Perry anyway. Gabriel was big enough to let go of the misunderstanding without putting Perry on the spot. She held Perry’s hand in the waiting room, she had made the right decision. She wouldn’t have felt the comfort she needed if she had gone with Gabriel that day. Perry couldn’t stop his feet from shaking, it shook the bench they were sitting on. He jolted up when the nurse called out Jamie’s name. They went into the doctor’s examination room like little children who were about to get vaccine shots. It got even more awkward when they had to explain the nature of their relationship. “Oh … he’s not the father, I mean, he is … we’ll be raising the baby together but he’s not the … biological father … we’re friends … best friends.” The doctor had a meaningful smile when she looked at Perry, she was touched by their friendship. “I’m gay,” Perry blurted out as if to clarify they were platonic. The doctor raised her eyebrows, Perry didn’t have to explai
It was a party fit for a King. They’ve been decorating the entire venue since morning. The list of menus was unpronounceable, there were long tables packed with the highest quality delicacies, an endless pour of champagne, and the best wine. The room decoration was extravagant, something like a Hollywood party. The flowers, the lights, souvenirs, tables, and chairs. She never saw Gabriel as someone who would hold those kinds of parties but his status required him to do so every once in a while. His birthday would be a good reason. The press will be there too, it was an event the public would take notice of. She was informed that a hairdresser and a make-up artist will come up to her room at 3 PM. The party starts at 7 PM, the guests will start arriving at 6. She cut her day short to go back to her room to get ready. “Do you do this often?” she asked Stella, the hairdresser. “What do you mean?” “Do you do Gabriel’s guest’s hair often? It seems like you’ve been working for him for
When she opened the door, they held their breaths. They relish how stunning they both looked.Gabriel stepped inside, “You look radiant.” There was a twinkle in his eyes, they saw only her.She smiled shyly, “Thank you … so do you … happy birthday by the way.”She kissed him on the cheek but he turned and captured her lips. She shied away from his gaze. He smelled like something from a designer’s perfume refinery, his beard was trimmed, his hair slicked back, and his suits … he couldn’t look more handsome in another suit.“Have the guests arrived? Shall we go downstairs?” she asked. She was nervous being alone in that room with him. She was feeling things she wasn’t supposed to.He took a box from his pocket, “Yes … just one more thing.” He opened the box and there was a diamond necklace and bracelet inside. He put it on her as she studied the glittery stones. “I thought this would go with your outfit.”“Thank you … I love the dress, it fits perfectly … Are these diamonds?” she touc
He said he left something in his room and asked Jamie to company him upstairs. He was quiet, his expression was unreadable. He leaned his back in the elevator and studied her from the back. She could almost feel his eyes gazing up and down her back. The silent elevator ride felt like forever before it finally dinged. They walked up to his room without saying anything. She was nervous, he was awfully quiet. When they entered the room, he locked the door and double-locked it. She turned to him, he’s got one hand in his pocket. “Did you mean what you said?” his voice was low and suspicious. “About what?” He came close to her, so close she could feel his breath on her face. “You would fuck the first person you find who would get it off you?” His eyes darkened. She cringed, he heard it, “I was just goofing around with Perry.” “With my baby inside you?” his gaze was as sharp as a knife. “No … I was joking,” she was turned on by how close he was. He charged with a kiss, it felt angry
She woke up in his bed, stark naked and pregnant. She pulled up the blanket. He was awoken by the movement. He helped her pull up the blanket, and wrapped his arm around her from the back. “Can we stay in today?” he asked, his eyes still closed. “I want to stay in and be with you today.” She smiled, even though he couldn’t see it. “Okay.” They fell back asleep. The next thing she knew, the sunlight had lit up the whole room. His scruffy beard grazed upon her arm, and his warm lips touched her skin. “Good morning,” she said. He bit his lower lip with a smile. “You’re smiling,” she touched his face. He rarely smiled, but he was smiling at her and his eyes were bright against the sunlight. “I’m happy,” he said. It swelled her heart. “I think it’s time we start doing this, don’t you think?” “Do what?” she asked. “Be together … we’re going to have a child soon.” She smiled, “Maybe we can try.” Their eyes locked. “I’ll make you fall in love with me,” he said. “What makes yo
By the 20th week of pregnancy, everyone in The Peninsula knew she was carrying Gabriel Love’s baby. Even though it was never officially announced, the way Gabriel treated her like his queen was obvious to them, Jamie was the one. The Tattler Magazine published a whole spread of Gabriel’s birthday party where he posed with his ‘pregnant date’. The article covered his little-known background and a long review of his businesses and dynasty with a mention of his ‘pregnant date’ a few times. It was the only personal information anyone knew of him at the time. He spent every afternoon walking along the shore hand in hand with Jamie. They act like lovesick puppies with Melvin always ten steps behind. He showered her with gifts, from the simplest like her favorite books to the most extravagant like jewelry, designer maternity clothes, and shoes, even to fancy trips he wanted to take her to before she was unable to board an airplane. “I asked Harold to turn one of the vacant rooms into a n