Chapter Nine

I plunged off my bed at the buzzing sound of my phone. I crawled on the bed to get from where It was charging to see what o it was. It was an unknown number.

Urgh! How I hate taking calls from a private number, I mean, I don't think anyone likes that. It's so unsafe to me.

Since I couldn't reach my phone on time, I wasn't able to take the call. I attempted to plug my phone back on the charger, but a message came in halfway through the mission so I had to check it. It was from the very same unknown number.

I opened it and it read " Hey! Beautiful."

I blinked. Who the hell is this? I never gave my number to anyone lately, at least not that I could remember. I haven't even met any stranger recently and I don't think a client would call me with a private number. Just in the middle of my pondering who the caller was, another call came in and this time it was not hidden anymore, the number flashed on my phone and immediately I picked up.

" Who the hell are you?" I fumed but the call ended without the caller saying a word.

" Who the heck are you?" I texted at once.

" Why do you sound annoying even in your text messages? Try to be nice, it's Cole, Cole Manchester. So please shoot laser beams at me through your phone." He texted.

Weird, I couldn't recall giving my number to him. I mean it wasn't necessary, I think. I would have given him anyways. We had a deal. Not signed yet, but soon we had planned on commenting on our "couples goal" in front of the people and the media.

" Whatever, what do you want?"

" can't we have a plain old simple conversation for the sake of old times?" He pleaded.

" There aren't no old times, we weren't even friends or age mates. Except for the part that our families are well known in the society."

" Okay! Okay! Then let's talk for the sake of our soon-to-be relationship."

I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

" it's a fake relationship. And also, I don't want to have a conversation with you. Go to bed already." I mumbled blatantly. Being yokelish was my signature, no one could stop it.

"it's sure gonna be a lanky time with you. Anyways, have a good night's sleep. I will see you on Monday." With a heart emoji.

I stared at his text messages and I couldn't help the sheepish smile that was starting to appear on my face, I hate it. Perhaps it was the heart emoji or probably it was something else.

Instead of replying to his text, I switched off my phone and dumped it in my drawer.

Cole's POV.

The clock kept ticking, still, there wasn't any sign of her. She was supposed to be at the clubhouse about two hours ago. What on earth is keeping her this long?

I wanted to call her but something in me kicked against the idea. Gabby, being, Gabby would always be the same old ignorant and rude lady to me. I hated how her words pierced through me like a pellet. The girl was blunt and wouldn't care how her words affected anyone. I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he was dumped on her wedding day. As much as I once had a crush on her, I tend to dislike Gabrielle's guts most times, I don't think I would have the heart to hurt her that bad.

The dude was wrong to have gone with the wedding when he knew deep down inside of him, that he didn't love her. Such humiliation could have led to suicide or instant pessimism.

I began to feel like I was bothering her with my "plan". She was just recovering, so why the rush? Maybe I should call her to forget about it. I reached out for my phone in my pocket and dialed her number. She wasn't picking up. I was beginning to feel nervous. What if something is wrong with her? Or an angry mob that she had said bad things to in the past attacked her.

The sound of a car pulling in made me look up from my phone. It was her. Gabrielle. She got down from her car like the queen that she is. Her head held high, shoulder up, nose flaring, eyes on me, and a straight face. I couldn't help but admire how gorgeous she looked. She wore a tight backless gown, a raven wedge. She wasn't looking down at her legs but she knew the right steps to take. She looked like a big movie star.

A sly smile that washed off quickly appeared on her face. Damn! She looked elegant.

" I'm here now, so let's get done with this shit." She said adjusting her gold bracelet. It looked like she was showboating. If only I cared about expensive things like jewelry, and not to brag but I have tons of them in my drawer, and my safe.

I inhaled deeply to keep my sanity alive. Gabrielle could kill someone with her words. Her mouth had no filter, it was annoyingly sweet that I had to deal with her for long. I braced myself up and smiled at her. " Hello to you too."

She rolled her eyes and took one step closed to me. " Are we here for pleasantries or business?"

I gulped. Was I scared of her? No. But her voice was intimidating, and I couldn't argue with a woman over some petty issue. "This way, please."

I led her to the clubhouse. The name was CM- Cole Manchester. I had the project going on before I found out about my ailment, but I continued to finish it because seeing it running smoothly would be a dream come true for me. my next project is building houses for the homeless if this was the last thing I do before I go then I will be happy now that I put a smile on someone's face. I have made the money, and now it's time I disburse them the way that I believe is right.