AUDREYThe Stark’s mansion in the Hamptons was a three-story private residence on an oceanfront. The house was obviously new, as the landscape was appealingly modern. The surfaces were white with graphite walls, had a garden and a pool, and anyone could see into the house from a distance, and the party didn’t seem to be simple as I was told as I could see many people inside. We headed towards the main door, and the guests instantly greeted Coulson while I jammed myself at his side, completely out of place and intimidated. My eyes were wandering around, looking for Gabriel instead, but I couldn’t find him anywhere.“Where’s Gabriel?” I asked in a whisper.“He was supposed to be here first,” Coulson whispered back. “I guess he’s just around or in his old room upstairs. If you like, I can find him for you.”“No, no. Don’t leave me alone.” I caught his arm and brought him close to me. “I’m not accustomed to being around too many people I didn’t know. I’ll call him.”I picked up my phone
AUDREYWe walked past the guest, who seemed curious about me and why Gabriel was holding my wrist like a child, but he didn’t care.“Formal party starts in an hour. We still have time,” he said while dragging me upstairs.The Stark’s three-story mansion was probably just as extensive as my mother’s mansion in Phoenix, but this was definitely much more modern. We strolled through the French marble floors of the passage at the second level until Gabriel opened the last door on the left wing. He shoved me inside, and just right after he shut the door, he crushed his mouth with mine—relentlessly kissing like a hungry lion.Gabriel Stark was the lion, and I was the mouse.I slid my arms around his neck, and when I was going to respond, he stopped the kiss, and his eyes glared back at me.“Should I congratulate you?”I scowled. “What?”He ran his thumb over my lips. “You’re engaged to Noah now, aren’t you?”I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Gabriel?” I lifted my finger with the ring Chelsea gave
AUDREY Gabriel’s eyes gleamed, a smile curved on the sides of his lips, and the tension on his shoulders relaxed. “Oh, angel. Are you sure?” I searched for his eyes. “I am. Because there’s no one else, I want.” He moved close to me and brought me into his arms, squeezing me tight in his body. “God. You don’t know how glad I am to hear that.” Because I fell in love with you, too, Gabriel. I mentally confessed. Then I saw a hint of tears pricking his eyes, and I could already tell that he felt the same. I knew Gabriel Stark loved me, too, even if he didn’t say it. He smiled briefly, making him look younger than he really was. He brushed his thumb on my cheek. “But my angel, there’s something you don’t know yet about me.” “I’m all ears, Gabriel.” “I didn’t mean to hide it from you.” “Is that serious?” “Very. You might run away from me.” I touched his face. I couldn’t imagine myself not being near him, much more running away. “What is this? A secret child?” He chuckled. “No.”
AUDREYIt wasn’t a surprise that the Starks siblings were well-mannered. They were raised by two wonderful parents. Elazar and Helen Stark were the definitions of a perfect parent. After the toast, the family and some close friends and relatives gathered in the spacious living room while the other guests were gone. “It really is a misunderstanding,” Noah explained to everyone present about the earlier incident. “I’m sorry about earlier.”I was now sitting in the living room with Gabriel and his family, his grandmother, Diana Stark, the Garner brothers, and the Williams.I was not new to this kind of family gathering, but seeing Gabriel’s ex-fiancée with us was slightly hitting a nerve in me. I had to admit that this was much calmer than being in front of my paternal relatives. The other Hopkins could be snobs. “You’ve been repeating that many times, dear,” his mother, Paulina, slightly patted her son’s arm. “I know because you wouldn’t do that without introducing the girl first, and
AUDREYLiam Gabriel Cross. Was I hearing things?My head was suddenly spinning, and I felt colder than ever. There was pressure building in my chest.“Maya…” I whispered with a hitched breath. “Is everything all right?”I held on to the counter, so I was losing balance. My legs felt numb. “Liam… He’s Liam,” I stated.Maya appeared next to me and held my arm. “Audrey, what’s wrong? You suddenly look very pale. Do you want me to call Gabriel?”“No!” I refused instantly, almost screaming at her; I didn’t mean to. “No… I’m sorry. I’m going to be fine. I’m just dizzy, I think.”What I heard was right. I didn’t hear things. All of a sudden, evidence came sparkling in my mind like a storm. Come to think of it, I was already aware. From the moment I saw his face during my interview, from the way he spoke as if we’ve known each other for a long time, Anton’s curiosity, and the way he mistook him when they first met (or met again) and how his interest in him lingered. I was blinded by his new
GABRIELA few hours ago…“Son, is this girl who I think she is?” Dad whispered when he brought me to the corner so others wouldn't hear. Apparently, there was no point in denying it. If there’s a family member who knew my situation, it was Dad and Coulson. Mom knew where I came from, but she didn’t thoroughly know everything, and so did Maya.“She doesn’t have anything to do with her family. She’s also a victim. I found her again, Dad—or she found me.”Elazar Stark, the man I looked up to the most and who accepted me for who I was, patted my back, consoling me. “Are you going to tell her?”“Soon. I’m afraid that she might run away from me. I can’t have that.”His eyes gleamed. “You love her. Still. Does she feel the same?”“Yes.” I nodded. “That’s why I’m more afraid. I will tell her everything when she’s ready. She’s not, and we’re still new.”He looked at me. “You’ve grown up to be a great man, Gabriel. Your father would be so proud of you.” He grinned. “Well, I was raised by two g
AUDREYAt least two hundred employees of Stark Apparel were invited to witness and join the sports fest, which was being held at Valley Golf and Polo Club in Southampton—another property of the Starks. The acres of land were spread beyond my sight’s reach. I couldn’t tell anymore where it ended. The place was also said to be featured in the Exclusive. As expected for the Starks. They always just astound people with their wealth.The sports fest would take two days, so night lounging was provided for the players and important guests inside the estate. While the first team started warming up for the first game, my job was still to make sure everything was in order and faultless. We had visitors from the media other than the people from the magazine and guests from another firm we had a partnership with. I was practically occupied, walking here and there, I didn’t notice I bumped onto Gabriel and stumbled, but he caught me. “You okay?” he asked softly, and I almost melted to earth’s c
AUDREYAfter getting warmed up, Bryan Jameson and I went back to the arena, saving energy while the volleyball teams were on their last set. Unfortunately, Chelsea seemed to be on the losing side, with the opposing team having five points ahead, and everyone seemed exhausted. At the side where Gabriel and Redhead were seated, I realized I never saw him smile and laugh like he did whenever he was with her. It was making me damned too jealous. On the other hand, I couldn’t wait to know about her either, so I guess I would come to the dinner after all. Then I spotted Coulson on the ground, who had just finished his soccer game earlier, greeting the woman as well. The referee blew the last whistle and gave the last point to another team, and Chelsea’s team lost. The team who won came from the financing department. “Come on, Audrey!” Bryan stood up, and I walked after him for the next game. Both men greeted each other at the field, and Bryan shook hands with the redhead, then she turned