Chapter 9Invitation"What is it this time? It's so early, Gavin." Gabe said with irritation. This is the reason why he never likes any of his cousins. Estevan is a jerk who keeps creating trouble. Gavin is a crazy man who always suspects everything first. "I came here to tell you that I couldn't find your cousin," he said and even threw himself on Gabe's bed. "You can just message me. Why the hell do you have to go here?" He asked and eyed him unbelievably. Gabe almost rolled his eyes with annoyance. Is he a joke to him?"You never read a message," he mentioned and glared at him."Gavin, I don't care whatever happens to Estevan now. He's an adult for god's sake!" He exclaimed upsetly. How can he ruin his precious morning?"He's carrying our name," Gavin said and breathed out. Why does he have to be a Clyborne? That jerk keeps messing up his life and even pulling them with him. "Just go home, I have to go to work." Gabe said, pushing him away. "Fine," he replied and left by himself
Chapter 10 Gabe's Partner"Do you know about this?" Gabe asked while starting to call Estevan about it. That jerk turned off his phone and now he cannot contact him. "I remember suggesting it to our parents," Gavin uttered and gave him a puppy smile. So, he was the one to actually blame behind it. "Why would you do that?" Gabe asked, upset. David, Leo and Annalise were in the kitchen while listening to Gavin and Gabe talking about the invitation Gabe received."What? I was just thinking that by this way Estevan will stop being a womanizer," Gavin defended and breathed out. "And what if he still relentlessly plays with women? That would only ruin the marriage and it would only put dirt on our name." Gabe discussed and shook his head. He was vivid when he told Gavin that he's abandoning Estevan. Here he is, frustrated already. "Well, it was only my suggestion. His parents decided and Estevan didn't even make a fuss about it," Gavin explained and shrugged."He's fine with it? What?
Chapter 11Attack"I want Annalise to be my partner in the wedding," Gabe said. Shock nearly steals her breath. Her eyes widened as she looked at Gabe along with her lips parted in surprise. His hand at her makes her even more agitated to what he just said. She's trying to absorb it in her mind."What are you saying?" She whispered to him. Her brows met in nervousness. Gabe Clyborne wants her to be his partner at Estevan's wedding? Hell no. He didn't even look at her, he was too focused looking at his parents who looked delighted with what they just heard. Annalise chuckled awkwardly. "He's joking," she commented. "Are you joking, Gabe?" Her mother asked with that playful smile of hers."I don't think my son is joking," his father now intervened, and couldn't help to flash that huge smile."He's only joking, I swe—""I'm not joking," he said and now eyed her. Her lips remained parted. She almost forgot how to breathe as soon as their eyes met. He was dead serious with those brows
Chapter 12Protect GabeAfter few days of preparation and waiting, it's finally Estevan's wedding. They have been practicing the dance that they will perform for the wedding. Estevan called it as the Clyborne's performance that many of the guest were waiting for. Gavin kept treating Annalise rudely as he was still suspecting Annalise. Gabe then was there to defend her from Gavin. Estevan enjoys seeing his cousins dance when they never dance once in their life. "Are you sure you're not his girlfriend?" The makeup artist asked. This is the reason why Annalise hates some of the makeup artist. They keep sticking their nose to other people's businesses."No," she answered shortly. She was just fixing her hair more while standing in front of the mirror. Gabe sent her for her to prepare for the wedding. She suggested to let her hair down instead of tying it. It was perfect for her elegant and sophisticated gown. Who would even believe that she is Gabe's bodyguard at this look? She looks li
Chapter 13Gavin's TrustThe Leondale and the Clyborne joined forces to find the culprit. However, it was planned well. The culprit will not attack and execute the plan if he doesn't know how to escape from it. They began to search the entire place while the people were in panic. "Annalise, stay with me!" Gabe exclaimed while Annalise was in his arms. They were on the ground. His hand can't leave her back where she was shot. She was losing so much blood and she's starting to look pale. "Annalise was shot, Aunt!" Noah exclaimed in the mansion and slammed the table as he looked at them."I know," Lucinda uttered. She was being nonchalant about it. "It was supposed to be for Gabe Clyborne. Why would he cover him?!" Noah exclaimed, throwing a fuss over it while observing their location. "Gavin!" Gabe yelled so loud. He was shivering. For the first time in his life, he experienced fear—fear of losing the woman in his arms. "The culprit," he mumbled. "Fvck," Gavin cursed as soon as he
Chapter 14Change of plan "Cancel all my schedule, I'm taking a leave." Gabe said clearly to Leo."It's your client from London, Gabe. Are you sure you're not meeting him today? We don't know when Annalise will wake up," Leo discussed because it seems like Gabe has no plan to leave the hospital not until Annalise is awake."I'm sure. Tell him that I have an emergency so I can't meet him right now. Reschedule it," he ordered and breathed out. Leo simply sighed. "Sure, I'll clear your schedule." "Do not accept anything while I'm away," Gabe added."Yes, I'll make sure of th—""Annalise!" Estevan yelled when he just entered the room and caught Annalise slowly opening her eyes. His eyes widened and Gabe and Leo were alarmed that they both looked at Annalise behind them. Estevan ran towards her as they watched her wake up."Annalise?" Gabe called and held her hand. She couldn't feel her body yet. Her brows were meeting. All she could feel was pain, it's a double pain right now. The whi
Chapter 15David's ConfessionThe next day, Annalise just woke up so early. It seems like she got used to waking up this early because of her current job here. She couldn't sleep anymore even though she wanted to sleep more. At the end, she ended up going downstairs by herself while feeling the pain again. Even in her sleep, she can feel this pain."Why are you awake?""Sh*t!" Annalise exclaimed.Her heart almost jumped out of her chest when Gabe suddenly spoke and appeared. She took a heavy breath as she saw him standing there. He is sweating. Maybe he worked out. "I can't sleep anymore," she said after absorbing everything. "Why? Are you in pain or what? Do you need something?" He began to shower her with tons of questions and even came near her. "I'm always in pain," Annalise said and simply smirked. "You know what, just go back to your room. I'll bring your breakfast there," he said and held her hand."No," she uttered immediately, refusing to go back to her room."Why?""I ca
Chapter 16ConfessedShe was stunned. David just professed what he feels towards her. She was lost for words. What should be the right word to answer a man after confessing? He was looking at her and she was also looking at him. It was strange, very strange. Why does she not feel her heart pounding? There were no butterflies playing in her stomach. Surprise, that would only be it. "David," she called. That moment, he just realized what he said. He chuckled awkwardly and broke the silence between them. "I couldn't help it," he uttered. He was absent-mindedly looking at her again. Annalise can tell his sincerity. He was indeed sincere with what he said from those eyes of his. How she wished it was just a joke. But it's not. It would be a dumb of her to ask if he was serious when she knows he is. "We're friends," Annalise said. Those words were like a knife that suddenly stabbed his chest. Annalise knew he was hurt with that. But she also knew that she could only give him one thing—