Lucas had said he didn't have many friends, but the number of children running around Gabriel's house right now rivaled that statement. I don't know if it's the cake making all of them hyper, but they all suddenly decided it was time to play.Most of the children are playing hide and seek and since Gabriel doesn't mind, I don't mind as well.Apparently, Gabriel's sister came to visit her family, so he invited her to Lucas' party. She is fun to be around and the children love her as well. They love her a little too much which is why she is currently playing hide and seek with them. At least, there's an adult with them to make sure things don't get out of hand.Lucas has been acting mischievous all day, so it's a good thing she's with them.My parents are also present, along with Gabriel's two friends. Since they're very busy people and won't have time in the near future, he invited them so I'd meet them.It's Lucas' party, but there are a lot of adults present. All my friends are prese
'One more time and you're fired.'The last words my boss said to me the previous day play in my head repeatedly as I run around like a headless chicken.'I arrived at work fifteen minutes after the expected time and I ended up running into my boss. The glare he sent me was enough for me to flinch. "How come you're late again, Aria?"It was the same excuse, and even if he knew said excuse, he still wanted to see me squirm. "I had to drop—""I don't care." He interrupted and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from retorting. I needed my job as it was what I lived on. What we both lived on. "You keep on coming in whenever you like and making silly excuses."Since his voice was quite loud and we were in the reception, everyone around us heard him and I knew he wanted it so. He enjoyed embarrassing me. Fighting back the not-so-nice words threatening to escape my mouth, I settled on. "I'm sorry." I didn't promise him that it would be the last time because I'd be lying.He looked at me f
I blink once, twice, repeatedly just to make sure I am seeing right. I am. I lift my head and when I do, I lock eyes with the one person I simultaneously want to see the most and not see at all. My boss.I'm a hundred percent sure my face portrays my disbelief as I push open the doors and walk into the building. Does he despise me that much? Firing me when he could see that I was only outside the glass doors.I'm pretty sure he did it just because he's trying to get rid of me. That, or it was just a power play. I can't tell with him.Shawn, my boss—ex-boss actually, what a fucking joke—expels a sigh at my arrival and speaks before I even get the chance to get a word out. "You got my text, didn't you? Why are you in here?"I don't know whether to scream at him or plead with him, but then I think about Lucas and how hard it'll be to find a new job in record time. It's not like we'll suddenly go broke if I don't get my paycheck this month, but I don't want to have to start chirping at my
I stare at the building before me in distaste. This is what I've resorted to because it's always the same result. I sent out my resume to a few companies. They were all hiring, just not looking for an advertiser. After three long weeks of looking for a noble job, I started searching for any kind of job. At this point, I can work as a waiter or a bartender, which propels my decision to enter the building.Lucas doesn't know I've lost my job. He still thinks I go to work every morning because he asks how work went every other afternoon and I smile and lie through my fake smile that my day and my boss were great.The building before me, 'Ecstasy' showcases a signboard that says they're looking for waitresses and cooks. Most places I've stopped by don't even have an open position. I don't know how to cook enough to apply as a professional cook, so I decide to settle on waitressing.I can be working as a waitress for the time being until a company finally accepts my application and reque
This day can't get any worse.I decide to get a drink. I don't go with any of my friends because they're not as miserable as I am at the moment and because it's a weekday. Every normal adult has a job.For the first night in a long while, I leave Lucas in the care of a babysitter and I go to a club. I'm still putting on my attire from earlier, the black and white outfit. But immediately after I step into the club, I bump into an intoxicated girl who spills her drink all over my white shirt.As if that's not bad enough, she gets frantic trying to clean off the stain. I end up pleading with her to stop apologizing since she's not helping.That should deter me, but it doesn't. I really need that drink. I need to drown out my situation in alcohol. I need to forget about everything for a night, so it doesn't come crashing on me full force later on.So, I just swallow all I'm feeling, visit the ladies' room, remove my shirt and try to wash out the drink stain from it. Since I have no way to
"A game?""Yes, a game." He smiles. "Are you in?"I don't have to think about it for too long. I'm interested in whatever he has to do. "Sure."Gabriel nods delightfully. "I know you said you're trying to forget your problems, but you know how ranting helps ease the pressure you're feeling?" He doesn't wait for me to answer as he keeps speaking. "Well, I was thinking we should tell each other why exactly we came to this bar. After all, we're not gonna see each other again, are we?"I mull over it for a moment. I haven't had any time to rant to my friends because they're all so busy with their work life and their families. It will be nice to let everything out. And what better person to talk to than a stranger? "On one condition."He smiles widely. He knows he's gotten me already. "Anything."My lips twitch up in a smile. Maybe, he's not just eager to learn about me. Maybe, he also wants someone to talk to. "You first."For the second time this night, I see his smile fall, and like bef
I wake up the next morning with a bad case of hangover. I'd forgotten how annoying hangovers were.Luckily for me, the babysitter is still present and she helps prepare Lucas for school.I don't get up until I hear a knock on the door. I groan. "Don't come in."The person comes in anyway and I open my eyes slowly when I hear the light footsteps coming toward me. It's Lucas. "Hi, mommy."I sigh internally, hoping he doesn't ask questions that I can't give the answer to. "Hi, baby.""I picked out my outfit myself." He grins proudly. He's putting on a grey undershirt, grey shorts, and a blue striped flannel shirt, complemented with his blue converse. I chuckle. He does have an eye for good things."You did, didn't you?"Lucas frowns at my lack of enthusiasm and peers down at me. "Are you sick?""Something like that. Don't worry, I'll be okay."He looks at me like he doesn't believe me and leans down to place a kiss on my forehead. "Feel better."I can't help but smile at the gesture. Eve
I am in shock. I am riddled with shock. I can't even move my feet further.My mouth falls open at the sight before me. When I inputted the address of Double H Tech into my GPS, I didn't think it would take me to this place.Heather told me they were big, but they aren't big. They are huge. I can't even try to guess the number of floors in the building, but I know it is over twenty, and it isn't just a square building. It is curved so it is U-shaped."Close your mouth. You'll attract flies."I snap my mouth shut, looking beside me, my eyes falling on a woman the same height as me. When I take her form in though, I realize her heels are a lot higher than mine.She has wavy blonde hair and sharp green eyes. Her makeup is perfectly done, accentuating the color of her eyes and she's putting on a dress that hugs her body and stops at her mid-thigh. It is the perfect combination of classy and sexy. I envy her."What are you doing here?" She asks, probably realizing I'm definitely not a clien
Lucas had said he didn't have many friends, but the number of children running around Gabriel's house right now rivaled that statement. I don't know if it's the cake making all of them hyper, but they all suddenly decided it was time to play.Most of the children are playing hide and seek and since Gabriel doesn't mind, I don't mind as well.Apparently, Gabriel's sister came to visit her family, so he invited her to Lucas' party. She is fun to be around and the children love her as well. They love her a little too much which is why she is currently playing hide and seek with them. At least, there's an adult with them to make sure things don't get out of hand.Lucas has been acting mischievous all day, so it's a good thing she's with them.My parents are also present, along with Gabriel's two friends. Since they're very busy people and won't have time in the near future, he invited them so I'd meet them.It's Lucas' party, but there are a lot of adults present. All my friends are prese
He kisses me immediately after, and when he doesn't make any move to go further, I break the kiss hovering above him.He's still in the white shirt he wore to work and I undo the buttons deftly, running my hands down his torso, feeling him take a sharp breath. I don't stop though and he lets me take the reins as I place a kiss on his right nipple, circling my tongue around it, and teasing it with my teeth."What are you doing?" Gabriel asks, his voice quite shaky."Pleasuring you." I grin up at him. "I thought guys liked that stuff?"He blinks as though he wasn't expecting that. "Well, yeah. I mean, I guess I see why they do now."That's all the encouragement I need as I continue kissing my way down his chest and his glorious abs. When does he have the time to work out? Does he even work out?I reach his v-line and I work on removing his slacks. His hand meets mine and I gaze up at him questioningly. His eyes are dark with lust, but somehow he still asks, "what are you doing Aria?"I
My breathing is quite heavy as he pulls me with him up the stairs. I know something changed after I told him I loved him. The air seems lighter and it feels like he's ready to let me in.Since we started dating, I tried not to focus on how private Gabriel is. He literally never talks about himself, but somehow, he's always talking. He knows almost everything about me, down to the high school I attended and who my middle school crush was. But I don't even know the college he attended. I know strangers probably knew more about him than I did as a quick Google search would tell me all I needed to know because of how popular he was in the city, but I didn't do that. I wanted to know about him from him. The only thing I knew was his personality. I didn't know his background or past.He first makes a stop at Lucas' room to check if he's still sleeping before continuing to our room. It warms my heart to see how much he cares about my son and I momentarily forget I'm supposed to be annoyed w
As I exit my car, I stare at Gabriel's car that's parked in the driveway. I roll my eyes and walk the short path to the door. I'm not surprised when I open the door and see Gabriel sitting down on the couch in the living room.Even though I'm mad at him, I can't deny how attractive he looks in casual clothes.I pretend I don't see him and attempt to walk past him up the stairs. "Ally's mom dropped Lucas off. He's knocked out." I didn't have to pick Lucas up from school today because he had another playdate with Ally and went to her house straight from school."Okay," I respond and try to go up the stairs, but Gabriel's voice stops me."You took a detour after work." He mentions. Because of my sour mood, I'd taken my own car to work today, letting Gabriel go alone in his when on a regular day, we shared a ride."Yes, I did," I say, not turning around to look at him. I know he's behind me though because his voice sounds closer than before."Where'd you go?"I turn around immediately. "I
"I have a confession." "About?""Shawn."I stop in my tracks and turn around to look at Gabriel, eyebrows arched.He raised his hands in surrender. "It's not anything bad, I promise." Then, he pauses. "Well, I don't think it is. I don't know what you'd think though."Shawn was locked up behind bars and as Gabriel had said, I never had to worry about him again. I didn't feel the least remorse when I heard the news of him being arrested because he was beginning to get out of hand and I had a son to keep safe.Well, what about Shawn?" I ask as I continue to the dining, carrying the last plate needed. I'd told Heather about the break-in and that I was living with Gabriel for the time being, and she demanded we all have dinner. At first, I didn't agree with it, but when she told our other friends and they all became persistent, I asked Gabriel what he thought of it and he said he didn't mind.Lucas, who has bonded so much with my father and always communicates with him through my phone, i
Lucas rides with Gabriel in his car while I follow in mine after packing some things for Lucas and I.The house is quite far from mine, taking about forty minutes to reach. It's in an estate and in the estate, all the houses look like one another. As Gabriel pulls over, I pull over next to his car and before I can undo my seatbelt, Gabriel is already opening my car door for me and offering me his hand.I smile and take it and he retrieves the bags from the backseat before I lock my car.The house is a two-story building and looks simple from the outside. There are flowers planted around the front of the house except for the pathway that leads to the door. Lucas' eyes are glued to the door, making Gabriel laugh. He takes out the key from his pocket and hands it to Lucas. He doesn't waste any time dashing to the door. "No running!"He ignores my warning, face filled with excitement as he inserts the key in the lock, opens the door, and runs in. I'm sure he's more excited about the fact
After I spoke to 911, Lucas took the liberty of calling Gabriel as well. Apparently, he was scared, but I had a feeling he called him just because I won't.That's how Gabriel ends up in my apartment, along with the police."You're sure you locked your door this morning?" "Yes, I did. And even if I did not, it doesn't change the fact that someone trashed my house." I snap, irritated at the nature of the questions he's asking me. The blonde, blue-eyed policeman stares at me then tugs at the back of his hair, sighing. "Do you have any idea who may have done it? The person didn't come with the intent of stealing so maybe it's someone you know. Did you have any problems with anyone recently?"I don't think twice before answering. "My ex-boss," I say, looking around the house again. It hasn't been arranged. Hell, I don't know how I want to even start with that. I don't care that he'll be going to jail for this because that's exactly where he belongs."He left a note." I pass it to the man
Dating Gabriel was very interesting, to say the least.When he asked me out on a first date, he included Lucas because apparently, 'Lucas and I were a package deal and he couldn't just take one out without the other'. Lucas was very excited about that and fell in love with Gabriel even more.However, on the second date, Lucas didn't come with and he used the opportunity to spend the night at my parents' place. It was quite surprising that they were willing to have him, but I didn't question it.It has been almost a month since Gabriel and I started dating and I have never regretted dating him. As expected, Gabriel was a bit touchy in public. He tried to keep it to a minimum when we were at work though, but he wasn't very successful.Everyone at DH Tech knew Gabriel and I were dating. On our first date, a picture of us was taken and was used in an article concerning Gabriel's dating life which everyone read. Of course, they were people that didn't approve of it but as Gabriel said, we
Lucas narrows his eyes suspiciously, looking between Gabriel and I. "That's not an answer." He concludes. "Are you guys dating or are you not?"Gabriel chuckles, pressing his lips together when I glare at him. I arch an eyebrow and he gives me a look that says it's my decision to make. While it wasn't a very hard decision to make, it was a complicated one. I shook my head. I'd just have to deal with the consequences later. "Yes, we are. Are you okay with that?" I try to keep my eyes on Lucas because I don't want to see Gabriel's reaction to my words.Even if he just admitted that he loves me, I can't help the flicker of doubt that it might not be real. "Yes!"Lucas' excitement has me cocking my head in surprise. "And why are you so happy? You're not the one dating him." I laugh."Yeah, but he told me he likes you and isn't sure you like him back. I guess you do after all." He says nonchalantly, walking around the aisle to go meet his new favorite person.I turn to Gabriel and he loo