Chapter 3

Maze's

I heard Gab's conversation with Crimson over the phone. I heard it loud and clear. I just pretended that I'm in deep thought while eavesdropping because I'm worried that Crimson might spill something that Gabriel doesn't need to know, yet. 

That's why I kept a keen ear to their conversation while pretending that I'm not hearing anything at all. 

That's why I know that my subordinates will come knocking at my door one of these days. 

I just didn't think that it would be this early. That's why I've tried to brief Gabriel on what to do if ever it's the other way around. 

Gab had enough of my father's wicked scheme and I am not letting him hurt the love of my life again. 

Not when I've already vowed to protect him and our son until I drew my last breath.

And I couldn't help but to let out a sigh of relief when I saw Heather and Royce's face first. But something's weird with Gabriel's reaction while still looking outside. He looked like he'd seen a ghost as his body turned visibly rigid. 

"What's with that look, Maze? You look like you're planning to kill us." Heather jested as he and Royce walked inside and they saw Gabriel. 

"Aow. Hi, Gab! It's been a while." Royce said before walking towards my husband and he hugged him. It was then Gabriel snapped out of whatever he's thinking and returned Royce's hug. 

"Why the hell do both of you look very stiff? It's just me and Royce." Heather said while shifting his gaze between me and Gabriel.

So I cleared my throat before slowly loosening my grip at the gun behind my back. And as sneakily as possible, I hide it inside my shirt. The cold metal touched my bare skin but I managed to keep a normal face. 

"You could've just called us to welcome you. No need to ring the doorbell." I said and they just grinned at me. 

"Yeah. Not only will we be able to prepare something for you but also cut the most annoying situation I've been in after 11 years of being with your friend." Gabriel said while pouting as he walked towards me and I can see him glaring causing me to wince. 

I must admit that I've put too much pressure on Gabriel just a while ago. 

But I know for a fact that I have to tell him the same things sooner or later. That's why I'm not sorry for it. 

Just feeling a bit guilty but not sorry at all as I saw how Gabriel barely handled that agonizing situation.

So I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave him a peck on his cheek. 

And instead of saying sorry, I chose to say the words that he wanted to hear the most even after hearing it everyday for 11 years now. 

"I love you." I whispered using my softest voice and I could see his frown slowly fading and I smiled lightly. 

"Alright. These fuckers are really flirting in front of our single salad, Heather." We looked at Royce when he said that and laughed when we saw his reaction. He's giving us that 'so done' look and I need to thank him for lighting up the heavy atmosphere that we're in a while ago.

It was then Heather snorted.

"I am not single, Dork. In no time, Cole would say yes to me and you'll be left alone with no one to flirt with unlike me, Crim and Maze." Heather teased him and Royce's face couldn't be more sour. 

Right. Heather has been chasing after Cole for five years now but the latter remained elusive as he was still confused with his feelings. 

Five years of pursuing someone is not a joke especially when the results are blurry. That's why I applaud Heather for being patient with Cole. 

While Crimson? Well, who would've thought that he and Troy will end up together? No one had seen that coming since they both were elusive to each other when they first met. 

Kevin and Barry managed to get themselves beautiful wives while Marvin remained single, the same as Royce. 

Top and his wife got divorced and he's now spending all his time taking care of Tim and our joint businesses. 

And do I even have to say how happily married Michael and Mark are with their daughter Mysty?

We are all supposed to be living happily with our families. 

But shits happen and now, not only my family was conquered by perturbation but also our friends cause they all refused not to get involved. And as much as I don't want to drag them in this mess, I couldn't be more thankful to them for not leaving us alone in this trying times. It made me realize how lucky Gabriel and I were to have such great people around us. And it also assured me that Nathan would grow up having the most loving father he could ever have which is Gabriel and these people around him so I need not to worry if ever the worst things happens and I needed to go. 

It was then I snapped out of my deep thinking when I remembered Gabriel's reaction a while ago. 

"What are you looking at outside?" I asked him and he looked at me. He seemed hesitant about telling me what it is but I nodded to encourage him.

"I-i think Heather and Royce are the ones who can answer that." He said before looking at our friends. 

Royce and Heather gave us a confused look before looking at each other while frowning. 

"I saw three guys outside. They are standing not far away from the both of you so I'm guessing you came here with them." Gabriel said and I can feel my heart beating so fast. 

'They are here?! For real?!'

"Aish!" I looked at Royce when he stomped his feet. "Gabriel! Why do you have to make it less exciting?! Ugh!" I can't help but to frown just by seeing how Royce is acting in front of us. 

And by what we are going through right now, I don't think we'll be needing a lot more excitement. 

We've been perturbed for weeks now, thinking and worrying that Mr. King would come knocking at our door one of these days and will take me and my son by force from Gabriel. 

"Let's not go around the bush, Royce. We've had enough of our over thinking so you better spill whatever it is. Who are those three guys my Gabriel was talking about?" I said while tightening my hold on Gab's waist. 

I saw from my peripheral vision that he looked at me but I was too focused on whatever Royce's going to say. 

Heather and Royce once again looked at each other and the former nodded at him. So he sighed before looking at me and my husband. 

"Maze, Gab. Help is here."

We all fell in silence as me and Gabriel looked outside the gate and waited for the 'help' that they were talking about. 

And one by one they walked in. 

The subordinates I've trusted the most ever since I ran to hide from my dad. 

The ones whom I know would be a big help in this kind of situation.

"I am Jake." Says the bulky guy who stood firmly in front me and my Gabriel same with the other two. 

"And I am Heine." The one who is equally tall as Ja is the next one to himself. And I couldn't stop myself from smiling as this moment felt nostalgic. 

"I am the last to introduce myself but my name is actually First." The last guy jested as he introduced himself and I can't help but chuckle. 

I feel really emotional especially when they all bow their heads to me and Gabriel.

"We're here to report for work under Mr. Johnson's jurisdiction. Just like before." They said in unison while Royce and Heather looked at the three of them with amusement. 

I can't blame them, though.

Cause I always find myself fascinated with how these three guys in front of me work in sync. 

They made a good team. 

That's why they deserve my trust even when we are still young. 

And I can't be more thankful upon knowing that their loyalty towards me did not falter even a bit. 

It made me feel honored to have the three of them as my subordinates. 

As my informants. 

As my...

I looked at Gabriel and I can see how this situation is making him utterly confused in each passing minute as he looks at the new faces in front of him.

"Oh, guys." Heather suddenly interjected so the three guys looked at him and gave him a questioning look. But he smiled at them before looking at Gab. "This is your boss's husband. Gabriel Thornton. And unlike before, you won't only be working for Maze but also for this guy as well as for their son." Heather said and that added to Gabriel's confusion.

But then, being the well-mannered man that he is, he still managed to nod politely at the three guys standing in front of him before offering his hands to shake with theirs.

"Nice to meet you." Gab said formally as he shook his hands with them. 

The three guys isn't contented with the shake hands and they bowed their heads once again to pay respect to my wife. "N-no. Please don't that. I'm no superior to anyone." He said shyly cause he's not really used to such gestures. "Why don't you come inside our house and join us for lunch?" Gabriel invited them and they all smiled before looking at me as if asking for my permission. "Oh, no. Don't even try to ask for this guy's permission cause I don't need it." We were all surprised at the sudden shade Gab had thrown at me so I looked at him but he remained looking at the three. "The only consent I need is from the three of you. So, would you mind joining us for lunch or nah?" 

How stupid am I to forget that he's used to giving an attitude to everyone when he's either frustrated, confused or mad?

But right now, I can see that he's all of the above as the three guys weren't able to give him a proper answer and just nodded at his questions. 

Seems like my subordinates finally realized that I'm not the boss here anymore. 

Even Heather and Royce were wincing while watching Gabriel and I can't blame them. 

My husband is really scary when he does that. 

"Good." My husband managed to smile at the three of them before turning to look at me. "Make sure to be a good host while I cook in the kitchen." That was supposed to be a gentle reminder but why does it sound more like a warning?!

"Gab." I tried holding his waist once again but he's quick enough to move away from me in just a swift. 

"Make sure that you have something to tell me or else you'll be sleeping outside, Mr. Johnson." There's finality in his voice when he said that before leaving the six of us. 

I looked at my friends and they were all giving me a clueless look and I couldn't help but sigh. 

"Let's go inside." I said while feeling the whole world upon my shoulders. 

And we all walked towards the house while no one dated to speak after what they witnessed. 

The fast beating of my heart doubled as I came upon the realization that I'll be needing to tell Gabriel one of the forbidden parts of my life. 

Just one of those parts of my past that I never wanted him to know about. 

And it made me ask myself.

Was I really ready to let Gabriel see the darker side of me?