CHAPTER SIX

I could hardly breathe with how fast my heart was beating in my chest as I stepped on the porch of my new husband. I just cheated. I just cheated on my new husband!

What if he knew?

This could sabotage my whole plan.

Was I really going to let my stupid feelings for Gabriel ruin all my plans? Never!

“Imelda.”

Easton called as soon as I entered the living room where he sat waiting for me with his phone in his hand. He has been calling.

“I uh, went out to see a friend.”

I lied, smiling and trying not to give anything away.

“And you couldn’t pick up your call?” He asked me as he stood up on his feet.

“Why didn’t you tell me, then? If it was just a friend? Why did you have to sneak out?”

With each question he asked, I felt like I would have a heart attack.

“My phone was on silent and I didn’t want to disturb you. You were already asleep.”

I explained to him. He scoffed.

“Imelda.”

He called and I straightened up in my position. I needed to be calm.

“This might be a contract marriage but I will not tolerate any form of infidelity.”

He told me.

“I would never—

“You better not.”

He interrupted me with a cold stare and then walked away, leaving me speechless.

I quickly opened my phone to see a couple of texts from Gabriel.

GABRIEL: You home safe?

GABRIEL : I miss you already.

GABRIEL: You belong to me, not Easton, not anyone.

I gritted at the audacious texts, Gabriel was really arrogant but I was head over heels for that arrogance.

ME: It’s over between us! I’m married! Good bye!

I texted him and then turned off my phone and went to bed.

.

.

.

The following morning, Easton asked that I followed him for the merging of our companies. I didn’t want to go because Gabriel was definitely going to be present and there was no telling what he would do to say when he would be asked to sign over my father’s empire but then, Easton was firm about me going.

So, I dressed up in a white suit dress and my hair was styled perfectly. I wore a red lipstick and smoky eye shadows.

I took out my newest set of channel shades and a fendi scarf. I needed to look my best as I took back what was mine from Gabriel Damasco.

“You look nervous, whatever for?”

Easton asked as we drove into his company.

“Nothing. Just anxious.”

I exhaled and then gave him a fake smile. He smiled back and squeezed my thigh a little.

I was expecting Gabriel to be present already in the boardroom but he wasn’t. We were all present and he was the only important person absent.

“Make a call to Damasco, I don’t have all—

Easton was interrupted by the sudden entry into the boardroom.

It was Gabriel!

My breath hitched at the sight of him in a navy blue suit that was tailored perfectly to fit his muscular lean build and perfect height. His hair was neatly styled and his handsome face glowed like the morning sun.

Way to make a damn entrance!

“I’m sorry ladies and gentlemen, this kind of handsomeness cannot be rushed.”

He said, arrogantly and then flashed me a wink.

I rolled my eyes.

“Please sit, we have important things to discuss.”

Easton said and signaled for his secretary to present some files.

Everything was going on smoothly, Gabriel was cooperating, there might be no drama in the merging of the two companies and—

“I have a question.”

Gabriel suddenly spoke.

Oh God.

“Yes, Damasco?”

“What if Melda and I come back together? Do we go through the whole shenanigans of splitting the company or would it all be mine?”

The utter arrogance!

The smug on his stupid, handsome face!

He looked at me and his gaze set fire down to the juncture of my thighs.

I wished I could just strangle him to death!

“Don’t worry about the impossible, Damasco. I’m sure my wife here is a smart woman, she would never return to someone like you.”

Easton told him and the smug on Gabriel’s face vanished.

“Now, sign those papers.”

Easton spoke with so much authority.

This was it. Gabriel was giving me back my inheritance.

“This isn’t over.”

Gabriel told my husband and I as he signed the papers.

“Great. We’re all done.”

Easton smiled but my ex husband’s face was tight with anger.

After the agitating meeting ended, I could finally breathe properly. Easton stayed back for another brief meeting with his board while I hurried back to the car.

“Melda!”

Someone called. I knew it was Gabriel so I didn’t answer.

“Melda please wait!”

He pleaded and that stopped me.

I turned around slowly to look at him.

His eyes were red and the defeated look on his face broke my heart. It was sad to see Gabriel like this. It was hard to see him loosing.

“My mother is back.”

He told me.

“And?”

I asked, shrugging.

What has the return of his blood sucking mother got to do with me!?

“She wants to see you.”

He said and I laughed out.

What rubbish.

“Whatever for? Is it the same woman that called me fat and ugly? The same woman that made me feel like dirt?”

I asked and he was quiet.

“I don’t care about her, I’m no longer her daughter in law. In fact, you should take your new fiancée to her? She’s super beautiful, your mother will like her.”

I told him and then turned to leave but he held me back.

“Don’t touch me Gabriel! This is my husband’s company!”

I spat.

“We both know Easton isn’t your husband, I am!”

He growled, holding me tighter.

I was so scared Easton might see us like this. We were too close!

“Please, just one last family dinner. Please! For the sake of the love we shared.”

He begged.

“Shared!? I was the only love sick fool in our marriage but not anymore!”

“Say that again and I’ll kiss you right here, right now!”

He snarled and I dared not call his bluff because he would actually do it.

“Gabriel stop this!”

I whimpered.

“Promise me you’ll come!”

He said with hope in his eyes. He still had hope for us.

Did I?

“I promise.”

I finally told him and he exhaled, relieved.

“Thank you baby.”

He whispered with a smile and then let his hand fall to my butt and gripped it.

“Gabriel!”

“What? It’s mine.”

He shrugged, grinning as he stepped away from me.

“See you soon love.”

He told me with a bow and walked away to his Porsche.

I signed and then looked ahead to see Easton coming with his secretaries, he looked really displeased.

Oh no. Had he been watching all these while?