Chapter 10

Everything went downhill after Gabriel's revelation. Angelo profusely apologized to Gabriel at first. Then, he laughed hysterically. He laughed at Gabriel, at himself, at the absurdity of Gabriel's statement. When neither Louisa nor Gabriel joined in his laughter, comprehension slowly dawned on him. Gabriel was not joking. Angrily, Angelo stood up, glared at Gabriel, shot Louisa with an incredulous look and stormed out of the suite.

Then, Louisa glowered at Gabriel.

Gabriel glowered back at Louisa.

After much glowering, Louisa also stormed out of the room, leaving a livid Gabriel mopping at his wet shirt.

Gabriel could not understand what had just happened to him. He could not understand why he blurted out his betrothal to Louisa in such a callous way.

He just felt that he would explode if he kept that little tidbit to himself much longer.

Not after he learned that Louisa was the girl that his brother was interested in.

Not after knowing that Angelo could easily steal her away from him.

He really did not know why his heart wrenched every time he saw Louisa smiling sweetly at his brother. It wasn't his first time to be attracted to a woman (he'd already admitted to himself that he's indeed attracted to Louisa) but he'd never felt possessive towards any of them. In fact, he didn't mind sharing them on occasion.

And it's not as if Angelo was actually flirting with Louisa before his very eyes. They were just talking. Besides, Louisa probably wasn't even aware of Angelo's attraction to her.

But he knew.

And he also knew that it would not be difficult for Angelo to charm Louisa if he put his mind and heart to it. That, undoubtedly, was why he acted like a Neanderthal staking a claim on his property.

He was so embroiled in his inner battle that he did not notice the two pairs of eyes that were peeking at him from behind the curtained portion of the room. His mother and his Tio Ramon probably heard the commotion and had just gone out to inspect.

"What was that all about? Was that Angelo I heard guffawing like a jackass?" his mother asked, her eyebrows raised as she pointedly looked at Gabriel's coffee-stained shirt.

"Don't ask." Gabriel told his mother. Her brows furrowed but she decided to let go of the matter and went back to her husband.

"Where's Louisa?" Ramon asked Gabriel while scanning the room.

"They left for the hotel." Gabriel stood up to get more paper towels from the bathroom, but he changed his mind and turned to Ramon instead. "Tio Ramon, can we talk?"

"Sure. Let's go get something to eat. I need to have some fresh air, too. Your father is still sleeping anyway."

"Ok. I know a nice place just across the hospital."

"Bueno. Let's go then."

"I'll just change my shirt. Good thing I left my carry-on here last night."

They left as soon as Gabriel had changed and went to the café where Miguel took him when he arrived the other day. Gabriel could not believe that it's only been two days since he got home. This day was beginning to feel like a hundred years to him.

Before he came home, he was so certain of his decision. He was so determined to get out of his betrothal with Louisa that he promised himself he would do anything to stop the impending wedding. But now, he's definitely changing his position on the matter.

After that upsetting incident with the coffee, Gabriel could not bear to drink another drop of that beverage so he ordered a red iced tea instead to go with his open-faced tuna sandwich. Ramon opted for a chicken salad sandwich and lemon iced tea.

After a few bites, Gabriel could no longer contain himself. Still, he didn't know where to start with his questions.

"Tio Ramon, does Louisa know about the betrothal?"

Ramon looked at Gabriel cautiously, not sure if his answer would upset or delight the younger man.

"Yes. But I must apologize for my tardiness in telling her. I'm afraid she only learned about it yesterday."

Gabriel's jaw dropped, not sure if he was hearing Louisa's father right. How could that be when he'd already known about it since he was twelve? If Louisa hadn't known, then she would've felt that she was free to love anyone she chose. Even Angelo! Somehow that thought made him queasy.

"Is Louisa seeing someone? I mean, since she did not know about our arrangement, she would not have felt constrained from having a…a..you know," Gabriel hesitated, not sure why he could not say the word 'boyfriend'.

Ramon looked at Gabriel, his brows furrowed, trying to discern what he was getting at. Then his face cleared as comprehension set in, he smiled and shook his head.

"If you mean, is she with someone, then, no. There were suitors, of course, but I'm sure she turned them all down. As far as I know, she never went beyond being friends with any of them," Ramon took a bite of his sandwich then continued after a sip of tea, "Good thing, too. Imagine the complication it would've created if she did. I would've broken not only her heart but the guy's as well if I told them that she was already promised to you."

For some strange reason, that statement from Ramon calmed Gabriel's nerves and brought him deep satisfaction. But a cloud still loomed on his happy horizon.

"How long has Louisa been working with Angelo?"

"Around two months, I think. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing. I was just curious."

"I'm really sorry I took so long in telling her about the betrothal. I just didn't know how to broach the subject to her. You know her – so independent and headstrong."

"And how did she react to it, by the way."

Ramon paused, took another sip of his tea and tried to gauge the younger man before him. He thought of sugar-coating his answer but looking at Gabriel's unyielding expression Ramon knew that he would see right through it. In the end, he opted for the truth.

"As expected, with thunder and lightning. And a flash flood of sorts."

Gabriel nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

So, as I've thought, she did not take it very well either. Too bad. She'd just have to re-think her position and get used to the idea of being my wife.