Chapter 13

Unbeknownst to Angelo, Gabriel had also been making his move. He'd been dropping by the Almendrez residence in Alabang for two straight nights hoping to speak to his betrothed. Unfortunately, he'd been unsuccessful. On the first night he came, she was going out to dinner with some old college classmates. The next night, he only had time for a quick greeting before she was off again.

Tonight would be different. He would put his foot down and demand a moment with her. If he had to bind her hand and foot, tag along wherever she was going or, heaven forbid, even kidnap her, he would do so. This night couldn't go to waste again. He must speak with her now or else spend another tortured night, tossing and turning with thoughts of her running wild in his mind.

Thankfully, he did not have to do any binding, tagging-along, or kidnapping to spend time with his betrothed tonight. When he arrived at the Almendrez home around half-past eight, he was immediately ushered to the gardens at the back of the house. There he found Louisa trimming one of the numerous bonsai plants liberally spread around the house. Seeing Louisa administering lovingly to her plants brought a smile to Gabriel's lips. This was something they could share, for he also was a horticulturist at heart. His London apartment was a virtual greenhouse.

Louisa's back was turned to him and she didn't appear to be aware of his presence. She looked so peaceful and relaxed, quietly snipping at her plant, he decided not to call out. He thought it better not to disturb her tranquil bubble until absolutely necessary. He also preferred stealth in approaching prickly creatures like Louisa. Less time for her to unsheathe her claws.

"Lovely," he said, whispering into her ear. He chuckled when she jumped and twisted around to look at the intruder. Her eyes grew wide in recognition, her lovely cheeks turning rosy pink.

"Gabriel," she said breathlessly.

Turning away from him, she set aside her pruning scissors and slowly took off her gloves. When she plucked out a pair of earbuds, he realized she had been listening to music and had not heard his approach.

It was his breath against her ear that startled her, not his voice. Somehow this delighted Gabriel. When Louisa turned back to him, her cheeks were still flushed, but her arched brows were now knitted into a frown.

"Gabriel, what a pleasant surprise," her dry tone indicated otherwise.

"Really? I have the impression you were indeed surprised, but not pleasantly," Gabriel said, giving her a lopsided grin, his eyes probing hers.

"How can you tell? I haven't told you to leave, have I?" Louisa said, walking past him. "Not yet, anyway," she murmured.

"What? Can't even spare me a simple 'Hi, Good Evening, Gabriel'? Now, is that any way to treat your fiancé?" Gabriel said, following closely behind her.

Without breaking stride, Louisa spun on her heels and collided with him so hard she almost toppled over. In a flash, Gabriel's arms shot out to steady her, and once again, just like their first meeting at the hospital, he found himself stymied by her closeness.

The sudden assault on his senses stunned him. His every breath was tinged with Louisa's delicious scent, making his nerves tingle with a strange hunger, an almost painful need to hold her, to possess her, to make her his own, truly and completely. His fingers moved of their own accord, sliding down the small of her back, pulling her close, molding her body to his own. When he looked into her eyes, bright and glowing amber against the soft lights of the garden, he was lost.

Without thinking, he lowered his head, his lips brushing gently against hers. That slightest of contacts burned his insides with a yearning he'd never felt before. He craved to have more of her, more than what this mildest of kisses could ever offer. Tentatively, he let his tongue move against her lips, pushing them slowly apart, lightly circling them, teasing her to respond in kind.

He felt her body relax against him with a soft sigh. Her lips moved against his, her tongue timidly touching. The sudden contact sent his body yearning for more. He wanted to move deeper, to explore, to plunder and claim what had been ordained his. Still, Gabriel held back. He did not want to scare her off, so instead of deepening the kiss, he slowly, reluctantly, pulled away.

Although their lips had already parted, his arms could not bear to let go of Louisa. He planted a soft kiss on the tip of her nose and rested his forehead against hers, his arms circling around her soft body, holding her closer, possessively, intimately. Louisa trembled against him and he realized she was afraid, or nervous, at the very least.

Gabriel was not used to kissing uninitiated ladies. He didn't want to break the spell, but he needed to put Louisa at ease. He just wasn't sure how.

And so, not knowing that it was the worst thing he could ever do, he joked about their kiss.

"Now that's a greeting fit for one's fiancé," Gabriel said with a grin.

Louisa stiffened and pushed him away. Gabriel chuckled softly, shaking his head in wonder. Why did she always bristle at the mention of the word fiancé? She didn't appear averse to his kiss. Why was she acting like a pickled cactus again?

"What's wrong, Louisa? Tell me," he said, frustrated at being back to square one with her.

Louisa scowled at Gabriel and stomped towards the house. Gabriel followed and grabbed Louisa's arm, forcing her to turn back and look at him. The unshed tears in her eyes surprised him. Her hurt expression melted his heart. He took her cold, trembling hand and planted a chaste kiss on her knuckles.

"I'm sorry if I upset you, it wasn't my intention."

"And am I supposed to feel thankful that you did not mean it? That you did not mean to maul me, you just felt entitled to it because you're betrothed to me?"

Gabriel was taken aback by her words. He was confused. Did she think he only kissed her because he was entitled to it and not because he wanted to?

Or was she upset because he said he did not think he would upset her with his kiss?

Or did she think that he did not mean to kiss her and was now regretting that he did, hence the apology?

Madre de Dio, she's more complicated than an Egyptian hieroglyph!

He let go of her and watched her walk away. When she went to the patio and sat on a colorful divan, he quietly followed, guilt washing over him for making her cry.

"Louisa, please. I didn't come here to fight."

"Why then, did you come, Gabriel? You've been lurking around for the past two nights. Why?"

"Why? You really don't know? To see you, of course!"

"But why? Why do you want to see me? I don't remember you ever seeking my company before. You don't have to court me, Gabriel. Everything's been arranged. We have no say in the matter. The only thing left is to set the date for the wedding,"

"Be that as it may, I'd still like to know you better."

Patience had never been one of his virtues, but Gabriel tried hard to dig up what little he had.

"We both know we will be married on paper only. There's no need to 'get to know' each other."

He would've laughed at the adoringly stubborn expression on Louisa's face had he not been blindsided by her statement. Married 'on paper' only? Wherever did she get that idea?

"Excuse me? Did I hear you right? Married 'on paper only'?"

"Yes, you heard it right. Or must we pretend it's not what you wanted in the first place? Isn't that why you wanted to see me, to make sure I understood your terms?" Louisa replied, her lips twisting into a wicked, gloating grin.

It took all of his strength to calm his nerves and stop himself from throttling her. He could not believe what he was hearing. Never, not even once did the idea of having a 'paper' marriage cross his mind. Why else would he have been fighting against being betrothed to her in the first place? His betrothal terrified him because he believed in the sanctity of marriage and he did not know how he could be a real husband to someone he did not love.

Under the present circumstances, however, he must admit that having a 'paper marriage' would've been much easier than trying to woo this prickly rose before him. But then again, if he were to be really honest with himself, what got him dangerously close to losing his head was not the travesty to the sacrament of marriage her insinuation had made. What got him riled up was the idea of being married to her and not really having her.

Gabriel was past deluding himself. He no longer hated being betrothed to her. He was past the point of confusion. He wanted her, craved her, desired her with an intensity he'd never felt before and he wanted to show her.

Married on paper only? Bah! Tell it to the marines, sweetheart!

Gabriel leaned closer and looked deep into her eyes. He felt a tiny spark of satisfaction when she lost her bravado and looked back at him with trepidation. Gabriel smiled, knowing that he would be declaring open war with his next statement.

"Well, then, my dear fiancée. I think it's time you were made aware of something else. And it only shows how right I am in thinking we need to get to know each other first because you obviously know nothing about me."

Louisa shifted uncomfortably on the divan, her eyes were darting from left to right as if looking for a means of escape. Gabriel could not let that happen. He must make his point clear, tonight. It was the only way they could move forward in this relationship. The sooner she understood his stance, the sooner she'd be able to come to terms with it. He inched forward and rested his arms on either side of her, trapping her in her seat.

"Look at me, Louisa, and tell me the truth. Do you see me as the type of man who would ever agree to that kind of marriage? Yes, we will be married, you need not doubt it. But not 'on paper' only. You will be my wife in every connotation, in every implication, and in every sense of the blasted word. And you need not doubt that either."