Ultimatum.

But as life would have it, she became another mess at her supposed better job. Not until hope found its way to her, she would have been a fool not to accept. Now she had a lot to offer Gabriel, just like he offered her. She was worthy of him, she wasn't just a liability. She would save up enough money from her side job and open up her beauty shop, that would be a dream come true for her. She would finally be proud of herself, she would finally be able to look herself in the mirror and not want to throw up. She didn't plan to do it forever, she would quit. She was almost there, Gabriel just had to be patient... it was his turn to be patient.

* * * * * * *

" Hi, Gabriel. " She replied walking into the room. It was packed, Gabriel sat across a man she'd never seen before, and just a few meters away from the door was Danny. Maya gasped when she realized the unknown man is her boss.

" Hi sir, I'm Maya Lang and I'm a__

" Gabriel, make it quick, we'll be waiting in the car. " Cameron stood up as he fiercely strides past Maya and out of the office, Danny left behind him.

" That was weird. " Maya replied in shock.

Gabriel chuckled as he rushed over to her, giving her a tight hug. As they parted ways, Gabriel's right hand still cupped her waists while his left smoothly arranged her misplaced hair. " I missed you so much, baby. "

" I missed you too. " She meant what she said.

" Really? " Gabriel asked.

" Stop that. " Maya chuckled giving him a jovial thump on the shoulder.

Gabriel pulled her in for a long kiss, " Uh, I missed you so much. "

Maya giggled, " Me too. "

They both rejoined for the kiss and staggered back to the table, Maya's hands locked on his shoulders and his on her waist. Just when it seemed like the fire was about to get hotter, Gabriel pulled away from her. He backed her, strolling behind her.

Maya knew something was wrong, his actions just confirmed it. " Are you okay? "

" We need to talk. " Gabriel's heavy voice was heard.

Maya flinched, " Okay? I'm here, what's up? "

" We can't talk about it right now, our boss is literally waiting for me downstairs. "

Maya nodded, " Ooh. "

" Tomorrow night by 9 at Freckle's, not too far from where you live. "

Maya was concerned about Gabriel's level of directness, " Okay? "

" I have to go now. " He walked back in front of her giving her a peck on the forehead. Both his hands clenched her cheeks as he stared blankly into her eyes, " You'll tell me the truth then. "

Maya's initial response was to freeze before she broke free from Gabriel's hold. " What truth? "

" You know the truth, the truth as to why you've been lying, scheming, and deceiving me. That truth. "

Maya couldn't believe it, Evelyn was right. " What are you talking about? lying? scheming__

" Yes, I know what I said. " Gabriel sounded chill as ever, but his eyes told a different story.

" Are you accusing me of something? " Maya had to find out if he knows.

" I'm saying, I know something is up, I know it's not good and I want you to tell me. That is the essence of our meeting at Freckles. "

" What? you've got to be kidding me. " Maya sounded appalled, but she was relieved, Gabriel still had no idea.

" I'm still willing to listen to you, so show up. "

" Babe__

" If you don't show up, I'll take it that you value whatever your secret is to this relationship. "

" Gabriel! " Maya was losing it, " You can't be serious. "

" All you have to do is show up and explain to me. It's that simple. "

There was a long pause, Maya stood at the table utterly in shock as she replayed their conversation nonstop in her head while Gabriel stood in front of her monitoring her composure.

" I'll be expecting to see you by 9? "

Maya was mute.

" You can't lie to me, you should know by now. "

Maya remained mute.

" I love you. " Gabriel replied giving her the final kiss on the lips as he exited the room.

* * * * * * *

Maya immediately drew out her phone, panicking as she paced around the room.

" Bitch listen to me, I'm fucked! "

* * * * * * * *

Evelyn edged to the back of the classroom, her head buried in her palm as she tried to fight off the anxiety. The results of the exam would be revealed tomorrow, she wasn't sure how she felt about it. It was good news, in the sense that she didn't have to wait long enough to determine her fate, but she also felt immense pressure and most of all, fear.

" What would Maya do in this situation, " She frantically whispered to herself as she drew out her phone. Maya's recording popped up and Evelyn played it. When she was done listening, she bowed her head as she chuckled, she didn't need confirmation that Maya was up to something and it wasn't good. She didn't mind, she found out that Maya's charade gave her a confidence boost. Somehow Maya was always able to change her mood.

" What did you do now? " Evelyn whispered to herself as she staggered up to her feet.

Evelyn turned around to see Alexa making her way out of the classroom. After their last confrontation, Evelyn was hopeful that Alexa would silently drift by without a word, but no, that wasn't the case. Alexa had come to a stop directly in front of her. Evelyn was face to face with Alexa's quivering eyeballs. Her lips were slightly bitten, her breath loud enough for Evelyn to hear. Evelyn felt sorry, she knew what she said was gravely upsetting. She would do anything to get Alexa out of her face.

* * * * * * *

" Look, about what I said__

" See you at the headquarters, Evie. " Alexa retorted with a smile as she walked by Evelyn.

Evelyn arched a brow, " Evie? oh right, I called you Lexy and you gave me a nickname. " Evelyn nodded, " You're already gone and I'm talking to myself. "

Just then the bald girl walked out, " Evelyn! you're Evelyn Parker, right? "

Evelyn was surprised she knew her name, " Yes, and you are? "

" Tam. "

Evelyn nodded, " Tam... I'm sorry, I've never really caught your name, or who you are... " Now closer to Tam Evelyn realized that she has a really big nose.