Chapter 14

Gabriel's POV

God she's gorgeous! 

And it's taking everything out of me to just sit here and pretend that I don't realise it. Arden wanted to be the one to ask her. Apparently she's the damsel in distress he had rescued the day he arrived. 

I bloody hate coincidences! 

I had argued with him until he let me be the one to take care of this. I said it was because we had an agreement.

I lied. 

I wanted to see her up close , I haven't been able to concentrate on anything since the second I saw her at the gala. And each time I turned my head, I found myself automatically looking at her. 

Okay, that's also a lie, I was searching for her amongst the crowd on purpose. But I can't help it, the same way I couldn't help asking her to see me alone since I wanted to get her with no one else around. 

" I'm sorry sir but... I don't understand, " 

She's such a delicate thing. And I can clearly see that she's trembling for some reason. Though she's trying her best not to show it. And she hasn't looked me in the eye even once since walking in. I can remember her brown eyes from the first time I saw her. And I want to see them again. 

" I'm certain that you don't, " I factually state. Then I stand and walk around the table to where she is. She hangs her head, then looks at the opposite direction. I can't help but wonder whether she's always that.... timid. I lean against the desk and pocket my hands. Catching a sweet strawberry scent in the air. And I know that it's from her. It makes me want to lean in to her neck and take a long and very deep breath. 

Shaking all those thoughts away, I get back to the matter at hand. It's useless to start having thoughts about her considering that I want to ask her to marry my best friend. 

" I believe you're acquainted with Arden, are you not? "

She nods. Her fingers digging into the armrest of the chair she's on. Such small and slender fingers she has. And they seem extremely soft, I for some reason want to reach out and touch them. I can easily picture her wrapping them around my..... Oh! For the love of God just what is wrong with me. I have to focus. 

" Well, he's found himself in a bit of a muddle, and in order to get out of it he requires to... well, find a wife. "

She turns to me. An unsure and confused look on her lovely face. And when I say lovely I mean it. She's outrageously gorgeous, not even the painting I have of her locked in my drawer can compare. 

" You mean... you want me to... to... " 

I nod. Then she looks away with what I assume is shock on her face. 

" And I just want you to know that you will be compensated very generously if you agree. And it will only be for a short while. A few months at best . "

I made up the last part. I have no idea how long she'll be required to act but it's definitely more than a few months. But at the moment it's all about getting her to agree, and I can figure out what to do next. 

" So, what do you say? " 

I know she's going to say yes. This is one of those once in a lifetime offers that no-one can ever turn down. And there is money involved, which means that there's no need for her to even think about it. It would mean her not having to waitress anymore. So now all that's left is for her to say yes. Which will happen any second now. 

" I'm sorry Sir but , I can't. "

I turn to her but she's already standing up and getting ready to leave. Did she just say no? Perhaps it's because I didn't tell her just how much she'll be getting out of this deal. 

" Wait! " 

That came out a little more harshly than I intended and she jumped. Stopping in her tracks. 

I walk over to where she is and stand in front of her. Then I realise that I want to be even closer so I take another step towards her. She tenses up once we're literally toe to toe but doesn't move. Though I can tell that she desperately wants to. 

" Name an amount. Any amount you wish and I guarantee you that it's yours. "

There. That ought to do it.