Chapter 68

Gabriel walked around to the counter stools just when Arden appeared in the doorway. Dressed as well, and some sort of briefcase in his hand. I did my best to avoid any sort of eye contact with him,but after a while I realized that there was no need to do that since he wasn't glancing my way at all. Actually, it seemed as if he was intentionally trying not to look at me. 

He lightly punched Gabriel on the shoulder, then he headed towards the fridge and after looking at the contents inside for a while, he took out a bottle of beer and took off the lid with his teeth before taking a swig. 

" It's barely even eight yet!" Gabriel complained as he glanced at the watch on his wrist, but his best friend ignored the comment and went ahead to sit next to him at the counter. Placing the briefcase on top.

" I ran out of gas, I need a ride to the warehouse, " he told Gabriel. My heart slightly fell. Gabriel shot me a quick glance, then he turned to Arden and offered to call him an Uber. 

" Aren't you going to work, it's on your way there, " 

I expected Gabriel to lie but he actually went with the truth.

" Layla asked whether I could drop her off at the restaurant, it's on the other side of town so you'll probably be late, "

Shrugging casually, Arden said he didn't mind. 

" Okay then, " Gabriel said. Then he told Arden to finish up his seven o'clock drink.

" It's five o'clock somewhere Gabe, "

" Tell that to your liver, "

" Says the guy who has two scotch bottles on his bedside table, " 

" Those are to help me sleep, "

" Tell that to your liver, "

They went on and on, and I realized that I would never get tired of listening to those two bickering. It was rare to come by such genuine friendship, and I also started to wonder what Arden would do if he ever got to learn about Gabriel and me. Would he care, would he get mad....or would he simply shrug it off the way he did almost everything else that he didn't care about. An aspect of Arden I had come to clearly notice. If he didn't want to be bothered by something, he pushed it away and forgot about it's existence. 

I moved a little closer to them and my attention fell to the briefcase, I was a bit curious. He never even talked about his work, and unlike Gabriel I had never heard him talk about his business either.I knew he was rich and that his parents were also loaded but other than that I knew nothing of his profession, but I figured he was into business, or maybe something that had to do with numbers since he was almost always typing on his computer. 

" I like your briefcase, " I commented since I was getting the feeling he was ignoring me and wanted to break the ice. And plus it was also a really nice briefcase, a nice dark brown with some gold straps and a logo that seemed to be exclusively carved. 

He finally smiled and looked at me, and I felt at ease again. Arden was like my closest guy friend, and I did like his company. 

" Well thank you, I bought it from this market in Rio de Janeiro a while back, but I added the little details myself, " he seemed proud while saying that. I expected Gabriel to scoff or laugh and assure me that was a blatant lie but his silence assured me that Arden was being honest. Tracing my fingers on the logo which was in the shape of an eagle. I was actually really intrigued.

" Wow, this is so cool. Where'd you learn to do this?" 

He smiled almost shyly and told me that an uncle of his had taught him while he was young. I rubbed my thumb over the eagle and assured him that it was great. It looked like something you would buy somewhere for an insane amount of cash. 

" Do you remember the first time you tried to make car... almost chopped your fucking fingers off, " Gabriel reminded him and Arden laughed. Then they both stood, Arden started telling me about that particular story on our way out. In the elevator I found myself naturally going to stand by Gabriel, I don't even know why, they both got in before and my legs just automatically walked over and stood next to him. And despite the fact that I was asking myself why that had happened, I played it cool on the outside and acted as if I was completely normal. 

" By the way, where were you last night ?" He asked and I literally began panicking inside. Lying was not my strong suit, and unlike most people I couldn't just come up with a lie a mere second after I was supposed to. I raised my brown and turned to him. 

" What's that?" I asked, pretending I hadn't heard him so that I could get some time to think. But even after he repeated the question I still had nothing, I swallowed and stammered for a bit. Then Gabriel thankfully sensed my discomfort and came to my rescue.

" Oh yeah, that reminds me. Cassie came by last night when I got home, apparently you left your purse at the birthday party. She brought it by. Did you see it?" He asked and I looked at him with the word ' thank you' written all over my face. 

" I did, thanks, " I said casually. Then I turned to Arden and told him it was Cassie's birthday and I had promised her I'd be there. He seemed convinced, slowly nodding and letting the matter be, then he asked me whether Cassie was a friend of mine and I told him she was. 

There was silence after that, and we walked over to the parking lot and straight to Gabriel's car. I chose to sit behind since that way I would be alone and not have to worry about any more uncomfortable situations. Gabriel got in as well,but then Arden took a while before he did so, he unlocked the door and was about to get in before he stopped and simply stood. I watched as Gabriel parted his lips to ask him why he was taking so long, but he kept quiet and his eyes fell on whatever it was Arden was looking at. 

Reaching into the car, Arden picked up the pair of shoes that Gabriel had bought for me and made me wear yesterday. I stayed silent, knowing very well that Gabriel was the only one capable of handling that situation, besides, it wasn't like Arden would know the shoes were mine. 

" Now I'm officially scared of having to sit here, " Arden casually joked and I almost sighed of relief. 

" I feel like I need to sanitize this seat first-"

" Quit being dramatic and just get in, will you?" Gabriel stated and Arden laughed, getting in before he reached back and placed the shoes next to me on the backseat. But for a second,before he turned back around, he paused and glanced at me, then his eyes narrowed as if he were considering something before he gave me a subtle smile and turned back around.

" How was your first day?" He asked without turning back. I told him it had been hectic but fun. And when I said fun all I found myself thinking of was Gabriel, I knew that yesterday was supposed to be memorable because it had been my first time doing what I had always wanted to do. Cooking in a classy restaurant.

But no, yesterday had been memorable because of the time I had gotten to spend with Gabriel. 

Jesus! Why was he the only thing currently on my mind. I watched him as he drove, he was a good driver. Of course that was only until we came by this guy that had blocked the road and he started honking the horn while shouting at him. In that moment I was ashamed to even be related to him in any sort of way. But those were the things that made him who he was, and given the chance I wouldn't even dare to change them. 

He finally got to the restaurant and after parking the car, he turned around and smiled, 

" That's your drop sweetheart-" he cut himself off and I could see him regretting calling me that while Arden was around. My fake husband glanced at him for a second but Gabriel, being Gabriel, pretending he hadn't done anything. 

" Off you get, " he added and I thanked him and wished them both a nice day before I got out of there as fast as I possibly could. Leaving him to deal with the situation however he wanted to deal with it. Dahlia was around when I got to the restaurant, she was seated at one of the tables since it was only morning and only a handful of customers were there. I waved at her and headed straight towards the kitchen.