Reunited

-Chapter -7 - Past and present pt.3 -

FLASHBACK:

January 2, 2020:

6:28am

Nathalie hardly slept, she had a lot of thing to do; packing all of her stuff including her tests, finishing her resignation letter, contacting her brother from Manchester and the hardest of them all was thinking about how she would explain her decision to leave from her job, she couldn't tell them the real reason behind it.

7:00am:

Nathalie was sure that Gabriel is already up sketching new concepts in his office, by this time. Nathalie decided that if she left early, she wouldn't have to see Adrien and it would be easier for the both of them. He treated her like his own mother and she knew he wouldn't just let her go that easily.

After bringing her luggage's downstairs without any difficulty owing the Gorilla, After that, Nathalie then decided to make Gabriel's preferred cup of coffee to give to him before informing him about her decision to resign from her job.

Gabriel's pov:

I was sketching more designs when I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in" I said without even taking my eyes off the screen.

"Good morning sir, I brought you coffee... a-and I wanted to talk you about something... important..."

I didn't even bother to look at her, but instead responded with, "I am busy, Nathalie, and I've already had my coffee."

"I understand that you are really busy, sir, but I have a train to catch a-and I need to talk to you about q-quitting my job." Immediately looked at her after hearing what she said.

"Quitting?" I started walking towards her, "Nathalie I-I thought you liked it here a-and what about Adrien? He loves you so much, and what about me me? I thought you were going to help me all the way to the end? what happened Nathalie? What changed?"

She started at me coldly, but I knew her too well to detect that she was holding back her tears.

"I do like it here...." tears started to form in her eyes, "But I think I've served my purpose here. I can't keep putting others first and their needs....I think I've done enough, don't you think?" Her tears started to roll down her cheeks. I was speechless, unsure what to say to her, but she was correct, she had done enough for Adrien and I.

I inhaled deeply and drew her in for a hug "Nathalie, if that's what you want, I won't stand in your way. I'm so glad you came into our lives. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't around. Thank you... Nathalie... for everything..." I said as I pulled away from the hug.

I saw her nod, "And don't worry, your secret is safe with me" I gave a smile before wiping her tears away, "I'm so sorry for crying in front of you- this is so unlike me, I'm supposed to be heartless, I don't know what is happening to me."

I shook my head, "Don't be, It's alright...." I gave her another smile

"Won't you say goodbye to Adrien?" I remembered to ask her

She fixed her gaze at me, "I'm afraid I can't...He wouldn't let me leave, making it harder for the both of us" she explained, not long after we heard a taxi pull over at the front of the mansion making us both look out the window from the office.

We stared at each other in silence for a moment before Nathalie spoke up again, "It's been a pleasure working with you..." I accepted the letter she handed to me, "Thank you for giving me this chance.... I hope you get your wife back.... Goodbye, Gabriel" I watched her leave the office, "Goodbye Nathalie" I murmured.