Stolen Kisses (GabeNath)

Apology cup of coffee

The next morning was hell for Nathalie.

She couldn't stop thinking about how both Penny and Gabriel now knew of her past. She never did want them to find out. She moved to the city to escape from it, something she desperately wanted to leave behind her.

She never wanted to be a dancer. She was forced into it, it wasn't something she wanted to do her whole life. Leaving and being on her own, having her own job, and making her own decisions is what she wanted.

But now, her past has caught up to her. Although maybe now things won't be so bad. She's not a dumb kid anymore, maybe things can change...right?

When she arrived at the Agreste mansion, she greeted Adrian with his schedule for the day and saw him off to school.

As she walked into Gabriel's office and saw that it was empty.

"Strange he's usually here by now" She thought as she looked at her watch.

It was 8:10am, by this time Gabriel is either just finishing up cleaning the dishes from morning breakfast, or he's already in his office working on his new fashion line.

Nathalie took a seat at her desk and started on some emails.

One, two, then three emails tended to. Three of the many to come that day. Generally fan mail or mediocre ideas for the next upcoming fashion line.

Upon starting her fourth email, Gabriel walked into the office. Though, she didn't look up from her computer screen to greet him, she was too focused on her work.

Gabriel shut the door and placed a hot cup of coffee beside her computer monitor.

Nathalie looked up at him in wonder

"This is my apology cup of coffee" he said as he turned the cup to reveal it was a starbucks cup.

"I believe it was a French Vanilla Latte with two pumps of caramel with oat milk?" he said with a gentle smile. "I would have gotten it to you sooner but the line at the drive through was incredibly long"

Nathalie smiled and gently grabbed the drink

"You didn't have to Gabriel" she says in a soft tone as she takes a sip.

"I know, I know. It isn't much, but I want to make it up to you. I'm sorry I pushed you to talk about something you aren't comfortable with. If there's anything else I can do for you, please you just have to ask."

He then walked to the front of his desk, leaning on it facing his body towards Nathalie, his eyes focused on hers, giving her his full attention.

"You didn't push anything, I was the one who snapped at you. And I shouldn't have, so I guess I'm the one who owes you a coffee." Nathalie chuckled as she got up from her seat and walked around to the front of her desk.

"Well instead of a cup of coffee perhaps...dinner?" Gabriel asked, his mouth forming a small uncertain smirk.

Nathalie laughed and set her cup down on her desk behind her.

"Smooth Agreste" she said in a cocky tone staring into his eyes

"I mean if I may be so bold"

"You may"

Gabriel smiled and turned his head to the side.

"Tonight?" he said looking back at her

"Well i'll have to see, my boss is quite a hardass at times and doesn't let me leave until after seven" Nathalie said playfully

"Sounds like a real piece of work. Tell me, why do you still stick around then?" Gabriel teased stepping a bit closer towards her, an unfamiliar look in his eyes.

"Well, he's not all bad," Nathalie smiles, trying not to break eye contact. "Once you get past the whole grumpy tough guy act, you see he's just a big teddy bear... Still grumpy though" she says with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"I'm a teddy bear?" Gabriel questioned

"I never said it was you" Nathalie teased

"Oh come on Nat" Gabriel chuckled

Nathalie lightly giggled and walked out of the room. Heading to the kitchen for a snack.

Gabriel sat down at his desk and rubbed his bottom lip with his index finger, grinning from ear to ear.

"Finally a date, maybe not a fancy one but it'll do... Wait did she even say yes?" he thought to himself.

Realization hit and Gabriel started to panic, "shit, she never said yes... Or did she? Did I not hear it? Am I taking this wrong? Fuck should I ask her I-" he was interrupted from his thoughts when Nathalie peak her head back into the room.

"Tonight" she says quickly then headed back to the kitchen

"Oh thank god" Gabriel sighs in relief.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The day went on as usual. There wasn't much talking between the two however, they were mainly focused on their work so then they can be done in time for dinner.

The clock hit 5:45pm when the phone to the Agreste household rang.

"Agreste residence, Nathalie speaking" Nathalie spoke into the phone

"Where the hell are you?" the voice on the other end said

"Pardon?" Pure and utter confusion had taken hold of her by this point.

Gabriel, increasingly becoming concerned, lifted his head to see what was the matter

"God, I don't even know how you got that job in the first place. How have you even held onto it that long?" The voice continued, "Look, you have a meeting with Audrey Bourgeois at 6:00 and I know it takes you 20 minutes for you to get here." the mystery caller said in a rude tone

Nathalie looked at the calendar quickly to see if this person was right. Sure enough, there it was 'Meeting with Audrey at 6'.

Nathalie nearly choked, how could they have forgotten about this? Regaining her composure "Oh yes of course, Mr. Agreste didn't forget he just got side tracked with a few other projects and will be there shortly."

"Don't be late, I swear to god if you are I'll-"

Nathalie hung up the phone and rushed to grab her jacket

"Sir you have a meeting with Audrey in 15 minutes, we need to go now!" She urged

"Shit I totally forgot about that, god damn it!" Gabriel exclaimed as he rushed to take the jacket from the back of his chair.

The two of them hurried to the car and drove as fast as they could to the Bourgeois hotel, coming close to speeding multiple times in their rush.

Nathalie pulled up beside the front door and stopped.

"Get out. I'll be there in a second, I'm just going to park" Nathalie said

Gabriel nodded his head and got out of the car, fixing his jacket and tie before entering the building with an air of confidence in his late arrival.

"There goes dinner, again" he thought to himself while walking towards the reception desk.