What if All I Need Is You (Gabenath)

Alerting Her

When Gabriel finds himself waiting for Nathalie as if he were waiting for his school crush to arrive, he feels like a complete idiot. But he can't help himself either.

The thought that he will finally be able see her after many days, brings a feeling of great anticipation and happiness to the pit of his stomach.

He takes a peek out the office's window to see if she has arrived. When he realizes what he's doing, embarrassment immediately creeps up his face.

"I need to stop. I don't know why I'm acting like this."

He decides to wait in the kitchen. At least there, he won't have the urge to look out the window every five seconds.

Gabriel leans against the kitchen island as he takes a sip of his chamomile tea, in hopes to calm his nerves. He hasn't been able to sleep well since he returned from New York.

It's difficult for him to admit, but it definitely has to do with Nathalie. He got used to sleeping beside her way too fast, during that week.

And now it appears he cannot sleep alone, no matter how hard he tries. His bed feels enormous and so uncomfortable, and all Gabriel can do is pray for sleep to claim him.

Just last night, he nearly dragged himself to the sofa located inside his bedroom in a desperate attempt to fall asleep. But he's so tall, that he woke up with severe back pain from sleeping on the small sofa.

"Good morning father," greets Adrien as he walks into the kitchen.

"Hello, Adrien. Do you want some breakfast before you leave?"

"Sure."

Gabriel grabs a plate and serves his son a mixture of fruits, as well as eggs, and a piece of buttered toast. When Adrien begins to eat, he notices his father's almost anxious behavior. Gabriel's hand trembles as he grabs the honey dipper, in an attempt to add some honey to his tea.

"Let me help you." Adrien offers, taking the small dipper from his father's hand.

"Are you feeling well, father? You've seemed overly stressed the past few days."

"I've had trouble sleeping, that's all."

After a couple of minutes, Gabriel hears the front door open, alerting him that his assistant has finally arrived.

"I've got to get to work, son. I'll see you later."

Then he leaves the kitchen to meet Nathalie, with his heart beating incredibly fast.

———

"Good morning, Nathalie." Gabriel tries to say in the most casual way possible.

"Good morning, sir." She answers. Her hands are full with various folders, a large binder, and her personal tote bag.

She hasn't looked up at him as she is focused on closing the door behind her while attempting to not drop the items in between her hands.

"I'll take these."

Gabriel grabs onto the folders and the binder. And when she's finally able to have a look at his face, she's almost left breathless.

Gabriel's jaw is covered in stubble, something that completely catches her by surprise. He always has a clean shave, and she's never seen him with so much facial hair until now. His hair is also somewhat disheveled.

Yet those two things make him look even more attractive than he already is.

But Nathalie quickly discards her thoughts, trying for her emotions to not interfere with her work.