Can't you feel my heart beating? (Gabenath)

Chapter 1

Gabriel clenches his jaw as he stares at his lawyer in disbelief. His gaze is one of complete shock, and there's the slightest sight of tears emerging from the corner of his eyes.

Except the wetness that betrays them, isn't one of sadness. It's one of anger and hatred, as he feels the weight of deception in his chest.

"I'm so sorry." Paul whispers.

Paul stands there, not knowing what else to say. He's already delivered the dreadful news. The news he knew was going to set Gabriel Agreste on fire.

Paul is no stranger to Gabriel's short temper, and rages. So many years working with him has given him the ability to understand Gabriel's cold, brutal, and stern personality.

It's all about expecting the unexpected with Gabriel Agreste.

Yet nothing could've prepared him for this. Gabriel is more furious than he has ever seen before. It's as if he could burst into a million burning pieces. His face betrays the rage he is feeling deep in, and Paul can see every bit of that fury.

———

"Here", mumbles Paul as he hands Gabriel the folder. "the court documents filed by -",

But Gabriel's deep and scratchy holler startles him, making him fall silent.

"Don't say that woman's name in my presence ever again." He warns. "I don't want to hear her name inside this house."

And then he simply snatches the folder from his lawyer's hand, and throws it across the desk in front of him. He doesn't bother to look inside, he already knows what's written on each of those documents.

They include the will of his late wife, and he knows exactly what she established before passing away.

———

A knock at the atelier door causes Gabriel's angry eyes to drift away from Paul and towards the door.

"What?!" He yells through the door.

Gabriel knows who it is. The only other person at the house is his assistant.

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to interrupt." Nathalie responds, slowly pushing the door open.

"What do you want, Nathalie? Can't you see that I'm busy?"

Nathalie turns to look at Paul, as if she were searching for an answer as to why her boss is so upset. Paul obviously doesn't say anything to her and only gives her an apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry, sir. But you have a meeting in 10 minutes and we can't cancel it since we've already rescheduled twice this week..."

Gabriel rolls his eyes and storms out of the atelier, not allowing Nathalie to finish. The door slams so loud behind him that the room shakes, causing a pencil cup holder to fall onto the wooden floor and break into chunks of glass.

Nathalie simply walks over to the corner of the desk to begin cleaning up the mess. She collects the pens and pencils, as she slowly brings her gaze up to Paul.

"What's happened Paul? Why is Mr. Agreste so upset?"

Paul looks at her for a couple of long seconds, and when Nathalie's face gives him a questioning look, he knows he must at least say something to her.

"I ... I don't think I should tell you anything at the moment."

"Why?" She asks him, evidently worried.

"It's an extremely delicate topic, Nathalie. Not until Gabriel decides on what to do, I can't say anything."

Then he quietly gathers his belongings and leaves the atelier. And Nathalie is left alone, and more confused than before.