Tangle (BWWM)

Chapter 13- Reasons Why

...I'm actually celibate...

...I'm actually celibate...

...I'm actually celibate...

The words rang in his ears repeatedly, a taunting echo reverberating off the walls of his brain. All the air left his lungs when she said it.

Gabrielle was celibate.

This shouldn't be a problem! his logic shouted. You're overreacting.

He might have been overreacting, true. But that did not mean that he could stop himself from doing so. Without another word, he nudged her off his lap and stood up.

"Vincent?" Gabrielle called, confused at his actions. She did not think that he would react in such a manner. "Vincent," she called with a deepened, stern voice as he walked silently over to the door, opened it, and escaped without as much as a "goodbye." A confused frown formed on her face while she stared at the rest of her floor through the opened door.

It was then she locked eyes with Cameron. He was watching her intently, a smug expression coming over his features.

What the hell was going on? He couldn't possibly be angry with her, could he?

Gabrielle scowled in response to Cameron and closed her office door. In no more than five seconds, there was a knock at her door. She debated opening it and facing whoever stood on the other side. If it was Jeevana, she was definitely getting a hard fist...

She yanked the door open to reveal a smirking Cameron. Gabrielle rolled her eyes in annoyance. Before she could utter the unprofessional remark that was in her head, he spoke up, "Saaaaay, Gabrielle. What's up with Dragonoff?" he inquired with obvious faux concern.

"That's Mister Dragonoff to you, Cameron," she asserted, muting his confidence. "And it's not really any of your business, frankly." She wasn't about to add any more fuel to the fire that was Corp's rampant rumor mill.

Before he could return a rebuttal of his own, Jacques approached the doorway with Vincent in tow, being dragged by the wrist like a scolded child. Gabrielle noticed his expression. It was difficult for her to place. It seemed to be a combination between anger, fear, sadness, and regret. His strange reaction made Gabrielle wonder if she did the right thing.

Well, maybe she could have told him about her vow sooner. But it just never came up!

She had her reasons, and she would explain herself. Just as soon as they got some much-needed privacy...

"Excuse me, Dredger," Jacques uttered, effectively dismissing the irrelevant. He took the hint and skulked off while Jacques continued. "Gabrielle, does this jackass belong to you?" He pushed Vincent through the doorway. "He came to my office to pace about and mutter something unintelligible. I could tell by the look on his face that it had something to do with you. So here he is, I've returned him."

Gabrielle drew her lips in a stern line to stop herself from laughing. Jacques and Vincent's relationship always put a smile on her face.

Clearing her throat, she nodded. "Thanks, Jacques. Might have to put a collar on him for the future." She then shot Vincent a dirty look. He averted his gaze, obviously ashamed of his previous actions.

"It's no problem, Gabrielle. I'm here to help. Sometimes you just can't handle him alone." With that, he returned to his own office.

Gabrielle spun around to face Vincent, closing the door with more force than she originally intended to. "What was that?" she demanded.

Vincent said nothing at first. He just stared out the window at the skyline, as if he was deep in thought.

"Vincent!"