Purity And Cowardice #Wattys2018

24- Happy

I spent the night in Gabriel's penthouse.

He offered me to sleep in his bedroom while he takes the couch, but I insisted on using one of his guest bedrooms instead. He chose the closest one to his master bedroom.

I don't recall sleeping much, my mind was running wild. I was imagining our future together and making up plans in my head. I don't think I've ever felt this happy before in my life.

Actually, I did. I remember I felt like this the day before my flight from Paris to the US. I was ecstatic but wary at the same time.

I closed my eyes for what felt like an hour or so, and then rose straight out of bed when the first rays of sunshine lit up the room. 

I followed the aroma of coffee until I reached the kitchen.

Gabriel was lifting a toast off the grill and laying it out on a plate, his cellphone tucked between his ear and shoulder.

"Yes, I already did. E-mail me the details." he was saying on the phone as he looked up and beamed at me, the radiance of his smile warming my insides up.

He was wearing dark jeans, a white casual dress shirt, his beard freshly trimmed and his dark hair combed back into sleek breezy waves.

I smiled and walked to sit on one of the kitchen stools but before I could do so, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me up against him for a quick kiss on my forehead.

My hands against his hard chest, I relished at the moment.

"Call me as soon as you know," he murmured into the phone again as he lowered me back to my feet, his bright gray eyes glinting hungrily at me.

I flushed.

"I hope I'm not keeping you away from work. I can leave and see you later if you want..." I offered when he put down his phone and slid me a plate and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Deep down, I didn't want to go. But, he's a busy man, and I have my own work to do too but it doesn't require me to be at the office.

"Not a chance. You're stuck with me, for the rest of your life. Better get used to it." he winked playfully at me and I laughed.

I glanced down at my ring and smiled.

"I am. Come to think of it, I should've given it more thought, I'm not sure now." I teased but quickly regretted it when his face paled.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" I blurted out quickly.

He exhaled and in two long strides reached me. He pulled me up in his arms and nuzzled his face in my hair. "Don't do that to me again, I can't live without you. Not anymore, not when I'm seeing how much your presence in my life positively affect me. I only hope I'm doing the same for you."

"I'm sorry, and yes, I'm happy," I whispered back to him.

Happy...what a strange word rolling off my tongue.

We sat back and enjoyed our breakfast, stealing flirty glances at each other. 

The ding of the elevator announcing that somebody was coming up stopped our conversation.

"That must be Aspyn," Gabriel said and I nodded.

I texted her earlier to stop at my loft and pack me a small bag with some necessities, such as clothes, shoes, and toiletries.

Keyword being: a small bag.

"What is this? I'm not moving in here Asp, I only said the necessities." I gasped when she strutted inside carrying a medium/large suitcase and a duffle bag.