Gabriel has become my tail for the past few days that I have been staying in Chicago. He’s everywhere I go, in all my restaurants, at the mall and every place I’ve been… I can see his annoying face.
And in my five days in the hotel, I was so shocked in the morning when I opened my door and he walked out of the door which was exactly in front of my room.
“Why are you here?” the first question that came out of my mouth. I’ve been waiting for Sandy that morning as she said she’s already in the lobby.
“Hi love, good morning.” he smiled at me. “I’ve been staying here temporarily. ‘Our house’ is under renovation so… I decided to stay here temporarily.”
“Ohh.. really?” I asked nodding and completely ignoring the word he used.. ‘our house’. As if I didn’t know his real purpose.
“Really,” he said while grinning widely.
“Hmm.. okay. Well, I’m gonna check out this afternoon.” I said with a shrug that made him shut his mouth.
“What?” his eyes widened and I bit my bottom lip to suppress my smile.
I completely ignored him when Sandy got out of the elevator. She’s smiling widely as walked towards me.
“Madi!”
“Sandy!”
We hugged each other tightly and she gave me a brown paper bag.
“What’s this?” I asked confused.
“Open it.”
I opened the paper bag and my smile widened when I saw the mini-cupcakes inside.
“Remember the old times?” she asked and I nodded.
“Thank you.” I hugged her again. I remember she’s always giving me sweets almost every morning at work because she knew I always escaped breakfast.
“Mr. Wilsons? Oh, you’re here, Sir?” she finally noticed Gabriel.
“Yup. I’m currently checking in here. Our house is under renovation.”
Sandy crunched her eyebrows. “Under renovation? Since when Sir? I just came to your house yesterday and—–”
“Sandy Aguilar!” he cut her with his harsh tone.
“Sir?”
“My house is under renovation!”
“Huh? Ahh… y-yeah! Your house is under renovation! I got it!” she just nodded in confusion.
I laughed at them and just shook my head. Boss and his secretary… tsk. tsk. tsk.
“Let’s go inside.” I actually invited Sandy, but Gabriel brushed past her and walked into my room.
“Thank you for inviting,” he said and walked straight into my kitchen.
Sandy and I were left speechless right in front of the door.
“Wow! Together again?”
I glared at her and let her enter the door. “What are you talking about?”
“You and him. Together again,” she whispered while joining her two index fingers.
“Stop it! He just loved to annoy me!” I huffed as I lowered my voice.
“Really? He just loved to annoy you or he just loved to get you back? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.. that’s different.”
I turned to her with my hands on both hips. “Sandy, can you see that wide window?” I asked pointing to the huge glass window. “I swear if you don’t stop, I’m gonna push you out of that window!” I said narrowing my eyes on her.
“Fine! I’m gonna go to Mr. Greek God!”
She winked at me and walked her way towards the kitchen. I followed her and my mouth dropped with the scene I didn’t expect to see… I found Gabriel laughing along with Sandy and they seemed close now to each other. He’s inside my kitchen counter with my uncooked bacon, eggs, and toast in front of him. He’s also wearing my apron while Sandy was transferring the mini-cakes on a large plate.
I walked closer to them and sat down next to Sandy. I just silently watched them in awe. I don’t know but somehow I felt happy knowing that he’s now open with her and Sandy can now throw some jokes with him. Unlike before, she can’t even look into his eyes because of nervousness. Well, the time has changed. And this is one of the best things that has happened in the past years.
“Love, do you want coffee?” I was pulled out of my thought when I heard Gabriel’s voice.
“Huh?” I looked at both of them.
“He’s asking you if you like coffee.” Sandy was grinning widely and she nudged my elbow.
“Ahm.. yeah. Thanks.” I answered still dazed.
“Love, I’ll cook bacon and scrambled eggs. Is it okay with you?” Gabriel asked me with a wooden spatula in his hand.
“Huh! Are you really asking me that question right now… if it’s okay with me?”
“Yeah, I’ll cook for you,” he said wiggling his eyebrows. I really wanted to laugh but I masked it with a fake annoyance.
“Wow! I hope you also asked me earlier if I want you to come inside my room!”
But the jerk, always the jerk.. just laughed at me. “Oh, I’m sorry about that. I will ask you first next time,” he said widely grinning.
How I wish I could wipe out that annoying smile on his face. I just sighed and took my eyes away from him. But when I glanced back at Sandy… God! she also has the widest grin on her face. What’s happening to these two? It’s just been three years and Sandy has also turned bipolar like Gabriel?
I continued to watch them but I remember my phone on top of my bedside table, and I excused myself for a while. I sighed deeply when I closed the door behind me. I walked towards the other side of the bed and pick up my phone.
There was a text message from my Mom. She wanted me to fly to Florida because she said, she has important things to discuss with me regarding her business. My Mom is one of the richest women in Florida. She owns the ‘Green Ribbon’ company. The largest company that makes and sells cakes and pastries across the country. And as I remember, she received an award last year for being the top-grossing company in the whole state.
Actually, that company is now under my name but I don’t want to get involved with it, it’s a huge responsibility and for me.. I am happy to have my own restaurants and two coffee shops in Colorado. But I know someday, I can’t avoid the fact that I need to learn to manage the family business because she’s the only heir of the Petterson in Florida, and I am just her only daughter. So when she decided to finally retire from work, I am her only backup.
I was currently sitting on the edge of the bed when I heard Sandy’s voice outside the door and followed by a few knocks.
“Come in, Sandy,” I said and she pushed it to open.
“What took you so long? You said you’re just going to get your phone?”
“Yeah, I just read my Mom’s text.”
“Hmm..”
She said nodding and we both turned silent.
“How are you now, Madi?” she asked me after a while.
I glanced at her and gave her a confused smile. “I’m fine.” and I shrugged.
“You know that’s not what I mean with ‘how are you? What I mean is that, how is your heart?”
I chuckled at her. “You’re seriously asking me that when you know that the person who caused that heart to be broken before, is right inside my kitchen?”
I heard her sigh.
“You know what, maybe I was wrong when I told you before to give up and let him go.”
My head snapped in her direction. “What? What do you mean?” I furrowed my eyebrows.
“Because I found out, that he’s also in love with you before and he’s just confused—–”
Her sentence died when I laughed sarcastically. “Sandy, even if you didn’t tell me to let him go and give up before, I’ll do it on my own!”
“He loved you. He’s been in love with you, Madi, ever since you got married.”
“How did you know? Did he tell you?”
“Half of the story came from him, but the rest was obviously seen in all his actions when you left him.”
“Sandy, you know how much I loved him before. And you also know how much I waited for him to love me back. But it’s too late. His confessions have already been late for three years.”
“Why don’t you give him a chance?”
I chuckled again. “Why are you telling me this, Sandy? You should be the one telling me to avoid him because he used to be an asshole to me.”
“Madi, he’s changed! Everything has changed since you left. He almost searched all over America just to find you. And you know what, the first few months that he looked for you.. he got more grumpy and monstrous in the office. He has fired almost a hundred employees including the bully queen, Jenny, and her assistant, Ailene.”
“He fired the two?”
“Yes, no one can enter his office at that time. Neither can I, I can’t stand in a minute with him in the same room before. I felt suffocated every time I discuss his schedule with him every day. My God!”
I didn’t say anything about it, I just remained quiet.
“And do you know what’s the good news?”
I glanced at her again.
“He enrolled in a cooking school for six months.”
My jaws dropped with her last statement, but a smile formed on my lips afterward. Gabriel enrolled in a cooking school?
“You’re kidding,” I said as I can’t believe what she said.
“I’m not,” she said smiling as she shook her head.
“You are!”
“No! I’m not kidding! You can ask him if you want.” she shrugged.
“No, way!” I huffed as I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Why? It’s not bad to ask.”
“No way! It will just boost his ego! Can’t you see.. he feels comfortably cooking and eating inside my room, duh!”
She just chuckled at me.
“Try to look on his new side, and you will understand what I mean. He loves you, Madi. He would never drop his billions of pride just to look for you and ask for help from all the businessmen he encounters in his every meeting.”
“What?”
“Yes, and he even traveled almost every month to search for you in every country of America.”
“He did that?”
“Yes, so don’t feel bothered if some of the people you will encounter in the streets of Chicago, know you and call you Mrs. Wilsons.”
“Huh!” I gasped and my mouth opened wide with her last sentence.
“My goodness!”
“Yeah, but anyway, let’s go out because I’m very hungry. Your husband is now also an excellent cook! You’re going to be the best pair! So exciting!”
“Tss!” I just rolled my eyes and followed her out the door.
We decided to eat in the living room because my dining table only has two chairs. I was about to sit in the single armchair when Sandy brushed past me and sat in it. So I have no choice but to sit next to Gabriel. And take note… she’s grinning widely when I glanced at her.
We’re re in the middle of our breakfast when Sandy opened her silly mouth again.
“You’re really a good cook, Sir. I think you’re now ready to become a good husband!”
I almost choke on garlic rice inside my mouth. Does she really need to open up that topic?
“Do you think so?” I heard him ask but I acted oblivious to their conversation.
“Yes, Sir.” and then she turned to me. “What do you think Madi? You’re a chef, right? What can you say about the food?”
How I wish I could choke this woman with her own shawl.
“Hmm… it’s good.” I shrugged.
“How about what I said that he’s now ready to become a good husband, ‘again’?” she emphasized the last word.
-‘Gosh! Sandy Aguilar!’- I muttered to myself as I gripped the spoon hard.
“The food is good, I agree, but being a good husband, you can’t just rely on your cooking skills. Whether you’re a good cook or not, it doesn’t matter. It’s based on your dedication, respect, efforts, love, and care for your supposed wife. Happy?” I rolled my eyes at her.
“Very much happy! How about you, Sir? Are you also happy?”
-‘God, can somebody tell me how to kill a woman with a pink shawl?’-
“Well, not-so-happy, not unless my wife gives me another chance,” he answered not looking at her but at me. I can see him from the corner of my eyes.
“Wow! Another chance! Love is in the air!” she squealed, clapping her hands. “I have a song for that!” and she started singing using her spoon. “Just give me one more chance for one last time.. just one more kiss to last a lifetime… One more chance, for one last time—–”
“Sandy, can you please stop it?” I asked glaring at her. “You’re not a good singer!” I added as I don’t know what to say next.
“Huh! And you are?”
“Yes, I am!” I proudly answered.
“How can you say that?”
“Ask him!” I suddenly pointed to Gabriel. “Just ask him if I am a good singer before.”
But I hitched my breath and my eyes widened when I realized what I said. And it’s too late to take it back.
-‘Stupid! Stupid! Stupid Madi!’- I gave myself a mental slap because of my stupidity. I just looked down at the food on my plate.
She chuckled. “Sir, is it true that ‘your wife’ is a good singer?”
“Yes, she is. And that’s one of the reasons why I loved her. And there are so many reasons why I am trying my best to get her back in my arms. And if she’s going to give me a second chance, I’ll hold her right and promise not to let her go anymore.”
“Ahh.. how sweet..”
“Huh! Corny!” I huffed and they just laughed at me.
But deep down inside, my heart jumped and squealed after she heard what Gabriel said. Although I’ve been for those words and somehow learned to move on, I still can’t help but be swayed by his presence.
“And because of that, I have another song!”
-‘Oh, God! Here we go again!’-
“A second once in a lifetime… maybe too much to ask but I swear from now on… if ever you’re in my arms again, this time I’ll love you much better… if ever you’re in my arms again, this time I hold you forever.. this time will never end..”
“You know what, Sandy… I’ll give you a bonus for this month because of your performance.”
My head snapped immediately at him. He’s going to give her a bonus just for that?
“Really Sir?”
“Yes! Can you sing us another song, again?”
-‘Dear all Saints and God from heaven.’-
“Of course! Just double the amount of my bonus, Sir, ahh?”
“Sure!”
I really don’t know how the two became ‘click’ like this. The only thing I know is the fact, that I am going to get old faster when they’re always around me.