AFTER GABRIEL TOOK HIS BATH, he threw on faded grey sweatpants and a white sweatshirt.
He thought about getting new clothes, something that would make him more breathtaking in Sydney’s eyes.
He grumbled. Pretending to be a Lumberjack had nothing to do with his bad choice of dressing, naturally, he was bad at picking clothes.
He took a large beach hat and sauntered outside to see Sydney standing by his bike, wearing his plaid shirt and worn-out pants with shades.
He held a smile and put the hat on her head. ” I don’t think you can wear a helmet with this on.”
He reckoned the clothes looked better on her than they ever did on him.
She wanted to hide her face so no one would recognize her. Gabriel had the bright idea to offer her shades and a large beach hat.
Sydney adjusted the hat and said, ” Why do you even have something like this?”
He had gotten it on a trip to Santa Monica Beach for some lady he met at sea that wouldn’t leave him alone.
He’d love to take Sydney there one day.
He replied faintly, ” Long story, let’s go.”
He wanted to hop on the bike, but Sydney brought out a hand, stopping him.
She got on the bike and looked at him. ” I’ll ride.”
He looked skeptical, ” I’m not ready to die Sydney.”
” I can ride a bike, Gabriel; it’s not rocket science. ” She smiled briefly making him nod absentmindedly.
He hesitated but got on behind her. Her body stiffened for a few seconds when she felt his hard body on hers. She swallowed hard, turned the key in the ignition, and revved the engine before riding off.
Gabriel’s mint breath fanned against Sydney’s neck as he gave her directions. She was holding her breath and moving closer to the edge every second.
She sighed internally when she skidded to a stop by the mall without killing any of them.
Gabriel got out of the bike and remarked, ” Not bad but you are rusty when it comes to parking.”
He saw the darkness in her eyes. He knew she was affected by him, but not the way he wanted her to.
They walked to the clothing section in silence. The lady by the reception welcomed them in with a fake disdainful smile.
” Uh… Welcome to Maddy’s clothing store, you may search around for any clothes you’d like.” Her haughty eyes scanned them up to down.
From their dressing, she guessed they were low-class couples. They’d probably bargain for a lower price. She mocked silently.
Gabriel and Sydney walked to the section for lady clothes.
Sydney, who had noticed the lady’s attitude, looked at Gabriel pitifully, ” I know you noticed the way that woman acted towards us.”
Gabriel couldn’t care less. He’d rather prefer to be treated honestly than fakely because he’s wealthy. It wasn’t a new thing; the life of a poor man is honest, while that of the rich is fake.
He looked at her blankly, ” It doesn’t matter.”
” Do you always get treated like this, the mockery and disdain?”
It had been worse when he was wealthy, just that it was hidden.
Gabriel’s face was straight when he said. ” We are in a huge classy mall, don’t expect people to treat middle-class people the same way they treat affluent people.”
Sydney was always used to the rich people’s treatment, so it was hard to process the lady’s attitude. However, she brushed it off and focused on shopping.
She had a few bucks left to sustain her for a month or two. When she’d leave Beverly Hills, she’d start her life all over again and get a job at a flower shop. She knew with her bad degree, she couldn’t get a well-paying job, especially when Gavin wasn’t there to grease people’s palms on her behalf.
She picked some clothes for her and Emily and handed them to Gabriel. They walked to the Male section, and she picked a couple of clothes she knew Ethan would love.
When Gabriel picked clothes for himself, Sydney looked at him distastefully.
” No, you can take this instead.” She picked up another less traumatic-looking clothe and handed them to him. ” It would go great on you.”
Gabriel picked another and she winced slightly at his taste of clothes.
She stopped him before he could continue in his horrific acts. ” You can help me check in these clothes, I’ll find something good for you.”
He raised a plaid shirt and brown trousers to her. ” I think this is beautiful, don’t you think?”
Sydney shook her head in denial and brought his hands down. ” Just leave the clothes picking for me.”
” I’ll keep this one, I think it’s nice.”
Before Sydney could stop him, he was already gone. Sydney rolled her eyes and schemed through the place for good clothes for Gabriel.
When she was done, she saw a purple front zip fit and flare dress hanging graciously in a show glass. She smiled wistfully, just staring at the dress; her mother had a similar dress like this. It was her favorite.
Sydney felt a cold rush down her spine staring at the dress. She missed her mother so much. The pain of not seeing her again was so unbearable but at least she was happy Ashley was in a better place.
Sydney looked at Gabriel as he stood by her side. He’d noticed her looking at the dress.
” You should try it on,” Gabriel voiced.
Sydney waved him off immediately. There was no use trying the dress on when she couldn’t buy it. The dress was too expensive, it would cover the cost of all the clothes she’d bought.
Gabriel noticed Sydney wouldn’t listen, so he took out the dress from the show glass, drawing people’s attention.
Sydney’s eyes widened as he placed it on her hand. ” Gabriel, you shouldn’t have done that.”
” Put it on, Sydney; I know it’d look great on you.”
The lady at the reception, who had witnessed Gabriel’s act, was walking exasperatedly toward them.
” What do you think you are doing?” The lady snarled with unhidden vehemence.”
Gabriel frowned at her and said flatly, ” Picking a dress?”
” That dress costs a fortune; you should learn to check the price of something before touching it, and on the glass, it clearly states, if you touch it, you’d buy, and we both know you can’t afford such a dress.” She said through gritted teeth.
Sydney wanted to step in for Gabriel but Gabriel flagged a response quickly.
” What other dress has that policy on it, tell me, I’d touch every single one of them and purchase it,” Gabriel growled.
The lady scoffed, ” I know you wouldn’t even be able to pay for the dress in a year even if you take it on credit.”
“But, I’d pity you because you are good-looking. Place it back in the show glass, and we’d forget you ever touched it.
Gabriel sneered and turned to Sydney; he ordered angrily, ” Go in and try the dress on; if you don’t like it, take a new one; and I’ll pay for it.”
Sydney looked at him with her mouth hanging open. Why was he making such a fuss about it?
” But, Gabriel-”
” Trust me, put it on and show her how beautiful she can never be.”
Sydney nodded, still in a daze, and walked to the changing room. She didn’t expect Gabriel to get so angry but she appreciated him. She was worried about how he’d pay for it; maybe she could return some of the clothes she’d bought.
Sighing, she slid on the dress. When she tried pulling the zipper up, it didn’t budge. She tried again but to no avail. She called out for Gabriel to get some assistance.
Gabriel turned to ask the lady for assistance, but she fled immediately when Elizabeth Freeman graced the clothing store with her presence. Everyone ran to her like flies to a corpse.
Gabriel released a frustrated breath and went near the changing room.
He said lowly, ” There’s no one available, I could help you if it’s something I can do.”
Sydney bit her lips and asked him to come in. She looked at him through the mirror and said, ” The zipper is stuck.”
Gabriel watched her as she turned to look at him. His eyes immediately darkened seeing her caged breasts. He resisted the urge to free them from their cage.
He shook off the thought quickly and took a step forward, then instructed, ” Hold your breath till I’m done.”
She was already holding it.
He held the zipper with one hand and the top of the zip with another.
Sydney kissed her teeth when his fingers brushed her breasts.
He heard her gasp, and he looked at her. Are you okay?”
” Ye… yes.” She swallowed.
He was careful not to hurt her or break the zip as he struggled to drag the zipper up. Eventually, it budged.
Sydney released her breath.” Thank you.” She smiled nauseously and turned to the mirror.
Gabriel stared affectionately, hypnotized by her beauty, making her more nauseous. He walked closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulder. Her eyelids nearly shut at his tender touch.
He said hoarsely, ” You are very beautiful, Sydney, in and out.”
She breathed, ” Is it because of the dress?”
” Out of it. You take my breath away with or without this dress.”
Sydney believed he meant it in a friendly way.
Her eyes burned with lust, she placed her hand on his and turned to face him.
” Just beautiful?” She said lowly. Her eyes trailing down his body.
Gabriel heard that voice in his head again. The normal Gabriel I know would grab this woman and f**k her in a heartbeat. Why are you resisting? Give her what you want.
Gabriel raised, held her hand, and traced her knuckles on her lips. He licked his lips. ” And hot.”
Sydney’s lips parted as he traced her knuckles between them. ” What else?”
” And s**y. ” Her groaned at the look on her face.
He knew if he didn’t stop now, he’d do something he’d regret later. This wasn’t how he wanted to take her in, he needed to capture her heart first and make her forget all the pains of the past.
He knew she was going through a lot sexually and emotionally, making love to her would just open her bruise. He’d promised himself, his father and Ethan he wouldn’t hurt her.
And he won’t.
When Sydney saw him withdrawing, she reached to him. ” Why are always resisting Gabriel?” She sounded desperate.
He looked away, ” I don’t want to hurt you.”
” Hurt me, Gabriel, I want you too. I want to be hurt by you. ” She pleaded.
” I’m sorry but I can’t. ” He half looked at her and said in a passionate tone, ” When I see what I’m looking for in your eyes, I’ll do what I want to do with you, and it won’t be in any way hurting you.”
” What do you want, Gabriel? I would give it to you.”
Not when you are still giving it to someone else. Gabriel thought painfully.
He left her alone, sexually frustrated and wondering what he wanted.