Chapter 10

Heather

"How exactly are you going to make me forget him?" I asked while Gabriele and I moved with the crowd to where the reception was being held.

"My little secret." We walked into the other huge tent. I gasped at how well decorated it was, ivory drapes with crisp white chairs and ivory linen, silver plates scattered around the table with a single white rosebud on every plate.

"Wow," I muttered beneath my breath. Gabriele was intently looking at me, studying every inch of my face. I tried to act like it didn't unnerve me one bit but it was becoming overwhelming. It wasn't a stalker kind of looking, more like trying to figure me out.

I searched for my name card, I wasn't really hopeful that there would be one, she kind of hates me and would let me eat outside the tent just because she could. I found it, besides me, there was a spot named 'Heather guest'. I took my seat Gabriele was seated beside me. Nichola and Alex entered the room after everybody was seated.

The first dance was coming up. I cringed looking down at the rosebud smelling it intently, I closed my eyes as they started to sway. It hurts to see them. It felt at that moment like no else could see I was hurt and I should suck it up. The song ended and I opened my eyes, my parents were moving to the dancefloor to dance, my brother hooked his arms around a girl in the crowd dancing with her. Gabriele moved his chair back.

I looked at him wondering what he was doing.

"Dance with me?" He smiled and held out his hand to me. I  really didn't feel like dancing and he is my boss, well my friend too but it feels inappropriate to dance with him on a romantic song (Thinking out loud).

"Please," He asked with a pleading look, I nodded. He pulled me close. I sucked in a breath. We were chest to chest, I could feel his heart rhythmically beating.

He placed his hand on the small of my back, with the other he took my hand in his. He started swaying to the rhythm.

"Relax," He whispered in my ear. From the distance I could see my sister glaring at me whispering something to  Alex, Alex looked at me.

"Maybe we found love right where we are" He dipped me, clung to him being afraid he might drop me. He pulled me back up, my heart was beating so quickly it felt like it was going to explode. He grinned at me, he wanted to make Nichola see us.

Just when we were about to sit down, Nichola came over. She looked between me and Gabriele. Jealousy was radiating off of her. At that point, I didn't care she had Alex and she had no right to be jealous. She had nothing left to take from me, at this point if she wanted Tyler she could have him too.

"I see you made it," She plastered on a sickly sweet smile.

"Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world," I think I could feel bile rise as I said that. Luckily that long Island ice tea I had loosened my tongue.

"Mmh who is this?" She eyed up Gabriele, I felt my body heat up immediately.

"Gabriele." He said curtly. I could see he was already agitated.

"How do you know Heather?" She pried.

"I'm a good friend."

"Friend mmh? You were rather cozy, what would Tyler say if he saw that?" Gabriel clenched his jaw.

"It's called slow dancing." He said abruptly trying to remain civil.

"Sure..." She muttered walking away, she was purely trying to cause trouble. Tristen came over as I looked irritated at Nichola hoping something falls on her.

"What did she say to you?"

"She implied that your sister is cheating on Tyler, which she is not. I think we should go." Gabriele looked around, I wanted to jump for joy.

"I'll talk to her you don't need to go-"

"The time that you fought my battles for me is over, I don't need to hear about her shit-by the way she is pregnant." Tristen looked at me like he saw a ghost.

He stood rooted as Gabriele and I headed for the door. Gabriele opened the door for me, I walked out with the guilt engulfing me. I shouldn't have said that since there is a chance that I am wrong.

"I shouldn't have said that,"

"I am certain it is true, I didn't know you were that gutsy." He started the engine.

"Neither did I, it's the first time I said something like that to my brother."

I was deep in thought over how much liquid courage I had drunk, it wasn't enough to make me say that. I guess the whole Tyler thing along with Nichola pushing my buttons made me crack. Gabriele stopped at his house.

"You need something stronger after this whole afternoon, I'll take you home later." I nodded still feeling edgy over everything that unfolded. He helped me out of the car and looked at me strangely.

"What?" I asked softly

"You're...beautiful," he said shyly rubbing the back of his neck. I blushed crimson red, the second time he said it to me made me believe he meant it.

"Uhm thanks," He leaned closer to me, before I could react his soft lips molded around mine. I returned this sensual kiss. His tongue danced with mine, his hands around my hips pulling me closer and my arms around his neck.

I pushed back a little when I regained my senses. This was the reason I quit my last job, but it was also different. Excitement bubbled inside me along with guilt. I actually wanted to kiss Gabriele but I couldn't, I couldn't cheat on Tyler-it would make Nichola's poisonous words truer.

"We can't," I whispered,

He looked at me dazed, he leaned in kissing me again, this time the lust was thick and suffocating in the air.

He pulled back this time, he looked at me focused.

"Tonight Tyler doesn't exist to you." His words were forced. He said he'd make me forget about Tyler but I didn't know he would do it this way. I was yearning to take this further, it felt like I was stuck although I shouldn't be and the clear decision would be to say I can't because of Tyler. After what Tyler said to me it felt so easy to forget him.

Gabriele pulled me against the car barricading me with his arms.

"I know we shouldn't, but I feel like something is pulling me to you, like a magnetic field. I'm trying to fight it with all my power since you are after all Luca's nanny but it's getting harder day by day." I studied his face, he had a serious but yet gentle expression on his face.

"It feels like I need to kiss you, touch you, do a lot more than touching...so much more, more sensual, more enticing, and more sexual. You're another man's and I can't do that to him or you. I'm being unfair by asking you to forget him for a night, but I want you to know that if I am going to be left with you alone in a room I'm going to make you scream my name in pleasure."

I gasped at what he said but I wasn't taken back by it, I also felt so drawn to him. He has never been so blunt but with the absolute passion and feeling like I want to rip his clothes off, I would be equally blunt.

"I...I feel it too." Was all I was able to say. His hot breath fanning my face made my senses light up, I wanted to run my hands over his well-defined chest, ripping his tie off and bind him with it. All of these inappropriate thoughts raced through my mind. I think I was tomato red right now.

"Please don't let this get in the way of you working for me, forget it if you must. I can act like this attraction isn't happening, I know you love Tyler-I'm sorry that I said that but I meant every word."I took in a deep breath.

"No, I mean...I can't forget it, I mean... yes." He had a small devilish smirk on his face, I was becoming a blubbering mess the more I stared into his dark eyes.

"I better get you home. Are going to be okay when Tyler is there?" He changed the subject saving me from further embarrassing myself.

"Yes,I need to talk to him." He drove me back to my place,I forgot he wanted to give me something to drink at his place, but after what he said, alcohol might lead me to some serious trouble.

What was I thinking admitting that to him, I mean...I can't, I have Tyler and I can't cheat on him just because of some silly fight.

He stopped at my apartment, he walked me to my door. I opened it and hear some strange noises coming from inside. Gabriele was about to say goodbye when he stopped, he also heard the noises.

"I'm going to check out what it is, just stay here." I was afraid that maybe it was a burglar.

He came back, his face was retorted in shock and pure anger.

"What is it? Are you okay?"

"Don't go in there."

"Why not?" I pushed past Gabriele where he was barricading the door with his arm.

I heard moans, I followed the sound to my room, coldness filled my veins. I really, really hope it isn't what I think I'm hearing. I opened the door and all movement in my bed stopped. I stood rooted at the spot, Tyler was entangled in the sheets with someone.

He was clearly butt naked, the blond, his secretary looked at me in shock trying to cover herself up as Tyler slumped away from above her. He finally saw me and that he was caught red-handed. I turned around feeling like I was in some surreal bubble. Tyler rushed behind me telling me that it's not what it looks like, it sounded muffled.

The reason why he was being so distant from me and constantly fighting with me was that he felt guilty for cheating on me for god knows how long. I was so blind, it was as clear as daylight he has been cheating.

I saw Gabriele standing in my front door, awkwardly like he wasn't sure if he should go or make sure I was okay.

Tyler was trying to grab my arm, when he caught me I violently shook him off. I turned around and I could feel sadness along with rage pulse through me.

"Don't. We're over, I want all of your crap out by tomorrow or I'll throw them out myself. I don't ever want to see you again." I said calmly with the rage still pulsing through me. I walked out of the door. I didn't care at that point where I was going, anywhere but here.

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