Chapter 8

Heather

I touched my lips which were tingling. Even when I finally got home my lips were still for some strange reason feeling like this. I sighed, that was the best kiss I have ever had even compared to Tyler. Gabriele's warm lips gently caressing mine for a split second and the feeling of ecstasy overwhelmed me. I stood in front of my door turning a bright red color at the thought of the little mistake.

I shouldn't think about it that much, it was a goodbye kiss. It isn't normal that my boss kissed me goodbye. I shook my head trying to evade the mess that was my current state of mind. It was just an accidental kiss, he is Italian so it is customary in his family.

Just a slip up that is all.

I let out a deep breath opening up my door. I saw Tyler sitting on the lounge chair, he was fast asleep.

I walked to him pecking a kiss on his forehead taking the blanket that was on the table throwing it over him, he turned around and cuddled the blanket. I silently cooed, poor man, he had a lot of work he had to do this previous week and a half.

He wasn't going to wake up anytime soon. I didn't have much to do. I opened my laptop going through e-mails and college updates. I stared at my laptop for a minute, I typed into the search bar 'Gabriele Armanto'. I was curious about him. He told me about his ex-wife just like I told him about my Alex issue, I still can't believe he agreed to go with me to my sister's wedding.

I shouldn't have sat in that park and cried. I needed to get out of this apartment so I walked to the park which was nearby. I wanted to cry like I  have never cried before, sit and wallow in my sadness, that was until I saw Gabriele sit beside me. He was initially shocked to see it was me but then he and Luca tried to cheer me up, it felt nice to talk to someone.

As I waited for my Jurassic laptop, I rummaged through my messy book bag and found the drawing I forgot about. It was a cute picture, I smiled widely as I looked at the picture. I stuck it to the fridge. I went back to my laptop, I scrolled through some business reviews. I stopped and looked at a magazine article.

It says that Clara, an up and coming model cheated on Gabriele and was in mourning for months. I'm guessing they had no idea she was pregnant. Nothing else popped up, only a picture of her and him together from about six years ago, they looked so in love.

I felt something stir in my gut. I slammed the laptop shut.

I made some tea for me and went to my room to catch up on some of the extra work that I had to do. That picture of them continued to drift around in my thoughts making it hard for me to concentrate, after the fifth time reading the same sentence I decided that it would be better for me to get some sleep.

By Friday I was running around trying to get things done since Gabriele is coming home early today and I had to go dress shopping. I didn't want to go shopping, I would go to that wedding in my old sweater for all I cared but the invitation said I need to wear a dress. That's just sexist.

The door opened just as I gave Luca his sandwich. Today was a long day and I had to help little Luca pull out a tooth, every now and then there is bound to be a loose tooth.

Gabriele greeted Luca and went upstairs, a few minutes later he came back down.

"I have to get going," I said walking to my bag.

"Where are you going? I know you asked to leave earlier," He asked curiously as he leaned against the doorframe of the kitchen.

"Well, I have to go dress shopping,"

"For the wedding?" I nodded.

"I also have to get myself a tux, why don't I go with you?" I frowned.

"And what about Luca?"

"My mother is taking him for the rest of the afternoon."

"Grandma is coming!" Luca exclaimed.

"Yes buddy, in ten minutes so munch down and get your bag."He nodded at his father and chewed like his life depended on it.

"Uhm, I'm not sure it's-"

"Before you say no, I'm paying, it is after all my idea to go with you. "He grinned.

"I can't let you pay, it's my sister's wedding, you also pay me a fair enough salary."He shook his head.

"No, I'm paying." He said sternly, I wanted to fight it but he is my boss and a free dress sounded really nice. I nodded in surrender, just as I did the front door opened.

An older woman came in, she had dark brown hair and eyes. I'm guessing this is Gabriele's mother.

She stopped and looked between him and I.

"Gabriele, you didn't tell me you had a lady friend over." His face turned into a scowl.

"Mother this is Heather my... Luca's nanny." She embraced me in a tight hug, bone-crushingly tight. She released and smiled at me with a knowing smile.

"I'm Isabelle, Gabriele's mother as you know. My, my aren't you beautiful." I turned a little bit pink. Gabriele glowered at his mother.

"Luca is getting his bag he'll be down in a minute."

Luca came hopping down the stairs, he missed a step and luckily I was close enough to catch him mid-air. I set him down, Luca ran to his grandma. After that she left.

"Sorry, she's...well herself. I swear I'm adopted." I burst out laughing loudly. My laughter died down when he opened the door to let me step out. He walked to the garage, his black BMW pulled out beside me.I climbed in but didn't say a word. He stopped at a boutique. Beautiful dresses glimmered in the window along with beautiful suits. He really has good taste.

He opened the door for me to the boutique,a woman greeted us.

"Ah Gabriele what brings you around?"

"I'm looking for a tux and a dress for her." The lady smiled at Gabriele and walked to a few racks pulling things out left right and center, she called over another store clerk while I  watched the chaos caused by Gabriele asking for a dress and a tux.

He seemed like he knew this woman, probably a friend of his. I was tugged into a dressing booth and some dresses were handed to me. I heard shuffling around outside, I took the dress that was hanging on the hook and put it on, it was nice but the color...I look like a lemon.

I stepped out of the dressing room,Gabriele was sitting outside. He looked up and frowned. I did a little twirl but his face didn't change.

"How do I look?"

"It's..."

"Yellow, I know."

"Okay, next one please." I went back to the dressing room and put on one poofy dress. I looked like a big ball of lace. I stepped out again.

He stood up and walked around me like he was studying me inch for inch.

"This is something else really, next one." I trudged back to the dressing room. The last dress that hung on the door was dark purple with silver detailing below the bust. I tried to put it on but the zip wouldn't go up. I tugged at it but nothing, I let out a deep sigh.

"Are you alright in there?"

"Yes, the dress just doesn't want to zip up.I'm fine."

"Can I help?" I tried again for a few times but no, I'm not going out there holding this dress up to let my BOSS zip it up.

"No, no I'll pin it." Why isn't the lady that helped Gabriele helping me now, she just vanished.

I took out some bobby pins I had in my purse, it held it up.

I stepped out of the dressing room. Gabriele looked up from where he was staring down at his phone.

I turned around showing him the dress, he stared at me with his dark brown eyes piercing through me. He stood up and just like before he walked around me, he nodded in approval.

"This looks great, may I?" He asked me and looked at the zip I pinned back.

"Uhm no it's fine."

"Are you sure? It'll look better if it is actually zipped up," I nodded, feeling his warm hands taking the bobby pins out and oh so gently sliding the zip up. His hands burning a trail on my back, I let out a little gasp. My body was reacting strangely. I guess it's been a while since Tyler and I did you know what.

Thankfully he didn't hear it. I changed into my regular clothing after being measured by the lady. Gabriele ordered a  tux with a purple bow tie to match my dress. He wasn't being measured and when I asked him why all he said was that they know his measurements since he orders all his business suits either from here or Milan.

I thanked him for the dress, he offered to buy me accessories but I declined since I have some silver heels I've been dying to wear and a necklace that would match. I haven't told Tyler that I was going to my sister's wedding with Gabriele since he hasn't been around lately and he didn't want to go in the first place.

He stopped at my apartment, his scent drifting around in his car was intoxicating and my palms began to sweat. I was so thankful that I could escape. His hair was standing up a bit, I instinctively took the strand and patted it down as I did with the kids I look after. I blushed as I realized what I did.

"I have to go, thank you again Gabriele" He studied me intently.

"It's a pleasure," I think going to the wedding with him might not be a good idea since around him I act strangely even for myself. I don't want to do something I regret.

A/N Yeah I know, it sucks but oh well read it or don't, take it as is or leave.