Chapter 58 We were late to Annaâs birthday the next day because once we started having sex again, there was no stopping. It was definitely easier when there was no staff around and the entire house could be used. Nothing was off limits.
It was hard to go to work after the shower session, and even harder to go to Annaâs birthday. We were late, but she was fine with it when she saw the gift I picked for her from Channel. All was forgotten and forgiven.
Zach and Gabriel did sneak off for some time for work things, leaving the birthday girl pouting. Apparently, the charity gala was scheduled the next weekend, a stark reminder that it had been five and a half months since I got married to Gabriel and would mark two months since I got to know about Lily. And got kidnapped the week after.
Time was passing so fast that I wanted everything to pause right as it was, We stayed there that night because we were playing monopoly till four in the morning. Yes, monopoly. I thought it would be weird playing with two billionaires, but it wasnât. Gabriel was oddly competitive though, and Zach self sabotaged because Anna was losing and apparently, she was a sore loser.
I was sleepy the entire day at work, but Gabriel wasnât. He looked like he had slept for twelve hours straight, and I looked like a drug addict roaming around for coffee every hour.
At midday. Gabriel asked everyone to go home. I think he couldnât see me moping around in sleep any more, and when he insisted that I should go home, I refused telling him I didnât want special treatment just because I was his wife. So, he sent the entire floor home.
My new friends loved me and even more after their boss let them go home early because of me.
That weekend, I grabbed drinks with them. Gabriel knew and surprisingly, he was okay with it. My bodyguard was at a safe distance at all times and as long as I didnât ditch him, Gabriel sail I could have all the fun I wanted. I didnât tell him that I didnât have any plans of ditching my bodyguard because as much as I pretend to be okay on most days, I still have nightmares about being kidnapped. I feel scared being alone in public without Gabriel and this was only the second or third time I had been.
I got dressed with the girls at their apartment. They insisted I wear a short dress but when I didnât budge, they let me settle on jeans and a really s*xy black corset top that I borrowed from iv.
sip would knock me down.
While they all had shots, I had a LIFT. It was strong but not in the sense that one sip By the time everyone was on their sixth shot, I had just finished my first drink, and the buzz started hitting.
I wish it wouldâve been the good kind, but it wasnât. I felt anxious and paranoid.
I immediately removed my phone and texted my husband. âHiâ
Before I could wait for a reply, my phone was snatched and placed on the table with a thud that made me cringe. âNo phones allowed,â Mike all but yelled in my ear, and then added in a small voice, âUnless you were texting our boss in wh case I absolutely did not stop you.â
I chuckled, lying, âNope. Not texting the boss.â
âGoodâ He gave me a lopsided grin, âYou both actually seem pretty in love, you know?â
âYeah?â
âYeah. Like there were some nasty rumours when you both got married.â
My curiosity overtook me, and I had forgotten all about my paranoia. âLike what? I married him for money?â
1/3 Chapter 58 âNah. We all knew our boss is too smart to get trapped down for money.â
My eyebrows furrowed. âThen what?â
âThey said you were a witch that hypnotised him.â Baylen Benny chimed in from across the table.
My mouth hung low. âSo heâs not smart enough to dodge a witchâ
âItâs a witch. Ethan replied, âNo one can dodge a witch.â
âWhatâre you guys talking about?â Eve was all cars and suddenly, the entire table was a part of the conversation.
âIâm telling her about the nasty rumours we heard when she and boss got married.â
âOo. I got a good one!â Liv swayed a little because eight shots does that to you. âI heard you were pregnant.â
I frowned, taking a sip of the melted ice water left in my finished LIIT. Iâm very not pregnant, thank you very much.â
âI heard he lost a bet and had to marry you because of it. Benny added.
My mouth hung again. âYes, guys, lay it all on me. Why protect my feelings?â
All of them broke into chuckles. We know now that all of it isnât true,â Benny said, âHeâs completely wrapped around your finger.
Yup. Never seen him like this. Thatâs why I wonât discard the witch theory.â Ethan teased, and I threw one of the plastic straws at him that he dodged effortlessly while laughing.
âI heard it was an arranged marriage,â Eve eyed me.
Sober Sofia would have coughed and flustered. Tipsy Sofia flashed her a grin. âNope. He saved me from kidnappers. And he bought me thirty two rings.â I flashed my engagement ring at her Oliviaâs eyes sparkled. âYour ring is so pretty.â
âAre we going to skip over the part where she said kidnappers?â Mike asked in the background.
âGee. Eve held my hand to closely inspect my new ring. âCan I share your rings with you? I like diamonds.â
I nodded at her enthusiastically.
âSo we are going to skip over the kidnap part.â
âNot my wedding ring though, I conditioned.
âOf course notâ She replied in a duh voice.
âSo I guess we are skipping over it.â
âOver what?â Gabrielâs voice boomed over out booth, and we all went dead silent.
I was the first to overcome the shock and turn to face him.
He was still in his work clothes, but just the white shirt and blue trousers, hands tucked in pockets.
âGabrielâ I stood up âWhatâre you doing here?â
âYou texted me and then you disappeared, Freckles. Iâve been calling you and you didnât answerâ He looked at me with a slight frown âAre you okay?â
Chapter 58 âYes. L.â My checks heated. âLmissed you.â
He c*cks an eyebrow. âAre you buzzed?â
âA little?â I pick tup my LIIT which was now only melted ice water and offer it to him.
Î He shakes his head. âWell, since youâre missing me, I should join you.â He peaks over my shoulder to my friends: They all stare back at him, dazed and tipsy, He glares.
âY-Yes Sir. Join us. Benny offers, stammering and evidently nervous. âI mean, please. Please join us.â
Very well then. Itâs settled. My husband gives them a saccharine smile and sits on the chair I had just gotten up from. pulling me onto his lap. âWhatâre we talking about?â
âRumours about our wedding. I murmur and all my friends give him a death glare.
âIs it?â He shakes his hand around me, thoroughly amused. âHumour me.â
âApparently, I am a witch who has enchanted you, I giggle, snaking my hands around his neck, hiding my face in his chest.
âCanât say theyâre wrong. He raises his shoulder in a small dismissive shrug. âYou have enchanted me, little witch.
1 giggle in his arms, happy he was here, avoiding all my friends smiles and snickers.