Chapter 7
GAbrIEL
Mon Dieu.
It actually happened.
I was at the hotel at the same time as Laila.
That alone felt like a chance in a million.
But to be matched with her too? I did not have the words to describe how much of a miracle that was.
This was incredible news.
After I had arrived at the hotel, I had relaxed, ordered room service and started reading a new biography of an entrepreneur I had not heard of before, but that Nico recommended after enjoying the audiobook.
The story was addictive, so I had lost track of time and before I knew it, I had to get ready for dinner.
When I arrived at the restaurant and saw Laila sitting there, I could not believe my luck.
And she looked even more beautiful than in the photo Mother had sent.
Her flawless skin glowed, her beautiful brown eyes sparkled, her braids were longer than the style she used to wear, but equally stunning and that red dress was incroyable.
Nico was right. The hotel had done an excellent job.
I did not know how this had happened, given how small the chances were. Whatever the reason, I was just happy that Laila was my match. But judging by the look of horror on her face, she did not agree.
‘Is everything okay?’ I asked.
‘Okay?’ Laila’s eyebrows shot up to the ceiling. ‘Are you being serious? This…’ she gestured between us, ‘is never going to happen! You’re Juliette’s son, for Christ’s sake!’
‘And?’ I shrugged.
‘And it’s wrong! We can’t date!’
‘Why not?’ I said quickly.
Although I had previously said I had no interest in dating, perhaps with Laila I could make an exception.
I had a crush on her for years. Long after I had stopped talking to my mother.
I would be a fool to miss an opportunity to spend more time with her.
If this was not the definition of fate, I did not know what was.
‘Because of a million reasons. Firstly… like I’ve already said a hundred times but no one seems to be listening. You. Are. Juliette’s. Son!’
‘And I am a grown man who is capable of making his own decisions.’
‘Secondly,’ she continued, ignoring my previous response, ‘you’re way too young for me!’
‘My age is irrelevant.’
‘No, no, no, no!’ She waggled her finger. ‘Your age is extremely, highly, exceptionally relevant! You’re practically young enough to be my son!’
‘Hmmm.’ I straightened myself in my seat. ‘Although of course it is not impossible for a girl to have a child at the age of thirteen, it is extremely rare, so I am technically too old to be your son.’
‘Even if you were in your thirties, I still couldn’t date you!
Your mother, she… she has… expectations.
She’s excited about becoming a grandmother.
She said you’re getting back with your ex!
This is… if she ever found out that I, that we…
that the two of us were even sitting here together, all hell would break loose! ’
‘Do not worry about my mother.’ I blew out a frustrated breath. ‘This is my life, not hers. I am very happy to have been matched with you. This was fate.’
‘Fate?’ Laila’s eyes narrowed.
‘Hundreds of people apply for this hotel every week and despite the fact that we live in different countries, the matchmaking experts put us together. So, like I said – it is fate.’
Now that I thought about it more deeply, I was foolish to doubt that this could happen. The odds of me becoming a multi-millionaire at twenty-seven were also stacked against me but I did it. I truly believed that anything was possible. And this had just proved it.
‘It’s not fate! It’s a disaster! You’re what? Twenty-nine? Thirty?’
‘Twenty-seven.’
‘That’s even worse!’ Her eyes were now the size of saucers. ‘I’ll be forty-one next week. That’s a fourteen-year age gap, not thirteen! What could we possibly have in common? We’re at completely different stages in our lives!’
‘Laila.’ I paused. ‘I understand why you have concerns, but the Love Hotel matchmakers are the experts, non? They have put us together for a reason. So instead of worrying about something that you believe would be a challenge, let us focus on the great things that could happen instead.’
She eyed me suspiciously for several beats.
‘I…’ She went to speak and then her phone chimed. ‘Sorry. I thought I switched off my mobile. I’ll do that now.’
When she took her phone from her handbag, Laila’s face fell.
‘Oh, no!’ Laila squeezed her eyes shut.
‘Is something wrong?’
‘It’s a text. From your mother. She wants to know about my match and is asking for photos!’ Laila’s shoulders slumped and she dropped her head in her hands. ‘I have to tell her.’
‘It is better if you do not,’ I said firmly. ‘You know what she is like. She will be on the first Eurostar here. I meant what I said: this is none of her business. Do you remember the conversations we used to have when I visited?’
‘Yes. Why?’
‘We used to speak for hours. I enjoyed talking to you and I assume that you enjoyed our discussions too?’
‘Even if I did, that was what, seven or eight years ago! We’re probably completely different people now. And that wasn’t a romantic situation.’
‘Forget for a moment that we’ve met. If you saw me in a bar and I offered to buy you a drink, would you accept?’
‘I…’ she stuttered.
‘Let me put it another way. Are you attracted to me?’
Laila’s eyes bulged and her lips parted.
She had very, very beautiful lips.
‘You can’t ask me that!’
‘Why not? I am very attracted to you. And let us be honest, when we meet someone for the first time, attraction is important. Let me make this easier for you.’
I dropped my napkin on the table, then got up and left.
When I reached the restaurant door and turned around, Laila’s mouth was on the floor.
Ah. When I’d said I’d make it easier for her, she must have assumed that I was leaving. That I would let her fears about my mother’s opinion deter me.
But I had no intention of giving up so easily.
I strode back to the table and stopped beside Laila.
‘Excuse me, but I saw you from across the room and I could not leave without introducing myself. My name is Gabriel. Gabriel Marceau. You look very beautiful tonight and I would love the opportunity to get to know you better. Would you do me the honour of having dinner with me?’
Laila’s mouth closed, then opened then closed again and she blinked several times as if she was trying to process my question.
The silence stretched for seconds, then what felt like several minutes and hours, but I did not care.
Other diners in the restaurant started to stare and even Claude looked at me and made a gesture to ask if everything was okay.
I gave him a firm nod.
If I had to stand here until tomorrow for Laila to reply then I would do it.
‘Just dinner,’ Laila said. ‘That’s it. And only because I’m hungry and I’d prefer not to eat in this fancy restaurant alone. But after that, I’m calling Juliette. And I’m speaking to Claude.’
‘Dinner sounds perfect,’ I said, sliding back onto my seat. ‘You did not tell me your name.’
‘You know what my n…’ she started, before pausing. ‘It’s Laila.’
‘Enchanté.’ I smiled. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you.’