Chapter 34
Gabriel: #FakeIsReal
L ast night, after Nora went to bed, I spent a long time thinking. About us, our future, our past. I thought about her and what she wants and what I want and why we are the way we are.
One thing I now know for sure is that I love her. I’ve always loved her.
She’s the reason I’ve had no steady relationship, because I was already in a relationship with her. We called it friendship, but it was always more than that. She was the one I went to when I had to celebrate something. She was the one I wanted by my side when I felt low. The person who knows all my intimate secrets. The one person with whom I can always be myself without fear of judgement.
She has always been the one for me. Always.
How have I been so foolish never to have seen it? It took a fake relationship to make me see it was real all along. Wow!
But does she want the same thing? I don’t know. She’s never believed in soulmates or love or happily ever afters. And after the day’s events, would she still want to be in a relationship with me? We’ve had sex, and it was awesome. I know she’s physically attracted to me. I know she enjoys being with me and I believe I’m her go-to person, just like she’s mine. But would she be willing to take a chance on ‘ us’ ?
One thing I know she would say is that Mom doesn’t want us together. And she would never go against family. Hell, she even met Rick’s family before moving in with him. But Mom likes her. She doesn’t want me to marry anybody except Sophia, because my marriage is linked to her inheritance.
Is there something I can do to sort this out? I go over Mamie’s conversation and suggestion and come up with a plan for the next day.
I couldn’t fall asleep on the couch, so I quietly made my way to the bed and, cuddling Nora, fell asleep within minutes.
I woke up and saw her slipping out from under my arms. Even though I want to seize her, I let her go. I don’t want to hold her forcibly. I have to make her come back into my arms herself.
She spent quite a bit of time in the bathroom. That was good, actually, because it gave me time to talk to Mamie.
Then Nora told me TruthSeekerBob had apologized, and I saw Mamie written all over it. She also wanted to tell everyone that our relationship was fake. Somehow, I hold her back on that disclosure. Because what if it wasn’t fake?
The rest of the day, we prepare for my meeting. Nora was helpful, as always, but I couldn’t figure out where she stood regarding us. So I sought help again. This time, a little before we went out for the evening.
I called up her mom and told her what I felt about Nora. Somehow I’ve always been able to open up to her mother more than my own. It was Sunday afternoon in Boston, so thankfully she was available. Even though Sundays are a hectic day for the restaurant at which she works, she usually takes the day off so she can spend time with Carla.
“I’m sure she feels the same, Gabriel. In fact, I know she loves you. I think she knows it too. But whether she’s ready to take the plunge is something I can’t be sure. Maybe she just needs someone to hold on to when she takes the plunge, to make her feel safe,” she said when I told her.
“That’s all I wanted to hear. That’s all the assurance I need. I’ll wait for her as long as it takes for her to come around. Even a lifetime, if that’s what it takes.”
“Stop being melodramatic,” she chided, half chuckling. “She needs a little push. I’ll try to give her that, don’t worry. You do your job. But do it after I call her.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you . I know you’ll give Nora all the happiness she deserves, and there’s nothing more satisfying to a mother than to see her children get the best in life. I’m glad you finally realized the truth and I’m sure once Nora sees it too, you both will be very happy together. You’ll be complete.”
As we stand outside the Eiffel Tower, I can’t concentrate on anything. I have something in mind, but my anxiety is getting the better of me and Nora sees that. Poor girl. She thinks I’m cranky because I’m still upset over what she said to Mom and Sophia. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
Her mom finally calls her up, and my heartbeat increases. The countdown has begun. I don’t know what her mom said to her, but I hope she’s given Nora the push she was talking about.
This anxiety is a new feeling for me because I’m usually very comfortable and confident around girls. But today, I feel butterflies in my stomach as if I’m going to an investor’s meeting.
We go up the first elevator and then the second one. I keep checking my phone.
“Why’re you acting weird?” Nora asks or something to that effect.
I tell her I’m not. Out of habit, I begin my usual flirt routine, except that this time it’s true. But she turns her back to me and calls me ‘Mr Fake Boyfriend’.
Shit! She thinks I’m fake. Maybe her mom couldn’t really talk to her. I message her mother. “Should I strike? Have you spoken to her?”
Finally, her mom replies. “The iron is hot. Strike now.”
Ugh! If this is hot iron, I wonder what a cold one would look like.
Anyway, this is my chance and I need to take it before she tells the entire world, or whoever’s interested, that ‘us’ was indeed fake.
Nora’s standing by the glass, marveling at the beautiful Paris skyline. The number of people is slowly reducing as the night wears on and the last elevator ride up finishes.
I stand beside her and we walk all around, taking in at the night lights of this beautiful city from atop the tower. But my mind is like a lake where kids are continuously throwing pebbles. There’s not a moment of stillness or calm. With the people slowly decreasing, hurrying to get down before the last ride down, the uneasiness in my heart increases.
“Maybe we should leave. I think everyone’s going to the elevator now. I don’t want to be stuck here,” she says, close to twelve forty-five.
She’s right. It’s almost time for the last elevator ride down. But that’s the plan.
I wink at the liveried man asking everyone to leave, and he gives me a thumbs-up as he escorts the others into the elevator.
Nora scans the room nervously. “Shit! Did we miss the ride down? What are we supposed to do, walk down some stairs or climb down the sides?” She paces all around the viewing deck, examining the walls for helpline numbers. “Is there a number we can call for help?”
“Relax, Nora,” I say, my voice somehow steady, belying the tempest that’s surging in every cell of my body.
She pauses and looks at me, her eyebrows raised.
I hold her by the shoulders, more to calm myself than her. “He’ll be returning in some time for us. Don’t worry.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Nora, you’ve been my best friend since before the time I understood the concept of best friends. You’ve been by my side whether or not I asked you to. I’d like to believe that I’ve done the same for you.”
I pause for a bit. She seems confused. “Yeah. But is this the time to talk about all this? Shouldn’t we be panicking a little being left alone out here?”
I ignore her questions. I need to say my part before I lose the courage.
“I know we’ve often said we don’t believe in soulmates. We don’t believe in forevers. But in a way, haven’t we always wanted us to be forever? In whatever capacity, but I’ve never imagined a life without you in it. You have been the one constant, the lighthouse for me, guiding me through the storms of my life.”
I see her eyes go wide, a different type of panic settling in her expression. She knows where this is going. I can’t stop now, whatever the result.
“The past few weeks, even though we were supposed to be in a ‘fake’ relationship, it never felt fake to me. Hell, it’s been far more real than any relationship I’ve ever had. I’ve never felt so complete, so at ease. I can be myself with you with the assurance that you’ll always have my back, whatever happens.”
She nods. “Of course. Just like I know, you’ll have mine. But—”
I can’t let her cloud her or my mind with doubts right now. Not before I’ve said my part, so I stop her mid-sentence.
“I’ve always liked you, Nora. And I know what I feel for you now is more than ‘like’. I want us to be more than friends. I want to be with you every day and not pretend to be in a relationship with someone else when all I want is to talk to you. To be with you. You’re the one for me. You’re the one for who I can do anything. I’ll fight the entire world for you and never question or regret it. I know you might think I never cross the six-month mark in any relationship. Well, that’s true, except for one relationship. And that is the one with you.”
I get down on one knee, much to Nora’s surprise, and hold out a ring. It’s a basic ring, something I bought from a vendor downstairs when she was on the phone with her mom.
“Nora, my best friend, my soulmate, my fake girlfriend. Will you marry me?”
Nora’s eyes are fixed on me. An unwavering gaze.
“I don’t know Gabs. What if what you feel for me now, this love , changes with time? I don’t think either of us even knows real love.”
“Oh, but we do. It is the person you can wake up at 3am to talk about your dreams, fears, desires and hopes. It is the person who is your priority when a hundred other people and things are vying for your attention. It is the person who is always in your thoughts, no matter what you’re busy with. Whose single call is enough for you to leave whatever you’re doing to be by them, if that’s what they need. That’s the love of your life. That’s your soul mate. And for me, for as long as I’ve known, that person has been you, Nora.”
“C’mon, say yes,” comes a voice from behind. And we see the elevator operator still standing there with a bunch of people.
Nora’s gaze never leaves mine, even for an instant.
“Your mom will never agree.”
“She will. Trust me.”
“What if it doesn’t work? What if we lose our friendship, too?”
“Trust me. We won’t. We both value each other too much to go wrong with this. Being us is the easiest thing for either of us. It’s like any relationship should be. Completely free and easy. So, what do you say?”
She’s still silent.
“It’s okay if you’re not sure right now. I’m ready to wait as long as it takes for you to see the truth that I see so clearly.” I fumble a little. “Now, you better answer one way or the other, because my knee is hurting.”
Finally, she nods and her face lights up with the most beautiful smile. “Yes! Yes! Oh my God! Yes! Let’s do this.”
I slip the ring onto her finger, amongst applause and some clicks and flashes of camera from the people.
“I love you too, Gabs. I think I always have, but never acknowledged it. You mean more than life to me, and I’ll do anything to keep you happy. To keep us happy. I hope Mom was right when she said a relationship should be easy for it to last. Because nothing is easier for me than being with you.”
I hug her and give her a long kiss. It’s an unhurried kiss, like a warm embrace on a chilly night. It makes me feel complete, and I feel a sense of calmness spreading through my body, a feeling of ecstasy. That this is the right thing to do and from now on, everything will be great.
We finally let go and amidst a series of claps from the onlookers, we make our way into the elevator. I can’t stop smiling as I hold her hand in mine. She is mine, just as she was always meant to be.
In the cab back to the hotel, she’s scrolling through her phone.
“Wow! What a reel,” she says, and passes me her phone.
It’s our video, me on my knees, Nora smiling and nodding, extending her hand, and the entire Paris skyline behind us. Someone has posted it and tagged both of us. While I’m angry at the lack of privacy the person has shown, I’m glad for the photo, a memory of the most beautiful night.
Nora reposts it with the hashtag Reeling-In-Love.
“What’ll your Mamie say?” she asks. “What about her plan for you to marry Sophia for some time?”
“You know I’d never do it. And so does she. But I’ve already spoken to her. This won’t be a shock to her.”
“Well, it will be to Mom and Carla. Just imagine the look on their faces if they see this before I talk to them.”
I give her a sheepish smile.
“No. No! Don’t tell me,” she punches me on the arm. “They know? Have you already told everyone what you were going to do? Except me? Your best friend?”
“I had to take your mom’s blessing, right? Are you really upset with me? Your mom and Carla are both quite happy about it.”
“I know,” she says with a shrug. “She’s been pushing me toward this, and I think now I know why. It’s your family I’m worried about. They are the ones who don’t want you to marry me.”
“Look, I figured what Mamie wants. She wants what’s best for the company. So I asked her if there was a way to ensure for her to get what she wants because even if I married Sophia for the inheritance and if she agreed, her business decisions would not change. Moreover, she would definitely end up extracting something from us for doing it.”
“And? What did Mamie say?”
“She came up with an option two. It is a more long-term option. For now, she’ll give me the extra share that she will get, which is half of what Mom has right now. I’ll continue working in the company and prove my worth. If I do well, her entire share after her death can come to me. She said if I can grow grandfather’s legacy and take it to the next level, she’ll always support me.”
Nora’s eyes grow wide. “Wow. This is not what I was expecting. She’s not half bad, this woman. Quite shrewd, in fact. She’s okay to bend laws and morality if it suits her purpose, but she’s not bad. In fact, I think I could learn a thing or two from her.”
We reach the hotel, and I pay the driver and give him a good tip. He waves happily and goes on his way.
I hold my fiancée’s hand and lead her inside. “Mamie actually thinks you’re a good influence on me and can help me and guide me to make the right decisions. Her words, not mine. And if we have her blessing, Mom will definitely come around, especially if she gets to know that because of Mamie, we can keep at least half the share that she thought was hers, which, to be honest, is more than enough money.”
“Well, all’s well that ends well,” she says as we exit the elevator on our floor. “Now all you have to do is get a good night’s sleep so you can make a mind-blowing presentation tomorrow because a lot is at stake.”
“The presentation will be fine. I’ve prepared so much for it I can rattle it off even in sleep and answer all questions anyone may pose, even in a state of delirium. As for sleep, let’s get to bed and see what happens.”
“As your best friend, I should tell you, you need to sleep,” she says, her lips curled in a smile, as she enters the room and throws off her shoes.
I hold her tight and bring her face close to mine, our lips brushing against each other. “Thank you for your advice, Nora. As my best friend, I should tell you, that this is the first time I’m going to bed with my newly proclaimed fiancée, and I don’t take firsts lightly. I’ll do things to her you can’t even imagine. I plan to give her so much pleasure that—”
She doesn’t let me complete and her lips are pushing against mine, her tongue ravaging my mouth and my tongue responding with a hunger I’d never experienced in my life.
This is what perfection is. This is right. The start of forever, whether or not we believe in it.