Chapter 11
Gabriel sat in his office, his chair slightly reclined, fingers steepled in front of him, staring blankly at the polished mahogany surface of his desk. His mind kept returning to what Nicole had said earlier.
Why Nicole had told him she loved him? He wondered, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Was it because she was excited? Or was that her way of saying thank you?
Or… maybe someone else was there with her.
But even if a maid was present, she need not have worried because his maids are discreet.
He allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible sigh.
He was the only one who knew that information, Nicole didn’t.
Well… he was glad the shopping issue had been handled. He felt a sense of relief creeping in. Now he could focus fully on work, on the contracts and reports piled neatly on his desk, waiting for his attention.
Meanwhile, Nicole had already begun orchestrating her day. She instructed the maid to tell the chauffeur to get the limousine ready, her voice calm and assertive. She also asked the maid to remove her working uniform and to dress in something casual because she would be accompanying her.
The maid’s face lit up immediately, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
She hurried from the room, moving quickly to carry out Nicole’s instructions.
Nicole, in the meantime, moved to her dressing area.
She straightened her hair, brushing each strand until fell neatly around her shoulders.
She applied makeup with delicate precision, enhancing her features without overwhelming them, and then slipped into the black trench coat, the fabric smooth against her skin.
Nicole smiled faintly to herself, the memory of what had happened earlier replaying in her mind. Gabriel is really smart, she thought. He’s a gentleman, in his own way… clever and careful about everything.
Once she was fully dressed, she walked into his study, moving with careful steps. Her eyes immediately found the credit card resting on his desk, just where Gabriel had said it would be. She picked it up, feeling the sleek weight of it in her hand, a thrill of anticipation rushing through her.
Stepping outside, she noticed the maid already waiting, and beside her, the chauffeur in a crisp uniform.
He was different from the man who had brought her to the mansion before—this one was younger, with an easy charm and handsome features.
Gabriel really does hire well—his employees were all impressive, she thought, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Nicole slid into the back of the limousine, the leather seats soft beneath her, and the maid followed. The chauffeur started the engine smoothly, pulling the car out into the quiet street.
As they drove through the streets, Nicole engaged the maid in conversation, learning her name was Mandy.
She listened intently as Mandy explained that the maids in the Harrison household had served the family for generations—her parents, grandparents, had all served the family.
It was a legacy of unwavering loyalty, a fact Nicole found remarkable.
They were like family to the Harrisons, yet they maintained clear boundaries and respect, understanding their place in the household.
Nicole noted this piece of information, impressed by the rich history and the sense of respect that ran through the household.
Mandy recommended one of the best designer boutiques in the city, noting that Gabriel’s mother usually shopped there when she visited New York.
Nicole’s eyes widened as the limousine pulled up in front of the boutique.
It was enormous, every detail polished, sparkling with elegance and a sense of luxury.
She had never imagined shopping in a place like this in her life.
Upon entering, a receptionist greeted them warmly, assigning two personal assistants to help Nicole with her shopping. She felt like she had stepped into a dream. The interior was breathtaking, with chandeliers glinting overhead and racks upon racks of designer clothing beckoning invitingly.
Nicole moved through the boutique with wide-eyed wonder, selecting new pairs of Victoria’s Secret underwear—dozens of them—along with sultry nightwear, mini dresses that hugged curves, elegant denim, flowing evening dresses, delicate blouses, practical tank tops, stylish jumpsuits, and shoes of every shape and color.
Anything beautiful that caught her eye found its way into her arms. She also picked out several dresses for Mandy, who was practically vibrating with excitement at the thought of owning designer pieces herself.
By the time they were done, Nicole had accumulated enough clothes to fill a truck, but she didn’t care—Gabriel had explicitly told her she could buy as much as she wanted, and besides, he was the one who had ordered her former belongings to be thrown away.
She decided to try on one of her new dresses, choosing a black strapless mini peplum dress paired with black platform heels. Standing in front of the mirror, she admired the way the dress hugged her curves, accentuating her figure while highlighting her long, toned legs.
A sudden thought struck her. She thought about paying Gabriel a surprise visit at his office. She instructed Mandy to return home with the truck of clothes, while she headed to Gabriel’s office herself.
Gabriel, at that moment, had just concluded a meeting with his college friend and company lawyer, Charles Morris. He was seeing him off when the elevator doors opened.
Nicole stepped out. Gabriel froze, his eyes immediately drawn to her. She was wearing a short dress that showcased her long, toned legs. The fabric hugged her body, accentuating her curves in all the right places. She looks… stunning, he thought, shock and awe mixing in his chest.
But even more than that—how did she know where my office was?
“Hey, baby,” Nicole greeted him with a smile that was both playful and confident.
Gabriel couldn’t respond. Surprise rooted him to the spot, as he was caught completely off guard. Before he could collect himself, Nicole pressed her lips to his. The unexpected kiss caught him off guard for a second time. He had no choice but to kiss back.
God… her lips are so soft! He thought, momentarily forgetting everything else.
Pulling back slightly, Nicole’s eyes twinkled. “I just got into New York, so I thought I should pay you a surprise visit,” she said, her tone light, teasing.
At that instant, Charles cleared his throat, a polite but firm reminder that he was still present. Gabriel’s trance broke, and reality came rushing back.
“Um, Charles…” he began, hesitant, searching for the words.
For the first time in his life, he was at a loss.
“This… this is Nicole Robinson… my fiancée,” he finally said, his voice firm yet still carrying the echo of disbelief.
Charles’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected that. When did Gabriel get engaged without telling him? He forced his features into a composed expression, though his shock lingered beneath the surface.
“Hi, I’m Charles Morris, Gabriel’s best friend,” Charles said, extending a hand to Nicole.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Nicole replied warmly, shaking his hand with a bright smile.
Charles took a moment to take her in—beautiful, poised, and with an incredible body. No wonder Gabriel got engaged to her. She’s a keeper, he thought, then shot Gabriel a sharp look. Gabriel knew in that instant that he had some serious explaining to do.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Gabe,” Charles said, nodding politely before turning to leave.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, and I must say… you’re really beautiful,” he added to Nicole, giving her a sincere compliment.
Nicole’s cheeks flushed as she smiled. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.
“If you both will excuse me,”
Charles stepped into the elevator, leaving Gabriel and Nicole alone.
Gabriel turned, noticing his employees across the floor staring in surprise.
They couldn’t hide their astonishment at seeing their boss with a woman, and whispers immediately began circulating in his mind.
Great… the news is going to spread before the end of the day.
Just what I needed, he thought, masking his irritation behind a calm exterior.
He placed a hand on Nicole’s lower back, guiding her gently toward his office. His touch was firm yet protective, his mind slowly refocusing on the situation at hand.