Chapter 20
Nicole stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection longer than she normally would. She looked paler than she used to, her skin lacking its usual glow, and she could tell she had lost some weight. Her clothes no longer hugged her body the same way they once did.
How did she get to this point? She wondered quietly.
She reached for her makeup, carefully applying it beneath her eyes to hide the exhaustion that refused to fade.
When she was done, she changed into a brown crop top and white jeggings, pairing them with her gladiator heels.
She tied her hair back into a neat ponytail, then looked at herself one last time before picking up her brown jacket and phone from the bed.
Without another pause, she left her apartment.
Nicole stopped by a nearby coffee shop and ordered cupcakes and coffee.
She didn’t realize how much she had missed a proper meal until the first bite touched her tongue.
The warmth and sweetness made her slow down, savoring it instead of rushing through.
After finishing her breakfast, she bought some donuts to take home, then picked up a newspaper, hoping the advertisement section would offer her a new job opportunity.
With the paper folded under her arm and the box of donuts in hand, she headed back home.
Once inside her flat, Nicole settled on the sofa and placed the donut box on the coffee table. She spread the newspaper open and went through it carefully. Minutes passed, then nearly an hour, but nothing caught her attention—nothing matched her qualifications or felt promising.
Frustration built inside her. With a sharp motion, she slammed the newspaper onto the table.
She needed a job—something to keep her busy so she wouldn’t spend all day thinking about someone who probably wasn’t thinking about her at all. She also needed to pay her bills. Not that she had to worry about anyone for now.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Who could that be? She wondered. Who even knew she was back?
Nicole inhaled deeply, steadying herself as she prepared to explain whatever needed explaining. She walked toward the door and opened it slowly.
Her breath caught.
Gabriel stood there.
Is he serious right now? She needed to forget about him—and here he was, standing in front of her like nothing had happened.
She noticed he had slimmed down a little, though he still looked just as handsome. If only he knew how good-looking he was in suits, she thought before immediately scolding herself.
Why was she even thinking that about a man who treated her like trash just days ago?
“May I come in?” Gabriel asked.
Without a word, Nicole stepped aside. Gabriel walked into the flat, his eyes scanning the space. Nothing had changed. It looked exactly the same. When he turned back to her, he noticed how much weight she had lost, and something about it unsettled him.
She looked empty—like something vital had been stripped away. And disturbingly, it mirrored how he felt inside.
He knew he had hurt her with the things he said. He never meant any of it, but explaining that now felt pointless.
Nicole drew in a slow breath before speaking.
“I’m sorry I haven’t returned your money like I said I would. I had a lot of things to do.”
The lie tasted bitter on her tongue.
“Now that you’re here, you can give me your account details so I can transfer the money back.”
“I’m not here for the money,” Gabriel said.
Her eyes flickered with surprise.
If not that, then why?
“If that’s not your reason for being here, then what is?” she asked.
“You have to come back to the mansion,” he replied.
“Excuse me?!”
“My parents are coming over tomorrow to meet you,” he continued calmly.
“You should have told them that you and your so-called fiancée are done,” she said, emphasizing the word fiancée.
“I can’t,” he replied. “The contract was for six months. Remember?”
“Oh yeah, I do. But since you asked me to get out of your life, go find someone else to play the part,” she snapped.
Gabriel wasn’t in the mood to argue. Too much damage had already been done from the previous argument.
“I can’t do that,” he said. “We’ve already been seen together in public.”
He sighed deeply before continuing.
“Look, Nicole. We don’t need to act like this. We’re both adults.”
“Right,” she replied sarcastically.
“If that were the case, you wouldn’t have acted the way you did.”
Shame washed over him instantly. He could see the pain in her eyes, and instead of meeting her gaze, he looked away.
“My mom is eager to meet you,” he said quietly.
“I’m sorry, Gabriel, but you’ll have to tell your mom that I got tired and we broke up.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Nicole regretted them. She saw the hurt flash across his face. She hadn’t meant to phrase it like that—but he had hurt her too.
Gabriel said nothing. Instead, he walked over and made himself comfortable on her couch.
Didn’t he hear what I just said? She wondered.
His eyes landed on the box on the coffee table. Curiosity got the better of him. He reached for it, opened it, and smiled faintly when he saw donuts inside. He took one without asking, ignoring the annoyed look Nicole shot his way.
He didn’t want to fight with her. And he didn’t want to leave without her either. His parents were coming to meet her after hearing about her from Charles, who had visited them in Las Vegas over the weekend.
He missed her. The mansion had been unbearably quiet since she left. He missed her laughter, her childish behavior—everything about her. Even her legs. They weren’t exposed like they used to be, as she was wearing pants, and for some reason, that disappointed him.
Nicole dropped into one of her armchairs, staring at Gabriel as he casually ate her donuts.
I thought he didn’t like junk food, she thought bitterly.
Now he’s eating my lunch.
Silence filled the living room, thick and uncomfortable.
“I’ll come with you only because you said your parents are coming over. Once they’re gone, I’m leaving,” Nicole finally said.
“Shall we?” Gabriel asked, standing up.
“Now?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes.”
She sighed heavily, then stood as well. Grabbing her phone from the table, she headed for the door. Gabriel followed, the donut box still in his hand.
The drive back was quiet. The silence pressed down on Gabriel, making him restless. He wanted to hear her voice again—but he knew better than to force conversation. Instead, he kept eating.
“Okay, that’s it!” Nicole snapped.
“Do you have the slightest idea you’re eating my lunch?”
“No,” he replied calmly, reaching for another donut.
“I thought you didn’t need them.”
She immediately snatched the box from him.
“There’s only two left!” she grumbled, pouting like a hurt child.
“And it’s your fault.”
“I’ll tell the chefs to make some specially for you,” he said.
A smile slipped onto her face despite herself.
“Really? Then have these,” she said, placing the box back on his lap.
Gabriel smiled. Hearing her voice again—even for just a few minutes—felt like something he hadn’t realized he needed so badly.