Chapter 30
Samantha came to Gabriel’s office two days after her last visit.
She approached the secretary’s desk, where Gabriel’s secretary greeted her with a polite nod, and asked if he was in.
She was told that he was, immersed in work as usual.
Samantha’s eyes narrowed slightly, not with suspicion, but with determination.
She told the secretary that there was no need to announce her arrival because Gabriel was already expecting her.
She also instructed that no one should be allowed into the office, no matter who it was, because she was there for a private business meeting, and she meant it.
“Okay, ma’am.” The secretary replied, her tone polite but tinged with a hint of awe at Samantha’s confidence. Samantha then strode toward the office door with an air of purpose. stepped inside the office, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor, the sound echoing faintly.
Gabriel was busy on his laptop when the door to his office opened, revealing Samantha.
She looked like she had stepped out of a high-fashion magazine.
Her pink v-neck spaghetti strap bodycon dress clung to her curves in all the right places, the strategic cut-out revealed a glimpse of her toned stomach teasingly, just enough to make anyone take notice.
Her cleavage was impossible to ignore, a perfect frame against the soft sheen of the fabric.
Any man in the room would have paused, finding it impossible to ignore her, if not completely lost focus, but Gabriel had no thoughts of desire.
His gaze wasn’t wandering to her form, but his mind was fixated on the fact that she was here again, unannounced, and without any prior notice from his secretary.
“You need to stop coming here unannounced,” he said, closing his laptop and setting it aside carefully, the firmness in his voice betraying the slight annoyance he felt.
“I’m sorry I barged in like this,” Samantha replied, her tone softening as she noticed the flicker of irritation cross his features. She caught him reaching for the phone to scold the secretary, but she held her hand up subtly to stop him, knowing exactly how to divert the situation.
“Gabriel, you don’t have to be mad at her,” Samantha quickly interjected. “It’s my fault. I told her not to notify you of my presence because I wanted to surprise you.” She explained, hoping this explanation would diffuse his frustration.
Gabriel inhaled slowly and placed the phone back, trying to keep his composure. “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing toward the couch.
“I thought you’d never say that,” she said, a smile playing on her lips as she made herself comfortable on the sleek black leather couch.
Gabriel rose from his chair and joined her on the couch, his movements careful, controlled, aware of the tension lingering between them.
The silence between them stretched awkwardly for a few moments, filled with unsaid words, old memories, and the weight of the past that lingered in the air like a heavy perfume, until Samantha finally broke it.
“Gabriel…? Are you happy?” she asked softly, her voice almost trembling with vulnerability.
The question caught him off guard. Why was she asking him such a question?
“Yes, I am.” He replied quietly, his voice calm but resolute.
“I’m not,” she said bluntly, a hint of sorrow in her tone, causing his brow to crease in confusion.
“You know how much I love you,” Samantha continued, tears beginning to glimmer in her eyes. “You’ve always been more than a friend to me, Gabe… I watched Ashley come into your life, and I was there when she left you broken—”
“Samantha—”
“Gabriel, please don’t interrupt me,” she said firmly, cutting him off, her emotions spilling freely now.
“I never got into any serious relationship because I was hoping that someday you’d return my feelings, but what do I get in return?... You moved on behind my back.” Her voice cracked, edged with pain and frustration.
“Sam, I already told you that what happened between us was a mistake and I deeply regret giving you any wrong ideas.” Gabriel said softly, his voice was calm, yet firm, trying to create a barrier that Samantha’s emotions seemed to erode effortlessly.
“I don’t care if what happened between us was a mistake. I love you, Gabriel. Don’t you get it?” She said, tears rolling freely now, her voice cracking under the weight of her confession.
Gabriel exhaled deeply, his chest tightening. He realized she was never going to understand that he didn’t love her in that way, as no words could change her heart. His eyes softened with pity, but he remained resolute.
“Your fiancée is young. She is going to leave you the minute she finds someone her age.” Samantha continued, her hand reaching out to take his in hers, her eyes pleading for him to see what she saw.
Her words struck him sharply, like a bullet.
The truth behind them was unavoidable. If his relationship with Nicole wasn’t bound by a contract, she could never have been attracted to a man his age.
But he didn’t need Samantha to remind him of that.
He knew it in every fiber of his being, and now she was attempting to twist that reality into a plea.
“I already told you. We can never be more than friends… Samantha, please don’t push me into doing something drastic. I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” His voice was steady, serious, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
“Please, Gabe, don’t go through with this wedding,” she pleaded, desperation in her voice. “Think about us… and what we had.”
“There is no us,” he said quietly, through gritted teeth, the weight of the words hanging between them.
Meanwhile, Nicole and Helen were at the boutique, where the delicate scent of fabric and fresh flowers filled the air.
Nicole slipped into her wedding gown, twirling before the mirror.
The dress fit her perfectly, hugging her in all the right places, accentuating her figure while radiating elegance.
It was like it was designed just for her.
Helen, satisfied, suggested they pay Gabriel a visit at his office.
Nicole, excited by the idea, agreed, and they arranged to send the gown home before heading to his company.
Upon reaching Gabriel’s office floor, the secretary politely informed them that he could not be disturbed because he was in a private meeting. They didn’t want to interrupt, and decided to wait, but a voice rang loudly from his office.
“THAT’S ENOUGH, SAMANTHA!” Gabriel’s roar echoed through the hall, sharp and commanding.
Nicole’s heart leapt. Without hesitation, she ran into his office, fear and curiosity mingling in her chest. She froze for a split second, taking in the scene: Gabriel standing with his tie slightly loosened, his jaw clenched, glaring down at Samantha.
Samantha’s eyes were glistening with unshed tears, her body tense yet composed in a mix of frustration and heartbreak.
Nicole’s instincts screamed at her to intervene.
Should she intervene? Should she say something?
Deciding to avoid escalating the tension, Nicole rushed toward Gabriel and cupped his face with her hands, grounding him with her touch, concern etched on her features.
“Are you okay, baby?” she asked softly, her voice carrying both worry and reassurance.
Helen entered immediately after, taking in the scene before her, her gaze darting between Samantha and Gabriel, confusion knitting her brows together.
“What is going on here?” she asked, her voice a mixture of concern and curiosity.
“Mom, there’s nothing to worry about. She was about to leave,” Gabriel reassured, his tone calm yet tight with residual anger. He deliberately avoided mentioning anything in reference to his past with Samantha. He did not want Helen involved in details that she didn’t know about.
Nicole noticed Samantha’s tear-streaked face and slight embarrassment, as she struggled to maintain composure.
She tore her gaze away from Samantha, turning her attention fully to Gabriel.
Nicole wrapped her arms around Gabriel, gently stroking his back, noting the subtle shaking in his shoulders—the remnants of his anger and frustration.
Samantha wiped her face one last time, stood up from the couch, and cast Gabriel one final, fleeting glance before walking out of the office, leaving a silent but heavy emptiness behind her.
After Samantha left, Helen looked at Gabriel sharply, and told him that he wasn’t going to be working for the rest of the day, noticing how shaken he still was.
Gabriel attempted to protest, but Helen insisted with motherly authority.
After much persuasion, he finally relented, canceling the rest of his appointments for the day.
He went home with Nicole and Helen, letting the events that transpired in the office fade gradually into the background.
In the days following the incident, Gabriel never heard from Samantha again.
He eventually confided in Charles, his best friend about the incident, and his best friend simply advised that it was for the best. Though Gabriel felt guilty for days over the confrontation, as he recalled everything that transpired, he eventually concluded that it was indeed the right decision—for both himself and Samantha.
It was the only way for everyone to move forward.