"I would definitely remember? What was that!"
Zina muttered to herself as she started the car. Holding on to the wheel, she stared out of her windshield into the distance as couples shuffled in and out of Brave's.
Something about Gabriel was too familiar, so familiar it was unsettling.
Although her focus had been on cosmetics until now, this was Arclight, the world's hub of tech innovation. She had met with many tech visionaries, many of whom were nerds, yet they all had a superior, dominating air. Even the quiet confident ones. Above all, Adam Freeman stood tall. And yet somehow Gabriel felt distinct from all of them. There was a quiet steadiness about him that felt like deja Vu.
Her fingers drifted to the pendant of her necklace. Adam used to have that quiet steadiness, like he knew everything, like he was everything. Like she was a study and he was curious. Gabriel looked at her the same way today.
And how did he know about her obsession with food from Brave's?
She had never shared this with anyone, again, except Adam. Before his work consumed him, they would sneak here to hide from the buzz of paparazzi and other business tycoons.
Her expression changed into a frown.
Then there was the way he spoke of Adam. . . Like he knew him?
Just before her thought could spiral further, there was a buzz from her phone and she looked down to see a call from Aika.
She snatched up the phone and answered, "Yes?"
"Mrs Freeman," Aika spoke on the other end, her tone a bit stern.
"We have a problem. One Love has been arrested in a Min City. I'm on my way to the Airport"
"I'll meet you there" Zina replied and set the phone down as the call disconnected.
As she shifted the gear into drive, something caught her eye. On the other side of the parking lot stood Gabriel and Andrea. When did she arrive and why hadn't Gabriel left yet?
As she watched Gabriel speak with Andrea, for a moment she thought it was Adam standing there.
Shaking her head, she released her foot from the brakes, but just then Gabriel glanced her way and their eyes met. Her eyes, still stressed from the call she just answered and her spiralling thoughts. His, a gentle squint of curiosity mixed with confusion.
Flashing a quick smile at him, she pulled away. But as the engine hum rose and the distance stretched between them, she could still feel his steady gaze on her.
Losing the internal battle, she stole a quick glance at the rear mirror. Yes, he was still staring but a little far back now, she could look back without her heart pounding in panic.
****
Gabriel felt the exact moment Zina's gaze found him.
When he turned, he noticed the tension in her eyes and the way her grip tightened on the wheel, the panic as she resisted the reflex to look away from him. And the submissive smile she eventually settled for.
That smile.
He felt like he had seen it before, a lifetime ago.
He squinted as he pushed the memory back down. He was seeing it now for the first time.
"Gabriel?" Andrea's concerned voice pierced through his thoughts, and he turned again to her. Zina's car was now long gone.
"Are you okay?" Andrea asked.
"Yes. Sorry, that was Zina, she looked troubled."
"Were you reading her vitals?" Andrea frowned.
"No" Gabriel immediately defended.
"Because that's not nice"
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Gabriel simply moved on, "Check if anything happened with Lynch Cosmetics recently."
Andrea's stern gaze lingered on him a moment longer but she eventually sighed and pulled up her tablet.
"Nothing major, One Love was arrested in Min"
"That's major" Gabriel squinted.
"How's that?" Andrea looked up at him.
"Lynch just extended their collaboration with him, he's no longer just an Ambassador, he's an Exec" Gabriel explained patiently.
"Why would they do that with such a controversial personality?" Andrea gaped.
"What's the charge?" Gabriel asked gesturing towards her tablet.
As she scrolled through her tablet, her expression turned solemn and a crease appeared on her forehead. "Undermining the Sovereignty of Min" she muttered.
"So they are accusing him of being a spy" Gabriel clarified.
Both of them exchanged glances as they realized the severity of the issue. Any other charge might tarnish the reputation of Lynch Cosmetics but this charge specifically could do exceedingly more damage"
"Help or take advantage?" Andrea asked, tilting her head at him expectantly.
"Get Tony on it" he instructed.
Andrea's expression changed, turning stern she looked him straight in his eyes and called in a low tone. "Gabriel".
Her tone contained a detectable hint of warning but Gabriel simply stared her back for a minute before avoiding her gaze and turning towards the entrance of the Restaurant.
Feeling Andrea's persistent gaze still on him, he turned back to her and his expression softened.
"Please" he begged in a low tone, his eyes intent on her.
Without a word, Andrea moved her gaze to the two people walking out of the restaurant. Following her eyes Gabriel turned and his face turned impassive as he stepped forward towards them, Andrea a step behind him.
"Senator Grias" he called, his tone confident and commanding.