LEAH
He stretched out his hand for a handshake, I took it and he slowly raised my hands up towards his mouth. I knew what he was about to do but something in me couldn't stop it
He kissed the back of my palms and raised his head a little to look at me, raising his eyebrows and giving me that smile. It felt like he was teasing me.
" Was he aware that he was making my knees weak".
"Why is he everywhere I go?"
I looked directly at his eyes. It was very close this time, no tinted glass blocking it or a 5 cm distance across the room it was up close and raw. Then it dawned on me.
It was him. The man in my dreams, but Why?! I had never met him until yesterday. Before I could drown myself in my thoughts I heard Ava's voice.
"Uhm.. you guys have met?" Ava looked in surprise at the both of us. She wasn't the only one surprised tonight.
"How convenient."she added, still in confusion.
Words didn't seem to leave my mouth.Ava's husband Antonio stretched his hand out too, "I've heard a lot about you Leah, it's finally nice to meet you."He said with a smile and it made his already tiny eyes even smaller.
"Nice meeting you too Mr Vargas. I have heard my own share of good things about you." I smiled at him.
I could feel the weight of his eyes on me. But I couldn't look at him.
"So how did you meet Mr Torres?" Ava asked, I knew she wouldn't stop until she had an answer.
"I…"
"We met through Mrs Smith. Right?" Gabriel cut me off
"I was a very good friend of her husband."He added a stone cold expression. You could tell he didn't really talk much.
I only nodded my head in agreement . Why did words fail to leave my mouth anytime I heard this soft yet authoritative voice?
Ava smiled and whispered something in her husband's ears before they both left. She turned around to wink at me with a smile.
Way to go Ava. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was about to pop out of my chest. "He didn't have this much effect on me on the first day. What is happening?" I trailed away with my thoughts.
"Would you like to dance, Miss Leah?" He asked, offering his hand with a slight knowing smile. I hesitantly took it.
"Only if you can keep up." I said with a smooth but daring voice.
He chuckled softly, a low,rich sound that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"I was about to say the same thing to you."
And just like that we stepped onto the floor like two storms disguised in elegance.
"Did the envelope meet you well,Miss Leah ?" His tone was calm. He stared into my eyes, I immediately looked away if not I was sure I was going to melt soon.
"Absolutely not, Mr Torres." I said with my face in the other direction.
"How amusing."
"You splashed water on my clothes and thought you could get away with it by giving me ten thousand dollars." I turned to look at him. My voice became angry thinking about the bad day I had the previous day.
But he only smiled.
" I thought it was the best I could do since you lost your job."
"How did you.."my eyes brightened up in surprise
Just then the music stopped and Antonio's voice filled the room interrupting my question.
" Thank you all for attending today's charity gala…..". His voice began to fade as I entered my own thoughts
How the fuck did he know i lost my job, did he really know Mrs Smith husband and told them to fire me, Did he give me the money because he was feeling guilty.
"….Mr Gabriel Torres." I was brought aback by the loud mention of his name and the round of applause that followed.
He walked towards the stage to go meet Antonio where he was being congratulated or recognized for something. I felt his gaze on me while he was appreciating the crowd without a word just nodding.
I left where I was standing to go get a drink. I definitely needed that.
The night went by faster than I expected. Good Lord. While waiting for Ava's chauffeur to take me home I leaned against the marble pillar by the entrance,watching luxury cars glide out like polished shadows - each one a reminder that I didn't belong here.
Then I heard the soft click of heels walking behind me.
"There you are Leah." Ava said her voice was warm.
I turned, she still looked gorgeous , even with the many hours of heels and champagne. "I have been looking all over for you." She added still with that warm smile.
"I'm just waiting for your driver." I said
She shook her head a little and curled her lips into a half smile. I knew she was up to something mischievous.
"Oh..about that, there was a change of plans"She said smoothly. Oh what has she done now. "Gabriel will take you home instead.
My pulse dropped and it felt like my heart stopped beating for a second.
"Gabriel?"
The name all alone sent a flicker of heat right down my spine.
"Yeah, he is waiting inside his car, and said he wouldn't mind."she said happily. " He even insisted." She whispered that last part and winked at me then left before I could say a word.
And just like that the air around me changed. It became heavier as if the night had just rewritten itself.
I headed to his car which was parked directly outside the mansion. His driver was standing at the door waiting for me perhaps.
"After you miss." He said nicely, opening the back car door , like he hadn't forcefully handed me an envelope I didn't ask for the day before.
I only nodded in response, "Thank you….?"
"Gustavo." He replied firmly. "Gustavo"I repeated after him and got in. My heart was still in my stomach. I was happy it was a limo. There was enough space for me to avoid Gabriel and get home without having to talk to him.
He was seated at the far edge just opposite me. He didn't even wait for me to settle down before staring at me like a hungry lion looking for the right time to attack its prey.
I quickly looked away and stared into nothingness. I wasn't about to get my knees weak for no reason.
The rest of the ride was rather quiet. In less than thirty minutes they stopped right at the front of my house.
I felt a little awkward. But I didn't care about what he had to say about where I lived.
Gustavo came over to open the door for me. Before I could get off. I heard Gabriel's voice.
"I want you to babysit my son." His voice was filled with nothing but authority.
"What?" I said in surprise and my brows furrowed. He had a son?!. I felt my heart sink in disappointment. "Why would I want to do that?" I asked, looking him straight in his dark almond eyes staring right back at me. Oh those eyes!.
"Because I'm telling you to." He said, smirking a little. Heaven knows I was about to smack it off his face. "You got fired from your job yesterday, I know
you need it."
I knew he was right but I wasn't about to admit it.
"How did you even…" I was about to protest but I was cut off when Gustavo handed me a back card.
"Don't think too long about it,we will be in touch."
"You don't have my number."
"I don't need that to get you Leah."He said, raising his chin. "Gustavo will come pick you up whenever I'm ready."
I looked up at Gustavo and he replied with a nod.
I sat there in shock,words failing to leave my mouth.
"You don't have to worry, my son is harmless, and if you are worried about your pay, I can pay you ten thousand dollars every week."Gabriel said all at once.
My ears stood at attention. Every week?!
"I will think about it…Mr Torres." And I immediately got down from the car and straight into my home without looking back at him or Gustavo.