LEXI
"The meeting will start at 11 am and everyone from the board will be there to meet Ms. Ervy"
I am talking to Hannah over the phone to discuss our schedule for tomorrow. Hannah is Mr. Ervy's assistant whenever he is in the city. Gab and I were still stretched out on the bed, too lazy to consider shower. Hannah called up to remind me of the meeting tomorrow where Gab will be introduced to the board of directors, nothing really formal though, the members just wanted to meet the future CEO. The moment they heard that Gab will be in the city, they were all gushing about her arrival. Sometimes I can't help but think about all the bad publicity concerning Gab, I mean a bunch of people really like her so where do these malicious stories come from?
Mr. Ervy will be the one to formally introduce his niece when the right time comes and when Gab is ready. But for tomorrow, Gab's appearance will be a sneak peak of what to come. Hannah continued to talk while I tried so hard not to giggle. Gab had me pinned against the bed with her body hovering over mine, and she is kissing me in all the right places right. Shit Gab, seriously? I can't even focus on what this girl is talking about. If I were rude, I'd probably hung up and get down with Gab but work is work. I stifled moan but I guess I failed.
"Mmm"
"Ms. Edward, are you okay? Are you even listening?"
"Uhm, yeah. I am listening! Sorry"
I cleared my throat as I tried shoving Gab off. It took huge amount of effort to focus on Hannah with Gab's skillful hands under my shirt.
"Yeah, we'll meet you there. Okay thanks bye"
I threw my phone on the bed and shot Gab a look. She was grinning from ear to ear, obviously making fun of my talk with Hannah.
"You naughty little devil! Why would you do that?"
"Just testing if you can resist me and I guess it's safe to say that you can't"
Gab gave me a cocky grin as if telling me that I lose this round. I grabbed her shirt and she immediately landed on top of me. Her face was so close to mine that it made my heartbeat shoot up and almost left me out of breath. I find it really amusing how my body reacts towards Gabby even without contact and yeah, so much more if in contact. Damn what was I thinking?!
"Hmm..Let's see about that"
I crawled out of bed leaving her behind as I walked straight towards the bathroom. I started peeling off my clothes little by little until the only thing that is covering my body was my under wear. I stopped at the bathroom door with my back facing Gab. I arched my back as if I was stretching my muscles and I look at her over my shoulder, raking my hands through my hair as I spoke
"I'll go shower"
"Wait!"
I turned my head towards Gab's direction and the look on her face is priceless. Her eyes were wide in shock and her mouth hung open. I shook my head as I gave her a look that says "What? I'm bored you know"
"D-Do you want me to join you? I can give you a nice bath"
Gab stuttered as she spoke but she looks like a kid perked up with goodies, my goodies. Yes, this teasing battle is on!
"Hmm"
I pretended to think it through with my hands on my chin, rubbing it lazily. I saw her fought the urge to roll her eyes and waited patiently for my answer.
"Well?"
"Um, thanks but no thanks Gabby, I can manage"
With that, I pulled my undies off and twirled it on the air using my finger. I turned to her once more, biting my lip as I pretended to accidentally drop my undies on the floor. I swear I saw the glistening bead of sweat dribbling down her forehead as she swallowed hard. So who can't resist who now? I slid inside the bathroom with a smile on my face. I nailed it!
"REALLY LEXI? GOD OKAY! IT'S ME WHO CAN'T RESIST YOUU! NOW WOULD YOU OPEN UP AND LET ME IN? PUHLEASSSE! "
I heard her yell from the bathroom door and I can't help but laugh. Gab joining me sounds appealing, but sorry, consider this as a punishment for being such a tease.
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Davis stood tall waiting for us behind the car and he is suited up in his uniform looking all dashing and bear like. I really like that about Davis. He is like a huge fluffy ball that you'd love to crash into. I can already see his funny mustache from where I am. I looked at Gab somehow warning her to stop making fun of Davis' mustache and she simply nodded at me with a goofy grin. I know Gab too well and I know what she's thinking about. Davis greeted us with all smiles as he opened the door for us.
"Thank you Davis"
Davis looked at us at the rear view mirror, a huge grin on his face when he spoke.
"Good morning ladies, I hope you had a wonderful time last night"
Gab and I exchanged looks and we both stifled a laugh.
"Of course, Davis! Best night of my life so far!"
"Oohh really now Gab, that's wonderful!"
Gab simply smiled at Davis and reached out for my hand, she squeezed it softly with her gaze fixed on mine. I just smiled at her and focused my attention on the street. I felt the car rolled slowly as Davis started driving.
I began to think about last night's events and indeed it was a night to remember, Gab made that clear, this bracelet was a reminder to it. A part of me ached because of the fear that is eating me alive. When I was younger every time I received something special, something bad usually happens after wards and I can't help but worry because I don't want to lose Gab. But she assured me, she told me she wouldn't let me go and I trust her to keep her word.
When I turned to look at her, her bright green eyes were gleaming and I couldn't help but smile back at her.
"Was last night really the best night of your life Gabby?"
She shifted on her seat so she was now facing me.
"Well, maybe the second best night of my life"
I looked at her, confusion painted all over my face.
"Second?"
"MMmm"
"Can I ask you the first one?"
She rubbed her chin as if she was mulling over something, then she looked at me and spoke.
"The first one would be that night at the dock in Riverdale. It was when you told me that you had feelings for me too; that a girl like you who see me as nothing but a pain in the ass liked me too; that despite all the never ending bickering, Lexi Edward had feelings for Gabrielle Ervy as well. I guess I would consider that the best"
Gab smiled at me and held my hand close to her mouth and she gently kissed it. I felt my skin tingle at the touch of her soft lips in my hands and every single cell inside my body was aching for more. Gab did not only make my insides scream for more but she also made my heart melt with the things she told me.
We decided to spend the day at Central Park since Gab's last visit here was more than 5 years ago. It was her second time then to visit her Uncle and Jenkins accompanied her roaming around the busy streets of Manhattan. We found a bench behind a huge tree and agreed to sit for a while to talk. The park isn't that pack at this hour since it is still too early for playtime and the kids might probably still be in school. A group of elderly was in a beeline crossing the street to the fountain where another group of elderly in wheelchair was waiting for them. They were laughing at something an old man from their group said and it looks like they are having so much fun. I suddenly remembered an old man from a farm somewhere in Chicago, who maybe is the same age with these people here, Mr. Wilford.
A question suddenly entered my mind unwelcomed. How is he doing right now? Is he having fun too like these folks? Is he out on his farm soaking in the warm sunlight with his Labrador? Is Bastienne taking good care of him? Is he even happy right now? My thoughts drifted me back to the time I visited them at their house. It reminded me of how sad his eyes were, though somehow they had a glint of happiness in them but I can't deny the fact that they were obviously full of sorrow. I'd be too nosy to ask Bastienne about it or even pry on it because clearly it was not the reason why I was there and it sure was none of my business. I don't know but I just have a strange feeling towards the man, like I feel so close yet so distant to him at the same time. I feel like I already knew him for quite a long time. I tried remembering if I met him before but I couldn't force a memory in my head. His eyes looked so familiar liked I've met those in the past but then again maybe it was just my own eyes in the mirror. A part of me ached seeing the sadness in his eyes and in the deepest part of me, I felt a yearning to make him smile.
A light bump on my shoulder pulled me from my reverie.
"Are you okay Lexi?"
I looked over at Gab who's now studying me, eyeing me curiously.
"Yes, just thinking about something"
Gab shrugged and after contemplating of asking me or not, she spoke.
"Care to share?"
I took a deep breath before opening my mouth, before opening up to Gab.
"Mr. Wilford"
"Wow"
She raised her eyebrow as she shifted on her seat. She tugged her leg over the other and looked at me intensely.
"Gab, I meant the old guy, Gregory Wilford, not his son"
"Oh"
"Yeah Gabby"
"Okay, so what about him?"
I shifted uncomfortably not knowing how to tell Gab all the strange emotions I've been feeling since I met the old man.
"Is it possible to be worried about someone you just met?"
"Worried? You? About Mr. Wilford, the Gregory Wilford?"
"Yes Gab. I don't know. It's just.."
I tilted my head lightly looking for the right words to say.
"His eyes were the saddest pair I've seen in my entire life"
"Hmm"
"Not to mention, his eyes were the exact same hue of blue as mine"
This got Gab interested as she scooted closer to me and fixed her gaze on mine.
"Really? That's odd. Anyway, why are you worried about the old man?"
"Like what I said he looked so sad and his eyes held so much pain even though he managed to put a good act, I can still see it, and I don't know, somehow I want to see his smile. A part of me wanted his face to wrinkle not because of sadness, but to create a fine line because of too much smiles, too much joy"
Gab thought for a second, set her foot on the ground and extended her arms on my shoulder. She is not looking at me anymore but to the group of elderly in front of us.
"Well the only reason I could think of was maybe he is sad to let go of his land"
"I thought of that too Gab but I don't think that is the mere reason behind hs sorrow. I can't help but think about a deeper reason for it"
"Well you can ask Bastienne or Mr. Wilford himself"
"No. I wouldn't want to show off as prying or a nosy person. I'm just worried about him"
"That's too sweet of you Lexi but he has Bastienne and I'm sure the guy will take care of his dad. So don't worry about it too much, and if in the coming days you'd have a chance to talk to him then just simply ask"
"Wouldn't he find it as being nosy?"
"Nah, he wouldn't"
"You think so?"
"Affirmative!"
"Why are you so sure about that Gab?"
"Because you have this very warm aura going on, like you're a ray of sunshine or someone who has a halo floating above her head, like an angel perhaps. If I was Mr. Wilford and you'd asked me why I was sad, I wouldn't think of it as prying or being nosy. I would think that you actually care about me, and that's just.. sweet Lexi"
Gab always always knew the right words to tell me. She has the power to uplift my poor spirit up and I was right to open up about Mr. Wilford to her. Maybe Gab was right, if I'd be honest and talk to him straight, maybe he'd see me as someone who cares. I rested my head on Gab's shoulder feeling relieved with my clattered thoughts finally kept in order. We remained silent as we savored the warm air seeping in our skin, enjoying the noise of the chipping birds and the harmonic laughter of the old folks.
"So you're telling me that Bastienne, his father and you have the exact same eyes?"
I nodded.
"And looking at them feels like you are like looking at your eyes in the mirror?"
I nodded again.
"That is weird. This might be weird also but do you think you are adopted?"
"Gab!"
"No no, or maybe you are the missing daughter of Gregory Wilford and Bastienne is your brother. And he is sad because he missed you so much but he can't tell you because he fucked up once in his life and that resulted to losing you. Oh God Lexi I just figured it out!"
Gab stood in front of me, the excitement palpable in her voice with matching hand gestures and all the facial expression.
"Gab"
"Oh I'm such a genius!"
"Gab!"
"Yes that's it Lexi"
"Gab!!"
"What?"
"You're watching too much TV. I didn't know you were a fan of soap operas though hahaha"
Both her hands rested on her waist as she glared at me.
"I thought you'd say I had a brilliant mind Lexi"
"You do, of course you do, but not on this one. No Gab, not definitely on this one. That was just the lame. Besides, stuff like that only happens in the movies, or soap operas like what I said"
"Ugh." Gab grunted
She rolled her eyes at me and she looked so cute like an annoyed kid being told that she was wrong with her odd theory.
"Well it made me interested though. Kinda makes me want to see the guy myself"
"You will"
Gab shot me a look of concern.
"He wants to meet you on his birthday. He told me to take you with me"
"He knew about us?"
"Yep!"
"Really? You told them you had a girlfriend?"
"Yes"
She narrowed her eyes at me as she continued to study me intently like her existence depended on my answer.
"And?"
"And what?"
"And did they find it weird or you know, out of the ordinary? I mean a woman like you, you're like this Goddess who stepped on earth not to mention you've proven so much of yourself and I'm like.. I'm just like a school dropout, nothing like you and.."
Gab was rambling with her words and where did those come from anyway? Why would she think that about herself? Never once had I looked at her that way because I know she's still too young and in time she'll make a name for herself, no question on that. Gab is smart; she's witty; she has the heart to help others and it wouldn't be a surprise if one day she'll be like Mr. Ervy, or even more.
There is only one way to shut her up. Well there are many ways but this one would be the quickest and most convenient for me. I grabbed the collar of her shirt and pulled her in for a kiss. Her eyes went wide, and as soon our lips came in contact, it went shut along with mine. The words died in her throat as we got lost in the kiss. Making her shut up isn't the only reason why I kissed her, but also, I wanted her to feel that I love her for who she is and that it doesn't matter if she's like a school dropout nor if she's the heir of Ervy Empire. None of those mattered to me. What matters to me is Gab, and that she loves me and I love her; only those mattered and nothing else.
Before getting too carried away with the kiss and before we realized that we are not in our hotel room, I slowly pulled away, still keeping the close distance.
"That was..." Gab started.
"Shh.. Save it Gab. You know what, why don't we grab something to eat? You talk way too much"
Her cheeks flustered as she started scratching her nape looking like a shy child.
"Yeah yeah, I get weird when I'm hungry"
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