Chapter 96

Chapter 96
Isabella POV

Even though I agreed to move in with Gabriel, in fact, I still live in my apartment. Gabriel was ready to haul me back to his room when I told him at breakfast the next morning I was still going to live in my apartment at least until the end of December. I already paid for the apartment until the end of the year. We were arguing when Nancy came; we told Nancy and asked her opinion. Gabriel was so sure Nancy would side with him until Nancy said, "Isabella is right. You can have her for the rest of your life. A month isn't that long Gabriel!"
And just like that, Gabriel lost. I told him, I would stay at the house from Friday to Monday. I give up my Sunday night to come back to my apartment, and I need a warm bed during winter. Gabriel's warm body is better than my bed.
LA isn't that cold, Isabella. And you were okay before when you were a virgin. Hush shut up, brain! No one is asking your opinion.
Here I am with my best friends, having our monthly dinner. They asked Gabriel to join us, but Pete called him and there was a business that needed Gabriel and Mike's attention. So, Gabriel is in the office, dating Mike and his paperwork.
"Are we that terrible companion, Izzy? Without Gabriel you look like an energizer bunny but without the battery," Tony jokes.
I glare at him. "Shut up, Tony! This is Pete's fault!! Why did he have to call Gabriel at 4 pm? I was daydreaming about dinner with Gabriel and the events afterward. The call came like cold water splashing on my face," I complained.
"If you don't want to be separated from him that much, you should move into his house yesterday, Izzy," Christian says matter-factly. Did I tell you that Christian is here? He comes with Ruby. And like Gabriel, the boys like him too.
Ruby pokes him. "Let her be. Women have their calculation," she grins. I never saw Ruby this happy before. She hasn't told me anything about her relationship with Christian, but I think they are sort of dating right now.
Christian puts his arm around Ruby's shoulders and whispers something to her. Ruby blushes and both of them laugh.
Drew gives me a brochure. "Don't be sad Izzy. I'll give you an early Christmas present."
"What?" I grin and take the brochure. It's a picture of resorts on the island. "Where is it?"
"Roderick Group finished with a new resort on the private island near Sicily. Will open to the public next year. It's just invitation-only until the end year. It's windy at this time of the year. But you can always ask Gabriel to warm you."
I grin happily. "Thank you, Drew! God, I love you and your hotel chain!"
"The way you said it will make people judge you are a gold digger, Izzy," Drew laughs.
"The only opinion I care about is Gabriel. The others can go to hell!" I wink at him.
"Badass," Tony says under his breath, but loud enough for us to hear. We all laugh.
"When is the date?" I check the brochure. There is no date there.
"You can pick it. Contact my assistant, she will arrange everything for you." Somehow, I can see a halo on Drew's head.
"You are perfect, Drew!" I smile happily and check the calendar on my phone. We sync Gabriel's and my schedule. So I can easily access it.
"Um… Izzy," Christian says in a more sober voice that makes me look at him. "You know Gabriel doesn't celebrate his birthday anymore, right?"
I nod.
"Just make sure you don't choose that date." He looks seriously at me.
"I know, C. I won't. I want Gabriel to let go of the past, to enjoy his birthday again, but I don't want to celebrate December 28th as well since it's his father's death date." I wrinkle my nose. "I'm planning to go to Oakwood Town and enjoy it there. And Gabriel can go to visit his dad too." I smile at Christian.
He nods. "As long as you are with him, I think he will be okay. His mood has been so good this year. Thanks to you, Izzy. Normally he tenses around this time of the year," Christian says and I smile softly, "thanks, C."
"Izzy, if it's inconvenient for you to go at this time, it's okay. You can arrange for next year. Just find the perfect time, okay," Drew says and I nod. "Thank you, Drew!"
What did I do to get great friends like this?

I walk in the Remington to the meeting room. It's like a déjà vu. It feels like it just happened yesterday. All the crazy drama was directed by Ben Sanders and Alex.
I smile to myself. I should thank them for making Gabriel and me cross paths. I put the documents on the table for each shareholder. Today we're going to have our annual meeting (like the one we held when I was on my first day with the Remington HQ). Nancy is still doing her rounds to every division.
My phone beeps. Anna informs me that Nancy is already in Gabriel's office. It means in 10 mins they will go down here and start the meeting. I go to the admin in the front to inform them to call the shareholders at the lounge and the managers in every division.
People coming into the meeting room. Not like the first time I was here. Now I almost know everyone in the room, including the shareholders.
"Yo Izzy !" Christian punches me lightly in my arm.
I snort. "Very gentleman, Christian," I say sarcastically. He laughs and walks to his seat. I chuckle and go to the multimedia to make sure it's ready.
"Relax, Izzy. No more crazy slideshow like last time," the multimedia guy says and chuckles.
I roll my eyes. "Seriously, you have to remind me about that?" I chuckle. I glance at everyone in the room. Everyone looks good. Maybe because it's the holiday season. Christmas is just around the corner.
We are all so busy, Gabriel with the end year events, me with the charity to help kids celebrate Christmas. Nancy asked me to be in charge of The Remington Foundation. I refused to be the head, but I agreed to help her with the money we have on the foundation.
And I haven't told Gabriel about the trip to Roderick Resort. One day Gabriel came to my apartment in the middle of the night after the meeting because we hadn't seen each other for a day. He woke me up; we had sex and fell asleep till the morning came.
Gabriel comes in with Nancy. He looks at me and smiles. Gosh.. every time he smiles at me like that, my heart goes pitter-patter. I bite my lower lips and walk to my seat (my actual seat, the one near the multimedia. Not the one Nancy asked me to sit last time).
Gabriel helps Nancy to sit down at the head of the table, puts his stuff, and comes to me with his smile. Gosh, I'm melted...
"Hi," I say breathlessly.
"Hi, Sweetness. Thank you for arranging this." He tucks the tendrils behind my ear. "Are you tired?"
I shake my head and touch his cheek. "You're the one who prepared for this meeting, Gabriel. There are black circles under your eyes."
He turns his head and kisses my hand. "I need to start the meeting. Let's have lunch together later. Anna will book the restaurant."
"Okay," I whisper to him. He smiles softly at me and goes back to his grandma. God, he is so perfect. My Prince Charming. Gabriel is ready to start the meeting. The room is quieter. Suddenly, Nancy turns to find me. "What are you doing there, dear? Come here!" She smiles at me and gestures to the seat again.
My jaw drops open while Gabriel chuckles at me. He's not helping! And just like the last time, every eye is on me. I tiptoe to Nancy and bend a bit so I can whisper in her ear. "Nancy, It's better for me to sit in my seat." I gesture to the one in the back.
She smiles. "This is your seat, Izzy. Come on, sit down. Gabriel is going to start the meeting. We don't want to delay the meeting, do we?" Her voice is soft, but she hits the spot. How can I say no when she says her concern is the meeting time? So I hopelessly, helplessly sit on Amanda Remington's chair.
I glance at Gabriel. He bites his inner cheek to prevent him from laughing, but his eyes are laughing. I take it back !Gabriel Remington is not a perfect boyfriend.