Chapter Eight

Antonia's POV.

As the car glided through the gates of Gabriel's sprawling estate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The impressiveness of his mansion took my breath away, and I let out a gasp as we drove further into the property. It was a place unlike any I had ever seen before, which was crazy for me to say because even though I wasn't wealthy enough to have such a place, I had definitely had the pleasure of visiting a few wealthy men throughout my career.

We stepped out of the car and made our way inside, the grand entrance leaving me momentarily speechless. Gabriel turned to me, a smile playing on his lips. "Would you like a tour of the house first, or should I change my clothes?" he asked, his tone warm and inviting, which was a huge surprise.

I glanced around, taking in the size of his home. "As much as I would love to explore, the house is way too big, and I don't think we can do a full tour in just one evening," I replied with a chuckle. "So, I'll only ask you to show me the place I'm most curious about, but only if it's fine with you."

An amused look crossed Gabriel's face as he raised an eyebrow. "And where would that be?" he inquired, clearly intrigued by my request.

I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks as I nervously cleared my throat. "I know it sounds strange, but I've always been a little curious about exploring the bedrooms and closets of rich people," I admitted. "Not to take anything, of course. I just want to see what it looks like. Just out of curiosity."

Gabriel's surprised expression quickly turned into a hearty laugh, almost as though he had never heard anything more ridiculous. "I have to admit, you're certainly interesting, Antonia!" he exclaimed a hint of amusement in his voice. "But since you're curious, I'll allow it. Besides, I was already planning on taking you into my closet so you could help me pick out a suitable outfit for our date."

As Gabriel led me up the stairs towards his bedroom, I couldn't help but feel a bubbling excitement. The sheer size and luxuriousness of the house were awe-inspiring, and I couldn't help but take in every detail. Along the way, we passed by a few servants who simply nodded in Gabriel's direction, their presence reminding me of the fact that Gabriel Wilson was privileged in ways that I might never experience or understand.

As we continued on our way up the stairs, a strange sense of annoyance began to rise in me. The grandeur of the house, the sheer luxury that surrounded us, and the knowledge that one man owned this place and had experienced such comfort all his life stirred bitter feelings in me. I found myself comparing Gabriel's life, as I envisioned it, to my own disappointments and the struggles and setbacks that had plagued my life since I was born.

The fact that I had experienced more downs than ups in my life, while someone like Gabriel would most likely never experience what it feels like to hit rock bottom, made me feel extremely small, pathetic, and sorry for myself.

Realizing that my mind was spiraling into a negative space, I shook off those thoughts, refusing to let bitterness cloud my perception. This was not the environment for such feelings. Instead, I took a deep breath and decided to focus on the opportunity in front of me.

I reminded myself that I had chosen to enter into this fake relationship with Gabriel, fully aware of the advantages it could bring. I had the chance to experience a life of comfort, even if it was only temporary, and I would seize every opportunity to make the most of this charade, using Gabriel's wealth and fame to my advantage.

As we approached Gabriel's bedroom, my excitement returned. I looked around, taking in the elegance of the room, from the luxurious-looking linens to the tastefully arranged decor. The size of the room overwhelmed me, but I refused to let it intimidate me.

Without a second thought, I approached the bed and sank into it, relishing in the feeling of silk against my skin.

As I took in the comfort of his massive bed, a crazy thought crept into my mind—a vision of Gabriel and me making love on this very bed. The mere idea sent a shiver down my spine, and for some reason, instead of feeling repulsed by the idea of Gabriel and me, I was shamelessly fascinated.

But reality came crashing back, dispelling the illusion of a possible intimate moment with Gabriel. Our relationship was a charade, and I had no business entertaining such thoughts, especially when they involved a man as prominent and out of my league as Gabriel.

Turning to face him, I was startled to find him watching me intently, his gaze piercing through the dimly lit room. Heat rose to my cheeks as I fidgeted under his scrutiny, unable to shake the feeling that he was most likely thinking I was weird for settling on his bed like I owned the place.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" I blurted out, my voice betraying the unease I felt under his penetrating scrutiny.

Gabriel's expression remained impassive, his eyes unreadable, as he continued to study me in silence. For a moment, I feared I had overstepped, but then, finally, he spoke, his voice low and measured.

"I couldn't help but notice how comfortable you seem on my bed," he remarked.

I felt more heat rise to my cheeks as I struggled to find a suitable response. "I was just... exploring. Your bed is very comfortable," I stammered, my words falling short.

A flicker of something passed through Gabriel's eyes—was it amusement? Or something more inscrutable? "It's quite alright," he assured me, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I must admit, I've never seen anyone make themselves at home in my bedroom quite like you have. I find it rather interesting, and I like that you're getting comfortable around me."

His words caught me off guard, dispelling the tension that had been building between us.

"Don't try to flatter me, Gabriel," I replied. "I'm sure you've brought plenty of women home who were just as fascinated with your bedroom as I am and easily made themselves at home. It looks like a palace here."

Gabriel's expression shifted, a faint frown appearing on his face. "Whether you believe it or not, Antonia, I've never brought in any of the women I've been involved with into my bedroom," he stated. "Besides my secretary and the servants, you're the first woman to step foot in this room."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his revelation. It was difficult to comprehend that someone who led a life as privileged as Gabriel and was most certainly a playboy who went from one woman to the next wouldn't have had lots and lots of women in this room.

"Why is that?" I couldn't help but ask, genuine curiosity shining in my eyes.

Gabriel's shrug was nonchalant as if the question didn't hold much weight for him. "I guess I just don't like to let just anyone into my space," he explained, his tone casual yet guarded.

I unfolded my arms and stood up from the bed with a perplexed expression on my face. "But if you don't let just anyone in, why did you let me in? As far as I'm concerned, I fall under the category of just anyone. So why let me in and not others when we barely know each other?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity and a touch of confusion.

Gabriel stayed silent for what felt like an eternity, a contemplative expression crossing his face. Finally, he shrugged again and met my gaze. "I don't know why, Antonia," he replied. "But there's something about you that I find fascinating, and being around you doesn't feel like being with a stranger. You feel interesting, if that makes any sense."

He casually blurted out, and his words took me by surprise. I couldn't believe that Gabriel Wilson just casually said he found me fascinating, and it made me wonder in what ways he would find me fascinating but before I could ask he simply walked away, heading to his closet.

“Time to change,” he reminded me, and I had to forcefully push my thoughts to the back of my mind.