Chapter 31 Dance

Chapter 31 Dance
"If you are right then this will be an exciting watch," Lucia commented.

Gabriel and Zina finished their dance and he gracefully let her go. Zina was not charged like Cici. But there was a lingering stare.

Sometimes it's difficult to know what one wants unless one had it. And sometimes it's easy to fantasize over what someone else had clueless that there could be something better.

Zina found those statements true. If Gabriel had handled her like he did Cici, it would have been disrespectful to the image she had built for years, yet before the dance started, it was what she desired.

Yet, Gabriel showed her something different, something she had not until now known to exist. Very intimate, very respectful, and romantic.

He held and twirled her gently to the rhythm of the music, like she was fragile and yet he allowed her room to move with grace. He did not toy with her like she anticipated but truly danced.

Placing a palm on his chest, she gently caressed his defined muscles and stepped away, her hand lingering.

Gabriel watched her go, his expression thoughtful. Just now, he had felt that terror once again, an overwhelming presence threatening to take over his perception, an intrusive thought trying to control his actions. Although this time he won and suppressed it, he still felt a lingering fear.

This fear was addicting, but when his gaze inadvertently met Andrea's, his breath hitched, and his heart felt pained.

'If I dance around this thrill, what happens to her sacrifice?'

With a thoughtful expression, he slowly approached her.

Andrea, who was discussing with a few old acquaintances, noticed Gabriel approaching. Seeing the solemn expression on his face, she ended her conversation with them and walked up to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her eyes searching his.

"It's our turn" Gabriel replied, his tone deep and full of intention as he stared into her eyes.

Andrea smiled warmly keeping his gaze.
"Not today Gabriel. On a good day, at the perfect time," she replied in a low voice.

The corner of Gabriel's lips threatened a smile and he nodded. Andrea could always tell how he felt and what he needed.

The dance with Zina had drained him emotionally. But he could not bring himself to ignore Andrea's presence or miss a dance with her.

"So, you and Cici," Andrea teased as they sat side by side at a table by the corner.

Gabriel glanced at Zina, then turned to Cici, who was in conversation with Lucia.

"I don't even know anything about her," he replied.

Andrea remained silent knowing he had more to say.

"She smells nice,"

His words startled Andrea and she raised her brows.

"That's it?" she asked not understanding his reasoning.

"I mean of course she feels fun but there are a lot of fun women in Arclight,"

Andrea's gaze turned disdainful.
"Fun. Such a man's way to describe a woman. You've never said that to her, have you?"

Gabriel shook his head and considered for a moment.
"We've never even shared a meaningful conversation. Or any,"

Andrea laughed and shook her head.
Gabriel's gender identity was something she'd never put a pin on, until recently he wasn't very expressive but hearing him speak, it became apparent.

"Do you feel anything?" she suddenly asked.

Gabriel paused for a moment then shook his head.
"Why?" he asked.

"Nothing" Andrea replied her grip tightening slightly on her purse.

"I know you've been hiding something from me" Gabriel suddenly squinted at her.

"I know," Andrea nodded without looking at him.

"Are you trying to protect me?"

"I'm trying to protect me," Andrea replied, her voice low and her gaze distant.

"From me?" Gabriel asked again.

Andrea's head snapped to him so quickly it seemed she would suffer a whiplash.
"You did not just ask me that"

Gabriel shrugged but did not respond. He knew Andrea had blind faith in him and it always unnerved him. Every time he changed, every evolution, every new ability she welcomed without even the thought of building a defence.

"You should go see Densel Group, they're yapping about a collaboration on something" Lucia approached at this time and sat between them.

Andrea nodded and left while Gabriel watched her every move.

"I see you ogling," Lucia smirked and wildly took a swig from a wine bottle.

Gabriel didn't react to her teasing this time. He merely glanced at her then turned back to Andrea. She noticed his stare and they kept it for a second.

"Everyone who knows about my origin believes I am confident because of Adam." he muttered, his gaze on Andrea as she looked away and continued her conversation.

"But with her faith in me, how can I be any less?"

Lucia's flighty expression became solemn and she took a swig from her bottle.

"She's great, isn't she?" she asked rhetorically.

They both remained silent then Gabriel turned to her.
"So where did you go with the entire crew?" he asked.

Lucia gave him a side eye and let out a small chuckle.
"I'm not telling you that" she replied teasingly.

Gabriel shrugged. It was worth a shot.

Zina soon approached and Gabriel stole a last glance before looking back up at her.

"Time to leave?" he asked.

"If you want. There's another banquet I have to attend" Zina replied sitting in the chair Andrea vacated. She noticed Lucia drinking directly from a bottle and did a double take but she couldn't say anything.

Of all the women in this event, including herself, Lucia could easily take top rank in beauty and grace but here she was despising decorum.

"Uh uh, I invited you first" Lucia interrupted, her brows raised at Gabriel.

Gabriel nodded at Lucia then sent an apologetic glance Zina's way.

Zina smiled softly in understanding, she was already very satisfied with his presence here, she got to learn a lot more about him. Yet something unsettled her.

As she gazed on at Gabriel, the way his gaze kept shifting to Andrea in the distance did not escape her notice. He had never looked so warmly at anyone or anything in the time she had known him.

Perhaps, this was Gabriel when he felt safe? She wondered and then turned to Andrea too.

Just then, Gabriel rose and walked towards Andrea, every step determined and purposeful
.
Andrea looked up and noticed him coming, a flash of surprise greeted her eyes and she squinted slightly at his approach.