Chapter 97

Chapter 97
Isabella POV

I am sitting in the restaurant with Gabriel, Nancy and Christian. We are having our lunch after the annual meeting.
The meeting was good. Everyone is satisfied with the report. There was a brief announcement from Gabriel that Ben Sanders and Camilia Sanders are no longer seated as employees and shareholders. All his share is transferred to Christian Remington.
"So, what is your planning for Christmas, Christian?" Nancy asks him.
If usually with us, he is the happy-go-lucky guy, he always looks tense in front of his grandma. "I have to go to New York for New Year's Eve, so maybe I'll be in New York."
"Are you and Ruby going to sing at the Times Square?" I ask him and he nods. Their album is a hit. I almost hear their songs in every place.
"What about you two?" Nancy asks me and Gabriel.
“Gabriel and I haven't discussed this. We were so busy these past weeks. But Gabriel.." I face him. "Do you want to go to a resort Roderick Group just opened a new resort on a private island in Europe. Maybe we can go on the 24th? I know the time is too close." It's already December 22nd. "I checked on your calendar. You are free from tomorrow until January 4th. So if—" Gabriel cuts me off. "I don't want to go"
I blink. His voice is so cold. I never heard Gabriel use this tone with me. "Gabriel, I'm just planning to—." He cuts me again, "I said no, Sweetness." He said sweetness, but it feels bitter. This is the first time I saw this side of Gabriel.
I just freeze in my seat when Gabriel stands up. "I'm sorry I have another meeting to attend. The bill is taken care of. C, is that okay for you to send Isabella back to the office after she finishes her food?"
"I don't mind," Christian says, but we all know Gabriel already walks out even before Christian finishes the sentence.
Gabriel doesn't even spare a glance at me. He just walked out of the restaurant. I feel my eyes hot. Did I do something wrong? What did I do?
I feel a warm hand touch my hand. "Sweetheart, are you okay?" Nancy asks softly, but I cannot see her right now.
"I'm fine, Nancy. Excuse me, I need to use a restroom." I stand up and go. Inside the toilet, I lock myself and try to control my breathing. I keep seeing Gabriel's haughty expression. God, I'm so stupid. I should have asked him in private. All I need to do is ask him, or I can email him if we are too busy. He must think I was planning to celebrate his birthday.
I splash some water on my face before coming back to the table. I know Christian and Nancy look at me warily. I try to smile at them.
"Izzy, you good?" Christian asks me slowly.
"Yeah. I'm fine, C. It's my fault. I was too busy and forgot to tell Gabriel about the plan. Well, I didn't know he would react like this. I'm... I was planning to go from 24th to 26th. Just a while because he looked so tired. I want him to relax. I was planning to go back to Oakwood Town on the 27th with him. But I guess he doesn't like it when I take the liberty to arrange his holiday." I know my voice is shaking, but I can't help it.
Christian puts the water in front of me. "Drink, Izzy. You look pale."
I drink the water. That is the least I can do to make them not worry about me.
"Sweetheart, it's not your fault. Gabriel is always tense around this time. We all know. I'm sorry I shouldn't ask about it," Nancy says.
I take Nancy's hand and squeeze it. "No, no Nancy. It's not your fault. Please."
She nods slowly. "Just give Gabriel some time. He will come back to you." Nancy smiles and I nod.
We finished our lunch. I can't eat more than 2 spoons. Nancy and Christian also lost their appetite. So we end the lunch. Nancy goes with the driver to meet some friends, while Christian takes me back to the office.
"You sure you are okay?" He asks me when we are close to The Remington HQ. I nod. "I just need to talk with him." I smile and he nods.
"Call me if you need my help, Izzy ."

I walk to Gabriel's office, but it's empty. Where is he? I go to Anna's desk. "Anna, did you see Gabriel?"
"No, Izzy . he just texted me he will not be back in the office today. I thought he was with you."
I can feel a punch in my stomach. I walk back to my desk and text him.
Isabella: Gabriel, I'm sorry. Where are you? I want to explain about what I said at the lunch.
I wait, wait, and wait. He doesn't reply to my text. I try to text him some more. But it's the same. Radio silence.
Even without Gabriel in the office, I still have some work for THF. We have money to deliver to kids' shelters for Christmas. At 4 pm, I finished all my work. My head is dizzy. I lean back in my seat. Maybe dehydration. I try to stand up, but the world feels like spinning, so I sit back and close my eyes. Gabriel hasn't replied to any of my messages.
Don't cry, Isabella... Don't cry...