Chapter 17

©S A F I E

CHAPTER 17

NEOLA

"Gabe, you can't do this! How could you?"

I glared at him as I take a sit on the plastic chair, "Neola, you know and I know that she is more important. We can have a child again if she wanted to. Don't blame me for doing this. I can't lose her." Gabriel pleaded, his eyes looking at me with sorrow.

My heart pinches at the sight of him. I almost felt sorry for Gabriel and Elle to have suffered so much in this relationship. I averted my eyes at Gabriel as I say, "But the baby is too precious for her. It would kill her to know that you chose her over her angel." I cannot help the sob that escaped my mouth, my body shaking as I cried harder, "I cannot afford to lose my unborn nephew or niece nor can I lose my only sister!" I whispered, turning my eyes at my dear old brother as he looks down at his feet. Luke sat across me, his lip locked tight as he watches the exchange between me and Gabriel, scratching his ears as he pretended to study the knots on his bracelet.

"Neola, I understand that it is hard for you to accept my decision but I am her husband. I decide what's going to be the best for both of them." Gabriel sighed, running his hands on his hair before turning to me and Luke. "Just call me when you needed me. There's something I need to sort back at the office. I'll just work inside my car." Gabriel glance at me one, his gaze apologetic. I nodded at him and watch as he went off, his shoulders hunched as though he is carrying the entire world.

Indeed, he is.

After he left, I look beside me to see Luke staring at me, his blue eyes studying me as a slight frown appeared on his face, "Luke?"

He was startled at first but he then smiled wistfully, biting his lip before he spoke, "I'm just having thoughts about what your brother had just said and for me, even though I do not know what the real story is, he is right. His wife can have children again. He has to choose her over the child." Luke bowed his head and continued, "Your brother sounds so lost. He seems to be feeling guilty about something. Did he and his wife fight before this? Is your sister delusional I mean, why is she driving around like a maniac when she knows that she's carrying a child? And why did your brother let all this to happen? I mean, he should have just appointed someone to keep tabs at her and-"

"Luke,” I sigh not wanting to listen to him anymore. "I know that you are concerned but this is their problem. In fact, both of us shouldn't have intervened. You should leave now; we've taken a lot of your time. We don't want to make you feel responsible for what happened but know that we are so thankful for your help." I stated, only to regret what I just said when I saw him stand from his seat and shake his head.

"Right," He sighed before leaning down as he continues, "But it doesn't matter if you have taken my time - it is my choice that I am here because I pity her. She's like a long lost friend I just found, and I don't want anything bad to happen to her and her baby." I was surprised when he leans closer to hug me, “I'm so sorry if I'm so attached. I just feel like there is something that led me to her." He pulls away and scratches his brow, looking down at his feet. "I should probably leave now; you are right about minding my own business." He draws closer and I was surprised when he suddenly brushes his lips on my cheeks.

Omfg. Quit acting like a teenager, West!

I chastised myself of what I am feeling, trying to regulate my breathing as I felt quite lightheaded. Damn that British guy - he is playing with my feelings and I don't like it one bit!

I blink my eyes, watching as he turns on his heels and walks away. I sat there, still caught in the moment as I watch his retreating form. I pinch my legs and breathe in and out - oh god! what is happening to me? Confused about my feelings, I jogged down on the opposite hallway and out to the veranda, a million thoughts running inside my head.

I need to breathe.

*

"Here," I glared at the hand placing a cup of hot coffee in front of me, surprised of Luke's sudden appearance as he continued, his hand hovering. I tried ignoring him but widen my eyes as he settled next to me, shrugging his shoulders while his hand still hovered with the cup on them.

I thought the guy left?

Giving him a forlorn expression, I took the cup from his hands and began, "Luke I-"

"Just say 'Thank you'. I don't want to make you feel so guilty about me being here. I just want to stay and see for myself that they are going to be fine, alright?" I bit my lip and nodded, taking a small sip before glancing down at my hands. I am gripping the small cup as though my life depended on it. I let out a breath and stared back at him, "I'm sorry, Luke. I said words that are not meant for you to hear. That's very rude of me..."

"No. It is alright. I completely understand that, just so you know, don't be so hard. I'm here because I chose to. I'm just concern." he gave me a small smile and I return it," I see that you've gotten used to this chair and the smell." He stated after a while of silence. I just look back at him and shake my head at his words. The little phrase is meant to be light and joking yet direct. It made me smile and at the same time, it made me interested in what answers he wanted about our situation at hand.

I shrug a shoulder and answered his remark, "A little used to it. Well, who wouldn't? It has been an hour and we still got no updates, the operation should be done by now!" I have this sudden urge to crumple the cup on my hands when Luke pulled the cup and set it down on the other chair before pulling my hands on his lap and giving me a side hug.

"Shh," He stared at me for a moment as he lay his hands on my shoulder.

"Luke, I'm scared, what if-"He smoothes my hair and I was surprised when he suddenly grabs my chin to make me look at him. "Hey, there still is a chance, okay? The doctors are working on them really hard. Elle and the baby would survive. Plus, it's not like it's the end of the world for them, for us all. Things will eventually work out in the end. "

"How should you know?” He gave me a tight smile, his eyes holding my gaze, "I just know.” He smiled before saying, “Can I ask you questions? Can you tell me more about her while we wait? I have to distract you at some point to avoid you marching inside the operating room and demand why they are taking so long." He smirked and I shake my head at him.

"Well, Elle is my brother's wife," I muttered before raising my head at him to see his curiosity overflowing. I narrowed my eyes at him and tilt my head on the side. "Look, if you are asking these questions because you are a reporter, I'm gonna ring your head with my f*cking necklace and hang you up at the golden gate bridge!" He put his hands up as a sign of surrender and furiously shakes his head. "Oh, Luv, I'm not one those filthy little paparazzi, alright? I can't help but be curious about her, that's all because she seems like someone I should've known. Who knows? Maybe we are past lovers, you know, playground romance? It's quite a thrill back in London in the '90s." He wiggles his brow and I fought the urge to strangle him with my bare hands.

The audacity!

I gave him a look that is full of doubt, making him sigh and put his hand down, " Look, If you still doubt me then search me. I don't have a recorder or even a bug, really!" he confessed, glaring back. And so I did what he asked me to, I ask him to stand in front of me. I began searching his pockets and ran my hand on the sides of his body.

God, his body is so...oh snap out of it, Neo!

"Really?” He laughed as he stands there, my hands running down on his legs, a furious blush on my cheeks and neck. He proceeds to take off his shoes since I asked him to. I inspected the hand-stitched Italian leather shoes and can't help but smile a little - He has the same taste as that of my brother. "Italian-made? And it is hand-stitched."

"IT WAS A GIFT, okay? A gift from my mother when I finished Uni." He snatched the pair and sat on the bench, pulling his shoes back on after I nodded in satisfaction that he wasn't a reporter or anyone from the foul media. "Now, can we continue?" I rolled my eyes at him and cleared my throat.

"So, as I was telling you before, Elle was my brother's wife. My father always wanted the best for us so he approves the merged contract with a rival company; promising them that he would make the best company, in exchange that they will agree to make their daughter marry my brother..." I trailed off, remembering the past and how the argument between father and Gabe had happened.

"And?"

“Why does it matter to you if I continue or not. You don’t have to know about us, you barely told me anything about you.”

He rolled his eyes and takes a deep breath, “Luke Hansel Stevens. Twenty-nine. Born French but was adopted by a British couple at Epsom. I live in Surrey by the box – you probably don’t understand but yeah. Finish at a local high school, studied at Cambridge. Now working in London and occasionally travel overseas to meet people. The end – sounds, boring, huh?”

I raised a brow at his summary and cleared my throat, continuing, " As you have insisted, um, Elle, knew my brother from high school and partly hated him for he was a bully. He, too, shares the same feeling with her because he knows full well that her family is our rival company. I don't know. It's really complicated my brother hated Elle, as much as he hated our dad then," I shake my head and continue, "It was a disaster, for Gabriel escaped her as soon as they married. But I think a year ago, or so? I'm not so sure... my brother finally told our father that he already forgive dad and that he likes to get to know Elle more; He told me that he would change his ways and try to make things work but when everything's finally in place, something happened."

"And what is that?"

"Our father--" I covered my face with my hands as I tried to hide it away from him, “Why shall I tell you this?”

“Oh, come on, continue with it, darling.” I gave him a stern gaze and take a deep breath

“Our father died."

"Oh," Luke stared down at his hands, muttering an apology, shrugging, " We are sure that someone had planned all these and killed him because we are the most powerful company and Gabe suspected that the killer is a spy from Elle's family. After five months of investigation and court trials, the case was solved and the killer is now living on the cell. Elle's family is proven guilt-free of the case yet Gabe still can't accept it. He shut himself again and distances himself from Elle. He still can't accept that our father had died. He always blames himself for everything like when Emma died." I pinched my nose to stop it from being clogged from too much sniffing.

"Who's Emma?" I huff, my neck prickling. Should I really tell him more? Well, he isn’t that bad and I would have to wring his neck if he spouts any of this in the media.

"Emma is our cousin. She's with Gabe that tragic night and he blamed himself for that." I cannot help myself as my body shakes, the uncontrollable sob escaped, making me tremble as I cried. I can’t cry like this now. I look at him and continue, "Emma is very, very kind and Gabe and I were close to her ever since we were a child. Sometimes it feels like she is his sister, not me; But then again, he didn't expect that he would be the reason that both Emma and her unborn child would die because of what he did. My brother survived that fatal accident though his doctor told him that he can't reproduce anymore. That's also the reason why he distances himself away from Elle for the diagnosis of him not being able to reproduce made him bitter. Yet now, he can't accept the fact that a miracle has happened because their love has borne fruit."

"Indeed," Luke started staring down at his hands. I just sigh again before continuing, "You know what? It's also the reason why Elle has kept her pregnancy during her first trimester. She's afraid of what Gabe would do because my brother is unpredictable. They got into a fight because of it and Elle almost lost her baby but I think that child is as stubborn as both of her parents are. He's strong and is holding on." Luke smirked and I almost swoon over that dimple which appeared on his cheek. "It's also the reason why Gabe has been away but now he's back after knowing that Elle has the child. Maybe he finally concluded that he wanted her and now we are here, hoping that the little soul will live..." I smiled but soon it turns into a frown as I remember the situation we're in, "I'm not sure if the little one will make it. Gabe has chosen and I think he did that because he doesn’t care for the baby..."

Luke grabbed me by my shoulders and leans his head on mine, "No, it's just his instinct because he loves his wife so much. It's not like they can't try again for another one but no need to say that 'cause I know the little one will survive and kick arse!" I smiled at him. Luke holds my hand on his and whispered, "Neola, trust me. Everything will work out alright? The baby and Elle will get through this. Don't worry, perhaps in a matter of minute, that doctor will come out of that door and tell us that both of them is-"

"Mr. Stevens? Ms. West?"

I look back at Luke, whispering, “No one can know about all I have told you.” He simply nodded, making a cross over his chest and raising his hand in a childish manner, before muttering, “I promise.”

*

GABE

My hand is trembling as I put my phone down on the dock, staring outside the window. It was mid-afternoon now but the sun has hidden beneath the clouds as they chased each other, leaving the whole city in the gloom. I look down on my wrist and sigh - about an hour has passed now. What is taking them so long?

I take the papers from the back seat and review them, trying to distract myself out of the misery of waiting. It was my weakness - being patient about things. I tend to stress a lot and go ballistic when the hours drag on.

I huffed, shrugging off a shoulder as I thought about our wedding.

I take my phone from the dock and scrolled through the images, stopping at the very picture taken during our wedding. I can still remember that day clearly; picturing myself as I stand in front of the altar, staring at the woman who is walking down the aisle, her face breath-taking as her cheeks glowed with a light tinge of red like that of the colour of her lips. Rose petals fell on her head as she looks at me, her smile, her hair, her eyes....capturing me in every way; making me forget that for a moment, I am the reason of her misery. I am her sadness; Her earthly damnation.

Yes. I am angry with myself for doing this to her-For making both of our souls suffer. I can remember the way my lips let out the words, our vows echoing and I leaning down to press a kiss on her supple lips.

She's beautiful, elegant, smart and so, innocent. So lovely.

For once I let myself be lost unto the depths of her soul; forgetting what I'd done just for that very moment, the worse of the things I've done, which is to have her sign the damn contract.

I shouldn't have asked her to sign it. But I guess, I can just have the both of us marry after she has born the child. It will be the best day of my life once she agreed to marry me again. I will do my best to win her back and I will make sure that she will not regret marrying me again for the second time. She would have to say yes first though.

A groan escaped my lips as I blink furiously. Elle will surely have my head once she got out of the operating room for making her suffer a great deal. I wonder if the child is really mine, if that would be the case, Elle will strangle me and hang my sorry arse up the empire state building. I bump my head back on the steering wheel, my thoughts in disarray, "Elle, oh god, why does it need for all of this to happen? I just want to go back in time, back to everything's in order. But now, I wonder how I am going to fix this..."

I stared back at her picture and touched her face "Elle, I'm sorry if I keep on hurting you. I didn't mean to do all this," I shrugged off a shoulder as I shifted on my seat, hating the fact that I am having a monologue in a hospital parking lot. I was about to put my phone back on the dock when it rang. I dab at the sides of my eyes and answered, "Hello?"

'Mate, Come on, go back here. The baby's about to go out they want you to cut the cord!' The phone call ended before I register that it's Luke who is on the other line.

Without much hesitation, I bolt right outside of my car, my feet wobbly as I trembled; I made my way up to the entrance, pushing the door as I entered.

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