Falling For The Man I Married

Chapter 44: THERE IS NOTHING AN US

Gabriel's POV:

I was just staring at her as she sat down next to me. We're currently inside the church, but I can't focus on what's the priest was saying in front of the altar. I can freely stare at her face because all her attention was on the priest.

She has long, thick and curled lashes, a small but pointed nose, a cute dimple on her left cheek which I just recently noticed. She also has two attractive eyes which also smile every time she smiles. And her lips... I gulped remembering how soft her lips were every time I kissed her. She has her own character and strong personality.

When I proposed to her, I know half of them were lies, but I was sincere when I thanked her. I admit, having her next to me was a big help for me to somehow forget the pain inside. She can make me smile every time she opens her clever mouth.

I was still confused as to how she agreed to help me with this deal, but I'm grateful as she didn't complain even though there were some questions that she wanted to know the answer to, that even I couldn't explain to myself.

I feel comfortable with her around me and I'm getting used to calling her love, that sometimes I forget I shouldn't call her that when it's just the two of us.

But despite all this, it will remain an act. The problem is that... I don't know why I couldn't stop myself from kissing her. I couldn't control myself every time I looked at her soft, pinkish and tempting lips. It's like a drug to me, that with every sip and every taste, it makes me high and addicted.

My eyes darted to Greg who was sitting between Sav and Chris. He's been texting the whole time. Yeah, he's my best friend, but when it comes to Madi, I couldn't help but feel annoyed and irritated with

him. I'm not jealous.. should I? It's just that I couldn't accept the fact that he likes her among all the girls around him. He knows she's with me.

It's strange to think that when this deal ends, he can be with her, he can touch her hands and do all those things which I feel I should be the only one doing with her.

I lost focus when I felt Nancy's elbow on my side and I turned to her.

"What?" I asked her slightly annoyed.

"What--your--face! Stop staring at your girlfriend's face and focus on the front. Listen to what the priest was saying!" she whispered to my ear.

I just ignored her and looked at Madi again, but was slightly surprised when I found that she's no longer looking at the priest but at me. She's eyeing me suspiciously. She straightened her seat and drew her face closer to my ear. Her sweet vanilla and honey scent hit my nostrils that if we're not just inside the church, I would surely kiss her again.

"Is there something wrong with my face?" she asked me and I shook my head.

"How about my makeup?" she whispered again. I frowned at her questions but shook my head again.

"Is there dirt on my face?"

"No, love. Why are you asking?" I can't help but ask after her third question.

"If there's nothing wrong with my face, then why are you staring at me?"

-'She knows?'-

"I-I wasn't staring." I denied it and looked away from her. -'shit!'-

"Okay." she just shrugged and focus on listening to the preach.

I sighed and glared at Nancy who's giggling next to me.

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Madi's POV:

The car stopped in front of my apartment. We're now back in Chicago where we will face reality and this deal between us again. I looked at him but he's still on the phone.

"Gab, I have to go," I said calling his attention.

"Oh, we're here?" he looked out the window and turned to me. "You can take a day off tomorrow."

"You don't need to do that, I'm okay---"

"I insist. You will take a day off tomorrow."

"And I insist too. I going to work tomorrow because I need to see Sandy." I said with my chin up.

He didn't speak for a while but then he nodded and gave me a tired smile.

"Goodnight, Gab." I took my bag and didn't wait for him to respond. I can sense that he's been a little distracted since we got off the plane.

Jhon has already carried my suitcase to the front door and I thanked him before closing the car door. I was just on the third step when I heard Gabriel call my name. He's now out of the car and walking his way towards me.

"I just want to say goodnight and thank you," he said seriously and kissed my cheek.

"Okay, goodnight again, Mr Wilsons. See you tomorrow." His mouth slightly opened but he didn't say anything.

"Keep the ring. I mean, please don't take it off." I know he's referring to the engagement ring he gave me.

"Huh? W-What about in the office?

"Then just say you're engaged."

"But---"

"Just for a month or two, Madi."

"What do you mean by a month or two?" I asked as I felt a sudden disappointment.

"One to two months until I finish my plans. And next week, we have to go to the Civil registry to register our marriage." Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

"What? T-That's so fast?" my eyes widened and I clutched the strap of my handbag.

"I know, but I talked to my private detective. Stacey and Ray were in a rough relationship right now."

"And what's the connection of your marriage to their rough relationship? I can't get the point, Gabriel!"

"Because this is one of my plans to destroy them. To show her how much she wasted all that we had before and for her to compare what she has right now and what she lost by choosing him over me!"

Even though his voice sounded mad, there's still a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"This will be my last favor Madi, please?"

Next week? This is getting more awkward and ridiculous and it really makes my feelings ramble inside.

"But Gab, this is too big of a favor, I - I don't know if I can still------"

"Madi, listen. Just listen to me first." he held both my shoulders. "It's just for papers like what we both agreed with the deal. Nothing's changed, Madi, and I promise, even if we're just married in papers, cheating would not be the reason to break us, to break our friendship."

I chuckled at his last sentence. "Are you sure that cheating wouldn't be the reason, Gab? How can you say that when you know, you're going to take her back from Ray? You're going to go out with her again while we're married! Isn't that a form of cheating too?"

"I know, but I will just destroy them without emotions involve."

Without emotions involve.

"Tell me the truth, Gabriel. Do you still love her?" I know I would look like the dumbest and stupid person by asking him the question with an obvious answer, then so be it. Take it or forget it.

But like what I expected, he didn't give me the answer.

"I can't answer that question right now, Madi."

I gulped the sudden pain that surged inside me.

"Okay." I shrugged like it was nothing to me and I wasn't affected.

"But Madi, I'm serious. Even if we're only married by arrangement, I won't intentionally cheat on you. Stacey is another thing."

"Can you please stop mentioning the word cheat? Because you know it's not true. Whether it's another woman or Stacey, that's just the same! Being married to me while dating another woman or getting your Stacey back, is still cheating Gabriel!"

"You don't understand, Madi----"

"What is it that I don't understand? Explain it to me! Because if you're saying you won't cheat on me intentionally, then stop chasing your ex!"

I noticed his sharp intake of breath.

"I can't, Madi! You know I can't! But as I promised, even if I am with Stacey, I won't break us!"

I chuckled again. "You won't break us? But you said it's just for papers, this is just an act and this is just for your deal! So, what are you talking about 'us'? There's nothing an 'us' Gabriel." I said blinking away the tears that had formed at the corner of my eyes.

I started to take a step back but tried to smile at him.

"Madi..." he called me but didn't try to follow me.

"Don't worry, I'll marry you. Goodnight Gabriel." and I turned my way to the front door, thinking about what the consequences would be after at the end of this agreement. But as they say, 'Stay strong now because things will get better. It might be stormy today, but it can't rain forever.'