Chapter Thirteen

**GABRIEL'S POV**

It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that Oliver had just upped and left me and that he was to be married to someone that wasn’t me. I sighed, as I held on to my bag tighter, my mind on one person only. I wondered if he would want to see me if my presence was disrupting this perfect equilibrium that was his life if I was a square peg in his round hole.
“Sometimes, you have to be strong enough to fight for what you want, Gabriel.”
That was what Martha had said to me, and that was the only thing preventing me from turning around and returning to Crystal Cove. I took a deep breath as I looked up at the towering building. I looked down at the card in my hand and confirmed that I was in the right place. I sighed and entered the building, taking the elevator to Oliver’s floor, my heart in my mouth and hope in my heart. I could feel my wolf’s excitement and thought to myself how grand it was that one of us was optimistic about the outcome. The elevator dinged and opened into a hallway with a red carpet that silenced my footsteps. I stood in the hallway that housed just two doors, I took a deep breath and turned left, taking a few strides until I stood in front of the intimidating white door.
Do I turn back?
Was this a wise thing to do?
Would he want to see me?
The questions seemed to have no end, my mind replaying all the events that had led to this moment. I sighed, my body was a mass of nerves. I was already at his door, now was the moment of truth. It was either now or never. I raised my hand to knock, but before I could, the door opened to a dainty, pretty lady dressed in a tee shirt that I knew all too well. She didn’t need to introduce herself for me to know who she was.
Samantha. Oliver’s betrothed.
She was a beautiful woman, this Samantha, and that only added to my frustration. A part of me had wished that she was ugly, that she had hair that looked like hair’s best and a face that only a mother could love. But even as I stood here, I realized that if I was Oliver, I would love her too. She had a welcoming smile that showed her beautiful dentition. She had big, round eyes that were crowned with full lashes, brunette hair that she had put up in a messy bun, and alabaster skin that shone brightly.
“Hi…can I help you?” She asked, and that was when I realized that I had been staring unashamedly.
I cleared my throat and shifted on my feet, my small bag suddenly feeling heavy in my hand. “Um…hi…you must be Samantha…”
I trailed off, even her name sounded like sand in my mouth.
“Yes, I am…” she said. “And you are…”
I grinned abashedly, realizing that I had been staring again. “I’m Gabriel. I’m looking for Oliver.”
I noticed how she had moved further into the condo, and held the door in a defensive grip. I swore under my breath, realizing that I was a strange man staring at her at her door…Oliver’s door.
“Okay. Is he expecting you?” She asked, she now had only her head peeking out of the door.
“Yes…no…not really. But…”
“How did you get this address?”
“He gave it to me,” I answered simply.
She nodded her hand. “I’m going to need you to leave now, please.”
“What? I can’t do that, I need to see Oliver.”
I couldn’t let myself be turned away. I knew he was inside, I could smell him…his sweet scent.
“I know he’s in there, just tell him to come out.”
Samantha moved to close the door, but I placed my foot in. Her eyes widened in panic and I swore again.
“I’m not going to harm you, I just want to see Oliver.”
Samantha opened her mouth in a scream that was cut short by Oliver coming to the door.
“What’s happening?” He asked.
I could hear his voice from behind the door, and my heart skipped a beat.
“There’s this creepy man out here looking for you. He won’t leave.”
“Who?” He asked as he gently moved Samantha behind him, and opened the door wider.
Our eyes locked and several emotions swam in his gorgeous blues. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. His eyes flitted to Samantha and then to me.
“Gabriel…”
My name from his lips almost sounded like a prayer. I raised my hand and waved awkwardly, anticipating the moment when he would tell me to leave. He didn’t do that, rather he opened the door wider and stepped to the side.
“Come in.”
“Thanks…”
As I walk in, the condo reveals itself with understated elegance. The rich scent of polished wood and leather fills the air, with dark mahogany floors that gleam under the soft glow of the recessed light. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a sweeping view of the city, while a few carefully chosen pieces of modern art add subtle splashes of color to the serene space.
“Welcome,” Oliver said, waving his hand across the living room.
I smiled set my bag down next to the wall, and stood there awkwardly with Samantha in the corner staring at us in confusion. I could tell Oliver had a lot to say but we were both too aware of Samantha’s presence.
“You came…” he said finally.
I shrugged and shuffled my feet nervously. “Well…I missed you, and I thought that I’d check on you. See how you’re…”
The words were barely out of my mouth when Oliver enveloped me in a bear hug. Instinctively, I buried my face in his neck and sighed as I breathed in his scent, instantly relaxing myself.
“I’ve missed you,” Oliver said.
I smiled, somewhat relieved about the situation. I had imagined the worst.
“I’ve missed you too.”
My eyes opened wide in shock as Oliver leaned in and kissed me, holding my head in place as his lips moved against mine. I sighed and leaned into the kiss as his tongue probed my lips, demanding entry. When we broke apart, we were breathing heavily. Oliver’s eyes opened wide and he turned to look at Samantha, as though just remembering that she was still standing there.
Samantha’s eyes were wide open in surprise and within her brown orbs, a subtle pain had settled in them. A pain that I was familiar with, a pain that I realized I was an active part of. Her lips quivered, and tears gathered in her eyes.
“Samantha…” Oliver started and moved towards her.
Samantha took several steps back before turning and running into a room. I took a deep breath and thought to myself…perhaps I should have never come here.