Chapter 407 Suddenly Pressed Lips
The car was dead quiet, and Amy didn't even notice. After a bit, she turned to Jessica and asked, "Hey Jess, how many relationships have you been in?"
Jessica stared out the window. "Just one."
This wasn't like talking to reporters. Jessica hadn't really thought about how to explain her marriage, so she just blurted out the truth.
And yeah, it was just one.
Amy's eyes went wide. "Only one? And you got hitched and had a kid right after? Was it true love? I'm dying to know about your mystery man. Got a pic on your phone? Can I sneak a peek?"
Gabriel, sitting up front, finally chimed in, "If you keep yapping, get out of my car."
Amy straightened up real quick, giggled nervously, and shut her mouth. She'd never really had a chance to chat with Gabriel before. He usually ignored her, and they barely saw each other, so their relationship was pretty distant. She didn't expect him to actually let her ride in his car today.
Amy shot Jessica a look, then mimed zipping her lips and pointed excitedly at Jessica's phone, clearly wanting her to sneak it over so she could check for photos.
Jessica stayed quiet.
She wasn't actually married.
No photos of any mystery husband.
But plenty of Danielle.
She didn't hand over the phone, just smiled and looked out the window, thinking she'd get off at the next street and grab a cab.
Before she could say anything, as they neared the street, Amy suddenly spotted a shopping center and yelled, "Hold up, driver! Stop up ahead! I've been hunting for that brand store forever. Thought there wasn't one in Xyleria. Stop quick, I need to buy something and I'll be right back."
Amy was practically bouncing in her seat, eyes glued to a big brand store on the first floor of the shopping center.
Wayne quickly pulled over.
Jessica was about to say, "I'll get off here too."
"Jess, come with me! The clothes in this store are awesome. I know the designer. I'll call him to pick out some outfits for you. Your event outfits are kinda boring. Wanna try something new? Come on, let's go!" Amy pushed the door open, climbed over Zoey in the middle, and dragged Jessica out of the car.
Zoey, caught in the middle, quickly scooted aside to make room.
"Come on, let's go!" Amy tugged at Jessica's arm.
"Alright." Seeing Zoey already out, Jessica decided to follow.
She figured she'd take a cab back to Star Tower after shopping with Amy.
Jessica wanted to say something, but Amy didn't give her a chance and quickly pulled her away from the car.
Zoey hurried to catch up. "Easy, or you'll yank Jessica's arm out and mess up the shoot. You gonna pay the crew for the delay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Besides, I'm not that strong. Your Jessica ain't made of glass."
"She can't handle your yanking her around like a kid!"
"You're the one acting like a kid!"
The three women's voices, which had been filling the car, faded away, and the car returned to its usual silence.
Wayne suddenly raised his hand to his mouth, cleared his throat, and pretended to check his pocket. "Mr. Harriman, I'm gonna step out to grab a pack of smokes."
After Amy bounced into the store, she started chatting up the staff, picking out a few hot new items to try on, and asked the staff to recommend some clothes for Jessica.
Jessica waved it off, saying she'd just wait on the side.
This trendy brand, popular with teenage girls, wasn't really her thing.
Zoey, who'd graduated college a couple of years ago, liked simple and comfy clothes and wasn't into this style either. She sat nearby, bored, and poked Jessica's waist. "When are we bailing? Do we really have to shop with her? We barely know her, even if we work together. She's way too straightforward."
Jessica chuckled and glanced outside. "Isn't it 'cause she got to ride in a Bentley?"
Zoey pouted. "Maybe, maybe not."
Figuring Amy would take her sweet time trying on clothes, it wouldn't be cool to just ditch her. Jessica checked the time and said she was gonna hit the restroom, asking Zoey to wait there.
A few minutes later, Jessica came out of the restroom on the second floor of the shopping center, washed her hands, and fixed her hair in the powder room. She hadn't had time to put on a mask when she got out of the car, so she pulled her hat down low and walked out with her head down.
Just as she left the restroom, she spotted a pair of expensive, kinda familiar men's shoes. She was about to look up when she felt a strong, unyielding grip on her wrist. In a flash, she was yanked into the adjacent spare changing room.
The automatic sensor light flickered on, and the door clicked shut behind her. Jessica's head bumped the door—not too hard, but enough to tilt her hat and scatter her hair. Under the crooked brim, her face showed a moment of pure shock.
Feeling a bit dizzy, she looked up and saw the man's face. "Gabriel."
Gabriel's deep eyes looked calm, but there was a storm brewing underneath. Suddenly, his lips crashed down on hers, making her eyes go wide. The cold, determined kiss took her by surprise, his tongue quickly dominating her mouth, and his strong fingers gripping her chin, giving her no chance to escape.
Her mind went blank for a couple of seconds. When she finally regained her senses and tried to push him away, Gabriel pinned her hands against the wall. In the small changing room next to the restrooms, the sounds of their bodies hitting the door and their clothes rustling echoed loudly in her ears.
She had always known that Gabriel was measured and composed.
And hadn't they both been pretending to be all proper and restrained for so long? What the heck was this supposed to be?
