Chapter 29.

GABRIELLA.
Days have passed since I found out about Martin transfering all his properties to me.
I've been doing a lot of thinking and so many thoughts on what to do have popped in my head but I still don't know the exact steps to take. I already called Martin's family to inform them of his accident even though they had both disowned him as their child.
His mother of course, like any good mother, had paid him a visit almost immediately and it was more than obvious that she had missed him. What I can't understand is why she hasn't contacted him in years and why it had to take a tragic situation like this to finally make her come see him.
His father, on the other hand, has not even shown his face here once. Martin already told me just how much of a hothead his father is but I honestly doubt that is a reasonable excuse not to see your son who is currently fighting for his life but oh well, his business. I'm not in any position to judge anyone and Martin will be just fine with or without his visitation.
I also just happened to find out that I'm now officially worth millions of dollars from one day to the next and honestly, this realization makes me very uneasy and uncomfortable.
Frankly, I've never been poor. Never had to struggle for money cause I mean, I'm the daughter of a very famous fashion designer and my mother is a supermodel but I'm not one to rely on people's money. I love the idea of making my own money and knowing it's actually mine.
As for Martin, he is filthy rich in every sense of the word and knowing that all of that money and property is under my name, gives me a really bad feeling. I don't want it and I don't like having it but since I have no idea why he would even give them to me in the first place, I have to hold on to them till he eventually wakes up and tells me what exactly is going on with him.
I haven't even gone through the list of properties yet and frankly, I don't want to. I have absolutely no business knowing just how many properties and assets are under his name. His lawyer already mentioned that his net worth is approximately about fifteen million dollars and I couldn't breath the minute I heard that.
Back to what's happening right now. I finally decided to tell both Fabian and Martha why I've been MIA for the last couple of days.
I know they've both been worried sick about me and Fabian had immediately come to see me the minute he landed back in New York. He and Martha haven't stopped complaining about how I don't see them as my actual friends since I'm always keeping things from them.
"I still can't believe you've kept all of this to yourself all this while Gabriella. You should have told me at the very least. I thought you actually liked me!" Martha complained childishly for the umpteenth time since she arrived here.
"I already said I'm sorry Martha. It's not that I didn't want to tell you guys, it's just that, I wasn't sure if Martin would like that. He's pretty sensitive about being vulnerable and he wouldn't like the fact that I told people around him that he got into an accident," I explained again for the thousandth time and she scowled.
"That friend of yours is such a weird fellow. Anyways, I'm just happy you finally decided to tell us cause Liam hasn't stopped asking if you told us anything and at a point, I started to feel like he was being paranoid. Turns out he had very valid reasons to be," Martha said and I sighed.
Lately, I haven't been very kind to Liam and I feel really terrible for that. He and I met up a few days ago but my mind was completely all over the place. He had tried talking me into telling him why I've been so distant and why I haven't shown up at work but I had adamantly refused to say anything.
It's not because I didn't want to tell him but I have this weird habit of trying to avoid burdening the people close to me and since I don't think I have that right yet, I'd just much rather keep him in the dark.
"I really think you should talk to him, Ella. He has been so worried sick about you and it's unfair of you to keep him out of your life like you two don't have something going on!" Martha advised and although I know she's right, I don't want to accept it.
"I just don't think it's right of me to do that Martha. I really don't want to burden him and besides, he has no business with Martin so he doesn't even have to know," I said to her and I could hear Fabian scoff from beside me.
"You're so silly Gabriella. How does that excuse even sound reasonable to you? So what if he doesn't have any personal business with your friend? Doesn't he have business with you? If you agree that he does, then he has every right in the world to know what you're going through right at this moment," Fabian spoke up with a serious expression plastered on his face.
"Okay fine, I get your point guys so can we drop this now? I promise that I'll contemplate on your advice and try to talk to Liam about Martin," I assured them but they were obviously not having it.
"Okay then, call him now," Martha suggested and I stared back at her confusedly.
"Ehm, why should I do that?" I asked.
"It's because we don't believe you sweetie. We want you to call him up now and tell him that you want to meet up with him tomorrow cause you have something important to tell him," Fabian instructed and I scoffed.
"I'm not gonna do that guys. I only just said I'll think about it. I haven't even come to any conclusions yet," I hissed sharply at both of them and they both stared at me with an unimpressed look on their faces.
"Just call the guy you stubborn kid!" Fabian exclaimed in frustration and I sigh tiredly before lazily picking up my phone and doing as they asked.
The phone rang for barely a few seconds and he immediately picked up.
"Hey Gabby!" He greeted me excitedly, almost like he had missed hearing my voice and a strong feeling of guilt immediately overwhelmed me.
"Hy Liam. How are you?"
"I'm not gonna bother lying to you Ella, I haven't been anywhere near being okay for the last couple of days. You and I haven't spoken in days now and I'm really starting to wonder if you still want anything to do with me. I know you asked me to give you time and all but I love you Gabriella and I've been so worried sick about you," he blurted out, sounding frustrated and I swear, my heart did a backflip.
Did he just outrightly say he loved me?
This has to be the first time any man besides my father and of course, Martin would say they actually love me. He and I aren't even a thing yet and he already says he loves me?
My fragile heart can't deal.
"I know you have every reason to be upset with me Liam but I really want to apologize for how I've been acting for the last few weeks. You were right to think I wasn't okay and I promise I'll explain everything to you tomorrow," I assured him calmly.
"Really? And just so you know, I'm not upset with you Ella, I'm only worried about you and you don't know how happy I am that we're finally getting to see each other tomorrow. I also have something I want to tell you and I think tomorrow is just perfect. Where do you want us to meet?" He asks with obvious excitement in his tone and I contemplate for a few minutes before deciding on my reply.
"How about your place?" I asked and I could hear Martha's dramatical gasp from beside me. That tiny mouse and being a drama queen.
"Wait, are you serious? D...do you really want to come over to my place? I mean, I don't have a problem with it but I just want to be sure that you're comfortable with the idea," He stuttered nervously and I giggled.
"It's my idea, isn't it? Which means I'm more than comfortable with it so you don't have to worry about me and I'm gonna assume we both agree on where to meet. So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow." I said to him and I could hear him chuckle softly.
"Whatever you say, beautiful. I can't wait to see you tomorrow," he replied in a low, husky tone and I surprisingly found myself giggling like a child, whilst repeatedly biting on my lower lip.
"Me too. Take care of yourself," I responded in a low voice and he replied that I do the same before I reluctantly hung up.
"I'm assuming that went very well?" Martha teased immediately and I'm quick to roll my eyes at her.
"You're not allowed to make fun of me Martha." I warned jokingly and she gave me a knowing look.
"So what now ladies? Do you girls wanna grab lunch with me? The bills will be on me although I think you girls should pay since I just got back from Miami and you guys haven't welcomed me back properly." Fabian said but Martha and I completely ignored him.
"You better go ask that girlfriend of yours for a welcome back lunch cause Gabriella and I don't want any trouble," Martha hissed, earning an unimpressed look from Fabian.
"I should blame myself for even offering." Fabian hissed back at her but she simply ignored him and paid attention to her phone.
"Is something going on between you two or am I mistaken here?" I asked curiously.
"You're mistaken!" They both chorus sharply in a very loud voice and I'm taken aback by this sudden hostility between them but I refrain from asking any questions to avoid irritating them any further.
I already noticed the weird tension between them earlier although they had tried faking that all was well between them. I can only hope that whatever it is, it doesn't end up affecting our friendship. I really can't imagine having to settle a fight or even worse, pick sides.