Gabriel didn''t respond..


    "You know," Pulling him around to face her, she offered a reassuring smile. "If something really did happen, we can always take our mind off of it by," Pausing, she slowly undid the rope of the gown she was wearing, exposing her ckce bra. "Doing something fun." Despite theck of interest he was showing, Angelina''s fingers had already begun undoing the


    buttons on his shirt.


    "I''m not in the mood, Angelina." He stopped her, pulling her hands off and stepping away. And don''t forget what Doctor Ken said, you need rest."


    At his words, Angelina''s lips twitched, but her expression did not show the annoyance she felt


    in her heart.


    How the hell was she supposed to have his baby when he barely even touches her?


    Each time she tries this very same n, one thing or another would always spoil it, and yet it was, repeating itself again.


    Cursing on the inside, she clenched her hand, but still forced a smile to her lips as she


    addressed Gabriel.


    "You''re right, that was thoughtless of me," Fixing the rope of her gown, she quickly changed the topic, initiating her second n for the night. "You know, I was at Dakota''s tea gathering today," Pulling out a white invitation from her bag, she waved it in the air for Gabriel to see. Ster''s holding her birthday party this week,"


    Ster Walker, just like the rest of Angelina''s friends, possessed some status in high society, she was no different from Angelina, except that her family wasn''t as big or rich. However, the Walker''s weren''t short in funds and could hold a party that would cost thousands, so, a party thrown by her, was bound to be something grand, fully of aristocrat Comadired & Friend


    contacts.


    And a party like that was not Gabriel''s turf, which begged the question of why Angelina was currently shing an invitation to one of said parties in front of him.


    "I got Us Invites, Gabe." The brte added, answering the questions written all over Gabriel''s face. "You''re going toe with me, right?" Perching herself on the arm of the chair he now sat in, she batted hershes in a pleading manner. Sighing, he tried to refuse. "I don''t know Ange,"


    "Come on, Gabe, I promise, it''s gonna be fun." She tugged on his hand. "Please, I really want to go to Stel''s party. Please Gabe.


    Gabriel had already refused, and yet, as the minutes ticked by, and as the number of times Angelina said please continued increasing, Gabriel finally caved..


    "Alright, fine."


    Jumping to her feet at the news, Angelina childishly pped her hands together in triumph. " Yay! You''re the best."


    Pecking his cheek briefly, she raced towards the door, ready to go shopping for her party dress, however, just as she crossed the threshold of the door, she paused and looked above her shoulder, eyes shinning mischievous as theynded on Gabriel''s seating form. "Don''t worry Gabe, I''m gonna remain true to me words and make sure you enjoy yourself at the party."


    With a wink, the door closed behind her, leaving a dumbfounded Gabriel who was still trying to make sense of her words.


    The next day, resting against the door of her car, in front of Ashely''s kindergarten, Leonical waited for the sound of the school bell to ring.


    No less than a minuteter, the bell rang and children came flying out of the school''s door like rats. Pushing herself off the car, Leonica weaved her way through the masses of short people, soon spotting her son who was approaching with Daisy, hand in hand. "Mommy!" The boy yelled, upon seeing his mother, letting go of his friend''s hand and dashing towards her.


    Smiling, Leonica bent down, scooping the boy in her arms. "Hey baby."


    "Miss Leonica!" Daisy greeted, a shy smile on her lips as she waved.


    "Hey Daisy." Leonica greeted the small girl, ruffling her hair as soon as she got close. "You got someone picking you up today?"


    Compfered a Frend


    "Mhmm." The little nodded her head. "My daddy''s gonna pick me up soon." She added and almost immediately, her eyes caught sight of said figure approaching from behind Leonica.


    "Daddy!" She yelled, running towards his open arms just like Ashely had done.


    Arvan instantly epted his daughter''s hug, scooping her up and giving her and turn around. "How''s my princess doing?" He asked, setting her back down.


    "I''m good," Smiling, the little girl pointed to Ashely and Leonica. "Look, it''s Ashley''s mom."


    Hearing her name mentioned, Leonica turned around, a smile instantly spreading across her lips at the sight of the familiar faces.


    "Arvan."


    "Leonica." The senator smiled back, walking towards her with Daisy.


    "You came to pick up Daisy, I see." Leonica voiced, to which Arvan nodded.


    "I have had some spare time in my hands this week, so, I decided to spend more time with her." He exined, a smile on his lips as he looked at his daughter who had just began talking about her day with Ashely. "Wise choice." Leonicamented, chuckling alongside Arvan as the two looked at the kids.


    "Speaking of which," Turning his attention back to Leonica, Arvan spoke. "How''s your hand?"


    "As good as new." She raised her hand which had the bandage he had put and smiled. "Thanks again. If you ever need a favor, don''t be afraid to ask."


    "Well now that you mention it," Reaching into the pocket of his grey overcoat, he pulled out a white invitation card and handed it to her. Puzzled, Leonica received it. "Ster Walker''s holding her thirty fifth birthday celebration and I have been invited, however," "Youck a partner?" Leonica finished for him, eyes skimming through the card.


    "Yes." He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "It''s a little embarrassing, but yes."


    "Well," Biting her bottom lip, she hesitated.


    Well, she''s gone and put herself in shit. Saying something as stupid as an open favor despite wanting to keep her distance after Gabriel''s assumption of their rtionship.


    If someone as egotistical and stupid as him could mistake their rtionship for something overly intimate like that, how much more other prying eyes.


    She didn''t want anyone mistaking her rtionship with him and then bashing Ashely about it.


    Speaking of Ashely, the little devil pulled on his mother''s hand after sensing her hesitation. " Mommy, are you going on a y date with Uncle Arvan?" "Miss Leonica you''re going on a y date with Daddy?"


    Considered & Friend.


    Two pairs of eyesnded on her, and as much as Leonica wanted to deny the usation, there was no way


    was no way she could do that with the way her son and Arvan''s daughter were looking at her.


    "Are you going, mommy?"


    "Well, how about it?" Arvan asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.


    Sighing, and knowing her decision was final, Leonica smiled and nodded.


    "Yes, I''ll go."


    The day of the party, despite being four days away when informed, had arrived faster than Leonica had liked it, but that wasn''t the only surprise the day had for her. Standing in front of her bed, arms folded, the white-ette stared down at the dress package that had arrived for her a few hours ago. The card attached to the box, showed that it hade from Arvan.


    Pulling open the box for the first time since it arrived, she admired the beautiful red fabric folded neatly in the box. It looked breathtaking and expensive at the same time...


    A little too expensive for the type of rtionship they had between them.


    Sighing, she covered the box and shifted it away


    There was no way she was going to ept a gift as precious as this, not when they still were practically strangers.


    Walking towards her closet, she searched through her collection of dresses. She knew exactly what she wanted to wear, and had picked the dress the moment she had heard of the party.


    Pulling it out, she walked over to her mirror and held the dress in front of her. It was a ck gown, exposed at the back with spaghetti arms and a pair of elbow length glows, the neckline. was low enough to tease, while the hem ended just before the floor, revealing her feet, but not


    her heels.


    Satisfied, Leonica hung the dress, along with the set of essories she was going to wear, the side of the closet and stepped into the shower.


    She came out less than twenty minutester and changed into the dress, fixed her jewelry, hair And makeup, just before the sound of honking horn came from downstairs.


    Scooping her purse and heels, she descended down the stairs and out the house.


    on


    In front of the house, leaning against the back door of his car, Arvan was dressed in a white long sleeve shirt, ck waist coat and trousers of matching color and his hair had been styled in a messy yet elegant way, the bangs that had grown longer and fell into his face had been


    Condend & friend


    Seeing her step out of the house, Arvan pushed himself off his car and examined the dress she was wearing, a look of confusion taking over his face when he realized she wasn''t wearing the one he had sent.


    "You''re dress," He began as soon as Leonica was in front of him.


    "Yes, I know and I''m sorry for not wearing the one you sent. It''s just that-"


    "No, you don''t need to exin yourself." Arvan interrupted. "You look great." Hemented, examining how she looked in the dress she had been wearing.


    Much to his surprise, this style suited her far more than anything he could have picked out for her. The ck of the dress highlighted her white hair and her purple ne and earrings went well with the color of her eyes. Honestly, she looked like the most stunningdy he had seen all day.


    "I think this ne, suits you best." He offered her a warm smile followed by his hand. "Shall We?"


    Hearing his words and seeing the genuine expression on his face, a smile slipped on Leonica''s lips and she gently took his hand.


    "We shall."


    The ride towards Ster Walker''s party venue was short but eventful. One topic turned into another and before Leonica knew it, she was actuallyughing to Arvan''s jokes and feeling more informal around him. Perhaps it wasn''t such a bad idea to be friends with him, she thought with a smile, taking his hand once more as she stepped out of the his car and onto the venue''s spotlight.


    shing camera lights, pressing paparazzi, Leonica looked around, trying her best to keep a smile on her lips. However the smile faded as soon as she spotted two familiar figures stepping into the venue. Gabriel and beside him, attached to his hand, was Angelina.


    Passpous As Cyanide.


    Poisonous As Cyanide.


    Subtle music in the background mixed with the shing sounds of paparazzi cameras,


    cameras, Gabriel walked down the entrance carpet, Angelina beside him.


    However, instead of his date, his eyes roamed the faces of people, looking for a certain


    someone.


    It didn''t take long before he the object of his search.


    Leonica, was the object of his search.


    And the more he watched her, the harder it became for him to fight away the fact of how stunning she looked in her dress tonight.


    It was different from how he had seen her the previous time. This time, she had a smile on her lips, looking care free and happy. That look however, faded as soon as her eyesnded on him.


    He couldn''t me her, as his own lips had tightened and his jaws clenched, the feeling of


    hatred between them was mutual.


    "Gabriel?" Angelina''s voice pulled him away from the scene in front.


    "Is everything alright?" She asked, a slight worried tone in her voice.


    Gabriel nodded, however he couldn''t stop his gaze from traveling back to the approaching couple. This did not go unnoticed by Angelina.


    Sighting his gaze, her free hand tightened at the sight of Leonica.


    Of course it was the white-ette bitch that was causing the sudden change in his attitude.


    Boiling with sudden anger, Angelina wondering how she had managed to get into Ster''s party, after all, it was an invite only party.


    So just how had she gotten in?


    Angelina had racked half of her brain for the answer when her eyended on the man beside


    Leonica.


    No less than a heart beatter, she recognized him. Arvan Richardson, the stunning face of Norway''s political department and the Senator of Norway.


    But none of that information bother her as much as the question roaming her mind.


    How had Leonica made such an acquaintance and even managed to tag along as his partner.


    ''Wasn''t it obviously? The voice at the back of her mind pointed out.


    Understanding the vague words of her mind without much struggle, Angelina''s mouth formed an ''O'' shape, soon the shape of her lips turned into a sly smile and before either Hus A. Evande


    Gabriel could react, Angelina had already meander forward, blocking Leonica''s path with at feigned smile of kindness on her lips.


    "Ah, what a pleasant surprise seeing you here, Leonica." Angelina''s words were as fake as her


    smile.


    "Angelina." Leonica''s brows raised, the corners of her lips tightening. Out of all the people she had to run into, Gabriel and Angelina had to be on the top of her list.


    "I didn''t think I''d be running into you at Stel''s party. It''s an invite only party, you are aware, right? So how did you get in?" Angelina questioned, tone filled with mockery, however, despite the obvious taunt, Leonica chose not to take the bait.


    Instead she shed her a cold look, and then a smile, one as fake as Angelina''s was.


    "That''s none of your business." She answered, her tone sweet as honey, yet poisonous as


    cyanide.


    Angelina took the hint, but refused to back down.


    "Did you perhaps...bride Mr. Richardson here with, Something, so as for him to allow you tag along?" Angelina said, the undertone of her voice being suggestive as well as holding hints of mockery. Leonica, however, had no intention of getting involved in a petty cat fight with her, but she saw no harm in putting a sly bitch like her in a ce befitting her status.


    However, before she could speak, Arvan had beat her to it.


    "As a matter of fact Ms., it was I who asked Ms. Romero to apany me to this party and I am more than honored to have her as my partner,"


    His words were not what Leonica had expected him to say, and she could tell from the way Angelina''s expression turned surprised, that she had not expected those words either.


    Much like Angelina, the crowd soon became rowdy at Arvan''s actions, whispers traveling around.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "Mr. Richardson stood up for her, do you think something''s going on between them?" One of the paparazzi whisper to his fellow workmen.


    "So what if there is?" Came his response. "Look at them standing together," he pointed his hand at the couple up ahead. "they''re obviously a match made in heaven."


    A few people agreed with his opinion, admitting that the two, standing together looked like God''s favorite children.


    And this whispers, no matter how little or quiet they were, slowly reached the ears of Leonica and remaining group of three,