First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) (17 page)

“This is amazing, but I thought you were getting a studio penthouse.” Matt scratched his head. “Did I miss something?”

“I wanted to have room for Bella,” he explained even as Ben met his eyes.

Gabriel smiled as he looked about the place, seeing it as he imagined they did. He had lived in amazing quarters all his life, but for the first time, because of Isabella, he now had a home. He filled with pride, yet his friends reacted as Isabella had anticipated.

“Wow,” Eric remarked as they traipsed into the living room. “This place is beautiful. Not what I expected, but very...elegant?”

“Thank you,” Gabriel murmured, as he smiled at Isabella while she placed the finishing touches on dinner in the kitchen. “Bella has a knack for this. Doesn’t she have excellent taste?”

Sebastian sat silently, surveying the room, absorbing every detail. Matty spoke before Sebastian even had a chance to open his mouth. “Well, it’s just not what I would have expected.”

“How so?” Gabriel asked confused.

Matty searched for the words to explain his comment. This time Sebastian interrupted. “He means this is no bachelor pad, no chick magnet. This place looks like an old married couple lives in it.” His eyes stopped on the kids’ door. He rose from the sofa and walked over to open it. The handle wouldn’t turn. “What are you hiding in here?” He narrowed his eyes.

Gabriel glanced out into the kitchen, but Isabella had her back turned and the water running as she rinsed the pasta in the sink. “Nothing,” he responded too quickly. “Just some storage.” He glanced over at Ben who suddenly looked down at his hands. No doubt Ben knew precisely what Gabriel hid.

Chapter Thirteen

Isabella

Sometimes Isabella truly loved having her space during the week. It made it easier to surprise Gabriel. She smiled to herself marveling at how different this relationship was from all those in her past. Finally, she experienced the true joy of the unexpected and basked in the unplanned. After all the many things he had done for her, Isabella was finally getting to do something in return. It made her heart happy.

On Monday at the studio, she shared the pictures of Gabriel’s apartment with Kristofer. “What do you think?” She bit on one finger while she waited for his reaction. Thought she was proud of how well they had turned out, she needed his unbiased appraisal of her work.

“This is some of your best work yet.” Kristofer nodded and made little noises as he scrolled through the shots. “You truly care about this place. It is visually stunning.” He studied the proofs in silence for a moment. “So, do you have any plans for them?”

Isabella bit her lower lip a moment before speaking. “I thought I might try to have them published in Architectural Digest as a surprise for Gabriel.”

He nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. Don’t forget to add them to your portfolio.” She smiled. “I’ve seen such growth in you since spring, Isabella. You are incredibly talented and versatile. You can do anything you want. Now you just have to show that to potential clients.”

During the remainder of the week, Isabella electronically submitted the shots to the magazine. Now came the hard part as the waiting game began. It would be four more days before she could see Gabriel again.

Two short days later, Isabella checked her email and found one from the magazine. She read it not once, but twice before she squealed and called Kristofer over to the computer. “The magazine wants to publish the photos I took of the apartment.” She stood up and started jumping up at down. “This month!  Right away. I have to sign a bunch of papers and all that, but…a major magazine!”

Kristofer gave her a quick hug. “I don’t know why you’re so surprised. I told you those pictures were amazing.” He patted her on the back. “Now print the paperwork out and get it signed and sent back to them.”

The paperwork was pretty standard. If she accepted their terms, she’d receive magazine credit and her photos would be part of an article they had planned on cosmopolitan dwellings. After signing, Isabella scanned and returned the paperwork. She was wildly excited and yet frustrated at the same time. She had grown so accustomed to sharing everything with Gabriel the past few months, it seemed strange to not call or text him with this big news.

“I don’t know how long I can keep this secret.” She drummed her fingers on the counter beside Kristofer.

“How long do you have to hold out?” He crossed his arms over his chest as with a smirk on his face.

“They’re sending a magazine. It should arrive on Saturday. I guess some feature didn’t pan out and my pictures arrived at the right time.” Isabella shrugged. “Here’s how I picture it.” She smiled while talking animatedly. “We’ll put the kids to bed, then he’ll sort the mail.”

“Sounds like you’ve done this once or twice.” He chuckled.

“He does have his routines.” Isabella winked. “I’ll pour the wine and light a few candles while we flip through the magazine together. Then…bam!  What’s that?  Why…it’s my apartment!” She chuckled. “Actually, he would call it our apartment.” She blushed. “And then the kissing will begin.” She sighed happily. “I love the kissing part. Now…I just have to hold it together a few more days.”

***

Saturday night, Isabella found herself in the bathroom bathing the children when the doorbell rang. She peeked out and discovered Gabriel was on the phone in their room conducting business. Moments later, Isabella had pulled the kids from the tub and emerged from the bathroom wiping her hands on a towel at the same time Gabriel exited the bedroom.

Since the bathroom exited into the foyer, Isabella answered the door. “Hello, Mr. Charmant. Won’t you come in?” She smiled warmly as she stepped aside and allowed him entrance.

Mr. Charmant wore a scowl on his face that didn’t soften in response to Isabella’s warm greeting, and he carried a copy of Architectural Digest in one hand, a bottle of wine in the other. She wore a puzzled look as she turned to Gabriel, who had just entered the foyer.

***

Gabriel

At the sight of his father, Gabriel’s jaw dropped open. He didn’t have time to prepare. It was readily apparent his entire world was about to come crashing down, and his mind raced as he attempted valiantly to salvage any small part of it.

Rebecca and Konnor came running out of the bathroom in their hooded bath towels. “Rar! I lion.” Konnor had his fingers bent like claws.

Isabella corralled him. “Okay, little lion. No running around naked. Go put on your pajamas in the bedroom. You, too, Rebecca.” She sent them towards the bedroom and turned to look at Gabriel. Before he could say anything, his father snapped.

“Who are these children?” Mr. Charmant growled as he looked back and forth between Isabella and Gabriel. “Explain.”

Gabriel seemed to be stumbling over the words he required. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Isabella spoke calmly. “Let’s go to the living room.” Then she gestured for him to follow her. “Can I offer you a drink?” She paused in the kitchen.

“That won’t be necessary.” He stood stiffly.

Once in the living room, they took seats on the couches. Isabella and Gabriel sat together on one, while his father sat across from them. He felt like he had been punched in the gut. This was all of his worst fears coming to fruition. With a frown on his face, he reached out and took Isabella’s hand in both of his. He knew how it looked, he wasn’t so much holding her hand as he was clinging to her. Gabriel studied his father a moment and noted the man was barely sitting and certainly not allowing himself to get comfortable.

It was Isabella who finally broke the silence. “So, Mr. Charmant, what brings you here tonight?” She smiled as brightly as possible.

Glowering at Isabella and his son, his father responded. “For three weeks, I have been asking to see my son’s apartment. He has told me repeatedly that it wasn’t ready for my visit. And then today, I open a magazine, and see photos attributed to you, Isabella, photos of a stunning apartment, but I was shocked when I saw this.” He opened the magazine to the photo of the kids’ room. “I had hoped this was a mistake.”

Just then, the kids came bouncing into the living room. “Kisses,” Rebecca squealed, jumping into their arms.

Instead of holding her close and teasing her, like he normally did, Gabriel sat still as stone. Leaning close, Rebecca whispered loudly in Gabriel’s ear. “Who’s he?”

“My father,” Gabriel croaked. “Now go to bed.”

Isabella pulled her hand away and narrowed her eyes at him before addressing the kids. “Okay. Kisses then bed. Come on. I’ll be in soon.” She gave each child a quick peck and sent them to their room.

Gabriel waited. He wanted to reach out again, feel her reassuring touch, but he’d already angered her. Slowly, he closed his eyes and rubbed his temple to ward off the headache he could feel threatening.

His father threw the magazine on the coffee table. “So,” he began coldly. “The photos weren’t a mistake. And those...those are
your
children.” He directed his words to Isabella.

“Yes, Mr. Charmant,” she began confused. “I’m surprised you didn’t recognize them. I know they’ve grown some, but they haven’t changed that much since the pictures I sent in the thank you note.”

Gabriel winced at the mention of the card. Since Isabella had looked to him for support, she saw his reaction and looked at Mr. Charmant.

“You did receive my thank you note, didn’t you?” It was terrible to watch, the way her face first contorted in confusion then went slack as she realized how he’d deceived her.

“No.” His father responded succinctly.

They both turned on Gabriel at the same time. Soon he was assaulted with choruses of “How could you?”

“Let me explain.” His voice sounded strained, his eyes darted back and forth between them.

Isabella jumped in first. “What is there to explain?  You never told your father I had children?  Do your friends know?” She watched his face closely as she questioned him. “They don’t do they?” Gabriel shook his head. “What?  I’m not good enough as I am. You’re ashamed of me, of my children?”

Gabriel began to open his mouth, attempted to respond, but her eyes flashed with a combination of hurt, anger, and fear. He clamped his mouth shut. Maybe if he just waited long enough, her anger would run its course and he would be free to speak his mind, and defend his actions.

Isabella turned to face Mr. Charmant. “I never meant to lie to you, sir. I thought Gabriel had told you. I haven’t been hiding them. I love them. I’m proud of them.
They
are my first priority.” She shot a look at Gabriel and then stood. “There seems to have been some misunderstanding.” She took a deep breath. He could see her struggling to control her emotions. She was lost, didn’t know what to do. One thought stood out in her mind. “I have to go home now.” Then she walked deliberately from the room.

Gabriel’s head shot up in surprise. He tried to stop her as she headed for the bedroom. “Where are you going? 
This
is your home.” He stood ready to run after her.

Isabella stopped in her tracks, stiffened, and turned on him in response to his last remark. “
This
is not my home, Gabriel. This is
your
home. And we are just your
pretend
family. If you can’t be honest about us, then none of this is real.” She disappeared into the bedroom. When she returned, she carried her purse and nothing else.

Isabella marched directly into the kids’ room, not even pausing to make eye contact with him. Gabriel and Mr. Charmant had been sitting silently in the living room ever since she made her exit. Throwing the door open, she called for the kids. “Rebecca, Konnor, let’s go.”

Stepping out into the living room, Konnor grabbed his mother’s hand. “Is Gabiyell coming with us?” Isabella shook her head, trying to hold back tears. “Oh.” His head hung in obvious disappointment. Then both kids walked over to him and gave him hugs and kisses while Isabella remained in the doorway.

“Goodbye,” Rebecca called softly on her way out the door.

Gabriel felt like a deer in headlights. He couldn’t even respond as the children walked out the door, and out of his life. Isabella turned to put her shoes on.

Feeling desperate, he finally stood. “Won’t you stay?  Please?  Won’t you give me a chance to explain?” Gabriel walked over to her. “Please don’t leave me, Bella.” He no longer cared his father was in the room, nor did he care what his father thought. With that newfound knowledge, his heart ached even more. Now it was too late.

Gabriel longed to reach out to her. Isabella stood silently, staring at her feet. He raised his arms to encircle her, hug her to him, but tonight his muscular arms hung limply mid-air, waiting. All she had to do was give him some sign, some hint she would still welcome his touch. Instead, she shook her head and began to walk to the door.

“You aren’t taking anything.” Gabriel trailed behind her. “There’s a drawer full of pajamas, a closet full of clothes, toiletries in the bathroom and all your jewelry!”

Isabella whirled to face him. “None of it’s mine.” Her eyes darted about the apartment, which she had so lovingly decorated. Her eyes turned glassy. Again she murmured, barely audibly, “None of it’s mine.” Then she stormed out.

Gabriel walked into the bedroom and grabbed a pair of shoes. When he returned to the living room, he finally acknowledged his father. “I need to go after her.”

“No, let her go. She was no good for you. She would only hold you down with her fatherless children.”

Gabriel felt his face grow hot with anger. “How can you say that?  All she has ever done is bring me happiness and make me a better man. When have you seen me more focused, more devoted to the business?”

“Well, you would have to be to support all those extra mouths.” His father glared at him. “How long did she wait to tell you about them?  Did she wait until she had lured you into bed, until she had gotten you whipped?  Eh?”

Gabriel’s fist formed uncontrollably as the urge to strike out at his father welled within him. “Our first real date.” He snapped. “She told me about her children on our first date.” He collapsed on the couch remembering it. “She told me they come first. She told me she would never love a man over them.” He held his head in his hands now. “And father,” he looked up at the man he now loathed. “We never made love.”

“Oh that’s worse. She held that over your head to convince you to marry her! Oh, it is all clear now. She’s just another gold digger. She just needs you for money.”

“No!” Gabriel shouted enraged. Then weakly, he continued. “No. She doesn’t need me, not financially. She doesn’t care about these material things. You saw her. She wouldn’t take anything, not one of the many things I’ve bought her. She said they weren’t hers because she hadn’t paid for them.” He stopped, covered his eyes for a moment and then glanced at his father with glistening eyes. “It is me she loves, or, loved. You have it all wrong. She doesn’t need me.” He paused and sighed. “It is I who need her.”