Chapter 15

Gabriel took a quick shower and got dressed in a black suit. When he was ready he went downstairs to wait for Nicole in the living room. While waiting for Nicole he decided to call Daniel, a very famous chef in New York and also a friend of his whose restaurant was built by his construction company. Daniel had once told him that he was a special guest at his restaurant so he was welcome to come anytime, but Gabriel didn't want to abuse that privilege instead he called Daniel letting him know that he urgently needed a reservation for a table for two.

Gabriel waited for twenty more minutes for Nicole before he noticed her coming down the stairs. She was looking incredibly sexy in a black off-shoulder long-sleeve bodycon mini dress and peep toe ankle platforms. He wondered how ladies could walk in heels as high as those, her hair was wrapped up in a side part bun. This is the first time Gabriel has seen Nicole with her hair up and she looked extremely beautiful, which made him breathless. He stood up from the couch as Nicole came and stood in front of him.

"So? What do you think?" She asked with a smile.

"Wait here," he said walking out of the living room.

Nicole wondered where he was going, he appeared back in the living room with a red square box in his hand. He asked Nicole to turn around which she did without objecting, she heard sounds and guessed he must be opening the box then she felt something on her neck, it was a small round-shaped diamond necklace. Nicole couldn't believe that Gabriel was wearing her such expensive jewelry.

"You look breathtaking," he whispered in her ear after wearing the necklace.

Nicole couldn't help but blush at his compliment, their closeness brought butterflies to her stomach, and she had no idea why. What was this man doing to her? She thought to herself. Gabriel placed his hand on Nicole's lower back and led her out of the mansion. When they got to the restaurant, Nicole couldn't help but stare at the building before her in awe. Its architectural design was grand.

"You like it?" Gabriel asked bringing Nicole down to earth.

"It's beautiful. I love it," she replied still staring at the restaurant in wonder.

"I built it," Gabriel said. Nicole's eyes went wide at his statement

"You mean, you built and designed this restaurant?" She asked in surprise. Gabriel nodded in reply

"Wow, you're talented!" Nicole complimented

"Thanks," Gabriel replied.

A waiter came up to them, took them to their table, and asked for their orders. Nicole suggested that they first be served with a glass of red wine while they take their time to look at the menu. The waiter left and came back minutes later with the wine. Nicole looked at the menu in her hands, the restaurant only served French cuisine and she had never had one before so she asked Gabriel to order for both of them.

Gabriel called the waiter and ordered a Confit de canard and Nicoise salad as a side dish. Nicole had no idea what any of those were. Their orders were brought within minutes and Gabriel started eating, Nicole only stared at her meal. Gabriel noticed that Nicole hadn't touched her meal so he asked her to open her mouth, she slowly obeyed and he put a spoonful of his meal in her mouth. Nicole slowly chewed on the food, realizing that it wasn't bad she let out a moan causing Gabriel to stare at her like she had done something forbidden.

"What? It tastes good. I can't help it." she said justifying her actions. Gabriel ignored her and carried on with his meal.

They were done with their main dish and were now having banana cream cheesecake for dessert. Nicole kept stealing glances at Gabriel wondering how a man as wealthy and handsome as he was could still be single.

"Why are you single?" She blurted out. After realizing what she had just said, she apologized.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ask that,"

"You did," Gabriel replied with no emotion on his face. He was right, it had been itching her to know why he was single.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." she quietly said.

Gabriel let out a heavy sigh, his breakup with Ashley shouldn't be a big deal anymore so he doesn't see any reason why he can't share it with Nicole.

"She got tired of me," he began.

Nicole was surprised to hear him speak after the sudden silence. She didn't think he would want to say anything about it to her so she just listened hoping he'd open up more

"I was too busy with work, never having time for her. That upsets her a lot, she got tired and ended the relationship."

"I'm sorry," Nicole said hoping it would help.

"That happened five years ago" he replied trying to make Nicole realize that her apology wasn't necessary now since it had been a long time ago even though he could still feel the hurt

Nicole on the other hand couldn't believe that Gabriel had been single for five years.

How is that possible? She wondered.

No wonder he was this cold.

"Can I say something?" She asked. Gabriel only nodded indicating that he was listening.

"Anyone could get tired of their lover's attitude but one can never get tired of being in love with that person even if it was just a tiny bit....your ex should've fought to get your attention when she realized she was losing you, it's not like I'm saying that you were the faultless one in the relationship...but you....you also should've fought to win her back when she left."

Gabriel understood quite well what Nicole was trying to say. They were both in the wrong but it wasn't like he didn't try to apologise to Ashley and win her back. Her mind was already made up.

"She cut all contacts with me and flew out of the country," he explained.

"Wow! That meant she was indeed tired of the relationship."

It was now Gabriel's turn to stare at Nicole. She was young, beautiful, and quite intelligent even though she wasn't able to go to college.

But why was she single? He wondered.

"And you? Why aren't you in a  relationship?"