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♥ louisa ♥

WE HAD BEEN in the car for thirty minutes to get to the brunch boutique yet I was already regretting wearing Dior foundation. Fleur, my modelling agent, had managed to get me an exclusive hand made foundation, crafted for my exact skin tone and I wasn't happy about sweating it off.

Despite the Rolls Royce transportation being equip with air conditioning, Talisa had forbidden me from turning it on as it made her too cold and Ashlei didn't want to open the window because it would mess up her curled hair.

Of course, I would have just turned it in anyway but seeing as I'd suggested flipping a coin and unfortunately lost, I couldn't go back on my words.

Rolling down the car divider, I asked the driver how long it would be until we go there. He had tipped his cap at me in response. "Look to the right window, Ma'am. We've just reached."

My bronze coated eyes fell upon the brunch restaurant, praying that it had been worth it and thankfully, it had been. I guess I'd just have to tell Fleur to get me another bottle.

I looked through my window and behind the glass double doors of the restaurant.

It was exactly what I'd seen online when I had booked the meal.

Sets of golden ornaments had been set up at the side tables in the lobby, each with a thick black letter B painted upon it. Inside the bases were beautiful cream flowers, their beige colour matching with the heavy looking curtains that had been marvelously draped around the venue.

Prince, Lexi and Gabriel has taken the second car whilst Logan and Arlo had taken the first, fed up after waiting for us. They should have known half an hour never meant half an hour.

I took Ashlei's hand as she helped me climb down the step and onto the curb whilst Talisa roughly jumped out the car flashing me black trainers that were hidden under her long dress. "I know. I'm a genius," she said before I could comment on them.

"I'm not going to pretend I'm not jealous," I said while I looked down at my feet. Bottega Veneta really weren't the most comfortable option but I didn't have a long dress to hide my shoes under. The V neckline dress I was wearing reached my thigh. "At least I brought some with me for when we go to the mountain range later."

Even an idiot knew that heels and pebbles did not end well.

My straw hat nearly slipped off my head when I saw the three people waiting in the restaurant lobby who must have somehow overtaken our Rolls Royce. Lexi looked her usual in a tight figure hugging dress and Prince, clad in a grey suit, cleaned up well too yet my eyes were fixated on the one in the centre.

My breath caught as Gabriel lifted his head up and looked straight in our direction. I quickly looked away, instead focusing on the Cartier bracelet on my wrist. He looked exactly like the guy I'd mucked my life up for last year.

Gelled back hair. Sharp jawline, hand carved by the devil. The epitome of sin. Strong confident shoulders underneath his midnight black suit and crisp white shirt. And obviously, that damn cocky grin.

We approached them, Talisa going straight to Gabriel whilst I gravitated towards Prince since Lexi was still a no-go unless necessary. "Looking pretty sexy, Prince," I laughed, flicking his cheek.

He smiled, mimicking me and pinching my cheek. "Looking pretty sexy, Princess."

I swiftly grabbed his hand and moved it away from me. "Gosh, not the face! I'm already regretting wearing - or wasting to be honest - the foundation and it would help if it wasn't all rubbed off by the evening." He shot me a confused look to which I responded by shaking my head.

"Yeah, I'm going to pretend I have a clue what you're talking about," he joked before turning his attention behind me. I shifted to follow his gaze, sensing Gabriel's tall stature. Before I could find a way out of the situation, Prince had left to talk to Ashlei leaving the two of us alone which I wasn't too happy about.

Partially because I wasn't sure how much of my conversation with Logan he had heard on the yacht and partially because I couldn't look him in the eye without thinking about that day. Especially when he looked like this.

"Hey Lou, looking gorgeous as ever," he said lowly whilst taking a step towards me. My crimson lips pulled into a tight smile as I thanked him, hoping he'd just walk away.

Yeah, that was highly unrealistic Louisa.

I briefly glanced up at him to see tendrils of his dark hair catching the light and reflecting out a warm brown shade. "How are you anyway? Since morning. I hope I didn't scare you too much."

Why the hell was he being so nice? He was certainly playing at something. "I'm alright now, thanks," I said, gazing at Talisa, Ashlei, Lexi and Prince who had drifted further into the lobby. "Although I'd have been even better if I hadn't been drowned. I guess, a girl can't have everything."

Gabriel's full lips opened slightly as he laughed, smoothly resting his hand against the small of my back.

I tensed.

"I hope you were joking about the compensation. I'm damn broke after spending all my pounds to get here."

I laughed in response, remembering that he wasn't as well off as others at Forteaux. It was easy to forget. Although, he probably didn't know that being financially secure didn't mean your happiness was secure. Yet that was another topic. "Let's hope you have enough for a ticket back."

"I wouldn't mind staying here to be honest. Australia seems beautiful and I've only been here a day." My eyebrows rose as Gabriel hand in my back moved so it was now resting against my waist.

What on Earth was he doing?

The breath entering and exiting my body seemed to have sped up and my heart rate was acting as if it had had a double dose of morphine. I ignored it.

I tore my gaze away from his stormy one, quickly shoving his hand away before Talisa saw. Or Logan. His patience was running paper thin now and he'd kill Gabriel if he saw. And Talisa would kill me.

Noticing the lobby was getting busier, I glared at Gabriel who winked before quickly moving away to the others. Last thing I needed was for the paparazzi to snap a photo of us. The argument between Logan and Prince at the airport had already been publicised. It was good timing too for a minute later, Arlo and Logan arrived.

I strode forward to greet him, turning a blind eye to the look he gave me that conveyed the same message he had told me yesterday. It read, this better be worth it.

Fingers crossed the organisers had set it up the way I'd told them too. The whole concept of it all wasn't pleasant but I had to make sure others thought it was. I nodded at him reassuringly before forcing myself to peck him lightly on the lips. "It's sorted."

Only then did I realise Arlo, who stood beside Logan, was giving me an odd look. Furrowing my eyebrows, I waited until Logan had left before beginning. "Hey, you alright? Nervous about your performance?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Not really. I'm used to it." Arlo flickered his icy blue eyes up towards mine before they darted to Logan who was stood beside Ashlei. "I was thinking about you."

"Me? Why me?"

"Louisa," he started, as we began following the others deeper into the lobby and towards the private VIP section. "I know things have been off with you and Logan recently."

Keeping my face steady, I swallowed the lump that had suddenly appeared in my throat. I'd always known Arlo was the really observant. That made it all even more worrying considering it was likely whatever he was going to say was going to be accurate.

I looked at his platinum blonde hair, hoping he hadn't found out. "What do you mean?"

Arlo gave my shoulder a little squeeze. "It's obvious Logan sees Gabriel as a threat and that hasn't helped your relationship." For a couple seconds, I waited to see if he was going to continue yet he didn't. I exhaled quietly, glad that that was all he knew.

I was certain that all of the other elites knew that too after Lexi had exposed Logan at Tal's party.

"Yeah well- Yeah, you're right."

"We both know he isn't always this antsy and irritated. He's just worried he's gonna lose someone he loves," Arlo explained as I watched his gaunt face. I hadn't thought about the fact Arlo was likely to get caught up in it all of if it went south. He was close with Logan as well as I.  "That someone is you. He doesn't want to lose you and he views Gabriel as the potential cause of that."

I didn't know what to say to him and fell quiet, following the others to the secluded area. "And what do you see him as?" I asked, watching his sunken, pale face. "Gabriel?"

He rubbed his forehead in a circular motion a couple times as I tuned in to Ashlei giggling at something Logan had said . "I don't know Louisa. Things have got crazy since he joined. I don't have anything against him. I just-" Arlo exhaled slowly.

"I feel like he's bad news."

He was. I made a mental note to try and find out more about what he'd seen at the hospital. Did that have anything to do with the way he was acting?

I looked at some flowers that had been hung from the ceiling. They were the same as the ones I'd seen at the entrance. A rich oatmeal shade.

"I care for you Lou and I just don't want you to get hurt or caught up in the middle of everything that's happening," Arlo said as my heart warmed. He'd always been the brother I never had.

We were nearing the doors to a private room that the waitress had been leading us to.

I forced a laugh before looking back at Arlo and smiling. "Thank you Arlo. I really appreciate your concern and I know you'll always have my back. I promise everything good is between Logan and I now. We had our issues but we've worked through it."

"I'm glad," he said although I didn't miss the uncertainty in his voice.

A bigger smile heaved its way upon my cherry lips. "In fact, the next couple minutes may just prove it."

He raised eyebrow as we finally reached the private room. The waitress swung open the doors before we all went in and erupted in a series of gasps.

Any guesses on what's behind those doors? They've been a couple hints so far. This chapter is dedicated to Nikki_crystal for being so helpful and taking time out to tell me about her real life experiences. It means a lot and hopefully I'll be able to make characters even more realistic.
Part 33.5 will be posted soon (:

♥ 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫! ♥