Is this destiny?

Becca reminded herself to stay present and not to get carried away by random daydreaming. Gabriel said that this apartment can be THEIR place, and Becca does not want to give him any ideas that she wants to mooch off from him. She is not like Monique or any other girl who wants his money. But she would not mind claiming those lips that are smiling at her. He looks delicious.

"I have my own place that works great for me.", Becca stated the fact proudly, hoping that her eyes didn't linger on his lips too long.

Gabriel feared that she misunderstood him, and he wanted to clarify. "You don't need to move in here with me. Until you are ready for that step, you can visit occasionally. But if you don't come often enough, I might move into your place."

Becca was not sure if he is teasing her or not. Did he insinuate that they will live together? In this apartment? It's too soon and it sounds like teasing, but he is looking at her earnestly. She decided to go with serious and to answer in the same way to the last part of his statement.

"My place is half the size of this one. Do you think it will be enough for everything you have on your mind? An advance warning: there is no space for a pool table."

Gabriel was happy and amused that she didn't dismiss the idea of him moving in with her. "Right now, I have one bedroom. Other than that, I'm using common areas. I am looking for space where I can be myself, where I don't need to play a role someone else forced on me while they watch my every move. Becca, with you I am relaxed, and I have no need to pretend to be someone I am not, and that makes me want to spend as much as possible time with you. Whenever you are ready to accept me fully in your life, I am willing to share living space with you, and the pool table… is optional."

Gabriel saw that Becca blushed again and he chuckled. Ah, he loves to observe the variety of her expressions. She is adorable.

Gabriel noticed Becca fidgeting and he decided to change the topic. He knows that he is rushing, and he does not want to force her into anything, but he hopes that she understands how he feels. Only like that Monique and other flies will not be able to ruin Becca's day.

"Do you have a verdict on this place?"

Becca glanced around nervously. Is he really expecting her to make this decision for him? "I think that we should first discuss what your needs are. This place is big and luxurious, but if it does not work for you, it's a waste of money."

Gabriel agreed. He was so eager to leave the Long family mansion and experience independence that he never thought about what he actually needs. And he was touched that Becca is concerned about him wasting money. That is a first.

Gabriel realized that with Becca, he is having many firsts. He is a twenty-seven years old man, yet he feels like a teenager with his first crush. In a way, his family took away his youth, and he is resuming where things stopped when Victoria entered his life. But he does not blame them. He allowed it to happen and there is no point in regretting past decisions. The only thing he can do is to make sure it does not happen again, and to look forward to tomorrow… with Becca.

"Becca, will you help me come up with a list of things I should look for when selecting an apartment?"

Becca agreed happily. "We can talk about it over dinner."

"Let's go and tell Miss Birack that her services are not needed. Our dinner reservation is for seven o'clock. What do you want to do until then?"

"Can we go for a ride?", Becca asked without missing a beat, revealing how eager she is to leave this apartment. The apartment is great, but Monique's presence still lingers and it's spoiling the mood.

Gabriel had no objections. So far, he was deciding where they are going and what they will be doing, and he was happy that Becca picked something he can easily fulfill. 

Monique waited for them in the hallway. She was nervous.

"Miss Birack, we will be in touch.", Gabriel said dryly when they stepped out of the apartment. His hand was on Becca's shoulder, holding her close to him.

Monique was visibly in distress when she heard Gabriel's words. "Do you need more information on this unit?"

"No, we have everything we need.", Gabriel responded.

"What about the next one?", Monique asked weakly.

Gabriel shook his head. "There is no need to see that one. We concluded that our priorities changed."

Monique prepared two apartments for Gabriel, and her boss told her that it's a done deal because Gabriel is eager to make a purchase as soon as possible. One tour was cut short and the second one didn't happen! How can she return to the office like that?

Monique was not willing to give up easily. "Please, there are more apartments I can show you."

"Miss Birack…", Becca said icily. "If you don't back off, I will tell your boss about your lecherous plans that involve my boyfriend!"

Monique paled and swayed slightly. She didn't dare look at Gabriel. It's bad to tell her boss that she failed and it's much worse if she needs to admit that failure happened because of her indiscretion. She got carried away in the moment and spoke recklessly. How was she supposed to know that this young girl (aka Becca) is the client's girlfriend? She looks like a high schooler!

Gabriel smiled. Becca called him her 'boyfriend'.

Through their one-plus hour-long ride, Becca was singing along with songs that were on the radio, and Gabriel enjoyed listening to Becca and glancing at her when the traffic allowed.

When they stopped in front of the restaurant, Becca checked herself in the mirror. Her hair was still in a sleek ponytail, so that was a success, but there was another problem…

"I am underdressed…", Becca noticed that her ripped jeans and t-shirt are totally different style compared to Gabriel's suit pants and dress shirt.

"What are we going to do? Do you want us to get you something else to wear? Or to change dinner plans?", Gabriel offered. "We don't have much time and we will lose the reservation…"

Becca got an idea. She removed his necktie and undid the top button of his shirt. Now he is more casual.

Gabriel chuckled. "You are set on undressing me, aren't you?"

Becca remembered that on Saturday she offered to wash his shirt, yet he twisted it into her undressing him. But she will not allow him to tease her. Not this time.

She winked playfully. "I'm working on it. One button at a time."

Gabriel's mouth formed a soundless 'o' in surprise. He didn't expect this. Becca can fire back when she wants to. He likes that.

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