ELLE

I woke up in haste.

I could feel the cold wind hit my back as I stretched out, feeling sore and tired as I turned, groaning. The sun burns my eyelids, and I raise my arm to shield my face from its glare. I'm close to sleeping again, only to hear the devil speak,

"You're awake now..."

I open my eyes and realize that the devil again possessed the affectionate man I slept with last night. What happened last night made me blush both in embarrassment and anger.

Why must he be so cold and heartless now when I feel great? He loves to ruin my precious moments.

Without looking at him, I muttered in a small voice, "Yes, I am."

I waited another minute for him to go and let me sleep, but when I opened my eyes, I still saw him there - sitting on the couch, watching me like dirt on his carpet.

"Why are you still here? Don't you have to go to your office?" I glance at the clock at my bedside table and huff, "It's 9 in the morning. Don't you have some meetings to attend?"

He rolled his eyes at me and I gulped. Am I going to be berated because of what I said? I bit my lip, having this urge to slap myself. "I waited for you to wake up." He snapped, his gaze lingering on my blushing face. I hastily bowed my head, for my cheeks felt hot, and I couldn't stop.

"And--?" I urge him to continue, pulling the comforter high on my chin as I sit up and muster the courage to stare at him. He sighs, running his hands through his hair, "I waited to apologize about what happened last night." He confessed.

"Oh? That's all you're going to say?" I bit my lip and nodded my head, saying, "It's okay-"

"No! Don't say that it is okay," Gabriel stared at me, his gaze intensified so that I could feel my cheeks blushing again. He stood from his seat and made his way to me. I bowed my head. "I wanted to clarify that you shouldn't assume I will be nicer after this. I want to rectify the situation and make our positions clear in this relationship," he clenched his jaw, holding my gaze as I stared at him. He leans down at me and continues, "I don't want to make you long for my love. Elle, I can be a husband to you – I can protect you and provide for you – but I cannot love you the same as you do to me. Please, listen..."

I was startled when he snapped his fingers, pulling my chin to make me look at him. "I'm so sorry if I took advantage of you last night, and I promise it won't happen again. I promise." With those words, he straightens up, leaving me shocked as I try to understand what he just said. I look up at him, and he surprises me more when he leans down swiftly, kissing my cheek. "I need to be at the office at ten. I'll see you tonight..."

I watch as he takes his leave, shutting the door behind him. The tears I'd been trying to suppress from the last ten minutes he was in front of me betrayed me, falling hot against my cheek as I sobbed. And what is the use of trying to stop them? He isn't here to judge me or bully me. I am all alone, Always alone. Gabriel had made it clear of our positions - I will always be a step behind him, for we are always in sync, even from the very start of our relationship.

Still, I had hoped.

I thought we were perfect last night, that we finally had a chance to fix our relationship and get back to how we were before, but he shut himself off again, returning to that monster I had feared. It hurts me that he keeps treating me like this and doesn't care about me or what I do. I wouldn't say I like the fact that he treats me like trash after he's done with me.

How could I be so stupid that I give it all to him?

I'm used.

I know full well that we married because of the company's sake and not because of love, but then...we fell. Or so I thought. Was it just me that had fallen to that cheeky bastard?

AM I WRONG? Am I wrong to fall for his tricks and yearn for him to love me back?

I thought he finally accepted me last night, yet I have made myself believe a drunken man's words. I am foolish and stupid, and I hate that I turn like this with him. If only I could, I would bring back memories - that way, we were together only about a few months ago, living in simplicity and happiness as we culture the love that is developing between us.

But now it seems impossible. He's back to that monster I have married...

I grab the sheets and cringe when I see blood on them. My virginity, I gave it to him and even lied to him because I am a fool, a fool who is in love with a man that has so many issues. I yank the sheets off to change them with a new ones.

I don't care if he's going to be like this forever. I'm pretty sure the divorce papers are on their way, and he couldn't wait to get rid of me. He's probably waiting for the right time for me to give in and let him be. Besides, the year is up. He wants me to yield and have him win this.

Though I won't be the one that is going to wave the white flag, I know that in the end, it will be him.

Oh, before I forget, I muttered to myself, "Happy Birthday to me."

"Elle.."

"ELLEANA!" I sat up on the tub only to cover my chest with my hands, my cheeks heating up.

"W-why are you in here?" I held his blue eyes as he frowned down at me, though it didn't hide the amusement in them. Gabriel brushes his hand on his hair as he enters further inside the bathroom. I look around, noticing that it has grown darker; my fingers have gone wrinkly, and I feel cold.

How many hours have I been in here?

Gabriel leans back, his expression unreadable as he removes his tie. I bit my lip and adjusted in the tub, trying to grab as many bubbles as possible but failing since they had already dissolved. I worriedly tried to lower myself into the water in an

attempt to cover myself, but Gabriel remained standing there, his eyes glued to my chest. I bit my lip as I saw him watching me, the amusement now clear in his eyes. I glared at him and tried my best to cover myself with my hands.

Gabriel snorted, "There's not much to cover, so don't bother with it. Besides," He shakes his hands and smiles, "I've seen it all last night." I can feel my neck tingling as I splash water on him, my eyes widening at his words. "If you've come here to tease me, you don't have to embarrass me further by pointing out how I am a disgrace to women's race!"

His lips quirked up, and Gabriel straightened, his eyes still holding mine, "Frances gave me a chocolate cake," He poked his tongue on his cheek and continued, " he told me that you want that flavor, so--"

"What?" I asked him out loud, not sure if he was serious about sharing the chocolate, considering that it was his favorite. He gave me a look before continuing, "Do you like to share it?" He stares at me with his hooded blue eyes looking me up and down. His eyes lingered on the level of my chest, half-buried in the water and my hands.

I cleared my throat, "Of course! I will eat it with you." I blush about what I said, seeing the ghost's smirk on his lips. "If you must, you should go down while I change." He raised an eyebrow in my direction, and I splashed water on him again. It takes him a minute or two before he takes his leave, chuckling as he closes the door. I swiftly take the towel from the hinge and wrap myself in it, leaning my back at the door and locking it.

I am pretty sure that I have locked it. That cheeky bastard! He loves to tease me when I am in my most vulnerable, unprepared state.

I could not believe that Gabriel had seen me naked again, and I hated that I was feeling different kinds of emotions. Not to mention the sight of his happy friend straining against his jeans at the sight of me. Oh, joy!

I headed inside our closet and rummaged for my clothes, a bit distracted by my thoughts. I am quite ashamed of how I acted toward him. How can I be so flustered after seeing him there? I should've tried to act as normally as I could. I guess I am just shocked at the sight of him staring at me from the door while I lay naked in the tub. As for the cake, I thought he bought it for me. I guess he has forgotten about my birthday, considering that he doesn't even bother to know about it.

I grab a tee and boxers on my side of the closet before putting them on since this is what I call a sleeping outfit, for I am not a fan of lacy lingerie or nightgowns. I quickly dressed, shivering as I did so. I slipped into my favorite bunny slippers and headed down the kitchen, a bit surprised to see my husband preparing dinner.

Well, that's new.

I have never seen a man in a black suit preparing dinner. Not to mention a really hot guy preparing dinner. Did I just say that my husband is hot?

I think I did, but I'm not going to say that out loud. Not ever.

I took a seat and was surprised when a hand slipped on my shoulder, putting a plate in my line of vision, "Chocolate..." I nodded my head, watching him as he took his seat, looking at me.

"El, I have something to tell you..."

Oh great, here it is, the mighty announcement. Elle, we're going to have a divorce...Wtf. What the fu*k or Well, that's fantastic? Can I really accept this?

I wring my hands together, biting my lip as I nervously stared at him, his eyes focused on his own slice of chocolate cake. "It's about our divorce, right?" I murmured after a while of silence. Gabriel raised his head to nod in my direction. "Okay. You'll say that you don't want to be with me now, are you?" he sighed, so I continued.

"You are tired of trying. You are exhausted and annoyed. You are irritated to see this wonder, as you clearly stated. Am I right?" I pointed at my face as he clenched his fist, his eyes still downcast. He made a move to take a bite from his cake, still training his gaze down at it.

I breathe out, my hands trembling. I long to strangle him and make him see how I am feeling. I wanted to give him a taste of what he was doing to me, make him hurt as I do. But how exactly am I to do that when the man sitting in front of me doesn't care? I sigh. "Well, when do we sign the papers?" I bit my lip to stop myself from whimpering.

Can't he see that this is hurting me? He's so insensitive.

A silence settled between the two of us. I tried to even out my breath, my hands trembling on my lap as I bowed my head, now losing the courage to stay here and be with him. If it is what he wants, then I will let him have his way. I guess my opinion doesn't really matter to him. He never really showed me some affection ever since the happening.

"My lawyer told me that our wedding only lasts for two years, and it depends on us now if we wanted for it to extend. Are you willing to extend?" I grab a spoonful of the chocolate cake and let him talk, my eyes down, not having the courage to speak up and tell him about my feelings because he might only use them at me. "So, what are you going to say about it? Do you want to?" He asked again after a few heartbeats. He will tease me for being weak if I tell him how stupid I am to be in love with a guy like him.

I grab another spoonful and shove it in my mouth. It did not stop him from pestering me for answers, and as I swallowed the remains down, looking at him, "Let it be."

I got out of my seat and washed my own dish, still not caring that he was following me around the kitchen - an ever-lingering presence of the feeling I kept trying to suppress.

I wonder why he is acting like this when a few hours ago he was telling me that he can't love me the same way I did to him. So why ask me about extending it?

Is he finally interested in me because he had a taste of my body last night?

"Elle, I know you want us to work, and I'd be happy to" I tune out his monologue and focus my attention on the task at hand. After a while, he returns to his seat. I could hear him talking on the phone, but I couldn't care less. He has made it clear to me this morning that I believe I cannot sway him off his principles of being the insufferable man that he is. "Elle, you can't get away from this forever." He told me before resuming the call with his client.

I passed him by, heading up the stairs so I could finally retire for the night. The hallways were dimly lit, and I ran my hands at the walls, thinking about when I will be kicked out of there. Will he laugh at me as I haul my luggage down the stairs? I bet he will be so happy if he helps me carry it out or not. I was walking wistfully, occupied with my thoughts when I heard his footsteps behind me. As I turn to my room,

"Gabe..." I warned him, turning around to face him, only to gasp as I saw no one. Geez, could it be possible that I'm hallucinating about all these?

I shake my head and enter the room, dropping myself down on my bed. Yes, it's my bed because he never sleeps here, except last night. He never really slept here in this house in the first place, for he has a freaking penthouse on top of his building, and I never had the chance to see it, or would I ever have the chance to because I only have a year left or less if he wants.

Brilliant.

I wonder if my parents know about this arrangement or if - "Elle, move your small bum off my side."

Oh! The pillow talks.

I turned to my left only to see the man in a suit now dressed in tees like...mine. "Who told you that you could borrow my shirt?" I pinched his sides only to earn a groan instead of an answer. Gabriel rolled his eyes as he turned at me, his face dimly lit by the bedside lamp.

"Well, this is mine, okay?" He pointed down at my shirt and said, "This is my home, my room, my bed, my shirt, Mine!" he frowned at me, turning to his side, "I'll sleep now..."

"No, you shouldn't! You promise you won't sleep with me, and this is my room, Gabe. My bed and that," I pulled the tee from his back and tried to remove it.

Keyword 'TRIED'

"That-is-my-SHIRT!"

He sighs, running his hand on his hair before turning back and flipping us so that he is trapping me below. He gave me one of those devilish smirks that made my heart flutter, and he flicked his tongue on my cheek and leaned down to kiss me.

Wtf! This freakin' arse kissed me again!

"This is my room, mi amore. My shirt, see?" He pulled it out of his body and showed the tag that said 'GABE.'

"But, but--" He pulled the shirt out of my head, goosebumps appearing on my neck and shoulders as the cold air touched my exposed skin. He leans to show me the same tag, giving me a smirk as he gazes down my breast.

Oh my, my. Oh my...

I covered my exposed part as he chuckled, throwing me his shirt as I scrambled to put it on me as fast as possible. I could feel my cheeks heating up as I tried to cover myself from him.

I can't believe that he saw me naked for the third time, again.

I pulled the blanket over me as I replayed everything. God, one minute he talks about our divorce, then the next thing I know is I'm lying down below him, naked. I snuggled close to my pillow and closed my eyes tightly.

Goodness, this is so embarrassing, but I can't forget it...can I?

ELLE

It wasn't a usual occurrence that I find myself lying on top of someone else's chest - much more when it was the devil himself, my husband.

Surprised, I hide my face in his chest, overwhelmed by his heavenly scent. I breathe in and sigh, snuggling closer to him. The morning was a pretty shade of gold and pale blue. The sun was about to wake the people up, peeking through the drawn curtains, the breeze lightly entering from the open window. I shivered, snuggling closer to him, making me bite down a giggle as his chest hair tickled me. My eyes widen as I realize that he is naked beneath me.

Does it mean that something happened last night?

I quickly checked beneath the blankets and sighed in relief when he was wearing some boxer shorts, his happy little friend camping inside, my cheeks flushing. I averted my gaze and stared around the room as the sun illuminated our wedding picture. I looked so happy that day because even if it was an arranged marriage, I married the man I had always wanted for a long time.

We used to attend the same high school in the past. Gabriel is the perfect example of a bad boy; with his cronies and obnoxious ways, he was feared as he was famous. His family status has helped him get what he wants. Even when he always gets in fights, he always manages to be one of the honors while I score the top. Girls worshipped him as he passed through the halls, making me hate him more. He hated me, too, because I was always his competition, and he made my life hell by bullying me and playing pranks on me.

It is because of this that I have fallen for him.

When he played a prank on me in tenth grade when we had a camp back at school, Gabriel and his cronies tried to trap me in a broom cupboard. Sadly, his cronies are so dumb that they have managed to trap both of us. That was the only time I saw him afraid of tightly enclosed spaces. Instead of getting annoyed at him, I comforted him and tried to soothe his trauma. The night was spent with words that had never been spoken between the two of us as the relentless rain battered the windows, occasional lightning shining from the slips on the door. I have never thought of Gabriel to be a coward; it is my first time seeing him tremble like a small child.

We were later found asleep, snuggled close to each other. He was the first to wake up. He roughly pushes me against the side of the cupboard, making me hit my head. Even if he hurt me, I will never forget the way he looks at me, so full of shame and guilt. No matter how much I tried to deny it, I have been caught in the trap.

All those years, I have managed to hide it from him, refusing to get in his inner circles and keeping to my own as we finished college, not until my father called me back to New York and arranged for me to marry him. I was aghast, for I could not believe how fate had played me.

Now, as I lay next to him, listening to his quiet breathing, I believe I am lucky enough to be his wife for a year. I turn my head so I can stare back at him, too surprised to react. I held my breath as I studied his face, his stubble lightly brushing my forehead as I tried to lean closer. He is really here, lying so peacefully. Does he even notice that I am on top of him?

He probably doesn't feel it because he hadn't pushed me off. I can feel my neck getting stiffer by the minute. I push myself up on my elbows and look down at him. My eyes were glued to his face; I was really struggling not to lean down and kiss him. I'm still finding it hard to believe that we slept together on the same bed for the second time and that nothing happened last night. I slowly lean back on my pillow, letting out a sigh.

Not having the level of self-control I wish I had, I took another peek again and observed him. His hair is tousled, and his lips open slightly for him to breathe. He was so peaceful. He looks so young and gentle as he lies beside me, unaware that I am practically salivating over his majestic appearance.

Why did God make him perfect?

This precious moment is enough for me to choke back a tear and smile. Even though he's cold and heartless most of the time, there is still a side of him that's warm. I believe if he tried hard enough, he is still capable of caring for someone.

The fact that he didn't leave this morning made me consider it a wonderful miracle. It was the first time that I was able to spend one waking moment he was here beside me, snoring softly as I looked at his face.

I swallowed a lump in my throat as my gaze fell back on his lips. I couldn't help it - I traced his brow, his defined cheek, that strong jaw, and a perky nose. I didn't even realize that his eyes were already open as I traced my way up to his forehead again, my fingers freezing on top of his brow. The sight of his opened eyes made me stare at him in surprise. I draw my hand back, my heart hammering inside my ribcage that it is a wonder how he is not hearing it.

I continue staring at him, thoughts running wild inside my head. Now I have to face the consequences of complementing the features of my own husband...

" I guess you're done playing with my face, Mrs. West." The simple address to me made me almost jump out of there and run. What had this man eaten last night that made him this, this sweet? And sarcastic.

Yep, sarcastic. The latter is better.

I tilt my head to the side, biting my tongue to avoid my mind from giving off any smart remark. I don't want to ruin his mood, most specifically when he is this playful. I have experienced worse mornings in the past because of how talkative I am. Living with Gabe has taught me to be silent, speaking only when acknowledged.

Gabriel just gave me a smirk before leaning on my forehead, kissing me swiftly, making my heart go haywire as I tried not to faint.

Wait, am I still dreaming? Is this even real?

I was surprised when a velvet remark brought me back to my senses, followed by a pinch on my cheek, "No, love. You aren't dreaming. And, just like you stated, this is very much real." He gave me another pinch to my already red cheek, and I had to duck my head slightly to keep my tomato face hidden from him. I'm blushing so hard that I probably look like a cherry rather than a tomato.

He startled me when he wrapped his arms around me and made me sit up, his form towering over me. I feel so small next to him. He stared down at me, giving me a gentle smile, "Those cherry blushes are better than pale cheeks. I guess I have to pinch your face every waking moment so you'll stay like that every day..." That did it! I was about to pinch his cheek when he suddenly bolted, running off to the bathroom.

This is wrong.

I have never expected a playful Gabe, especially in the morning. I may have seen it a few months ago, but I never foresaw him returning this soon. I guess I would have to thank Frances for that chocolate cake he'd given me. I'm sure he'd thrown whatever potion he had from his cupboard and made it into a cake. I guess Frances knows that Gabe loves chocolates and wants to relieve us of some stress by giving them to Gabe.

I straighten up, fixing my hair with my fingers, contemplating my choices. Should I go inside the bathroom to brush my hair and witness what Gabe was doing?

Great! I'm turning into a pervert now. How can I even think about that?

My mind still can't recover from the happened the other night. My body was actually wishing for some love from Gabe again, but I won't push it. I do not want to spoil this little playful moment between us. If I would have to deal with this playful Gabe longer than usual...then so be it. I would like this version much more than that monster who usually possesses my prince.

I raked my hands through my hair and thought about making breakfast. This is one of the best mornings I'd have to save down on my memory. Even though these things won't last forever, I might as well enjoy this magical moment while it lasts. I hastily went out of the room and skipped down the stairs, heading for the kitchen. I prepared the egg, cracked them, and stirred them in the bowl. I add some milk to it before I switch the stove. I put the pan over the fire, and I pour some oil on it. I waited for quite some time, pouring the mixture down and sniffing.

It was delicious....and glorious!

Grabbing some of the loaves on top of the fridge, I pulled four pieces and flattened them in the middle. I poured the last of the egg mixture on it before popping them inside the toaster. Having done with the loaves, I brewed some coffee. While waiting for both to finish, I get back to the egg by mixing them, having a scrambled one instead of the usual omelet.

I grab a bowl and empty the contents of the pan into it. The toaster let out some 'ping' as I grab two plates, setting them on the table with two loaves on each. After placing the food on the table, I snatched two cups and poured the coffee into them, almost slipping into another dimension as I smelled it. Now, this is what I call perfect. All I need to do now is fetch-

"Am I missing something?"

Nah. Forget it. I guess I won't need to fetch him after all.