Chapter 58

The next day, we were late for Anna's birthday. Once we resumed our intimacy, there was no stopping us. It was much easier without staff around; we had the whole house to ourselves. Nothing was off-limits.

Going to work after our morning was difficult, and Anna's birthday party even more so. We were late, but she forgave us immediately upon seeing the Chanel gift I'd chosen. All was forgotten.

Zach and Gabriel excused themselves for work, leaving the birthday girl pouting. Apparently, a charity gala was scheduled the following weekend—a stark reminder that five and a half months had passed since my wedding to Gabriel, and two months since I'd learned about Lily and been subsequently kidnapped.

Time was flying by; I wished I could freeze this moment.

We stayed late that night, playing Monopoly until 4:00 a.m. Yes, Monopoly. I expected playing with two billionaires to be strange, but it wasn't. Gabriel was surprisingly competitive, while Zach seemed to self-sabotage because Anna was losing (and she was a sore loser).

I was sleepy all day at work, but Gabriel wasn't. He looked like he'd slept twelve hours; I looked like a caffeine-deprived addict.

Around midday, Gabriel asked everyone to go home. I think he couldn't bear to see me so exhausted. When he insisted I go home, I refused, saying I didn't want special treatment just because I was his wife. So, he sent the entire floor home.

My new friends adored me, even more so after their boss sent them home early for my sake.

That weekend, I went out for drinks with them. Gabriel knew and, surprisingly, was fine with it. My bodyguard maintained a safe distance, and as long as I didn't ditch him, Gabriel said I could have fun. I didn't tell him I had no intention of ditching my bodyguard; despite my outward composure, I still had nightmares about the kidnapping. I'm terrified of being alone in public without Gabriel, and this was only my second or third time venturing out.

I got ready with the girls at their apartment. They wanted me to wear a short dress, but when I refused, they let me wear jeans and a very sexy black corset top I borrowed from [Name].

While they had shots, I had a Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT). It was strong, but not overwhelmingly so.

By the time everyone was on their sixth shot, I'd just finished my first drink, and the buzz started hitting. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good buzz; I felt anxious and paranoid.

I immediately texted my husband: "Hi."

Before I could get a reply, my phone was snatched and thrown onto the table with a thud. "No phones allowed," Mike practically yelled in my ear, adding in a softer voice, "Unless you're texting the boss; in that case, I wouldn't have stopped you."

I chuckled and lied, "Nope. Not texting the boss."

"Good," he grinned lopsidedly. "You two actually seem pretty in love, you know?"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. There were some nasty rumors when you got married."

My curiosity overcame my paranoia. "Like what? That I married him for money?"

"Nah. We all knew our boss is too smart to get trapped for money."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Then what?"

"They said you were a witch who hypnotized him," Baylen Benny chimed in.

My jaw dropped. "So, he's not smart enough to dodge a witch?"

"It's a witch," Ethan replied. "No one can dodge a witch."

"What are you guys talking about?" Eve asked, and suddenly the whole table joined the conversation.

"I'm telling her about the nasty rumors we heard when she and the boss got married."

"Ooh, I've got a good one!" Liv swayed slightly—eight shots will do that to you. "I heard you were pregnant."

I frowned, taking a sip of the melted ice in my empty LIIT. "I am very much not pregnant, thank you very much."

"I heard he lost a bet and had to marry you," Benny added.

My jaw dropped again. "Yes, guys, lay it all on me. Why protect my feelings?"

They all chuckled. "We know now that none of it's true," Benny said. "He's completely wrapped around your finger."

"Yup. Never seen him like this. That's why I won't discard the witch theory," Ethan teased, and I threw a plastic straw at him, which he effortlessly dodged while laughing.

"I heard it was an arranged marriage," Eve said, eyeing me.

Sober Sofia would have been flustered. Tipsy Sofia flashed her a grin. "Nope. He saved me from kidnappers. And he bought me thirty-two rings." I showed her my engagement ring.

Olivia's eyes sparkled. "Your ring is so pretty."

"Are we going to skip over the part where she said kidnappers?" Mike asked.

"Geez," Eve held my hand to examine my ring closely. "Can I share your rings with me? I like diamonds."

I nodded enthusiastically.

"So, we're skipping over the kidnapping part?"

"Not my wedding ring, though," I stipulated.

"Of course not," she replied.

"So, I guess we're skipping over it."

"Skipping over what?" Gabriel's voice boomed from our booth, silencing everyone.

I was the first to recover and turn to face him.

He was still in his work clothes—a white shirt and blue trousers, hands in his pockets.

"Gabriel," I stood up. "What are you doing here?"

"You texted me, then disappeared, Freckles. I've been calling, and you didn't answer," he frowned slightly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I missed you." My cheeks flushed.

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you drunk?"

"A little," I picked up my now-empty LIIT glass and offered it to him.

He shook his head. "Well, since you're missing me, I should join you." He peered over my shoulder at my friends, who stared back, dazed and tipsy.

He glared.

"Y-yes, sir. Join us," Benny offered, stammering nervously. "I mean, please. Please join us."

"Very well, then. It's settled." My husband gave them a saccharine smile and sat in the chair I'd vacated, pulling me onto his lap. "What were you talking about?"

"Rumors about our wedding," I murmured, and all my friends glared at him.

"Is that so?" He put his arm around me, thoroughly amused. "Humor me."

"Apparently, I'm a witch who enchanted you," I giggled, wrapping my arms around his neck and hiding my face in his chest.

"Can't say they're wrong," he shrugged. "You have enchanted me, little witch."

I giggled in his arms, happy he was there, ignoring my friends' smiles and snickers.