Chapter 73:
Chapter 73:
Gabriel's POV:
"Where are you going this time?"
Nancy asked me when she saw me pulling my suitcase into the living room. She was seated on the couch with her arms crossed and a raising eyebrow.
"Colorado." I simply answered as I checked the time from my wristwatch. I was just waiting for Jhon to get the car.
"And what are you going to do in Colorado? I thought your meeting there was over?"
"I saw Madi in Denver."
She laughed at me. "Again? You've seen her--- again!" She emphasized the last word.
"That's true. I saw her pass in front of the building while we were in a meeting."
"Really? That's exactly what you told me the last time you went from New York and Texas because you also said you saw Madi there." she has an amused grin on her face.
"This time it's real, Nancy! I can't go wrong with what I saw. It's her!"
"Oh, yeah, okay." she shrugged. "Anyway, I hope you really find her this time, brother." she stood up and walked over to me. "You've really changed a lot. I think it's better that Madi left you."
I glared at her.
"Because you improved your personality and you turned into this better man and take note.... a husband dedicated to finding his TOTGA." she patted me on the shoulder.
I frowned. "TOTGA?"
"Yup, TOTGA! The one that got away!"
I smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Oh, gosh! My hair, Gabriel!"
She complained but I just laughed at her. "I've already learned from that experience Nancy, and I don't want it to happen again."
"What if she's now in a relationship or she's already married?"
"No! She can't be! I won't allow it, she's mine! And by hook or by crook, this time I'm going make her mine!" she smiled proudly when she heard too much dedication from my voice.
"Yeah---"
"Mr. Wilsons, your car is ready, Sir," said Jhon at the front door, and we both turned to him.
"As I was saying... if there's one thing that hasn't changed in you, it is that you're still selfish!"
I chuckled when she rolled her eyes. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
"I have to go," I said hugging her.
"Yeah, take care of yourself and if what you said were true, take my sister-in-law back!"
"I will!" I smirked before I turned my way towards the front door.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Madi's POV:
"Hi, babe."
I put down my book on the table and arched my eyebrow when Martin sat down across my chair. It's ten o'clock on a Saturday morning.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" he asked me grinning.
He's referring to our trip to Denver tomorrow. We will personally check the new location for the new branch of our coffee shop.
"Yeah. I'm actually excited about it." I answered smiling.
"When are you going back to Chicago?"
I was suddenly struck in my seat with his question. "Uhm... I don't know, maybe if I have really important things to do in my restaurants." I shrugged. "What about you, when are you going back to Chicago?" I smiled and sent him back his question.
Well, we almost have the same experience.. the only difference was that I am married and he's not. The woman he loved before was also in someone else's arm when he came to the view. We shared each other's story and he called Chicago a 'land of the wounded'.
"Well, if you've decided to go back, I'll go with you. I want to see your business there."
"Sure,"
And he took the book out of my hand. "We both left half of our hearts in Chicago and brought here the other half. We always say we've both been broken-hearted before, but you know what I found out?"
"What?"
"We are not really broken-hearted even if only have the other half of our hearts..."
I frowned as I got confused with what he was saying, but when I noticed the cheeky grin on his lips, I was suddenly enlightened.
"I knew it!" I hissed, taking my hands out of his grip.
"You only have half of your heart and same with mine, but if we put them together... it's gonna be a whole heart again!" he grinned and winked at me.
I chuckled as I punched his arm.
"Why? I can be your husband if you want." he wiggled his eyebrows. I know this it's one of his jokes again.
"Are you now proposing to me, babe?" I played with him.
"Why not, if you agree? I'm sure I am more handsome and probably better than your ex-husband," he stated proudly with a huge grin.
I chuckled again and just shook my head.
"Well, honestly, I'm happy for both of us, Madi." He said seriously after a while. "At least we can now laugh and enjoy our freedom. We are the real survivors."
"Yeah. Congratulations to both of us! Give me a high five!" I asked bringing back the light mood.
"By the way, where will I pick you up tomorrow? At your apartment or your sister's house?"
"My sister's house."
"Okay, be ready by seven."
"Seven? But it's too early! Can we just go around nine or ten in the morning?"
"No." He said shaking his head. "If you're not ready around seven tomorrow... hmm... you know what Sarah can do to you," he smirked.
"I hate you!" I said glaring at him.
Martin is actually close to my sister's family because he is Joey's cousin. And Joey is my sister's husband.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I missed walking. It's kinda relaxing, you know."
"Yeah, me too," I said sipping from the cup of my chocolate latte while walking.
We have finished checking the area where we will put our new branch of 'Survivor Coffee shop'. It's in the lobby of a commercial building in downtown Denver. We decided to walk and explore some streets near the area so we could familiarize ourselves with the place and relax at the same time.
I was laughing at his silly jokes when I suddenly noticed a man following behind us. I ignored him at first, but at our every stop, the man also stopped walking, so I decided to secretly tell Martin. And because Martin being Martin, he doesn't even feel bothered. He put his arm on my shoulders and we stopped walking.
"Why did we stop?"
I whispered-asked but he just smirked.
"I'm sure he was sent by someone who wanted every detail of my life or yours."
I gulped when I heard what he said. Who between the two of us is this man spying with? But then I smiled when my mother came across my mind. And from a simple smile, it turned into a laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked me confused.
"I already have an idea who sent that man," I whispered in his ear.
"Who?"
"My Mom."
"What? But why?"
"Because she wants to check on me from time to time."
And a devilish smirk formed on his lips.
"I'm sure that man has a hidden camera."
"Maybe-----huh!" I gasped as he pulled me by my waist and pressed his forehead to mine.
"Do you know the eskimo kiss?"
I smiled at his idea. "Yeah."
"Then.. let's do the eskimo in one... two... three..."
We brought the tips of our noses together and rubbed them against each other. We both have huge grins on our faces while doing that silly idea. Everyone who passed in front of us, either give us a surprised look or a clap. But we know those people behind us will think that we're kissing in the middle of the street.
He even cupped both my cheeks and tilted his face to give the man a perfect view from behind me.
"When I say run... we will run," he said while our noses were still connected.
"Huh?"
"I'll count from one to three, okay?" I just found myself nodding. "Okay..one.. two... three.. run!"
He took my hand and we started running towards the bunches of people currently passing the street. We were both laughing and gasping for air as we run away from the man who tried to follow us
"Let's see what your Mom's reaction would be," he said when we reached his car.
"Wow! I enjoyed this Martin!" I said fastening my seat belt while still catching my breath.
"Which one did you enjoy the most? The fact that we ran away from that man or because you got an eskimo kiss from me?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows as he started the engine.
"Tss! In your dreams!" And we both laughed together.
We both had no idea that the man following behind us earlier wasn't sent by my mother, but by my husband... ex-husband.