At night, after dinner, Gabriel called Amelie while resting his head against the headboard.
"Are you alright?" Gabriel asked.
"Yes, I am fine. How many times did you ask about my well-being?" Amelie questioned.
"I can’t help but worry. My mom put you between the people, whom I don’t even trust a bit," Gabriel replied.
"Umm... I don’t blame your mother. She just wants me to stay with my family. I saw my mom crying earlier in silence. She must be regretting for what she did to me. About Flora, I don’t have much to say. But they won’t harm me. You worry a lot. Denzel came earlier to check on me. You have disturbed him too," Amelie complained.
"Your safety is my priority, that’s why," Gabriel stated.
"Did you have your supper?" Amelie questioned.
"I did. But I wasn’t feeling good in your absence. Even the food appeared bland in taste," Gabriel stated. "Ame, how am I supposed to spend the night without you? I want to hold you close, look into your eyes and breathe your scent. I–I am going insane," he expressed his deep feelings.
Amelie turned quiet, clearly stunned what she just heard. Those words truly made her feel how much Gabriel was burning from inside. The words warmed her heart too, fluttering it into rapid rhythms. Her tears turned misty because of the overwhelming emotions.
"Amelie, are you there?" Gabriel asked after realising she had suddenly turned silent.
"Yes, I am here only," Amelie replied promptly.
"By the way, I am in your room. It feels so good to be wrapped in your scent. Though it’s faint, but it’s making me feel better," Gabriel stated.
Amelie smiled. "I wonder once we get married if you’ll ever leave my side," she mused.
"That’s not going to happen, Ame," Gabriel replied affectionately. "You are going to stay glued to me," he said.
"Really?" Amelie chuckled.
"I’m joking! But you’ll find me with you most of the time. While working I may be away but still close to you," Gabriel answered, smiling.
Just then, Gabriel heard a knock at the door. He climbed out of bed, walked over, and opened it.
Karmen stood there, holding a bottle of wine.
Gabriel gave Karmen a quick gesture, signaling him to head home as he was still on the phone.
"Gabriel, I need to hang up now. Mom’s calling me," Amelie said gently. "Goodnight. Sleep well. Tomorrow’s a big day for us."
"Alright," Gabriel replied softly. "Goodnight to you too. Dream of me."
A soft smile lingered on Amelie’s lips as the call ended.
Gabriel slipped his phone into the pocket of his trousers, then turned his gaze to Karmen, who stood by with a knowing smirk.
"I wonder why you didn’t just go and see her," Karmen teased. "You’ve been missing her so much that you looked completely drained all day. I’ve never seen you like this before."
Gabriel walked toward the light switch and turned the light off. As he closed the door behind them, he finally replied, "Amelie wanted me to follow tradition."
The two began walking toward Gabriel’s room.
"And I decided to honor it because she believes in it," Gabriel said softly. "It would’ve upset her if I showed up. I think I finally understand what it means to be deeply in love when every part of you aches for the person you love."
They reached the door and pushed it open, stepping inside, only to find a surprising sight.
Gabriel’s brothers were already gathered in the room, lounging comfortably and clearly waiting for him.
Gabriel blinked, confused and irritated. "What are you all doing here?"
Casaio grinned. "It’s your last night as a bachelor. After tonight, you’ll be a husband, a married man. So we figured, why not celebrate one final night of freedom with you?"
"Princess Katelyn isn’t here," Karmen said, glancing around.
"She went to the hotel to stay with Amelie tonight," Dominick replied.
Gabriel eased into the recliner. Karmen stepped over to the table, where Casaio had already set out four glasses in preparation. With a smooth pour, Karmen filled each glass with wine, handing them out one by one.
"This toast is for my dear youngest brother," Casaio said with a warm smile, lifting his glass. Dominick and Karmen followed suit, their expressions mirroring the sentiment. Gabriel let out a soft chuckle, raising his glass before taking a small, thoughtful sip.
The others drank with him, the room briefly filled with the quiet clink of glasses and a shared silence.
"So, Gabriel," Casaio continued, leaning back slightly, his tone more reflective now. "How do you feel? Let’s forget the rivalry that once existed between us. I know you’ve been upset with us all these years," Casaio said sincerely. "But I want us to grow stronger together. Now that you’ve found your mate, I hope some of that pain inside you has started to ease."
Gabriel’s fingers tightened slightly around his glass. "Then why didn’t you two ever stop Mom?" he asked. "I acted the way I did because my own brothers laughed at me." He took another slow sip of wine.
He hadn’t meant to say that. But they just came from the bottom of his heart. It was the only complained that he always had from his both brothers.
Dominick leaned forward, his brows furrowed in concern. "Are you... experiencing a rut?" he asked, noticing the flush deepening on Gabriel’s cheeks. His pupils had dilated slightly, and the color of them were changing too. It hardly used to happen, except for the time when he would be in rut.
"Just answer what I’ve asked," Gabriel averted his gaze from them.
"It’s not good that your rut approached at such a time," Casaio remarked, still not answering his question. "Did you take pills?"
"Yes, I did," Gabriel replied and downed the remaining wine. "And I’m fine. Nothing is wrong with me," he asserted. "Just answer me why you two always acted so indifferent toward me," he asked again.