I woke up to the sun shining in my face, which made me squint my eyes as soon as I opened it. I looked around and found myself in my room with the curtains wide open.

I slowly got up and felt uncomfortable. Like I was weighed down by heavy clothes, I looked down at myself.

I was still wearing sweaters and sweat pants from last night. Great! I could feel my bra cutting off my circulation.

I got up wanting to get rid of all this weight off of me. I stripped and ran to the shower.

As the warm water cascaded down my body, I felt myself relax. I lathered my hair with shampoo, softly massaging my scalp.

With my eyes closed, I let my mind wonder. How did I end up in bed fully clothed last night? Last thing I remember, I had been watching a movie with the girls and Gabriel. Did I fall asleep there? Did Gabriel carry me to my room?

With that thought, my eyes snapped open in alarm, forgetting about the shampoo on my head, which was dripping down my face. It stung my eyes. "Ow!" I said, scrubbing my face and washing my eyes, cleaning the shampoo off from it.

I quickly finished with the rest of the cleansing and got out of the bathroom after brushing my teeth. I had wrapped a towel around myself.

I felt like I would freeze when I came out. So I dashed over to the walk-in closet.

As I got in a sudden wave of dizziness came, making me lean on the door.

What's wrong with me, I thought, as I noticed how weak and tired I felt despite the fact that I just woke up.

This must be why I fell asleep on the sofa last night, because I do remember feeling extra tired last night as well.

When my dizziness went, I quickly put on some clothes consisting of a white knit cropped top and some skinny jeans.

How I wish I could just wear some loose fitting, light as a feather pants and a baggy t-shirt, and call it a sick day. But I had promised to take the girls shopping today for their birthday dresses.

Their birthday is tomorrow, and my precious little darlings had requested for a dress chosen by me.

Not that Gabriel complained. He said he could arrange the whole party, but if he was left to choose their outfits, they might come out looking like a couple of clowns.

So here I am, getting ready to go save the day-or party.

I lightly blow dried my hair, not bothered to style it, leaving it to hang loose around my shoulders. I clasped a gold chain as a finishing touch. After applying some lip gloss and mascara, I was done.

Stepping out, I was startled as the door next to mine opened, and Gabriel stepped out. He saw me and paused. He looked startled himself.

I couldn't help giving him a once over, starting from his wet hair, which I assume was because he was fresh out of the shower. It was left messy like he had only run his fingers through them to make it look presentable.

My eyes drifted down to what he was wearing. Short sleeve gray t-shirt which hugged his muscular body and a comfortable looking pair of jeans which showed off his long legs.

After some time, it occurred to me that I was ogling him, and I whipped my head up only to find him too distracted to notice me ogling him. So I continued my perusal, this time on his face.

His sharp jawline, his high cheek bones, his narrow nose, up to his eyes which were concealed with his long thick lashes, as his eyes were downcast, slowly making its way up as he gave me a once over.

Finally, when his eyes came up to mine, he realized what he had been doing, and I saw a slow blush rising on his cheeks as he instantly looked away.

Guess I have changed enough for even the Great Gabriel to take notice of me, huh? Looks really are the only thing that matters I thought. Feeling a dark cloud come over me, making me feel gloomy thinking about the time that Gabriel had been my entire world, while it seemed that the only thing that Gabriel had ever noticed was Sarah. Sarah and her cheerleaders outfit, more like.

Brushing aside these gloomy thoughts cause there really was no point in feeling bitterness towards the past, I smiled at him as I wished him a good morning, and he returned it quietly and followed me downstairs

It was already pretty late, so we knew we would find the girls there.

As I went down the stairs, I felt another wave of lightheadedness, which made me suck in a breath and hold on to the railing.

Gabriel, who was right behind me, stopped, almost crashing into me. I felt him going around me to see what was wrong, and as he saw my tightly shut eyes and pale face, he grabbed my arms, asking what's wrong.

By then, I felt better enough to open my eyes. I smiled up at him, looking in his eyes, which showed concern.

"Maybe I'm hungry, I felt light-headed." I told him, as there was no point of telling him I was fine, after standing in the middle of the stairs, hugging the railing like a lifeline.

"Ok, let's go get you some breakfast then,' he said, gently taking my upper arm and guiding me downstairs.

Downstairs, in the kitchen, we found the twins, as expected, along with their nanny Emma, and Paula, who was making omelets.

I sat down, sighing with relief, feeling my head perspiring. Seriously, what's wrong with me.

"Good morning, Miss Nicola. Are you feeling alright?" Paula asked me with concern, turning around from the stove to serve Gabriel his coffee, as he took a seat after he had helped me to mine.

"I'm fine Paula, just feeling lightheaded, maybe because I am hungry?" I answered more like a question.

"Oh, then let's give you breakfast. What would you like to eat, Miss Nicola?" Paula asked.

"Those omelets look nice, Paula, and could I get some orange juice?" I asked. I was craving it because of the weakness I was feeling. "And also, please call me Nicola." I whined.

I heard some giggles, and I turned my head to see my two little nieces looking at me.

"Good morning, Nicki," they chorused.

"Morning darlings. Are you ready now to go to the mall?''

"Yes, I'm ready," they both said together. Sometimes, I think these two are connected in their minds or something. They tend to talk together a lot.

I smiled at Emma gratefully as she gave me my glass of orange juice. I really couldn't have gotten up and gotten it myself right now.

I drank a big gulp, instantly feeling some energy seeping through me. As I put my glass down, I looked up to see Gabriel watching me closely. I smiled at him in reassurance as I accepted my omelet and started eating it.

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The sun was about to set, and we were on our way back from the mall. I sat in the front passenger seat while the girls sat in their car seats in the back. Gabriel was driving us.

I leaned my head back, resting it, keeping my eyes closed. We had to visit a lot of shops in the mall to find the perfect dresses for the twins, which had left me completely drained.

Gabriel had hovered around me a lot, which was why he went, I think, not wanting to send the girls out with me alone while I wasn't feeling well.

I had found the hovering very, very annoying. Not because he was overbearing, but because I can't stand it when he gives me attention.

I keep forgetting to breath when I see his blue eyes on me, my heart keeps pumping so hard against my rib cage every time he comes close to me and I become a frozen stuttering mess when he touches. He had been doing all of that the whole day! Like I said, it's very annoying having him here with me.

The girls were chattering excitedly behind us. They were very excited for tomorrow, wanting to get all dressed up.

After we had bought the dresses we bought matching accessories. Tiaras, bracelets, and necklaces. And matching shoes as well.

I heard a throat clearing and opened my eyes. I looked outside before I looked towards the source of the throat clearing. We were almost at the house now, so I looked at him questioningly.

"You are done for the day, Nicola. No more activities. Rest ok? You are having your dinner and sleeping early tonight." He ordered, and I sighed, but when he glanced at me, I saw the worry on his face and decided not to oppose. I sighed again and nodded. Seeing his face relax as I agreed, I smiled a little and turned towards the window as we turned the corner onto their street...

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How'd you like this chapter? I am updating so quickly because my mind is full of the story. I will continue writing until my brain gets tired and needs a break.

Please don't forget to vote. And do leave comments. Bye for now ☺️