Chapter Twenty Six

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Ava and I were having our nails done after spending some time on the massage table. Yes today I was officially twenty five. I didn't feel any different but I knew I was getting older. I had lived my campus life to the fullest, I had a successful career and had enjoyed being single and having time to myself as a single person. Why do I keep saying single? Anyway, maybe it was now time to find myself a man, settle down and have some kids. A husband and kids to make my own little family didn't sound so bad. Too bad the man I pictured myself doing all this with was already taken.

I couldn't stop thinking about my last encounter with Gabriel. It was still bothering me that I didn't know who that woman was. I could have stalked her on social media but I really didn't want to find out. I hated her enough without knowing she was a model with a private jet and daddy's money. I also felt really bad loosing my ring. I had grown attached to it and now it was back with Gabriel. I know I still had the helmet but I couldn't take that with me everywhere and it didn't hold as much value as the ring did. The ring to me was a promise of a future with Gabriel. Now that I didn't have it anymore and it was back with him, did it mean there was no hope anymore?

This is such a headache, I thought today would relax me but it clearly didn't and I was going crazy.

"Hey you okay?" Ava asked looking at me with a worried face.

I was going to tell her about my encounter with Gabriel but she would make a big deal out of it and I was already doing that myself without any help.

"Yeah I'm fine. I'm just not excited about growing older." I whined and she laughed it off.

Good job brushing it off Nia. Subtle and effective.

"I don't know why you're complaining. You're the baby of the group." She replied.

"Yeah true you're all grandmas and grandpas already." I replied and we laughed it off.

I decided to just relax clear my mind and enjoy my birthday. It's not everyone who lives long enough to celebrate their birthday. I should be grateful and thank the heavens for another beautiful year.

"Since we can't go clubbing due to the whale of a best friend you have why don't we go to your place and binge watch dirty movies." Ava said wriggling her eyebrows as we got into the car.

"If we were going to my place why did you make me dress up?" I asked pointing out my attire.

I was wearing a short long sleeved blue dress that hugged my torso and flared out from the waist down to reach my mid thighs and it was backless. I wore black heels and my hair was done into beautiful cornrows that twisted out at the back after being pampered the whole morning and part of the afternoon. It felt really good.

"You need to look pretty for your birthday." Ava replied with a smile as she strapped herself to the passenger seat of my car.

She looked pretty in a maxi baby pink dress and white flats. Her belly was showing and she wore it well. She made a sexy pregnant lady.

"Then why did I need this stupid flower crown?" I asked pointing at it.

I only pretended to hate it but I honestly loved it. It looked cute on me.

"How else will people know it's your birthday unless you have a crown? You stopped me from getting you the real one so wear that one." She insisted.

She had wanted to get me a real tiara but I said that was a waste of money and she had relented and gotten me this one instead.

"Okay baby mama if you say so." I replied as we drove back to my place.

We got there forty five minutes later and it was around three in the afternoon. We took the elevator to my floor because I was wearing heels, we had too many shopping bags from our shopping spree this morning and I had a pregnant lady besides me who even though she knew she needed the exercise hated using stairs.

"Can you unlock the door, my hands are kind of full." I said glaring at Ava who was carrying one shopping bag and holding an opened bag of chips in the other while I was carrying almost ten bags alone.

So much for being the birthday girl.

She smiled at me and used her keys to open my door, yeah she had a spare. She stole it and I never asked for it back. It's not like she'd give it back.

She put on the light and stepped aside trinket me in.

"Guys I know you're in there so stop hiding." I shouted before they could all yell surprise at me.

"Party pooper." Ava mumbled next to me.

I dropped all the bags next to the door planning on getting them later and I walked further into the apartment.

It was decorated beautifully in pink, white and gold. There were balloons everywhere and even two that had the number twenty five in the. There was a cake next to the mimosa bar. That's a relief, I thought they were going to get me a keg. And there was food laid out in my dining table. I had to get a bigger one to fit our group after I had to change my living room rug twice. The guys love to spill a lot. The decorations looked amazing.

"Vin I can see your spongebob socks peeping from behind the couch." I said and the leg quickly disappeared.

I heard a thud then an ouch and more whispering.

"Surprise!!!!"

Everyone shouted jumping from behind my couches. Even if I knew they were there I still pretended to be shocked.

"You told her?" Paul asked looking at Ava who was now pulling out the cookies used to decorate my cake and eating them.

"Noph!" She replied and it came out muffled due to her full mouth.

This girl could eat.

"She didn't tell me. Vincent tweeted about it. It's hard not to miss the naked lady popping out of a giant cake saying surprise party." I replied and everyone glared at Vincent.

He raised his hands in surrender "Am sorry. I had been waiting to use that Gif for months. I got the chance and I could resist."

"You couldn't wait a few more hours." Jackson said glaring at him.

"Hey leave him alone. You idiots aren't any innocent either. All your cars are parked outside." I defended him.

"Thanks baby siz."Vincent said poking his tongue out at them." Happy birthday." He wished me as he pulled me into one of his famous hugs.

Everyone else melted and joined in the hug. I loved these guys. We pulled apart and Paul went to his fiancée to pull her away from eating my cake. The rest say on my couch to watch TV and I stood there admiring my family

"Happy birthday Nia." Vera said coming out of the kitchen wearing and apron and holding a wooden spoon.

Remember her, Nicks Queen. Yes they were still together and going strong.

"Kitchen duty huh?" I asked her pulling her into a side hug to avoid messing my outfit.

"Sadly yeah but am almost done. Just a few more minutes." She replied.

"But am already hungry." Vincent whined.

"Me too babe." Nick joined.

"I could eat." Jackson added.

"Then you twats should have helped out." I reprimanded them and they mumbled their apologies and concentrated back on whatever they were watching.

"Thanks." Vera said smiling. I winked at her and she walked back to the kitchen.

I decided to grab my bags from the door and take them to my bedroom. Ava would get hers later when she would be leaving.

After putting everything where it was supposed to be and changing into more comfortable flat shoes I walked back into the living room. There was a very familiar new voice there. Please don't be him. Please don't be him. I begged the angels as I recognized that voice.

"Nia looked who stopped by." Vincent announced looking very nervous. He should be nervous because I knew this was all his doing.

"Gabriel." I greeted breathing out his name as I tried to calm my rapidly beating heart.

"Hey Nia. Happy birthday." He said and I just nodded having no words to say at the moment. He was wearing a white button up tucked into blue slacks and brown loafers. Looks like we were matching in the blue compartment. I hope that was just another coincidence.

We stood there looking at each other. Nobody saying a word or moving. Everyone else just stood around looking at us waiting for any of us to react or say anything. I was just shocked that he was in my house on my birthday. I was definitely not expecting this. Not after what happened the last time we saw each other. I needed at least another three years to recover from that encounter not two weeks. Yet here he was in my home, my safe haven contaminating it with his presence. As if thinking about him all the times wasn't enough now I'd remember where he stood, what utensils he used. This was just torture for me.

"Guys food is ready." Vera announced breaking the tension and everyone sighed in relief and headed towards the set table. I don't know why they were behaving that way, they had invited him.

Jackson and Vincent sat on opposite sides of the table, like they were the head of the family. Paul sat next to Ava on one side and Nick and Vera on the other. I sat next to Vincent on one side and Ava next to me. Gabriel was left to sit opposite me where I couldn't avoid his gaze no matter how much I tried.

"All this looks amazing Vera. It's amazing having a chef in the group." I thanked her serving myself first. Yeah Vera was head chef in a huge restaurant here in the city.

It was a rule that everyone got to eat first in their special day.

"You're welcome. The birthday girl deserves nothing but the best." She replied smiling and I smiled back.

After having the first bite everyone took that as an invite to dig in. There was so much food but nothing would remain having four giants here, sorry I meant five, Gabriel was here now so I had to count him.

Everyone mumbled their appreciation at Vera as we all dug into our food. It was really that good. There was fried white rice, chapatis, chicken, beans and beef stew. It was all very delicious. Thankfully because of Vincents childish ways and Jackson's terrible jokes there was never a boring moment at the table. It was just like old times if you ignored the tension between me and Gabriel. If it were the old times I would be seated next to Gabriel or on his lap as we fed each other and exchanged kisses. The guys would groan and complain but we would ignore them being too lost in each other. What was I doing? Reminiscing old times about someone who had a girlfriend. I needed to compose myself. Thankfully I was done eating most of what was on my plate.

"Excuse me guys, I'll be back." I excused myself and pushed my chair back before walking into the spare bathroom. Mine was too far and I needed to sit quick before I fell over. I was too nervous and I needed so alone time.

I dropped to the floor next to the door and let the cold tiles cool my body. I took deep breaths like I taught my clients when I wanted them to calm down. I began tracing the pattern tiles to get my mind off things.

I don't know how long I sat there but it must have been long because they sent someone to check up on me because I heard a knock on the door.

"I'll be right out." I replied but made no effort to move.

After a few more minutes the door opened and in came in the last person I wanted to see. He dropped himself next to me and our shoulders were touching. I wanted to move but he was warm and the cold in the bathroom was starting to get to me. His cologne hit my nostrils and like it was a natural reaction I closed my eyes to enjoy that feeling. Realizing what I was doing I quickly opened my eyes and focused on blocking out how Gabriel's presence was affecting me.

"The guys were worried and I volunteered to come check up you. You've been here a while." Gabriel explained.

"I just needed a minute." I replied.

"I'm sorry for coming. I thought you knew I was going to be here when Vincent invited me." I knew it was that big baby. He couldn't leave things alone. "I can leave if I'm making you uncomfortable." Gabriel continued but he sounded as he if was forcing himself to say those words.

"No it's okay. Ill not be the reason we all stop hanging out together. They were your friends first anyway. If anything I should be the one excusing myself not you." I replied leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

"Don't say that. I think they like you more than they like me." He said and I laughed opening my eyes to look at him and found that he was already looking at me.

This man got more handsome each time I saw him.

"Nia about the last time we met. It wasn't exactly how I pictured our first meeting after so long."

"Tell me about it." I said and we both chuckled softly.

My thoughts couldn't help going back to the lady I met that day too. He beat me to it before I could ask. It's like he could read my mind. It wasn't a shock though. Gabriel always knew what I was thinking even before I could say it.

"She's a family friend. Her brother was the engineer who designed the building where the clinic is and I had to take her out that day. She had been pestering me about it since I came back and I finally gave in to get her off my back." He explained.

"You own the clinic?" I asked.

"Yeah. Kinda. My dad built it for me. He said that I needed a place of my own to practice my trade."

"A hella expensive trade. I had to pay just a thousand shillings to get in to see you and all you did was stitch my palm and bandage it." I replied.

"Well if you said you didn't have the money you still would have been treated. Money from people like you is what allows us to treat those who can't afford treatment."

"That's a nice way of doing things. Makes that thousand shillings even more worth it." I said with a smile.

Gabriel had always wanted to help the less fortunate who couldn't afford the best treatment and am glad that he was achieving that right now.

"I just wanted you to know that there's nothing going on between Clara and I. She's actually into someone else and was using me to make him jealous." He explained.

"I doubt that. That may have been her intention at first but she wants you. I could tell by the was looking at you, like you were dessert." I replied getting a little defensive and he laughed.

"Well I don't care about that, the only woman I ever want looking at me like I'm dessert is you." He replied with a smile and hopeful eyes.

The palpitations in my heart were back when he uttered those words. We're his words enough though?

"What about that photo frame on your desk?" I asked my memory taking back to what I'd seen.

"What photo?" He asked his face scrunched up in confusion.

"The one where you're holding a girl bundled up in a duvet?" I asked feeling irritated that I had to recount every detail to him.

He looked confused for a second before he figured out what I was talking about and he did what I least expected him to do after what I had just asked. He burst out laughing. I looked at him feeling very pissed off at his reaction. All I wanted was for him to be honest, not for him to laugh at my face. I clenched my fist as I held in my tears. I wasn't about to break down in front of him.

"Baby girl that girl I'm holding in my arms like the most precious thing to me is you." He said once he had stopped laughing.

"What?!" I asked shocked.

"Yeah it's you. Ill prove it to you." He said pulling out his phone from his pocket.

He unlocked it and scrolled around before showing me a picture on his screen. It was almost similar to the one in his office only my face was shown much more clearly in this one. I handed him back the phone blushing profusely in shame. Why did I have to embarrass myself like that?

"I'm sorry for assuming. I just don't remember us taking those pictures." I explained feeling guilty about accusing him.

It had been torture thinking about Gabriel with someone else other than me but now I realized my mistake. It had been me all along.

"It's okay love I understand, I used to take pictures of you all the time without you knowing it. I'm kind of glad that you were jealous. It means that you still care." He replied smiling.

I was about to deny that I wasn't jealous but what's the use when we both knew I was jealous. I did care about him. He meant everything to me.

I looked at Gabriel and everything that I'd ever wanted for the past three years was right there in front of me. Gabriel looking at me with love in his eyes and I hoped he could see the same look reflected on my face.

I finally admitted it. I was in love with Gabriel. Me a girl who didn't believe in love finally did. The past three years had been torture without him and now he was here I wouldn't let him go. I didn't regret leaving him though. I wish it hadn't been as long but I didn't regret it. Meeting and loving Gabriel had been the best thing to ever happen to me and I just needed the space to realize that. I needed the space to grow on my own before committing myself to one man. And that man was sitting right in front of me within touching distance after and eternity away from him.

"I need to tell you something too." I said looking at him.

It was now or never. I had to get it out before my chest exploded.

"I'm listening."

"I..." I trailed off. Why was this so hard?

"Hey don't force it. We have time." He encouraged.

"No time is all I've had the past three years so here goes. Gabriel I am in l....." I didn't get to finish my statement because there was a bang on the door.

"I hope you guys aren't making babies in there. I really need to pee." Vincent said from the other side making Gabriel groan and I couldn't help but smile.

"I swear he does this intentionally. He has the worst timing." Gabriel complained.

"We'll be out soon Vincent and you can use my bathroom." I told him.

"Okay good and hurry up in there. I want cake and Vera said the birthday girl has to cut it. Apparently being her brother doesn't count." He said and I could imagine him rolling his eyes.

"Okay go do your business and I'll come cut the cake." I said laughing at his childishness.

"Awesome ." He yelled and we waited to hear his footsteps fade away before we burst out laughing.

"He's such a big baby." Gabriel said and I nodded. "So what were you going to tell me." He asked getting serious again.

The moment had been ruined so I decided to just wait and I'll tell him some other time. Like he'd said we had time because this time I wasn't letting him go.

"I really want to kiss you right now." I replied and he smirked.

"You didn't have to ask." He said and before I could react he leaned in and smashed his lips against mine.

I reacted immediately by putting my hands around his neck and deepening the kiss as I opened my mouth for him. His hands went under the skirt of my dress as he gripped my hips in the bruising hold that I loved. Our lips danced with familiarity and its just like it we were never apart. My whole body warmed up to the feeling of finally being complete in the hold of the man I loved.

"I missed you." Gabriel whispered against my lips when we pulled away for breath.

"I missed you more." I replied caressing his face."We had better go before Vincent comes looking for us again." I said and he nodded before getting up and helping me up.

I made sure I was decent and nothing was out of place.

"You look sexy as fuck in that dress." Gabriel commented looking at me through the mirror as my back was to him. One of his

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