The red dress I brought on the trip highlights my body, and I feel incredibly sexy. I put on mascara, lip balm, and some perfume, even though I doubt I need any of it to impress Gabriel. Luckily, Adrian is not back at the hotel yet, which makes ‘sneaking out’ a lot easier. I simply text him I’ll be back late. My feet bring me to Gabriel’s room, and I unlock the door with an excited smile. I call out his name once, but he isn’t back yet. I sink down on the bed and let the butterflies storm around my stomach. My mind goes through many scenarios of what will happen, and they all excite me.
A knock on the door startles me, and I look through the peephole to check who it is. The breath is knocked out of me when I see Kira. For a moment, I debate leaving it closed and ignoring her, but it wouldn’t do any good. Her eyes go wide in surprise as they fixate on me.
“Valentina? What are you doing here?” she asks so calmly, it surprises me. “Am I at the wrong room? I’m looking for Gabriel.” Again, Kira is calm and polite toward me, something she never is.
“What are you doing in Australia?” I ask, completely disregarding her questions. I’m too shocked she’s here to focus on anything else.
“I came here to win him back, but apparently, I’m too late,” she replies, pointing at my outfit. “Oh my God, it’s all so clear to me now. You’re her. You are the reason why he broke up with me,” she barks, and I flinch. Her words hurt me. I stay completely silent because I have no idea what to say. “He doesn’t want to focus on his career. He wants you!” Kira is angry then. She steps into the room, pushing me out of the way. “Gabriel,” she screams, and I stay by the door in case it’s better to run. “Where is he?” she demands to know, but I still can’t respond.
“Where is who?” Gabriel replies, and his eyes immediately go wide when they focus on his ex. “Kira? What are you doing here?” His hand reaches out to grab mine, but I move behind him and out of the way of confrontation.
“Really? You left me for her?” The familiar disgust Kira feels toward me returns, and I’m almost glad.
“I left you for myself, Kira. Leave Val out of this,” he replies firmly, and I let out the breath I’ve been holding.
“Bullshit. Look at how she’s dressed. She came here to have sex with you, and you obviously wanted her to,” Kira yells at him, and I cover my chest reflexively. When Gabriel sees how uncomfortable I am, he turns around and hands me one of his jackets. I give him a small smile before covering up.
“Kira, I don’t even know why you’re here. We broke up. My life is no longer your business.” I don’t know how Gabriel can stay so calm.
“I came here to prove to you that your career matters to me too, but Valentina has ruined everything!” Gabriel’s shoulders tense from her words, and I place my hand on his back.
“If you attack her one more time, I’m not going to be civil anymore,” Gabriel warns, but Kira doesn’t seem to care.
“I’ll attack her as much as I want. She ruined everything!” Again, I feel sick from her words. Gabriel turns to me with a sad expression on his face.
“Val, I think it’s best if I sort this out while you’re not here,” he says gently, but I feel anger settling in my stomach. He’s throwing me out of his room to stay with her? I put on the fakest smile I can manage, smack the key card into his hand, and leave. As soon as the door closes behind me, I hear them arguing. Maybe he’s right to do this without Kira constantly having to look at me, but he shouldn’t have asked me to leave. He could have gone into the hall with her, but instead, he’s decided I should leave, making me feel humiliated whether it was his intention or not.
I make my way down the hallway to James’ room and knock. If Kira leaves, I feel Gabriel will come to my room, and I don’t want to see him right now, not while I feel guilty and embarrassed. James opens the door seconds later, tousled hair and half-naked.
“Luv, what’s wrong?” I wrap my arms around his naked torso and start crying against his chest. “Okay, babe, it’s okay. Come on in,” he tells me in a soft voice, and we sit down on his bed.
It’s time I told him everything. I share my feelings for Gabriel and what is going on with Eduardo and me. Then I explain how it felt kissing Eduardo and how different it was with Gabriel. James is patient, listening to every word, but I also notice a wave of anger washing over his face. By the time I finish my story, James’ hands are wrapped around mine entirely.
“I’m so sorry this is happening. If you want, I’ll push him off the track during the race tomorrow.” We both start laughing. “I’m truly sorry to say this, darling, but I have to go to sleep. If anyone finds out I didn’t get my eight hours, I’m in big trouble.” I look at the watch and see he’s right. I nod and attempt to slide off the bed, but he holds me back and pulls me close. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Val.”
“I love you, James.” I wrap my arms around him and don’t linger on the fact I just admitted this out loud. I’ve never told anyone who isn’t part of my family I love them, but it feels good to say it to James.
“I love you,” he simply replies and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You can sleep here if you want,” he offers after a few moments, and I smile before curling up next to him on the bed.
“Good night,” I say as we face each other.
“Night, gorgeous.” James must have called me every sweet pet name that exists throughout my whole life, and I love it. It would be so much easier if he were the one I wanted, instead of Gabriel or even Eduardo. Do I even really want Eduardo? After the kiss I shared with Gabriel, I’m not sure anymore.
