DESTINED FOR YOU

Chapter 18: The Cook

_Happy night to both of you! Ashley greeted.

Gabriel rested his hand gently on her back as they headed towards the elevator.

He didn't make any comments about her appearance, which made Ana feel very uncomfortable.

_Where are we going?, she asked, but she got no answers.

They reached the exit and saw how the sky collapsed at their feet, the temperature had dropped considerably.

Gabriel went forward to take an umbrella and hand it to her, after that they set out on their journey.

_Tell me what's happening? Why have you brought me here?

_For work, he answered her in a serious tone.

_It's a joke?

_Get out of the car.

_No, I'm not going down until you explain to me why you brought me here at this time. Ana asked with a pounding heart.

_You owe me one. Have you forgotten?

At that moment she remembered when she asked him to distract her grandmother so that she would not see her at her house outside of her hours.

_But you brought me to her house.

_So what? Me and my friends are very hungry, you cook delicious. Don't worry, I'll pay you for this.

Ana stayed in the car while she looked at her clothes and her eyes watered. She knew that there would be no romantic night, she imagined many things except that.

At that time she understood what Gabriel wanted to show her, the difference between them. She belonged to another social class and he would never accept her as an equal.

She wiped her tears, got out of the car to head towards the kitchen, she saw how she looked and she felt ridiculous in that outfit. She took the jacket off of her and put the kitchen apron on top of her dress.

She hadn't left any instructions on what to cook. She looked for Gabriel and found him talking on the phone.

Ana hadn't noticed and she asked openly about the menu and he looked at her with a frown.

Ana returned to the kitchen again, she felt a lump in her throat. Still, she didn't want anything to affect her emotionally and she began to improvise.

Several cars were heard parking, she imagined that her friends had already arrived. Apparently her grandmother wasn't home that night.

Ana prepared a variety of food, she felt very grateful for having the ability to demonstrate her talent in that way. She loved to improvise, and at Gabriel's house she had everything she needed.

Ashley sent a message, asking how the night was going and Ana told her that everything was fine, then she told her details.

She dedicated herself to finishing the dishes with a lump in her throat, while she listened to the guests' roses.

She took a breath, trying hard to hold back her tears, she approached them with the intention of serving the food, but she was stopped.

_What are you doing? Gabriel asked, looking at her indifferently.

_I will serve the food.

_I brought you only to cook, not to serve. She took the trays and left them on the table.

Ana remained silent as he watched him walk away from her, then a smile appeared on her face.

_This is delicious. Did you do that?

_No, he responded and changed the subject quickly.

Ana decided to take off her apron so she could leave. She had already done her part.

_Excuse me, he heard a voice behind her. When she turned around she noticed that she was one of Gabriel's friends.

_Yeah?

_Have you seen the girl in the kitchen? She asked, observing Ana from head to toe.

_How can I help you? She asked and he looked at her confused.

_I need a wine opener.

“She must be one of those women who look for boyfriends with big checkbooks.”

He had already been through a situation like that, he hated women like that.

She is looking to win over Gabriel... she thought.

_Is that your uniform? He said laughing, but Ana did not respond. I hand him the bottle opener and then leave.

_How rude!

She quickly joined the meeting, they talked about various things, until Gabriel found himself alone and her friend went to give him her opinion of the cook she had.

_Be careful with that woman, I know her class. She will try to seduce you, make you fall in love with her and when she gets careless she will take advantage of you.

_Why do you say that? He asked with a frown.

_Because of how you saw, because of how she treated me. She thinks that she can become the woman of the house. I don't want what happened to me to happen to you.

_I know, don't worry. I'm not interested in her, she replied.

"Well, it's time to go," one of them said and soon they began to get up. They said goodbye affectionately.

_Be careful with your cook's climber.

They appear like an angel, but they are not. See you later.

Gabriel said goodbye to everyone, then left to go in search of Ana.

He looked in the kitchen, but she wasn't there. After that he went to the service personnel sector and was not there.

_Where have you been? He asked, annoyed until he looked out the window and saw her.

_What are you doing there?. Ana is at the main entrance under a roof waiting for a car to come for her, but Gabriel did not allow it.

_Who told you to leave here?

_ I have already done my job, I have nothing to do here. Now I don't owe you anything, Ana responded with a lump in her throat.

"I'm not done with you yet," she said and grabbed her arm tightly.

_ What do you want of me? She asked.

Gabriel's gaze fell on her, he didn't want her to leave without clarifying what happened in the supermarket.

_ We'll have a coffee talking, then I'll take you home.

Ana avoided her gaze and accepted her proposal. She walked behind him until she reached the kitchen.

_ How do you want coffee? She asked, leaving Ana surprised. Still, that wasn't enough to eliminate the anguish I felt inside. She tried hard to relax her mind so as not to weaken.

Then, Gabriel sat in front of her, making him very nervous with her gaze...

_ I am angry with you for what you said in the supermarket. Haven't you thought about the consequences?

_It was a boost. You have publicly humiliated me, being your girlfriend.

I'll be frank with you, Anabella. I'm not interested in having any kind of relationship with you, I warned you. I want this to end as soon as possible... if I have allowed you to continue with the story, it is to get my apartment back, after that I don't want to see you again.

Ana felt great anguish at Gabriel's words that seemed to stab her heart. Almost to the point of crisis, an incoming call interrupts and Gabriel go.