Shirley was taken aback, "You guys met up already?"
"Pure coincidence!" Audrey scoffed, "He was with Sylvia."
Shirley sensed a tone of bitterness in her voice and asked, "You know Sylvia?"
"My dad’s firm did a collab with her PR agency once, I've heard her name. True to the rumors, she’s quite a knockout."
Shirley picked up on the sour grapes in Audrey’s voice and chuckled lightly, "You haven't, you know, still got a thing for Gabriel, have you?"
Audrey snorted derisively, "What’s there to get over? It’s not like he was into me. I just think it’s hilarious how Gabriel’s hit rock bottom, letting a gal buy clothes for him. Pathetic!"
Shirley objected, "You've got it all wrong, Gabriel's not that type of guy!"
"Years have passed, people change!" Audrey pursed her lips coldly, "Anyhow, I've got things to do, gotta go."
"Sure, let's catch up sometime," Shirley offered politely.
"We'll see."
Audrey hung up abruptly.
She glanced once more in the direction Gabriel had left, gripping her phone tighter, suddenly filled with a sense of defiance.
That night
Gabriel, fresh from a shower, stood on the balcony smoking when Audrey’s call came through.
"It was quite the surprise seeing you today. I thought we’d never cross paths again in this lifetime," Audrey began, her tone feigning casualness.
Gabriel's voice was deep and distant as twilight, "The world's only so big. Bumping into each other is normal."
Audrey laughed softly, as if reminiscing with an old friend, "I’m still single. Had a few boyfriends, none right for me, all ended in nothing. What about you?"
Gabriel replied simply, "No one."
"That so?" Audrey chuckled lightly, "Looks like we're both the same, not keen on being tied down."
His muscles were taut, his spine strong, not overly bulky but perfectly sculpted, a delight to touch and, evidently, to bite.
Gabriel's breath hitched, his voice sinking, "She’s beautiful, naturally people like her. Admiration from others doesn't matter."
Sylvia released her bite, soothing him with another kiss.
Audrey teased, "Why so protective? Is she right there with you, trying to keep you sweet?"
Seemingly aware of Sylvia’s presence, Audrey's tone grew more brazen, "When I pursued you, you acted indifferent to women. And now, to see you ensnared by one, Gabriel, you've disappointed me!"
Sylvia frowned slightly, clinging to him, whispering softly, "Sweetie Gab, I’m feeling a bit cold."
Audrey caught Sylvia’s voice on the line, gasping as if shocked both by Sylvia’s actual presence and her syrupy way of addressing Gabriel!
Gabriel, already impatient, ended the call without another word, turned to encircle Sylvia in his arms, and kissed her deeply.
No need for liquor to get this clingy, she wouldn't even let him take a call in peace!

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Carson kick Giselle to the curb as a gentleman. He never fails to explain himself to Marina and he always rises to the occasion to come to her rescue. Now that he's assured her that he won't do as his father had done. The ice is breaking. Thank you for the updates....
May we have updates please. Thank you...
Carson can be jealous too. More updates please and thank you for the updates....
More updates please....
Oooowweeee! This THREW ME COMPLETELY for a loop. Thank you for the updates....
May we please have updates. Thank you...
It's time for Carson and Marina to commit further than the engagement. Looking forward to the updates....
Thank you for the updates....
Thank you for the updates. I thoroughly enjoy your writing....
May we please have updates... I'm curious to know how Marina saved Carson....