Standing in front of his office mirror, Gabriel adjusted the rumples on his suit, getting ready for the press conference that he had carefully planned for, for the past three days.

The sound of Billy gently knocking on the office door had his head snapping away from his reflection. "Come in." He called.

The door opened and said assistant stepped in, holding in his hand, the speech that Gabriel was meant to give today.

"Everything's ready, Sir." He informed while handing Gabriel the folder. The male accepted it, subtly thanking him, yet Billy showed no sign of leaving.

"Is there something else you want to say?" Gabriel asked, eyeing the younger male from the side of his eyes.

Billy hesitated. He shouldn't have, seeing as what he wanted to say was for Gabriel's good. He had known the man for close to six years and watching him carry on with his foolish antique up until now, worried him.

"I know I may be overstepping my boundaries when I say this sir, but I must remind you, there is no urgent need for you to give a speech linking to Ms. Romero. After all, this conference is strictly for the company's performance." He added after receiving a creased brow from his boss. "And then again, The public opinion of Ms. Romero has already drastically changed following the release of the news of her rather 'generous' compensation and the article never really mentioned anything concerning you so the public doesn't know it's you, that was in that room."

Gabriel listened to him silently, a contemplating look on his face. He knew exactly what Billy was trying to say and although he had a point, it wasn't enough.

Perhaps this was his way to compensating Leonica for the trouble that video had caused her, because he remembered clearly that that whole night had happened because he was careless around Angelina.

So mixing a little bit of praise worthy speech for Leonica into the conference meeting he was holding for his stocks, seemed like the right thing to do.

Maybe then Leonica would consider looking his way?

No, she wouldn't. He swallowed the painful truth, recalling what she had told him about a week back.

Settle his feelings and not drag her into it. She had basically rejected him before he had the chance for fully confess.

It left a sour taste in his mouth each time he remembered it, but that wasn't going to stop him from setting out to do the right thing.

"I understand what you're saying Billy, but I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions. All you need to do is assist me in those decisions, that's part of the reason why I pay you 20 thousand a month." He said, tone bouncing in between the lines of polite and dismissive.

Billy looked like he wanted to say something, but eventually closed his mouth, realizing that the topic was over.

"Very well, then, Sir."

"Good, now, let's head out, the press has already been gathered." "Of course, sir."

"The stock prices have stabilized once again, and as for the investors," Gabriel flipped through the document before continuing. "It is reported that they are not too worried about the recent happenings, instead, they are rather looking forward to what the company has in store. As for the rest, I believe the future for Bryce Enterprise is bright and I would like to thank everyone present here for their unwavering support."

A round of applause and camera flashing followed, causing Gabriel to pause his speech.

"I shall not take any more of your time. A question of two please, before we wrap up."

Immediately, a reporter's hand shot up. "Mr. Bryce, do you have anything to say concerning the recent controversy of Ms. Romero that has been circulating the internet and as her business client and acquaintance, as per spotted in various photos, do you have any words to address these rumors and speculations?"

Gabriel had known such a question was going to be asked, and had prepared an answer accordingly.

generous and selfless character and her love for doing things the right

chose to ignore them, and walked off stage,

well, sir."

loosening the knot on

like a

a second. The only thing he wanted right now was to see Leonica. "No, thank you. I'm heading out, tell

couch in her living room,

let her ankle heal more and stayed home,

through so much, it was as if a whole month had

sighing softly as she

the channels caught her attention. The channel had Gabriel speaking in a press conference, addressing the situation of his company lately and towards the end of the conference, he gave a speech that surprised her. Cleaver, she

hummed in thought, later

suddenly acting all different, confessing feelings and all, he didn't even remember her all that well due to

more it made her think slightly that she was the bad person, seeing as she had brutally turned

sounded out from behind her and soon the

tilted her head to the

became serious. "Shall I

go ahead."

Grace smiled. "Alright."

the entrance of her living room,

offering him a seat.

her offer and sat, placing a box on the coffee table. "Are you feeling any better, I heard you

dang, how could she forget how fast information travelled

doing just fine,

hear that." He said, and the conversation died down,

check up on Ashley Perhaps? He's currently in school just in

responded and reached for the box he

the box curiously. It was a black rectangular one, covered in a

the trouble the video caused you.

her head,

gift. "There's no

compensation, Gabriel, the matter

care of and it wasn't your fault, so no

en

insist." Gabriel tried once

"And I'll still decline."

Gabriel sighed. "Please,"

his eyes, noticing the sincere and guilty look in

"Alright, just this once."

a small smile tugging at the corner of

as she was told,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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