His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 26

“Looks like the sleeping beauty finally woke up.” Gabriel commented upon seeing me as I descended, still mesmerised by the hundreds of lilies around me,

“How long have you been waiting for?” I asked in nothing more than a mumble, eyes still looking around. This was something right out of a fairytale.

It did feel a lot like I was still dreaming.

“Something a little over an hour,” he replied, not taking his eyes off me.

“All of this… Finally taking my eyes of the flowers when I reached the table, I looked at him. “You did this

“Who else, freckles?” There was a feeble smile playing on his lips “Well, I paid for it. It’s the workers who did it, but eh.”

“Gabriel… this is…. you didn’t have to… L… I fumbled, unable to find the right words.

“I believe your note clearly said you aren’t as low maintenance as five’ roses. They were fifteen, by the way. And I had no idea you didn’t like roses. He cleared his throat. “This high maintenance enough for you?”

My smile reached my ears as I took my seat on the table next to it. “More than enough.”

“Good. Consider this my thanks for meeting me halfway.” His smile was nowhere near as big as mine, but it was something It was genuine. “And, I have taken the day off work.”

“To spend it with me?” My eyes widened.

“Yes, well, I figured I’d make it up to you for bailing on you the last time I promised to get to know you.”

1 knit my eyebrows in confusion.

“At your grandfather’s, you know? Last weekend.”

“Ah.” I clicked my tongue, “When you got jealous of Sarm and ran from there. And then hid yourself in work for the rest o the week.

He frowned. “I don’t get jealous.”

at me while I poured myself juice

him. I don’t think he was jealous of my history with Sam, but I think a part of me

minutes of silence between us, “What will happen to all

the gardener to do some gardening voo-doo

You mean he used some

bored of them and think lilies are no longer

“You will simply throw

dry press those flowers and make those lame paintings..” He paused, “Yeah, I was planning to throw

away.

1/3

Chapter 26:

my eyes at him, “I was thinking make we could donate them to a hospital. I saw a children’s hospital a few streets away when

eating, looking surprised. “Yeah, sure,

syrup on the pancakes I was eating, and when he didn’t respond for too long. I had to leave them and look at

to get to know you, and you want to spend it by

more about me and my life before

shrugged, “Whatever

my breakfast and more than once, I saw him stealing glances of me which I pretended to ignore, knowing I would’ve be able to for much longer if kept

“Favourite musician?”

“Travis,”

“Scott?” I asked.

a weird look.

you like early

like rock. What

like slow music.” I

“Shocker,” He teased.

it

we drove towards the hospital. “And I’m not. saying

my nose. “That somehow brings you

replied, “Let me guess. Yours is something basic.

mumbled under my breath with a

Gabriel laughed.