You Will Be Mine..Again Ch. 03

"I think I like the red one." Nicole said as Gayle modeled another dress for her.

"Why the red one; I like this one better."

"Because Patrick likes red on you. I do remember some things about him." Nicole shrugged.

"I'm not picking this dress because he likes it. This is not for Patrick."

"Well, then I'm confused. What's it for if not for Patrick? I mean he is the one that invited you to this little party."

"It's a business affair, Nicole. I am going only to help promote the hotel and possibly to get more clients."

"Can't we just agree that a little of this is because of Patrick. I mean, I never really understood why you guys broke up. I liked Patrick."

Gayle took a deep breath ready to tell Nicole the real story about her hero Patrick. The moment she turned around ready to tell her, she stopped instantly. She saw that hopeful look in her eyes. The bright eye look of there is still hope out there and everything will be alright. She couldn't possibly just crush on those thoughts. Hell, she already did so much damage to her sisters.

"I know you liked him, but we just had to move on. It wasn't our time."

"What if this was you guys time? What if he came back realizing how much of a mistake he made and wants you back? It's so romantic." Nicole smiled.

Gayle laughed, sitting down next to her, "And what makes you so pro love?"

Nicole just shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. I just always believed in it. I mean I'm surrounded by it now with Jade and James, Dominique and Nik, and let's not forget Katrina and Scott. I mean I have the whole school thing covered, I might as well devote part of my energy to something else."

"That sounds like there is someone out there that has caught your eye little sister." Gayle nudged and Nicole just laughed.

"I mean, I like someone, but there are some things I'm not sure about."

"Ooh, I have been waiting on this moment; come on dish." Gayle said turning her body towards her.

"There is nothing really to dish. It's just one of those moments where I think he is really cool, but I don't think he knows I exist or worst, I could be heading into that category of he sees me as a little sister or thinks we can be good friends."

"Oh, the category of death." Gayle laughed along with her.

"Exactly, so I'm kind of at a weird moment. I want to talk to him but I keep waiting on him to make the first move and other guys on campus are asking me out."

"Well honestly, if this guy isn't making any moves at all, I say go for dating the other guys."

"How did I know you were going to say that?"

"I mean, knowing you, there is no telling how long you have waited for this guy to make a move and you are going into your junior year of college. Come on little sister; don't wait so long on one guy. At least have a little fun and then he can realize how much he wants you and then he will get you."

"Is that what you are supposed to do?" Nicole said scrunching up her eyebrows.

"Oh, that's right I'm dealing with a novice. Sometimes that's how you do it to get the man you want."

"But I don't want to get him by playing games. I want to be completely honest with him."

"It's being honest. I'm not saying openly lie about a guy, just take up your time doing other things and having fun. That way, you don't spend so much of it thinking about him." Nicole nodded.

"I guess I see where you are going with this. My roommate has been dying to take me out to the club to meet guys."

"Yes, just don't come back with any drunken club stories. I don't think mama will be able to handle that."

"I will watch it." Nicole chuckled, "Okay, so about this dress you plan on wearing, maybe not red because it is a business affair but I like the other black dress; the one that looks like a tuxedo jacket."

"Oh really?"

"Yea, it says I'm sexy but long enough to say I'm strong, sophisticated, and still a business woman."

Gayle laughed, "Alright, nice choice and what will you be doing?"

"I think I'm going to take my roommate up on her offer and go out with her."

"Good job, now have fun and don't over think anything." Gayle smiled as Nicole grabbed her book bag, "You want me to drive you back to the dorm?"

"If you could please."

Gayle went ahead and sat everything that she was going to wear out before driving Nicole back to her dorm. She couldn't believe that her mousy little sister was ready to not only go out but date guys. She knew this day would come, but she just didn't know it would be so soon. Nicole never really knew what to do about boys so for her to be ready to date and mingle was huge. Even though, she tried to keep her mind on positive things, she couldn't help but to think about what James said earlier. Patrick was hiding something? The thought of him hiding something like this from her disturbed her greatly. They have always been so honest and upfront with each other. She wasn't going to lie to herself; she always thought something about the way Patrick ended everything didn't feel right. He never used those types of words when he talked to her, everything that Patrick said to her was gentle, sweet, and said with so much love. No, why was her mind doing this? She can't think about this. They broke up and haven't seen each other in almost 10 years. 10 years that she already ran through every possible scenario of why he said what he said. She will not go back to doing that.

She got ready for the party, deciding on the dress that Nicole picked out. She found herself checking herself out several times in the mirror. She wanted to make sure that everything was perfect and not a hair out of place. Not that it was for him or anything, she thought to herself before she grabbed her clutch and went out the door. She pulled out her phone taking a deep breath before calling him.

"Hello Abigail." She heard him say as soon as he answered the phone, his tone swirling all through her body.

She cleared her throat, trying to shake it off, "Mr. Adlam, I was calling to let you know that I was heading towards the party. Where should I meet you?"

"I'm already here, so I can meet you up front. Valet can take care of parking your car just pull around front."

"Fine, thank you."

"You are very welcome. Don't forget to bring that smile. The men around here would love to see that and you will get a lot more attention."

"Goodbye Mr. Adlam." She quickly said hanging up, feeling him smile through the phone.

He was always a cocky son of a bitch. Unfortunately, that was one of the things that she liked about him. He had this air of confidence of any situation no matter what. She remembered times when he would tell her about being worried about school, but then the very next day his confidence was back. He will conquer whatever it was he was worried about without any problems. It annoyed her sometimes only because she wished she had that. He was so encouraging and said he always knew the right thing to say. It was him that gave her the idea of becoming an interior decorator. Around her second half of the third year semester, once she settled on what she was going to major in, she wasn't sure what she was going to do with it. The market was so strenuous and she didn't think she will be able to make it on her own. She remembered when he surprised her on her way to her dorm room. It was exactly what she needed at the time.

She was coming back from marketing class, tired and exhausted. Everything was frustrating to her. She knew she loved decorating, but the person that she said she was going to intern with told her how it can be hard if she didn't have any good clients, especially as a beginner. For someone that she was suppose to shadow and encourage her to do the business, the guy wasn't doing a very good job. It was almost like he was purposely telling her to try something else. She just wanted to lie down, relax, and possibly call Patrick if she could. She opened the door and dropped her bag on the floor.

"Honey, I'm home." she said calling out for Tara.

"I think that's suppose to be my line." She jumped at the familiar voice behind her.

She turned around to see Patrick standing by the door, shutting it. Her heart leaped seeing his smiling face and gorgeous green eyes sparkling at her.

"Rick!" she shouted jumping into his awaiting arms.

He held her close feeling her body mold against his. It was a feeling that he longed for every time they were apart. He kissed her shoulder as her smell swirled in his head. The feel of her breast pressed firmly against his chest. Oh, it's been so long since he held her like this. Oh he will have to pull her away before he let his hormones get the best of him.

"What are you doing here baby? How did you get in?" she smiled looking up at him.

"Tara let me in of course and I came to surprise you."

"Well, this is certainly a surprise." She pressed her lips to his, "I missed you." She whispered against his lips just before kissing him again.

Oh how he missed her, he thought as his tongue moved in her mouth caressing hers. He broke away, noticing the lust that was taking over in her eyes.

"Now I know how much you missed me, but I missed you too. So, I got some news for you." He said pulling away from her warm body.

"What's that?"

"I'm officially becoming a student here to finish my years."

Her mouth dropped, "Are you serious? How did you do that." She said tackling him on the bed, hugging him.

"I talked to my dad and convinced him that this is a good school to go to finish my degree. He thought it would be great especially since he wants the business to cross over to America."

"Oh my God, baby I love it. Then we can see each other a lot more."

"That's right and a lot more things can happen." He said winking at her and she couldn't help but pinch his side as he laughed, "Speaking of school; is everything okay?"

She sighed not really sure how to answer that loaded question, "It's good."

"Gailyn." He said letting her know that he didn't buy that answer, "I know you better enough to know that good means not so good."

She bit her lip, "It's just I'm unsure about my major."

"I thought you wanted to be an interior designer and decorate people's house. I remember you were going to try it out first on our house." He smiled and she just shrugged.

"I do, but remember the guy I'm interning with?" P Patrick nodded, "I'm just not getting anything from him. All he has been telling me is the hard work and the countless hours. He even told me that I wouldn't have time for a family or relationship. I mean I know there's going to be some hard times but he hasn't really told me anything positive or given me positive feedback on my work that I've done so far."

"Wow, really?" Patrick asked.

"Yes, and all I keep thinking about is how someone I'm suppose to mentor from can tell me all this."

"Well, it's obvious my love; he sees something in you."

"What?"

"Yea, it's nothing worse than when a man sees someone as competition. This guy sounds like he knows you are talented and wants to discourage you as much as he can."

"Well, I don't understand I do the work he asks me too and I can't even get a good job or anything like that."

Patrick sat down and pulled her into his lap, "Baby, there will be many times where you won't get that. All that matters is if at the end of the day, you think you did a good job. I know you are going to do great with this too."

"You really think so?"

"I know so." Gayle smiled leaning over to kiss him, "So I think you shouldn't let this guy discourage you baby. I can tell you have a gift for it."

"How can you tell?"

"Cause when you put so much passion for something like you do for this, then you can succeed."

She smiled loved hearing his encouraging words. He always knew how to make her feel better, "Is that how you know I have a gift with you?" she said leaning closer to him.

He growled low, "That's right, because you definitely have a passion with me baby." He smiled pressing his lips to hers.

She knew talking to him would make her feel better. Her baby is always there when she needs him. Her heart swelled at the thought of his words and him eventually coming to live here. He pulled her close and laid her down on the bed. She always felt so safe and loved in his arms. His hands traveled up her thighs as she opened them up to him.

"Baby, Tara may be coming in here shortly." She said slightly pulling away.

"Don't you ladies have some sort of sock on the door method?" he smiled moving his hand up her shirt.

"No and I don't want to get anything started and she walks in."

"Well, we can solve that problem baby. I do have a hotel room and it has a bed with our name on it."

"Oh is that all that you are here for?"

He started laughing, "No honey, I have a nice little day planned for us tomorrow. But you can't blame me for having a one track mind right now." He said kissing her again and she felt her breath being taken away.

Gayle bit down on her lip as she recalled that moment. He kept pushing her to finish her degree, even giving her the idea to go into business herself. He was so good to her back then. There was nothing that could stop them, but apparently, something did.

She pulled up to the hotel taking some deep breaths before she put on her best smile. The door opened for her and she got out of the car only to lock eyes with those smoldering green ones.

"You look beautiful Abigail." He said with those eyes roaming all over her body.

She took a deep breath, "Thank you Mr. Adlam. We should go in."

"Yes, I took care of valet for you."

"I could have taken care of that myself."

"I know, but these are just the perks working for me." He smiled and she just walked past him.

"Don't think that this is affecting my pay." She said and he just smiled as he let the valet driver take the car.

Gayle waited on Patrick who quickly joined her on the curb, "Alright, let's make some money." He said walking in with her following him.

"So, where's Maria?"

"She already in her holding down the fort; I just wanted to come down and grab you."

"You know you didn't have to. Isn't this your party?"

"Yea it's my party, but I have to give special treatment to my decorator." She was going to say something but she held her breath.

She would have to address that later, she thought, "Are you ready for this?" he said as they made it to the door.

"Please Mr. Adlam, I know how to work a room."

"In that dress? Yes you do." He smiled again as he pushed the door open.

Gayle immediately plastered on her smile as the place was filled with so many people mingling. Patrick went ahead and let her do her thing. He knew that she could hold her own. He just wanted to watch her for now. He could tell the men instantly loved her like he knew they would.

"You keep looking at her like that people will know something is going on between you two." Maria said sneaking up on him.

"I'm just admiring."

"Patrick, I wish you would get you some act right when it comes to that girl. You feel like there is something still there on her end?"

"I know there is Maria." He said, "It just takes time and I can be a patient man sometimes."

"Yea right, tell that to someone who doesn't know you." He just looked over at her, "I have bad news though."

"What's going?" he said looking worried.

"I got word that we might be accompanied by a special guest."

His brow wrinkled as he looked over at her, "Who?" and the look told him everything.

He took a deep breath and just shook his head. Yep, this was indeed going to be an interesting night. He grabbed two glasses from one of the waitress passing by and handed the other to Maria.

"We will drink these and then see if you can find something stronger." He said quickly downing the glass.

"Aye, aye captain." Maria nodded.

As the party continues, Gayle was coming along nicely with a lot of new potential business. She was telling people about the hotel idea, her own work, and even pumping up her sister's business for the people that were sticking around town for awhile. Most of the people loved the idea of the hotel and Patrick made appearances when they started asking about figures and things like that. She already knew that he wasn't far behind; she could always feel him close by.

"Well Abigail is very good at her work and you know how I am Dan. I want the best."

"I know that Patrick." The older man laughed as he looked at Gayle, his eyes eating her up, "So Abigail, I can really get you in touch with some really good buyers that have all the connection for international products."

"That would be great sir, thank you." Gayle smiled.

"Please, call me Dan."

"Okay, Dan; that would be great."

"Well, I will keep in touch Gayle." He smiled, "Excuse me for a moment." Dan said walking off to the appetizer table.

Gayle sighed and turned back to face him, "Good job, sometimes Dan can be a tough nut to crack." Patrick commented.

"Well sometimes I do have my way of charming people."

"You certainly do Gailyn." He saw how her body shifted, "I mean Abigail. I'm sorry it slips out sometimes."

"I see. You never told me why you called me that."

"Excuse me?"

"Gailyn. You called me that but I never questioned you or anything. I just thought it sounded nice, so why did you call me that?"

He was about to open his mouth when it was quickly silenced. His eyes narrowed and she could feel the tension in his body. Something wasn't right; Patrick was only like that when he was upset or mad. She turned around and saw a bleach blonde woman in a short pink dress heading their way. She looked over at Patrick again and his expression didn't change. As the woman got closer, she smiled at Patrick, but it wasn't a friendly smile. No, it was smile that felt cold and calculating.

"Patrick, it's so good to see you again." the woman's voice was oozing with the same accent as Patrick's.

"Hello Aliana. I didn't think you were invited." Aliana? Why did that name sound so familiar Gayle thought.

"My fiancé's friend was and he invited us. Small world that I would run into you here."

"Especially since it's my party." He quickly said and she just coyly smiled.

"Patrick, I was wondering...oh hell you're here." Maria quickly said as soon as she saw the blonde woman.

"Well I see you still have your little guard Chihuahua."

"Better be careful, I don't bite like a Chihuahua." Maria said with a warning smile.

"And you are?" the blonde woman finally said to Gayle.

"I'm..." she started.

"None of your business." Patrick said getting very defensive.

"Oh, is this a new girlfriend? It's okay Patrick; I know you can't really do that much better than me." Gayle's eyebrow raised as she took in what the bimbo just said.

"Excuse me, my name is Abigail Young." She said and the smile slowly faded from Aliana's face.

"Abigail? Your nickname wouldn't happen to be Gayle?"

"Yes, that's what my friends and family calls me."

After a brief silence, she cleared her throat, "Well then, nice to meet you. I'm Aliana, Patrick's wife."

"Ex-wife." He quickly corrected.

Gayle felt like all air left her body when she heard her say those words. Wife? His wife? This is the woman that he married. Now she remembered where she heard the name from. After their break up, she tried her best to find a way back to Patrick and read about him getting married to her. Gayle looked at the woman again and saw that same smug look that she had when she walked over here but there was something else behind it. She couldn't pin point what it was, but it was making Gayle angry. Now this she wasn't prepared for.

"I...excuse me." Gayle quickly said leaving the tense reunion.

She needed air. The people around her looked like a blur as she passed them by and she didn't care. She just needed to get away. She found the nearest balcony and stepped out. The wind hit her face instantly as if it was a confirmation that she found the right place to be. Ex-wife? She didn't know why she was feeling this way. She got married herself, but it was something about seeing her here that made her more real than she wanted to admit.