Her cheeks colored slightly, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You noticed?"
He nodded. "Of course I noticed. You didn't?"
"I did". Gabrielle glanced away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I try not to pay attention to every set of eyes on me. Comes with the job, yunno".
Jeremy's brows lifted slightly. "You get that look a lot?"
"Not really". She said quickly. "I mean, maybe sometimes. Perhaps he probably recognised me from one of the Milan lingerie ads."
He smiled wryly, then added with quiet seriousness, "Doesn't mean you have to tolerate it. I don't like it ".
Gabrielle didn't answer. But something deep inside her trembled. Not because of fear but because he'd noticed. Because he cared.
That little action of his stirred something in her chest. She turned to the necklace again, her fingers resting near the glass before she eventually averted her gaze.
"Now let's focus on finding something for Abby ."
Jeremy glanced at her, then back at the necklace she liked. He studied the necklace, then glanced at her.
"You should have this."
"What?"
"You clearly like it. You're helping me. Let me gift it to you." He shrugged.
"No, it's unnecessary. It wouldn't feel right." She refused. "I'm not the one being celebrated ".
He studied the necklace, then glanced back at her. "Well, you like it. That's reason enough."
He didn't wait for her to answer. He picked up the necklace with ease, motioning for the assistant to remove it from the case.
"Hold still ".
Then, before she could protest, he stepped behind her, lifting the fine gold chain and gently sliding it around her neck.
Her breath hitched.
His fingers brushed her skin , a feather-light touch at her nape but it sent a jolt through her, like a sudden shiver beneath silk.
He clasped the chain with deft fingers, adjusting it so it sat just above her collarbone perfectly like it belonged then.
"There, perfect". He said softly with a satisfied smile, his voice close to her ear.
Gabrielle heart thundered in her chest and she smiled nervously.
"You didn't have to—" She began, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know". He replied. "But I wanted to."
She turned slowly to face him, unsure what to say , unsure if she should say anything at all but he had already moved on, scanning the next case with a thoughtful expression, seemingly unaffected.
And just like that… he was out of reach again.
---
They spent another twenty minutes browsing. She followed him through the aisles, offering occasional input on what her sister might like , the kind of jewelry she wore on red carpets, the tones that matched her makeup palettes. All things a designer would know.
But every time she glanced down at the necklace now hanging from her throat, her fingers brushed it like it wasn't real.
Like the moment he placed it there might vanish if she breathed too hard.
And yet, the weight of it grounded her , a quiet, fragile gift meant for no one but her.
He didn't bring it up again.
Neither did she.
But when they returned to the car, the first thing she did was check her reflection in the tinted window , not to fix her makeup, not to check her hair, but just to see it again.
The necklace.
The quiet moment.
The memory already slipping between her fingers like smoke.
The city lights blurred past as Jeremy's car glided through the bustling streets. Gabrielle sat beside him silently, her fingers tracing the delicate necklace he had placed around her neck earlier.
The warmth of his touch lingered, stirring emotions she struggled to suppress.
As if on cue , Jeremy glanced at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You okay?"
Gabrielle forced a nod, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just tired."
He didn't press further, respecting her silence. As they approached her company's building, the chauffeur pulled over smoothly.
"Here we are". He said, turning to face her. "Thanks for today."
She managed a small smile. "Thank you, Jer. For everything."
He reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Anytime, Gabby."
She stepped out of the car, watching as it merged back into the traffic, disappearing into the city's glow.
A sigh escaped her lips as she turned towards the building, her heels clicking softly against the pavement.
She entered her office, the familiar scent of lavender and fresh paper greeting her. She sank into her chair, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders. Her thoughts somehow drifted back to Jeremy, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the warmth of his hand against her skin.
Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her reverie. Checking the ID caller, it was her aunt.
Aunt Tricia, she was the only motherly figure in their life ever since their mother died during childbirth and they were so used to her and sometimes even regard to her as their mom since she had no child of her own. She was so dedicated to them and even their father was glad to have her around.
Gabrielle hesitated a bit and sighed before answering.
"Hello?".
"Gabby dear". The voice chirped happily . "How are you, hope I'm not catching you at a bad time ?"
"Of course not. I'm fine, thank you. Just got back to the office."
"That's good. Listen, I was on the phone with Abigail earlier and she has decided to change her dress details again. I wants you to come home right now so we can discuss it."
Gabrielle heart sank almost immediately. "Again? The wedding is just days away."
"I know, but you understand how important this is for your sister . She wants everything to be perfect."
Gabrielle clenched her jaw. "She could have informed me earlier. I spent weeks designing her previous dress , she can't keep changing her mind like that".
"Gosh". She hissed over the phone. "It's your sister big day and the least you could do is complain instead of helping to make her day just as she wants. She wants everything to be perfect, she's waited so long for this ".
At this, it took Gabrielle her all not to roll her eyes. "Aunt , I don't think she's that impatient. She's postponed the wedding three times and changed the dress three times for goodness sake.
Aunt Tricia tone turned sharp almost immediately in defense . "Well, that's because unlike you, she has a demanding job. You can never understand what it is like to be an actress. She can't just stand still and sit pretty all day long like you, she doesn't get to go home after one measly photoshoot. She's away from home for weeks, working on set that aren't even remotely comfortable ."
"Do you think she wishes to postpone her wedding?. Of course not. She did that because she had no choice , you might not get it but the least you can do is do as she wishes or keep silent ".
The words stung, but Gabrielle swallowed her retort, biting down on her lips to keep her self from talking back. She had so much to say but she could only muster. "I'll be there soon."
She ended the call, staring blankly at her desk before gathering her things, she then left the office.