Lock You In My Heart

Chapter 65 He Was Waiting For Her
Gabrielle‘s body froze in horror. Westley va right in front of her. ‘of all the people in the world,‘ she thought At least her face was c
overed in a mask, so he wouldn‘t notice her.
“Ha! How cool is this, Austin?” exclaimed Holly. “‘ve been back only a few days, so haven‘t had time to call. But I‘m happy see yo
u! Let‘s do dinner tonight! Your friend can join us, tool” Holly seemed friendly and generous. She was ready to invite Austin‘s frien
d to dinner, without even knowing her.
No sooner had Holly invited them, than Gabrielle tured at Austin‘s Sleeve whispering urgently. “Please, no Austin,” she begged, “
Get us out of this dinner plan. I don‘t want to do this. Please.”
Gabrielle Was mortified. What if Westley recognized her? His eyes hadn‘t left her once
since the group hud met. It was as if the wanted to know who this
woman was behind the mask, and would give anything to take it
He followed her hands as they tugged at Austin‘s sleeve. It gave him a sense of deji vu, ‘Who is she?” he thought to himself. Wh
y
Gabriella tred her level bitta avoid making Gye contact with anyone, especially Westley. Han forbid, he should look into her eyes
and discover how guilty she really felt. That would be enough for her to bolt fron there and never look back.
“On the other hand, Gabrielle pandered, “Westley was out with another woman right
W. Sa why should I have to hide the fact that I‘m with someone else, for I have every right to be here with Austin
And if we‘re all just friends, we should certainly be able to have a meal together without any awkwardness.”
This moment of deliace was short–lived, though, as Gabrielle‘s anxiety of being oxposed resurfaced. She
lugged at Austin‘s sleeve a little harder this tine.
“Austin... Let‘s go. I... I‘en a little hungty. she pleaded. Even though her voire wa lowered, it was apparent that she wa uncomfort
able with the idea of hanging out
Austin already know this way before Gabrielle said anything. so he
didn‘t hesitate and turned to Hally and Westley. “Tonight won‘t be possible, Holly,” he said jovially. “It‘s so sweet of you to ask but

my friend is a bit shy with new company. I‘ll take 1 raiti check, thought
Hally didn‘t push the topic any further. Ouiti frankly. she was relieved
he declined her invitation. She to, didn‘t like the idea of hanging out with a stranger. Especially, when it was so apparent that Aust
in‘s date had na interest whatsoever in socializing or being remotely pleasant
“That‘s alright,” she replied, politely. “Maybe when my leg recovers, Ill hit you up and we‘ll make a plan!” Hally was iti na Huity to
create a new plan to hang out with Austin, while his date wils around. So she decided to keep it open and vague.
“Wait, what happened to your leg?” Austin asked, concerned.
“Oh nothing catastrophic. that me. It happened last night. I got up to go to the bathroom, and slipped on the way. I sprained my a
nkle. Luckily, Westley was awake, when I called him. He rushed right avel and took me to the hospital. It‘s just a little swollen. I‘ll
be fine soon enough!” Holly explained, Casually, as if she hadn‘t given it a second thought.
“Well, I‘m glad it wasn‘t too serious and Westley was there in time to help you out.” Austin smiled, as he replied. He feigired inter
est in Holly‘s log only because he was curious about how clase she was to Westley.
‘Charly,
clave F ugl, “he im ned, ‘I she could call Westley in the middle od the night.” it wasn‘t breaking news that Westley could cares ab
out his own wife‘s injuries. But he
crtainly concerned about other women.
Did
not mine about Gabrielle at all?
Holly‘s late–night adventure may not have been inueh of an event for her. but it certainly pinched Gabrielle. She
was used to W tly being uncing and indicerent. Lang that he was so attentive and practive with other women bund soul.
“Hey. You Olcay?” Atsitin gently asked, seeing hеr tочет
“I‘m fine.” Gabrielle clipped through guitted teeth “Can we go now? I‘m starving.” She
an‘t starving. She was aching to the point of sering but she couldn‘t scream and she couldn‘t let Austin see how b ad und

Weitley watched the entire scene in silence He didn‘t the need to contribute to the conversation. He was only interested in one th
ing the mystery woman Austin brought alone. And he derived a weird set of pleasure from watching her squirm in his presence.
“Holly. Westley,”
he nodded. “See you
around. Hyel” Aistin turned and uided Gaboclie by her in to the booth he had Need for them.
The bath had walls on the side, creating C on al privacy. They
were confortably cut off from the rest of the world. Gabriella could relax, knowing there would be no more
Austin pulled the chair back for Gabrielle to sit down. She followed his lead and sat down quietly. He was dying
to comfort her, bruil couldn‘t find the words.
“You know, Holly and Wently,” he started.
“You don‘t have to y unything. Austin she interrupted. “I don‘t
need pacifying 1 know where things stand. He can have dinner with whoever he likes and
take whoever to the hospital in the middle of the might, too. Honestly. I couldn‘t care ler..” Her tane was pasive essive, although s
he did her level best to sound matter–of–fact. She took off her hat and mask in a huff, as though she was repelled by then.
Austin wasn‘t born yesterday. It was crystal clear that Gabrielle was putting on an act. And he knew that, deep down, she was hu
rting
Gabrielle still had strong feelings for Westley. whether or not he teciprocated them.
And that broke Austin‘s heart
“They‘re just old friends, Gabrielle,” he rationalized. “They‘re just catching up for dinner after a long time. That‘s normal,
isn‘t it?” Austin was running out of ways to cheer her up. He had no interest in justifying Westley‘s actions. He simply ruled to ma
ke ha feel better
Her happiness meant a lot to him.
“1. i Austil.” Gabrielle muttered. “It‘s na big deal. Let‘s order.” She tried to give her best I–Am–
Okay smile, before she buried her embarrassed face into the menu. Thank goodness, for huge menus!

Only a fool would think there‘s nothing going an between Westley and Holly. Westley wouldn‘t hold anybody in his arms in the mi
ddle of the night at a hospital. They had to be something more than just friends. 1
“And I just asked Austin about Holly today.‘ she thought to hersele, grudgingly. “How embarrassing
1 Tess one should never talk about anyone behind their back Somehow it always hacklines.‘ Today was proof enough.
The only saving price will that Westley didn‘t recognize Gabrielle. “That would have
opened an entirely different can od worms.
“Gabrielle, what‘s wrong” Austin asked saltly, breaking her
train of thought. He had noticed her eyes drill from the menu and Lavel Trway, where her thoughts were. It womed him.
“Oh nothing at all,” she chiuped back, slightly jolted. “Tin just trying to pick something from this huge menu. Everything looks so go
was ahmi and fake, 19 though she was forcing enthusiasın about a lunch she barely cared about
“Order anything you like. I‘ll have the same thing.” replied Austin, wanny And knowingly. Her pretentious tone and distracted dispo
“Westley really did a number on the poor girl, “he thought to himsell. “T‘ve never seen her so scatterbrained and distracted.’
“Let‘s just get the specials, then,” Gabrielle suid, with a sighi chucking the ment to the side of the booth. Now, she wouldn‘t have to
After they were done with lunch, Gabrielle and Austin decided to take a walk along the alley near the restaurant. It was a fine day
But they approached the entrance of the alley, there he was leaning against the wall, having a smoke –
Westley. Both Austin and Gabrielle stop in their tracts, completely talen back Gabrielle automatically moved her hands
as if to cover her face with her hat, bit nalized 2001 enough that she hadn‘t brought her hal along for the walk. Her face was in pla
All Boon as his eyes lected with hers. Westley‘s face turned to stone. It was clear to him now, that the mystery woman, who was t
and Helly were talking. He took one last dras, before flicking his cigarelle to the ground and stubbing it with his shoe. He glared co
her, as if to challenge her to move a single nucle without his permission.
*Don‘t be scared,” Austin spoke slowly and carefully, as if having approached a wild pidatat in the jungle.
Even though he was a surprised as Gabrielle to see Westley blacking the alleyway, Austin was already on guard. ready to protect
It wasn‘t like Westley to hang around in Färdom alles by himself. But then, nobody

could really tell what went on in Westley‘s complicated mind. He was capable ol doing
And yet, ironically, he couldn‘t recognize Gabrielle through her mask before. How poetic was that?
“I‘m not scared.” Gabrielle muttered. Her av Elenched and her voice trembled. But she pretended to be strong, even if it was to As
“How could I not be afraid she asked herself. “Westley is right in front of me. He koks it was me carlier. He could
lose his temper any second and let me have it just to take revenge