The Bonus

Gabriel sits back in his chair, unimpressed. “Don’t do this.”

“Do what?” She puts her hands on her hips, indignant.

“Lie.”

“Not planned, obviously.” Ariana smirks over at me. “It just happened.”

I feel myself melting into the boiling pot of deep, dark hell.

Gabriel’s brow furrows and he holds his hand up to stop Mark who is walking through the restaurant toward us.

“Let us pretend for a moment that I wasn’t pulling out for the last three months that we were together.”

“You were not,” she snaps.

He raises his eyebrow. “I’m not stupid, Ariana.”

Her eyes hold his.

“And if you are…” he frowns as he does the math… “ten weeks pregnant, can you explain to me why you’ve been drinking like a fish?”

Her mouth falls open.

“In fact, I believe you were at the Junction Cocktail Bar on Saturday night until two a.m., very inebriated, and left with a man who came back to your house.” He folds his napkin in front of him. “He left around eleven thirty the next morning and then returned that night.”

“You’ve had someone following me,” she gasps. “You still care.”

He lets out a slow, evil smile. “What I care about is you trying to manipulate me…and I knew you would try. I just wanted an insurance policy as proof for when the time came.”

Thank god.

He raises his hand, and Mark walks over. “I must ask you to leave,” Mark tells her as he takes her elbow in his hand.

She pulls her elbow from his grip. “Don’t touch me.”

“Get her out of here,” Gabriel snaps.

Mark escorts Ariana from the restaurant, and I swallow the lump in my throat.

My heart is pumping hard in my chest. Gabriel takes my hand in his. “Sorry, my love.” He kisses my fingertips. “I hate to say it, but I knew it was coming.”

I give him a weak smile, glad he knew it was coming, because I am totally rattled.

“What’s pulling out?” Dominic asks.

Gabriel frowns. “Out of that whole conversation, that’s what you got?”

Dominic nods. “Yes.”

I burst out laughing.

Gabriel sips his drink, unimpressed. “Something you must always do.”

I put my hands on my hip as I look around my giant-sized wardrobe filled to the brim with designer clothes, beautiful shoes and swanky handbags. Surely, something in here is date worthy… But the question is, does it fit me?

It’s Thursday, and tomorrow Gabriel is taking me on our first date, and he’s organized for Deb to come for the weekend to look after the kids.

We’re going away alone for two whole nights; I’ve never been away from the kids for two nights. I’m excited and nervous and had to wax my own bits because I didn’t have a sitter to go to the salon.

Right… I take a black dress off the hanger and hold it up, this seems okay. I hold it up over my body and look in the mirror.

Tight sleeves…ugh, they won’t go over my plaster. I hang it back up. I pull out another dress, pink and pretty, short sleeves…I could get this one on, I guess. I hold it up to my body and look in the mirror…meh.

I put it back on the hanger.

My phone rings, and the name Deb lights up the screen. “Hi there.”

“Hello, this is jet-setter babysitter extraordinaire speaking.”

I giggle.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m in the overpriced wardrobe, trying to find something to wear to our date. Did he tell you where we were going?”

“No, but I think it’s somewhere exotic.”

“Why?”

“Because he said he was using another jet because there wasn’t time to refuel the one that I am coming in on.”

My eyes widen. “So we’re flying somewhere?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Like where?” I really begin to panic, I am not swimsuit ready…fuck, maybe I should fake tan too. I can’t do it with one hand…maybe the kids could…no. I push that pea brain idea straight out of my head.

“I don’t know.”

“Should I wear a dress or a skirt and top or…”

“Dress. Definitely a dress.”

“But then I can’t wear high heels because of my stupid ankle.”

“Babe…relax. He’s only going to be looking at your lingerie.”

“Probably.”

“And to be honest, I’m thinking you could wear a garbage bag and he’d still be impressed.”

Nerves dance in my stomach at the thought. “I’ve waited so long for this date. I want it to be perfect.”

“It will be.”

“Thank you so much for coming and doing this for us.”

“Oh…because flying in a private jet to come stay in a penthouse in New York is so fucking hard…you owe me big-time, bitch.”

I smile down at the phone. “I love you.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“For the hundredth time, it’s a surprise.” Gabriel rolls his eyes as he packs his bag.

“But like…I can’t wear high heels; you remember that, don’t you? So if we go somewhere swanky, I’ll be like a hobo in flip-flops.”

“You won’t need high heels.” He puts a pair of boardshorts into the bag.

“So we’re going somewhere where we’ll be swimming?”

“Stop looking at my bag.” He points to the door. “Out.”

“I haven’t finished packing,” I fire back, that’s a deplorable lie, I just want to look in his bag some more.

He walks into the bathroom and begins to pack his toiletries. “Ah, almost forgot.”

Almost forgot what?

I keep pretending to pack, and he reappears with a bottle of something and throws it on top of his bag.

“What’s that?” I frown.

“Lube.”

“Ha.” I smirk. “As if I need lube.”

He raises an eyebrow as he gives me the look.

Oh…

Where does he plan to fuck me this weekend? Crap, something tells me I’m in for some deviant sex god pain.

Flustered, I keep packing. Honestly, how does he have the ability to fry my brain with just a look? “Yeah well—” I try to keep up with his dirty promises, “I packed you some Viagra.”

“Needn’t have bothered, I already have a double prescription,” he fires back without missing a beat.

I stop what I’m doing and smile over at him, and he smiles too and then takes me in his arms. “To be honest, I’m just excited to have you to myself for a few days.”

He kisses me softly.

“Me too. I don’t care where we go, as long as I get to go with you.”

He kisses me again, his lips lingering over mine, and these moments of just the two of us are sacred.

There’s a mystical magic that swirls between us, it’s been such a long time coming and yet it feels so exciting and new. Like we’ve always known each other…but we didn’t really know each other at all.

It’s utterly ridiculous how in love we are and we haven’t even been having sex, maybe it’s because we haven’t been having sex. I don’t know what it is, but we seem to have gotten the recipe right, we simply cannot get enough of each other.

This is what it’s supposed to feel like.

In my past relationships, I always knew something was missing, but for the life of me, I couldn’t work out what it was…now I know.

It was Gabriel Ferrara.

It’s always been him.

Gabriel’s phone beeps a text, and he picks it up and reads it.

“They’re coming into the parking lot now. Let’s go.”

“Am I going to get to spend time with Deb?” I frown.

“Five minutes. The plane was delayed, and we are scheduled to leave.” He zips up his bag. “Lucia and Dominic,” he calls.

“Yeah?” Dominic calls.

Gabriel curls his top lip. “When I call you…please don’t yell yeah,” he calls back.

“Yeah, well…I’m watching television. What do you want, Dad?”

Gabriel pretends to choke the air.

I giggle, the kids’ cheekiness is beginning to grate on him, the novelty of being a new father is wearing off.

“Come in here now!” I call more sternly.

“Ugh,” I hear Dominic moan; he and Lucy eventually drag themselves into our bedroom.

“You two behave for Deb this weekend, please,” Gabriel says.

“Yes.”

“And go to bed when she tells you, none of this we’re-allowed-to-stay-up-late business,” I tell them.

“And nobody is allowed in the hot tub or pool.” Gabriel frowns. “Actually, nobody is allowed outside without Mark or Debbie with you.”

“Yes, okay.”

“And you have your phones, you can call us at any time,” he adds. “I put Mom’s number in there for you too.”

“All right.”

The door clicks. “Deb’s here.”

“Hello,” she calls.

The kids and I run to the top of the stairs to see Deb and Mark walking through the front door.

“Deb,” they cry as they run down the stairs while I hobble along behind them. They hug her while I wait my turn and I grab her in a bear hug. “Oh my god, I missed you.” I hold her tight.

There is no better friend in the world than my beautiful Deb.

“Holy shit. Look at this place,” she gasps as she looks around.

“Hello, Debbie.” Gabriel smiles awkwardly, he gives her a quick peck on the cheek.

“Hello.”

“Thank you so much for doing this for us.”

“It’s my pleasure.” She takes the kids by the hands. “Show me around, then.”

Gabriel and Mark stay in the living room, chatting, and to the sounds of oohs and ahhs, the kids and I show her around. We get to our bedroom and her eyes widen. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?” she whispers as she stares out over the view.

“This is my wardrobe.” I open the door to show her.

Her eyes widen. “What the hell, it’s bigger than my bedroom.”

I get the giggles. “Stupid.”

“Oh jeez.” She looks around with her hands on her hips. “A weekend here is going to be tough.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” The kids run out of the room, bored with our conversation.

“Yep.” She smiles. “And Mark is staying with me if I need anything.”

“He’s staying here.” I frown. “In this apartment?”

“Yes. Gabriel wants him to stay with us to be safe.”

My eyes hold hers for an extended beat.

“Don’t.” She smirks.

“Really?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“I’m just saying.”

“You don’t need to. I’m happily married.”

“Remember that.”

“When have I ever forgotten?” she gasps.

“When you locked eyes with Mark for the first time.”

“Stop.” She smiles as she hugs me. “Go and be exotic somewhere, you rich bitch.”

“I love you, thank you so much for this.”

“Have fun, babe, you deserve it.” She holds me tight.

I tear up, because more than anyone, Deb knows what I’ve been through because she’s been through it with me. Every hard step of the way with these babies, Deb has been my rock. Throughout the pregnancy, the birth, their lives…she’s stepped up and been their second mom and the partner I never had.

“Thank you for everything, Deb, I owe you so much.”

“Stop blubbering. Your friendship is all I ever want…actually.” She looks in my wardrobe. “I’ll have your hand-me-downs too.”

“Deal.”

We giggle and walk back out to the living room. “Let’s go.”

Five hours later.

The stewardess walks up the plane. “We’re preparing to land, Mr. Ferrara.” She smiles.

“Thank you,” he replies.

I have no idea how long we’ve been flying; he’s taken my phone and my watch. “Can I see?” I go to open the blind on the window and Gabriel snaps it shut.

“It’s a surprise.”

“But we’re here, this is the surprise time.”

“Not until we get there.” He widens his eyes and pulls out a blindfold.

What?

Ha-ha, oh my god.

Honestly, this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me, being flown to a secret location on a private jet for a first date with the hottest man alive.

I feel like a Bond girl or something.

The plane pulls to a stop, and Gabriel puts the blindfold on me. “Are you serious?” I whisper as I hold it over my eyes.

“Totally.” He leads me by the hand down the aisle of the plane.

“I’m totally going to fall down the stairs, you know how clumsy I am, and that’s when I can see where I’m going.”

“Don’t remind me.” He leads me to the door of the plane. “Thank you.” He lifts the blindfold just a little so I can see the stairs as I walk down them. It’s dark outside, and although I try to peek, I can’t see anything of significance.

The wind whips my hair around, it’s not as hot as I thought it would be. Maybe my dream of a tropical island isn’t happening.

Where the hell are we?

We get to the bottom of the stairs and he pulls the blindfold back up and leads me to the car. “Surely you can tell me now?”

“No.” He puts his hand on the top of my head and pushes me into the car and then climbs in beside me. As the car takes off, he takes my hand and holds it in his. “Not long now.”

I smile as my heart races, hardly able to control my excitement. “Just tell me already.”

He chuckles and takes my face into his hands and kisses me, his lips lingering over mine. “Patience,” he whispers into my ear; his breath sends goose bumps up my spine, and I smile, I have no idea if anyone is watching us or what.

This is already the best night of my life.

What seems like forever later, the car pulls to a stop.

“Stay still for a moment.” Gabriel holds my hand to keep me still, he readjusts my blindfold. “Keep it on,” he demands.

Jeez.

“Bit over the top, isn’t it?” I giggle.

“Absolutely.”

He comes around to my side and helps me out. “This way.”

I smile excitedly as he leads me along. “Where are we?”

“Somewhere special.”

I stumble. “If I break my other ankle.”

“Don’t even think about it.” He stands me still and then pauses for a moment as if waiting for something.

“What’s going on?” I smile in wonder.

He slowly takes the blindfold off, and I look around…wait? It takes a moment for my eyes to focus and catch up with my brain.

Huh…I’m so confused.

We’re at my house in Greenville in the back garden on the lake.

There’s a picnic rug on the jetty with candles all around it, and fairy lights hang overhead from the trees. The moon’s reflection dances across the water, and the stars shine bright in the sky. My eyes go to him. “I don’t understand. You said you were taking me to your favorite place on earth.”

“This is my favorite place on earth.” He smiles softly.

My eyes search his.

“It’s where I found you…and them…and us.”

Oh.

“And if I were to be anywhere in the world, I would want to be here with you.”