I woke up, finding my head resting on Gareth's chest, his arm around my waist as he slept peacefully looking much younger than he is.

Suddenly, memories from last night came flooding back and I blushed hard at them.

Lifting my hand, I caressed his cheek and his nose scrunched up as his sleep got disturbed making me smile softly at him.

Seeing the time on the wall clock, I decided to wake him up so I placed a kiss on both his cheeks. Then a light kiss on his lips and even trailed a few kisses down his neck.

His brows furrowed and he groaned in a hoarse voice with his eyes still closed. His grip tightening around my waist. "You better stop, Harper."

I smirked against his neck. "And what if I don't?"

In a swift movement, he flipped me over, him on top of me, a small yelp escaping my mouth.

He nibbled on my neck. "Because...if I start, you will be begging me to stop."

I bit my lips as I gently massaged his scalp. "Is that so?"

"Hmm..." He bit down on the base of my neck making me half groan and moan.

"Aren't you going to be late for office?"

"I'm the CEO, honey. I can be late."

"Am I dreaming or your workaholic ass is not so workaholic anymore?" I teased.

He chuckled deeply and placing one last kiss on my neck, lifted his head and stared at me. "I can blame you for that."

"Me? What did I do?"

"You are doing a lot more than you know, honey." He said playfully rubbing the tip of his nose with mine.

"Am I?"

He placed a kiss on my mouth. "Hmm."

"So...um...when's the date?"

"This evening, honey."

"Hmm...and where are we going?"

"That..." He gave a long pause. "Is a surprise."

I smacked his arm. "Tell me...I'll have to dress accordingly."

"Wear something comfortable. That's it."

"Okay..."

His phone rang and groaning he rolled off me and picked up the call. "Yes?"

His eyes widened and he sprang up straight not even realising that he is naked and he panicked. "Yes. Yes. Yes. I am coming."

He paused and then said. "Stop threatening me, brother. I am coming! Don't start the meeting without me!"

I chuckled realising he got late for an important meeting and he scowled at me making me more chuckle.

Hanging up the call leaning down he pecked my lips. "It's your mistake that I forgot about the meeting." Before I could retort, he dashed off to the bathroom.

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"He asked me out for a date!" I exclaimed hugging Aeryn from behind as soon as I entered the kitchen.

"Oh My God!" Aeryn exclaimed as I removed my arms from around her. "When?!"

"This evening!"

We both screamed excitedly and gave each other a high five.

The other co workers gave us a weird look and giving them all a sheepish look we reduced our excitement.

"What else happened?" Aeryn asked in a hushed tone.

Biting my lips, I blushed. "Well...you know..."

Her eyes widened as she understood what I meant. "I need the details!"

I shook my head and teased her. "Nope. I am not giving you any details."

She whined. "Please!" However her face grimaced as she realised something. "Um...let it be. He's like my brother. I won't like to hear the details."

"Oh..." I grinned evilly. "Now I am very much interested in narrating the details."

"No!" Aeryn shrieked covering her ears with her palms, running away from me as I chased her around.

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"How about this one?" I held a dress in front of Diana who sat on the edge of the bed.

She shook her head.

I decided to ask for Diana's opinion on which dress I should wear. I shouldn't have randomly told her that he's taking me out for a date because she dropped the plate from her hand in shock.

"And this one?" I held another dress up and again she shook her making me huff in annoyance.

"He's coming to pick me up in half an hour and I am not able to decide a dress!" I groaned.

Diana got up. "Let me see." And she rummaged through my wardrobe and picked out a plain white, bell sleeved dress. "Why aren't you wearing this one?"

"I don't want to because I already wore that on date with my fucking ex fiance."

She placed her one hand on her waist. "So what if you wore it before? It's beautiful...wear it again tonight. And the next time you will remember it as the dress you wore on your first date with Gareth."

I smiled at her words and took the dress from her hands. "Thanks." And I dashed inside the bathroom to get ready.

I applied minimum make up and opened my hair letting it fall over my shoulder.

I was checking myself in the mirror when Gareth came in and without glancing at me he muttered. "I'll just need ten minutes." And went inside the bathroom.

As he said, he came out ten minutes later in plain black, full sleeved t shirt and a pair of light blue jeans. He had clean shaved his face giving him a hot look.

He took his time in roaming his eyes over me and smiling softly, he lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles lingeringly. "You are looking beautiful, honey"

"You are looking good too, Gareth." I complimented and he kissed my forehead. "Thank you. Let's go."

He took my hand in his and lead me out of the room and downstairs.

I waved goodbye to Diana as Gareth took me out to his car and opened the door for me.

Thanking him, I got in and he sat in the driver's seat and drove away.

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"You do realise this looks scary? Not even a single person can be seen here." I said as Gareth intertwined his hand with mine and lead me up the small path leading to the hill.

"There are usually a lot of people here but since I wanted to give us some privacy...I made sure no one comes here today."

"How did you even do that?"

He shrugged. "I have my ways, honey."

After walking for five minutes we reached a clearing where a bedsheet was spread out on the ground, everything set for a picnic.

"This is so beautiful!" I exclaimed looking around in awe.

He smiled in satisfaction. "I'm glad you liked it."

I kissed his cheek. "Thank you. It's amazing!"

He gestured me to sit down and I removed my sandals and sat down picking up a chocolate covered strawberry and eating it.

He sat down beside and picking up a strawberry fed me as I finished eating the first one.

"So...you were not born in Houston, were you?" I asked in an attempt to start a conversation.

"Nope. I was born in Austin. That's where we used to live, in a small colony and that's where Eve and Aeryn met each other."

"And then your uncle called you all here?"

He stared ahead. "Hmm...we used to live in poverty. Hardly had anything to eat, used to sleep on empty stomachs sometimes. I wasn't that old to understand everything but Eve always made sure that I had more to eat than him."

He smiled softly at those memories as he stared at nothing in particular. "I was seven when our uncle called us here. He never used to pay much attention to us, he was busy setting up his company but after his company gained success, he felt guilty. So, the first thing he did was call us all here and promised to make our lives better."

He faced me. "I remember Eve arguing with our parents saying how can we trust him. What if he doesn't do as he promised, what if he abandons us. However father trusted him, he still loved his brother and said he trusts him so...we all left."

I placed my hand over his and gently squeezed it. "He did give you all a better life."

"He did. Made sure we had proper clothes to wear, proper food to eat. Made us live under his roof. Payed for Eve's and mine education. Gave my father a job. He even used to personally teach Eve and I business in the evening. He always used to say that we have the potential to reach great heights. He wanted us to start our own company, which we did with his help and here we are."

Hearing his back story made me realise why never Everette or him are arrogant about themselves. They have seen poverty and hunger, and no wonder they are so humble.

"There's not much mention of your past in the public...I mean...you guys never mention it. Are you...ashamed of...your past?" I inquired.

He chuckled softly and lifting my hand, placed a light kiss on the back of my palm. "I am anything but ashamed of it. I don't want to delete that part from my life because when I look back at it and then at what we have become, I feel proud. I feel satisfied and at peace."

"The past is a part of me and I am not ashamed of it. I will never be. It's just we don't see it necessary to mention it to everyone." He added wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"I was just curious...I meant no offence."

"It's okay." He said kissing the top of my head. "You can ask me anything."

His hand dropped from my shoulder and down to my belly where he gently rubbed circles over my belly.

Tilting my head, I watched him, my eyes twinkling with love for him and he leaned down and connected his lips with mine making my breath hitch.

Our lips moved together leisurely and passionately, his other hand gently resting on my cheek as his tongue asked for entrance which I willingly gave.

A few seconds later after his tongue had rendered me breathless, he retreated his lips from mine. I rested my head on his shoulder as I tried catching my breath.

"Do you remember your parents?" He asked softly.

"No. I never saw them, nor do I know their name. I was told that my mother died during birth and no one knows about my parents."

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

"It's okay...I think I found a family already." I smiled at him and he mirrored it, pecking my lips.

"Harper...I am sorry about how I reacted that day when you announced your pregnancy. It must have really hurt you since you experience kinda the same thing before...with Isaiah...and--"

I kissed him taking him by surprise and he kissed me back. "You do realise you ramble nonsense." I said pulling back making him chuckle. "I told you I forgave you already. Stop apologising for it."

"Noted."

I patted his chest. "Better."

He leaned back pulling me with him as he laid down on the ground placing my head on his chest, his arm around my waist. My hand resting on his chest as we gazed at the sky silently.