Billionaire's Hidden Princess by Alegna Ciee (most popular novels txt) 📖

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Rival's Love Confession

Leticia didn’t expect that the cost of surprising her boyfriend at work would earn her a sideline job as a model’s make-up artist and stylist all of a sudden.

“Sorry for asking you out of nowhere, Ms. Selene. It just happened that one of our staff wouldn’t be able to make it today,” Gabriel reasoned out with an apologetic smile.

At this moment, both of them are all alone by themselves inside a dressing room. He led her there after he asked for her help back in the elevator earlier, which she willingly accepted as a way of returning the favor.

Much to her delight, he was able to get her a Visitor Pass just like he promised. That’s why before she proceeds to go to where Livius is, she wants to express her thanks by taking upon his request to make her his make-up artist and stylist for today.

“It’s no bother at all. I’m really grateful that you get me this pass either. But I’m not sure if I can produce a satisfactory result. It’s my first time doing something like this, after all,” Leticia voiced out a bit timidly.

“What are you saying? You’re one of the top of our class, Ms. Selene. Your skills are top notch in fashion designing. To be honest, you’re already on par to a true professional,” Gabriel commended sincerely, making her blush a little.

“Oh, no, you’re exaggerating, Sir. That’s too much.”

 “No, I’m not… And why are you calling me Sir? You’re being too formal.”

That’s when he holds her hand out of nowhere, making her flinch a little in surprise. He then pulls her all the way to the row of vanity mirrors. Taken aback, her eyes grew wider at how he started acting the same way he did back at the elevator - even more so when he sat on the stool but still didn’t let go.

“You can just call me Gabriel, you know,” he voiced out breathily, his half-lidded eyes glazing as if enticing her.

Right at that moment, Leticia suddenly gets a strange feeling. There’s just something about the way Gabriel stares and smirks at her that doesn’t settle right.  

“A-Alright then… G-Gabriel…” she blurted out reluctantly, making him smile wider.

“Good. That’s nice to hear,” he remarked with a meaningful tone.

“A-Anyway, what exactly it is that I have to do? Is there a theme to follow or something?”

Not wanting to entertain any assumption, she just goes ahead and asks more about her role there, retrieving her hand from his at the same time. His smile drops a little at how she seems to start behaving a bit tense.

“Well, it’s still too early, anyway. I should take my time,” Gabriel thought silently, veiling his scheme with a sunny grin.

With that, he decided to act normal again and try to earn her trust by treating her amicably. He guided her as she temporarily filled in the shoes of his co-worker, telling her what kind of look to aim for and how she’d go around the whole thing.

From that point on, everything flows seamlessly. Their work turns to be more smooth-sailing that they initially thought.

Proud of how she seems to be hitting the right notes here, she keeps it up and does everything he advises her to do, from styling his hair to picking the right outfit to wear. That’s all until it’s time to put light make-up on him.

There are several occasions that male models have to use cosmetics, especially when it’s needed to comply with the theme. Though she knows what kind of look she should achieve here, she can’t help but be a little nervous.

It’s just that their way of doing it is somewhat misleading.

Gabriel has his face inched closer to hers now. It just turns out that Leticia has to apply a very small detail that requires her to sit near to him.

Now, she can almost feel his cool breath hitting her skin. His breath-takingly handsome frame is also dazzling her to a certain degree.

“Relax, Eya. You can do it. Just finish this quick and meet Livi already-“

Right then, though, her chain of thoughts was cut off. She unintentionally dropped the brush she’s holding since her fingers just kept quivering against her will.

In the end, even though Leticia already feels comfortable being around a kind and cheerful person like Gabriel, her own body is still protesting. She isn’t used with this kind of interaction yet, especially since it’s not Livius she’s sharing such closeness with.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Gabriel-“

“I’ll get it for you, Ms. Selene-“

In total sync, the two end up bending at the exact same time to reach for the brush. As a result, his hand fell on top of hers, catching both of them guard.

With their eyes widening in surprise, they tilt their heads upward again but only to meet each other’s gaze. At this point, they’re closer than they’ve ever been. Their faces are now merely a few good centimeters apart, and any onlooker might easily mistake them to be kissing.

In reality, though, that’s what Gabriel is fantasizing at the moment.

What suddenly passed through his mind was a flashback of her helpless, flushed face when she’s making out with her boyfriend last time. His heart throbbed at the memory, but even then, he couldn’t help but want to see it again.

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