Chapter 2

" Sir you have a call from Gabriel Agreste, would you like me to put the call through " Lauren asks. She knew how important Gabriel was to Sebastian and would even postpone a meeting to speak to his cousin.

"yes" was all Sebastian said before he heard an enthusiastic Gabriel greet him.

"Hello cousin, how are you"?

"Tell me Gabriel, what has got you this excited"?

"how do you know? did Beth say something"?

"Gabriel, I helped feed you, bathe you, and even cleaned your bottom when you were in diapers. I know you better than anybody else does. I'm also very good at reading people. So speak, what has my baby cousin so excited"? This was the most Sebastian spoke to anybody and only Gabriel had the privilege to listen to him speak for more than a couple of words.

"Well, ermm I have something I want to tell you. I mean I was going to tell you about her but I didn't really have much to say apart from, ermm I think im in love with someone. I mean she hasn't ermmm well she doesn't really know and I haven't confessed my feelings to her. Man, I dont even know if I ever will have the courage to tell her, I dont think she feels the same way about me".

Rambled on Gabriel, as he was getting nervous declaring his feelings to his cousin who was as cold as ice when it came to love.

" She will be a fool to not feel the same way you do. However, Gabriel i want you to be careful about getting yourself involved in the matter of love. I dont expect you to not seek for love, as a matter of fact I will only encourage you to as I want you to be happy and have children, that can expand the Agreste bloodline. But be careful, do not lose yourself to a point where there is no return. Most importantly I dont want to see you get hurt because I will bring down anybody that will be the culprit to cause my cousin harm, directly or indirectly".

"I love you cousin, but you don't have to worry I am planning to confess my feelings to her before my feelings get any deeper. We have our final module to complete which is an elective and we have both paired up to complete the elective module in the USA. Soooo I was going to ask you a massive favour and see if you could maybe allow us both to complete this module in of your clinics, preferably the neurosurgery centre".

"I will have that arranged, provide me with the details including the dates and I will ensure that your arrival is well cared for by the staff. Though, I should ask why your interest has changed from orthopedic surgery to neurosurgery".

"Well actually, im still interested in orthopedic surgery, its just that she has an interest in neurosurgery".

"And you are giving up on your dream to pursue a woman"?

"No. No. No. cousin you have this wrong this is just an elective module and it doesn't really matter as I have completed many other activities and courses in orthopedics, enough to fill my resume. I just want this chance to spend time with her, alone; to confess my feelings."

" Ok". is all Sebastian said before ending the call and instructing Luca to make the necessary arrangements at the neurosurgery centre which was under the Agreste Enterprise. it was one of the most renowned neurosurgery centres in the world which employed the best neurosurgeons and researchers in the field. Sebastian had other speciality hospitals and research centres under his name as well as many other businesses.

3 days Later

"Sir, I have made the arrangements for Mr Agreste junior and his friend to be collected from the airport this evening and I have also reserved 2 of the VIP luxury suites at the Agrestes." Luca relays this to Sebastian who has his sole focus on the paperwork infront of him. Sebastian raises his gaze and fixes it on Luca

"Did I ask you to arrange for my cousin to stay at the hotel?"

" No sir, I thought".

" I did not ask you to think! My cousin will not be staying anywhere but with with me, in my Home! Go and cancel the reservation". Sebastian cut him off.

"Yes Sir. Ermmm what about Miss erm, I mean Mr Agrestes friend"?

" Cancel both suites" is all sebastian voiced before he continued working on the contract. Sebastian had spoken to his cousin yesterday about his stay and his cousin was adamant that he wanted to stay with his female friend and refused to let her stay at a hotel whilst he resided with Sebastian during his stay in the USA. Sebastian never allowed anyone other than his family and close friends to reside at his mansion. However, he could not let his cousin stay in a hotel because he was fixed on the idea of staying close to his female friend. Sebastian would have to remain vigilant whilst he made an exception on this occasion to permit an outsider to reside in his home for the next 3 months.

"Timothy, you need not come early to work as I will be working from home for the next couple days" Sebastian informed his driver whilst Timothy parked the vehicle outside the mansion. Sebastian had decided to work from home, which would allow him to spend some time with his cousin. Sebastian did not need to attend work everyday, he was the sole shareholder of the Agreste Empire and did not need to answer to anyone. Nor was he afraid that his business would decline in his absence as his empire had been long standing with a reputation that no other company could take its place. He also had instilled such fear in his opponents by setting several examples of companies that had doubled crossed him in the past. This was enough to allow him to take time off every now and then without worrying about his empire.

Sebastian reached the main solid oak doors of the mansion. He could hear his cousin converse with someone. Sebastian entered the house and fixed his gaze on his cousin who was sat in the lounge area facing him. Yet his gaze was fixed on the female sat infront of him, with her back facing Sebastian. Sebastian made his way to the lounge with heavy footed steps to gain his cousins attention. Gabriel looked at Sebastian with a smile that said a thousand words, he was happy, content and in love. This was confirmation of his words which he confessed to Sebastian a couple of days ago. He approached Sebastian and gave him a hug.

"Please Sebastian, help me make this happen" he whispered to his cousin. Sebastian moved his gaze to his cousins friend. Sebastian was frozen in his place. Before him stood a girl in her late teens, or early twenties, with dark waist length hair and eyes that were so mesmerizing that could tame the wildest of beasts. They were unique in every sense, green hazel eyes that spoke in the most sensual language one could comprehend. Her complexion could only be described as unreal. Her skin was brighter than any others he had seen, it was fair but not pale, hosting a glow and a permanent blush matched with the most luscious pink lips. All in all she was the most beautiful woman he had laid his eyes on. Sebastian had been with many women, some given the title of the most beautiful women of the world, yet she was out of this world. How was it possible that she had not been featured in magazines and runways to announce her existence to the rest of man kind.

" ahem ahem, this is Hannah and Hannah this is my cousin Sebastian". introduced Gabriel. He was aware of the reaction people would give Hannah, yet he was still thrown back by Sebastians reaction as his cousin was known to be expressionless, even in life threatening situations.

"Hello" greeted Hannah shyly.

"Hannah what is your surname"? questioned Sebastian, which earned him a confused look from Gabriel and Hannah.

"Ghouzi, Hannah Ghouzi".

Sebastian gazed at Hannah with a look that could only be described as of disgust. Hannah was taken back by his rude behavior while Gabriel was concerned for he was familiar with his cousin.

"Gabriel meet me in my study, Now". ordered Sebastian before turning to leave for his study.

"Is there a problem Mr Agreste. If you are not happy about me being who I am and residing under your roof, I have the means to arrange a hotel. I assure you it will not be a problem". Hannah was quick and sharp to understand that something was not right with Sebastian as he had made it clear, she knew it had something to do with who she was. Yet, she was naive at the same time as she had been protected all her life and did not have the experience to understand not to cross someone like Sebastian Agreste.

Sebastian took a step closer to Hannah and looked down at her petite figure like a predator would do with its prey, " Miss Ghouzi i suggest you learn to keep that mouth of yours in check", Sebastian retorted coldly and turned on his feet to wait for his cousin to meet in his study.

"What was that cousin, you almost attacked her".

"You need to leave her and halt the feelings you harbour for her before it is too late"

"what" whispered Gabriel as he could not believe his cousin. "but why".

"She is not right for you, she is of a different background, far too different from us" Sebastian persuaded Gabriel.

"Since when has that been an issue, why can I not get married to someone of different background to us. No one has ever mentioned this absurd reasoning before", retaliated Gabriel.

"Marry, are you serious! you have not confessed your feelings for her yet you are talking about marriage".

"cousin, I know I said it will never get to the point where its too late, but I now understand that it is too late, my feelings for her are far too deep, I feel suffocated with only you asking me to leave her", Gabriel voiced his thoughts and felt a pang in his chest as he understood the situation he had got himself in.

Sebastian remain seated, whilst his gaze was fixed on his cousin. He could not understand how his cousin could fall in love with someone so soon. He had not mentioned his feelings during the winter break he spent with him a few months ago, so what had changed in the last 3 months that had his cousin fallen so deep in love with the mesmerizing woman in his lounge. He had to admit she was truly beautiful however his hate for her kind was far too great for him to see otherwise.

"Fine, I will give you 24 hours to admit your feelings to her, if she does not reciprocate the same, I want her out of my home and for you to boycott all form of contact with her. Do you understand me cousin?"

Gabriel gave a reassuring nod and exited the study to complete the mission his cousin had set him.

Sebastian pulled the black silk sheets over his waist to cover his lower half whilst he recapped the days events. His thoughts unwillingly took him back to the dark haired, hazel eyed beauty which he had marked as his foe. Yet his body reacted in a manner which he did not approve, he decided he needed some fresh air so he opened the french doors leading to the balcony and stood over the railing. There his gaze was met with his cousins slouching figure sitting on the edge of the pool. He knew what had happened, as for he had already anticipated it. Putting on his black robe he descended the stairs to accompany his cousin.