To Know Him Is to Love Him

by Integra1127

Summary:

You've been in love with Javi for the past five years, everyone knew it, everyone one except for Javi himself. Or so you thought.

Notes:

Warning: fluff and angst
Summary: You've been in love with Javi for the past five years, everyone knew it, everyone one except for Javi himself. Inspired by - Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt's - To Know Him Is to Love Him.

Chapter 1: To Know Him Is to Love Him

*****************

To know know know him
Is to love love love him
Just to see him smile
Makes my life worthwhile

To know know know him
Is to love love love him
And I do 

Five years. It's been five years since you moved to Mallorca, Spain to become the personal chef of the Javi Gutierrez. Five years of friendship with Javi, five years of secretly loving him and five years of watching him fall in love with another. Gabriela was a lovely person though and you couldn't be faulted for your situation, it wasn't her fault that Javi never saw you as more than just a close friend. There were instants that you had contemplated confessing your feelings to Javi, but the fear of rejection withheld you from doing so. So instead, you remained a loyal friend and confidant to Javi whilst your heart silently withered away with unrequited love.

*****

"Good morning...", Gabriela breezes into the bustling kitchen whilst you and your assistants rushed to get everything done before the honored guest's arrival.

"Morning Ma'am", your assistants greet in return then continue with their work.

Halting what you were doing to move toward her, you flash her smile, "good morning, Gabriela..."

Gabriela returns your smile as she silently signals with a head tilt to follow her. "Is everything prepared?", she enquires once you've exited the kitchen.

"Relaxing...", you softly chuckle at her obvious nervous state, "everything thing is on track and our guest won't be disappointed."

"You're truly a godsent...", Gabriela sighed in relief.

"It's my job", you smile, giving a comical shrug and Gabriela scoffs at you downplaying yourself.

"You're the best chef ever!"

"Ok, ok...", you chuckle at her overenthusiastic behavior, and this was why no matter what, you couldn't hate her for being the one to had captured Javi's heart. With that thought in mind, your manner turned sober, enquiring then, "when will our guest be arriving?"

"Probably in the next hour or so", Gabriela responds a smile tugging at her lips. "Javi has gone to the mainland to welcome him."

"I better get back to the kitchen then", you remark, giving Gabriela a comical salute and the both of you burst out laughing as you hastily hightailed it back to the kitchen.

*****

"I can't believe we're having Nicolas Cage as a guest!", you hear one of the maids squeal excitedly at another. Shaking your head in amusement, you leaned against the doorway of the smaller dining room, they were supposed to be cleaning. "He's so handsome...", the other one remark fanning her face dramatically, "I can't believe, Mr. Gutierrez managed to get him to agree to attend the party."

Hearing soft footsteps approaching down the corridor, you tilt backward to see, Maria, the housekeeper making her way toward you. With a mischievous smirk, you signal for her to remain silent as she gets closer. Maria stands beside you as the two inside continue fangirling amongst themselves. Shooting you an amused wink, Maria loudly remarks, "shouldn't you be cleaning?"

The two jump in surprise, nervously stammer in their apologies for slacking off. Maria and you silently shook your head as the maids run about like headless chickens to finish their work.

Leaving the two to their work, Maria and you wait until you're out of earshot to begin chuckling at the two's antics. "Handsome...", Maria rolls her eyes at the maids' remarks. "He does not hold a candle to our Javi", she teasingly elbows you in the side, "am I right...?"

"I don't know what you mean", you respond, a little flustered at realizing that your feelings for Javi were that obvious to others.

"Don't act all naive", Maria scoffs. "It's an open secret that you're madly in love with him."

"Well, I shall like it to be well-kept instead", you retort.

"You should tell him how you feel, Maria continues to press. "The two of you make such a lovely couple..."

You couldn't contain the chuckle that slipped from your lips, "if Javi were to fall for one of his employees, my money would be on Gabriela..."

"Don't sell yourself short", Maria scowls at you. "You and Javi are perfect for each other."

"Keep telling yourself that...", you drawl, patting her shoulder.

"I will", Maria confidently states. "Just you wait. One day, you and Javi will raise your family in these very walls."

"That's a far stretch", you silently chuckle with a head shake.

I'll be good to him
I'll bring love to him
Everyone says there'll come a day
When I'll walk alongside of him

Yes, just to know him
Is to love love love him
And I do

*

After Javi's return from receiving the honored guest, you were in search of him; wanting to make sure if there were any changes to be made with the dinner menu. Maria had mentioned seeing him on the outer balcony, so that was where you headed.

"Worst mistake of your life...", while nearing Jav's location, you stopped dead in your track when seeing him and Gabriela in a deep animated conversation. "They make such a perfect couple. Maria was utterly mistaken in her thoughts about how Javi felt towards you."

You couldn't blame Gabriela for falling for Javi, the man was what every woman prayed for. He was so utterly sweet and caring, passionate about the things his loved. Be it writing or movies, Javi drove into it with an almost childlike enthusiasm.

Plain and simple; to know Javi Gutierrez was to love him. Your only hope in life was that he would notice how much you truly loved him.

Why can't he see me
How blind can he be?
Someday he'll see
That he was meant for me

To know know know him
Is to love love love him

Just to see him smile
Makes my life worthwhile

To know know know him
Is to love love love him
And I do... 

Chapter 2: Let's Pretend

Summary:

It seems that Javi wasn't the only one that couldn't see the obvious signs. Inspired by - Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real's, feat. Lainey Wilson - More Than Friends.

Notes:

Warning: fluff, bit of jealous Javi.

*********************

This evening was Javi’s birthday celebration and for the first ever you weren’t in the kitchen busting your ass off preparing a huge feast. Javi had insisted on hiring a catering company for the affair and you weren’t allowed inside the kitchen under any circumstances for the time being, he wanted you present to celebrate his special day as a guest instead.

You had been quite busy keeping up with the resent guest, so getting an entire day and evening off was happily welcomed, on the plus side, you got to celebrate Jav’s birthday alongside him. Not only that, you get to live it up like the rich this evening, almost like you were Cinderella at the ball. Downside to it all, unlike in the fairy tale, Javi wouldn’t be your Prince Charming this evening. Your life wasn’t some romantic fairy tale, you lived those moments inside of your dreams only, but it didn’t bother you at the moment as much as it should. At least you got to spend Javi’s day with him, even if it was only as a friend.

Your excitement over the party was overwhelming to the point that you were desperately in need of a distraction, normally doing your paid job would do the trick but with it being a ‘day off’, you were wondering about the villa like a chicken without its head and that why was you almost landed yourself in warm for disobeying orders.

“What are you doing...?”, a familiar voice comments from behind whilst you were busy help the catering staff with the outdoor layout for this evening.

“Jesus, Javi!”, you yelp out, “you almost the scared the life out of me...”, a hand pressed over your chest as you turned around to face him.

Hands rested on his hips; Javi stares you down with a deep scowl, repeating his words again, “what are you doing?”

“Just helping out...”, you flash him a guilty grin, causing him to frown in disapproval.

“I believe you were told not to do anything today, am I correct?”

“You are...”, your head drops in shame for not obeying his wishes. Exhaling a heavy sigh, you brave it to look back up at him, “I’m bored and just wanted to be helpful.”

Javi’s features soften at your words then, giving you a sympathetic smile, “I know you are, Querida. That’s why you’re so precious to me...”

“W-what...?”, your mouth parts slightly, surprised at his word.

Eyes widening at the slip up, “I...I...”, Javi splutters nervously. Noticing Gabriela approaching, he quickly changes the topic. “Could you please get her to stop working?”, he begs once she stopped beside you.

Brows furrowed at the desperation in his voice at first, a faint smirk suddenly spreads across her lips in understanding then. “Our dresses for tonight have arrived”, Gabriela remarks, grabbing hold of your arm and steering you indoors.

“What dresses?”, you ask confused, practically stumbling over your feet in an attempt to look back toward Javi for an answer.

“The ones Javi got for tonight’s party of course”, Gabriela states matter-of-factly, causing you to do a doubletake and halting your steps to stare at Javi in surprise.

A sheepishly looking Javi flashes you a dimpled smirk as he bade you to go along, with silent motions of his hands.

“Come along now...”, Gabriela remarks, tugging on your arm. “Those dresses won’t wear themselves.”

******

“Javi actually chose this for me?”, you stared open-mouthed at the beautiful laid out carefully on your bed.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t...?”, Gabriela proudly beams at your reaction.

Still in a bit of shocked denial, you address her on a serious note, “Javi couldn’t possibly have chosen this. It was you, wasn’t it?”

“Now why would you think that?”, Gabriela scoffs in displeasure at your words.

“I’m just his employee”, you remind her. “Why would he go out of his way to do such a thing?”

“So am I”, Gabriela remarks frowning and the only thing you could hear was your heart shattering further into smaller pieces. “No, you’re much more than that to him...”

Gabriela’s features soften a bit when noticing your dejected demeanor, “Javi truly did choose this dress by himself... as a matter of fact, he instantly fell in love with it for you the minute he saw it.”

“He is thoughtful like that”, you faintly smile, guilt ridden at thinking so poorly of Javi and making sure to add, “that’s why he’s such a great friend...”

So, lost in your own thoughts, you don’t notice Gabriela silently shaking her head you. “Come...”, she” lets out a soft sigh of disappointment, “we need to do hair and makeup before getting dressed.”

*****

To anyone else watching they would believe Javi’s anxious demeanor was due to having Nicholas Cage at his birthday party, but the truth was he was nervous to see you. “Where she?”, Javi whisper to Gabriela as he anxiously scans crowd of guests.

“She’ll be down soon...”, Gabriela replies, smirking at him. “Are you finally going to tell her?”

“I’m hoping to”, Javi nervously pulls at his shirt collar, “but what if... what if she doesn’t feel the same?”

“She feels the same”, Gabriela assures him with a pat on the shoulder.

“How do you know?”, Javi’s eyes widen in excitement. “Has she told you she does?”

Gabriela’s gaze drops from his, “not exactly...”

Javi tuts, frowning at her words. “Then you know nothing and I’m going to make a fool out of myself and possibly ruin my friendship with her.”

“No, trust me when I say that she feels the same”, Gabriela attempts reason with him. “Just take a leap of faith...”

Still a bit disheartened at the possibility of rejection, “if you think I should...”, Javi grumbles out.

“I do”, Gabriela states matter-of-factly. “And she’ll prove that I am right.”

Javi releases a tense breath at her words, “I hope she does...”

“Who are we talking about...?”, Lucas suddenly appears besides them, all excited to know what they had been speaking of.

“No one”, Javi instantly clams up and Gabriela silently wrinkles her nose in response.

“Aw, come now Primo...”, Lucas scoffs in amusement, “you know you can’t hold secrets from me.”

“I’m not”, Javi straightens his demeanor. “We were merely discussing in general.”

Lucas’ gaze narrows as he silently smirks at them, his gaze shifts for a second and his mouth drops wide open. “Whoa...”

“What...?”, Javi and Gabriela both frown at his dumbstruck look.

“Who’s that...?”, Lucas points out toward you standing at the entrance and they both turn to look.

“Oh, Y/N finally made it...”, Javi’s eyes light up at seeing you.

“Wait it minute”, Lucas grabs Javi’s arm before he could go toward you. “That gorgeous woman standing over there, is your chief...?”

“Yes”, Javi pulls his arm free, frowning at the way his cousin was eyeing you.

“Maybe I should loan her from you for a bit...”, Lucas remarks, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips.

“My household staff are not bargaining chips”, Javi scowls, “now if you’ll excuse me...”

*

Let's pretend we're more than friends tonight
Let's pretend, and let each other in

Forget tomorrow
We can face the music then
But I promise you tonight will never end
If we pretend
We're more than friends

Let's let go of what we used to know
Let's let go and let our feelings show

Forget tomorrow
We can face the music then
But I promise you tonight will never end
If we pretend
We're more than friends

“You look beautiful”, Javi remarks once his reached you.

“Thank you...”, you stammer, shyly looking down to the floor. “You did after all pick the dress.”

Javi finds himself going a shy too as his gaze drops as well. “It is your favorite color after all.”

Your look up in surprise at the same moment as his does, “you remember?”

“Of course...”, Javi flashes you a dimpled smirk. “You wore the exact same color dress the day we met. When I complimented you on it, you told me.”

“I didn’t think you’d remember”, you utter out, completely shocked at how truly attentive Javi was toward you.

“I could never forget anything about you...”, Javi admits, staring longingly at you with his puppy dog eyes.

The two of you silently stood staring at each other for quite some time, until Javi was informed it was time to make a speech. “Gabriela is over there”, Javi points out to you, “she’ll keep you company.” You nod in response and just as you’re about to go, Javi pulls you back for second. “Do me a Favour and stay away from my cousin.” With a confused frown, you silently nod once again.

Javi dreamingly stared at your retreating figure. “You were so utterly beautiful... he prayed that you would reciprocate the feelings has for you. “ 

Chapter 3: Couldn't Have Said It Better

Summary:

Javi's party went off without a hitch, with the evening ending with a major surprise for the both of you. Inspired by - Meat Loaf's - Couldn't Have Said It Better.

Notes:

Warning: Little bit of angst, with a whole lot of fluff and implied smut.

*******************

It was midnight by the time the last guest had left, what was a successful party; not only did Javi have his favorite actor present to celebrate his birthday with him, but Mr. Cage had also offered to create a movie with Javi. Javi’s dreams were all coming true and you couldn’t have more happier for him.

The night was mostly blur for you after Javi’s speech, having thought to stick to Gabriela’s side through it; as you didn’t really know anyone else there, so you were totally caught off-guard when Javi collected you from her side; to introduce you to each and every one of his guests. What caught you even more off-guard was him introducing you as a ‘very close friend’, instead of his personal chef. Mingling amongst the rich wasn’t frightening as you thought it would be, the one that made you uneasy was his leech of a cousin and you had to deal with him on a regular basis. The guy gave you the creeps and this evening had been even more uncomfortable with the way he had been watching you, and for that reason you were thankful that Javi never once left your side. That was the reason why once all the guests had left and everyone else had retired for the evening; Javi and you found yourselves quietly walking alone in the gardens.

For the first time ever, you were nervous being alone in Javi’s company and you weren’t even sure why. The atmosphere between you felt different; more charged with something different than usual, something more than just a friendship bond as Javi led you through the gardens with a gentle hand on your lower back.

And you said nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else

Little lady
I think there's something on your mind
I've known you long enough
To know the words are not that hard to find

*

Feeling as if his heart was about to jump out of his chest; a nervous Javi knew it was now or never for him to confess his feelings for you, but he also knew it had to be with small steps or risk losing you. “Tonight was quite successful”, Javi casually remarks, snapping you out from your thoughts.

“Y-Yes...”, you stammer, nervously clearing your throat. “It was a beautiful party... thank you for inviting me.”

“Well, you’re practically my best friend...”, Javi goofily snorts, making you pause your steps.

“I am...?” You never knew that Javi considered your friendship to be so close and now you were feeling horrible for wanting more.

“Actually, that’s not true...”, Javi exhales heavily, causing your eyes to well up with tears as your heart dropped to your feet as he stared off into the garden. This was it... he was going to inform you that you were nothing but his employee and most probably fire you as well.

“You’re far more that-”, Javi blurts out, turning and noticing your tears. “Hey... what’s wrong...?”, Javi gently cups your cheeks, softly wiping the tears from them with his thumbs. “Why are you crying?”

“It’s nothing-”, you tearfully stutter out, but Javi doesn’t buy it as he gives you a stern look.

And the harder you try
And the longer you go
Well there's nothing but love
In those eyes anymore
You know what to say
But you never know how
You can keep your mouth shut
Because it doesn't really
Matter right now
I will guide you all the way
Because I know exactly
What you're trying to say

You have the right
To remain silent
I'll get the lights
You get that smile

*

“Fine...”, you huff out in annoyance, attempting to blink the tears away. You’re already gave yourself away, might as well let it all out. “I thought you were going to say something else...”

Javi continued wiping the tears, snorting in response, “what? That I didn’t consider you as a friend or something...?”

“Something like that...”, you mumble, gaze dropping to down to the ground in shame.

“It's true though”, Javi remarks, lifting your head to look at him. “You’re not only my best friend, but also the love of my life...”

Wh-Whaaat...? You stood open-mouthed at him.

And you say nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else

When I step in the door and I stare at your face
There are so many things that I wish I could say
Well I struggle with words but they put up a fight
You can keep your mouth shut
Because it doesn't really matter tonight
I will guide you
All the way (tonight)
Because I know exactly
What you're trying to say

You have the right
To remain silent
I'll get the lights
You get that smile

*

“Why so shocked...? Javi chuckles, brushing the hair from your face. “You really didn’t know...?”

“Not a clue...”, you dumbly shake your head.

“Guess I wasn’t being obvious enough”, Javi drops his hands from your face with a sigh of disappointment, spinning around and waving them in the air. “I’m such an idiot! Typical of me to mess this up!”

“Javi”, you attempt to get his attention, but he’s wrapped up inside a world of his own whilst continuing to scold himself. “Javi...”, you try once more, yet no acknowledgement. “Javi!”

“What?!”, he finally wheels back around, all wide-eyed as he stares at you.

“I love you...”, you smile at him goofily.

“Y-Yooou love meee...?”, Javi stutters, eyes wider than ever before.

He was so adorable when being an idiot... How could you not love him. Too emotional to speak; you bite into your lip and silently nod instead. Javi lets out a relieved chuckle, stepping forward to cup your face and brushing his thumbs back and forth across your cheeks; eyes silently pleading for a sign from you. You silently reach up to hook your arms around the back of Javi’s neck, pulling his head down for a kiss in response.

“I love you...”, Javi breaks from the kiss, resting his forehead against yours.

“I love you too”, you breathlessly utter, softly giggling when Javi nuzzled your nose with his own and silences you with a kiss.

And you say nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else

And I know you feel the same
You've been searching for the words
Now you know what to say
Oh yeah

Just say nothing
Don't say a word
Silence is gold
Don't say a word
Shhh

*

The kiss soon becomes heated as Javi and your hands roamed all over each other. Grasping the material of your dress; Javi slowly begins to bunch it up at your waist whilst pressing open-mouthed kisses to your throat, pausing when your hands grab hold of his to stop. As desperately you wanted Javi, you weren’t about to get intimate in the gardens where anyone could see you; especially with his creepy cousin constantly lurking about. Believing that he had read your signals wrong; Javi opens his mouth to apologize but you stop him with a finger over his lips. With a reassuring smile, you calmly take hold of his hand; to silently lead him into the house and from there, your bedroom. No further words were needed to be spoken tonight, not when you could rather instead show each other how you felt. There was enough time tomorrow for words, but tonight... Tonight, all you needed was to feel... To feel the love, you have for one other and nothing else.

This is the moment we've been waiting for (ohh yeah!)
If I exercise my right
And I will take your body language
And hold it against you tonight
And I know you feel the same
I've wondered all my life
If this moment comes
Would I know what to say

Then you say nothing at all
(So many times I stumbled on the words that I wanted to say)
You said nothing at all
(So many thoughts that I should have just let my heart explain)
You said nothing at all
(So many ways we could turn the words around)
You said nothing at all
(So many nights our hearts came crashing to the ground)
You said nothing at all
(So many dreams that are finally coming true)
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
(Now you finish me off when
You finish my thoughts the way you do)

You said nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself (I love you)
Tonight the conversation takes the fall (Yeah, nobody else)
Just love me like you love nobody else

You said nothing at all
Well I couldn't have said it better myself
Tonight the conversation takes the fall
Just love me like you love nobody else (Just love me, just love me, just love me like you love nobody else) ...