Chapter 9Invitation"What is it this time? It's so early, Gavin." Gabe said with irritation. This is the reason why he never likes any of his cousins. Estevan is a jerk who keeps creating trouble. Gavin is a crazy man who always suspects everything first. "I came here to tell you that I couldn't find your cousin," he said and even threw himself on Gabe's bed. "You can just message me. Why the hell do you have to go here?" He asked and eyed him unbelievably. Gabe almost rolled his eyes with annoyance. Is he a joke to him?"You never read a message," he mentioned and glared at him."Gavin, I don't care whatever happens to Estevan now. He's an adult for god's sake!" He exclaimed upsetly. How can he ruin his precious morning?"He's carrying our name," Gavin said and breathed out. Why does he have to be a Clyborne? That jerk keeps messing up his life and even pulling them with him. "Just go home, I have to go to work." Gabe said, pushing him away. "Fine," he replied and left by himself
Chapter 10 Gabe's Partner"Do you know about this?" Gabe asked while starting to call Estevan about it. That jerk turned off his phone and now he cannot contact him. "I remember suggesting it to our parents," Gavin uttered and gave him a puppy smile. So, he was the one to actually blame behind it. "Why would you do that?" Gabe asked, upset. David, Leo and Annalise were in the kitchen while listening to Gavin and Gabe talking about the invitation Gabe received."What? I was just thinking that by this way Estevan will stop being a womanizer," Gavin defended and breathed out. "And what if he still relentlessly plays with women? That would only ruin the marriage and it would only put dirt on our name." Gabe discussed and shook his head. He was vivid when he told Gavin that he's abandoning Estevan. Here he is, frustrated already. "Well, it was only my suggestion. His parents decided and Estevan didn't even make a fuss about it," Gavin explained and shrugged."He's fine with it? What?
Chapter 11Attack"I want Annalise to be my partner in the wedding," Gabe said. Shock nearly steals her breath. Her eyes widened as she looked at Gabe along with her lips parted in surprise. His hand at her makes her even more agitated to what he just said. She's trying to absorb it in her mind."What are you saying?" She whispered to him. Her brows met in nervousness. Gabe Clyborne wants her to be his partner at Estevan's wedding? Hell no. He didn't even look at her, he was too focused looking at his parents who looked delighted with what they just heard. Annalise chuckled awkwardly. "He's joking," she commented. "Are you joking, Gabe?" Her mother asked with that playful smile of hers."I don't think my son is joking," his father now intervened, and couldn't help to flash that huge smile."He's only joking, I swe—""I'm not joking," he said and now eyed her. Her lips remained parted. She almost forgot how to breathe as soon as their eyes met. He was dead serious with those brows
Chapter 12Protect GabeAfter few days of preparation and waiting, it's finally Estevan's wedding. They have been practicing the dance that they will perform for the wedding. Estevan called it as the Clyborne's performance that many of the guest were waiting for. Gavin kept treating Annalise rudely as he was still suspecting Annalise. Gabe then was there to defend her from Gavin. Estevan enjoys seeing his cousins dance when they never dance once in their life. "Are you sure you're not his girlfriend?" The makeup artist asked. This is the reason why Annalise hates some of the makeup artist. They keep sticking their nose to other people's businesses."No," she answered shortly. She was just fixing her hair more while standing in front of the mirror. Gabe sent her for her to prepare for the wedding. She suggested to let her hair down instead of tying it. It was perfect for her elegant and sophisticated gown. Who would even believe that she is Gabe's bodyguard at this look? She looks li
Chapter 13Gavin's TrustThe Leondale and the Clyborne joined forces to find the culprit. However, it was planned well. The culprit will not attack and execute the plan if he doesn't know how to escape from it. They began to search the entire place while the people were in panic. "Annalise, stay with me!" Gabe exclaimed while Annalise was in his arms. They were on the ground. His hand can't leave her back where she was shot. She was losing so much blood and she's starting to look pale. "Annalise was shot, Aunt!" Noah exclaimed in the mansion and slammed the table as he looked at them."I know," Lucinda uttered. She was being nonchalant about it. "It was supposed to be for Gabe Clyborne. Why would he cover him?!" Noah exclaimed, throwing a fuss over it while observing their location. "Gavin!" Gabe yelled so loud. He was shivering. For the first time in his life, he experienced fear—fear of losing the woman in his arms. "The culprit," he mumbled. "Fvck," Gavin cursed as soon as he
Chapter 14Change of plan "Cancel all my schedule, I'm taking a leave." Gabe said clearly to Leo."It's your client from London, Gabe. Are you sure you're not meeting him today? We don't know when Annalise will wake up," Leo discussed because it seems like Gabe has no plan to leave the hospital not until Annalise is awake."I'm sure. Tell him that I have an emergency so I can't meet him right now. Reschedule it," he ordered and breathed out. Leo simply sighed. "Sure, I'll clear your schedule." "Do not accept anything while I'm away," Gabe added."Yes, I'll make sure of th—""Annalise!" Estevan yelled when he just entered the room and caught Annalise slowly opening her eyes. His eyes widened and Gabe and Leo were alarmed that they both looked at Annalise behind them. Estevan ran towards her as they watched her wake up."Annalise?" Gabe called and held her hand. She couldn't feel her body yet. Her brows were meeting. All she could feel was pain, it's a double pain right now. The whi
Chapter 15David's ConfessionThe next day, Annalise just woke up so early. It seems like she got used to waking up this early because of her current job here. She couldn't sleep anymore even though she wanted to sleep more. At the end, she ended up going downstairs by herself while feeling the pain again. Even in her sleep, she can feel this pain."Why are you awake?""Sh*t!" Annalise exclaimed.Her heart almost jumped out of her chest when Gabe suddenly spoke and appeared. She took a heavy breath as she saw him standing there. He is sweating. Maybe he worked out. "I can't sleep anymore," she said after absorbing everything. "Why? Are you in pain or what? Do you need something?" He began to shower her with tons of questions and even came near her. "I'm always in pain," Annalise said and simply smirked. "You know what, just go back to your room. I'll bring your breakfast there," he said and held her hand."No," she uttered immediately, refusing to go back to her room."Why?""I ca
Chapter 16ConfessedShe was stunned. David just professed what he feels towards her. She was lost for words. What should be the right word to answer a man after confessing? He was looking at her and she was also looking at him. It was strange, very strange. Why does she not feel her heart pounding? There were no butterflies playing in her stomach. Surprise, that would only be it. "David," she called. That moment, he just realized what he said. He chuckled awkwardly and broke the silence between them. "I couldn't help it," he uttered. He was absent-mindedly looking at her again. Annalise can tell his sincerity. He was indeed sincere with what he said from those eyes of his. How she wished it was just a joke. But it's not. It would be a dumb of her to ask if he was serious when she knows he is. "We're friends," Annalise said. Those words were like a knife that suddenly stabbed his chest. Annalise knew he was hurt with that. But she also knew that she could only give him one thing—
Epilogue"You look so beautiful," Gabe's mother said and held her hand. They are already inside the car, waiting. Gabe and the others were already inside the Cathedral Church. Larisa smiled the softest as his mother praised her. "Are you nervous?" She asked. Well, she could tell it by her face. "I am," she replied. Her heart was drumming heavily. It feels like she's a student who was being asked by her own teacher about a certain topic in the class. Her hands were cold. How is she gonna walk on the aisle? What should she do inside once she sets foot? She was indeed agitated and overthinking about many things. "You know what, every bride feels like that. But you know what you should just think of once you enter the church?" She asked with a lovely smile. "Remember how you met him. Remember how your story began. Remember all those happy memories that you've spent with him and remember how the two of you overcame all the problems that you encountered along the way," his mother look
Chapter 116A ring to foreverHer knees dropped on the ground and her eyes were glued at Lucinda's dead body, covered with her own blood. It's over. Everything's fine now. She got justice in her own hands for her family and for Noah. All of a sudden, she just felt feeble as if she was able to release all the rage. "Larisa!" It was David. The moment he sat foot inside the abandoned place, he saw the different blood of the Valestine around. And there was Lucinda Valestine in front of Larisa, lifeless. The gun from his hand fell from his grip. He quickly ran towards Larisa who was bent in her knees. "Are you okay?" He asked. She didn't speak. Only a tiny smirk drew on her lips. "I killed them," she uttered. "But even if I do, I cannot still see my parents…my family that they killed," she mentioned with bitterness and pain. "David," Gabe called. "Leo," he simply said. He quickly stood up and ran towards them a bit far from Larisa. "Hey, you okay?" David asked Leo. "I am," he utte
Chapter 115Final card"We have to figure out where the hell they are hiding them," Gabe uttered with so much frustration. Well, all of them are frustrated. Larisa kept walking repeatedly while trying to ponder a lot. Estevan was talking with the IT men. While Gabe and Gavin were talking about where they could possibly bring his parents. "There's nothing in the car. They didn't leave anything that we can use to track them," Estevan said as he took a heavy breath. "B*llsh*t," Gabe cursed, was near to hit the wall with his fist. "Where could they possibly bring them?" Larisa mumbled to herself while walking endlessly, thinking of all the places that the Valestine used to do their transactions. "Can you stop? You look like Gabe when he's anxious," Gavin commented, annoyed by her. "Shut up. I'm trying to remember all the places that the Valestine used to use," she replied and continued walking there as if that was helping her to figure it out. "They are putting an end to this," Ambe
Chapter 114Put an end"Hmm, it tastes good." Gabe commented to the cake that Larisa baked."It's a new flavor," she replied. There was a huge smile on her lips while watching him. "What should I do? I only know how to bake. Would you be fine eating sweets everyday when we get married?" They both laughed with that thought. "I can cook, you don't have to worry." He said while shaking his head. Larisa looked at the time on her wrist watch. "You said your parents are on their way here, right?" She asked with her brows crossed. "Yeah. Dad told me that my Mom bought a lot of things for you," he mentioned. "What? She's spoiling me," Larisa commented unbelievably. She really treats her like her real daughter. "You know her. She really likes you," Gabe replied with a tiny smile before he stole a kiss from her soft lips."Where are they? They are taking too long," she uttered, and could not help but to wonder."Maybe it's just traffic. You know this country," he took a heavy breath as i
Chapter 113Evil to evil"She's all over the news now," Leo commented as they stopped working in the cake shop and watched the news. All the customers were also watching it, how Larisa Castellan took over the properties that actually belonged to her. "It's just a little revenge," David uttered as he stood up beside him. There was the Valestine, avoiding the cameras that were taking their photos. "I can't even go to the hospital and visit Amber, I'm too weak for that." Leo said and took a deep breath as he continued to serve the orders. "I heard she's not in good condition. One of the men told me that she almost died earlier, but she still fought hard to live." David discussed. Just like them, they are also worried. But all they can do is to wait and stand by until Larisa makes her move."Do you think Larisa really plans to kick them out that quick?" Leo asked while Bea and Nathan were busy. "Of course not. She probably just did it because of what happened to Amber," David replied,
Chapter 112The end is near"I can see myself to Estevan," Gabe uttered while Larisa and him were watching Estevan from the door. Since the incident happened, Estevan didn't leave his wife's side anymore. He stayed there beside her, talking to her while holding her hand and planted kisses on it. "I was actually delighted that you were the first person I always see when I woke up from those incidents we've been through before," Larisa uttered as she took a deep sigh along with a small soft smile that flashed on her lips. Gabe reached her hand and held it tightly. "I know what he feels, I've been there." He uttered with a small smile as he turned back his eyes at Estevan inside the room. "Do you know what I always felt during those days that I was waiting for you to wake up?" He asked and glanced at her. "I felt like my world was collapsing. It feels like I'm gonna lose my mind if I lose you," he replied with a weak smile. "You were scared," she said. Gabe simply nodded at her. "
Chapter 111Burning rageLarisa was walking repeatedly in front of the operating room as Amber was brought there after what happened to her. She could not calm her mind. A lot of what ifs are pouring in her head. She was still stained with Amber's blood but she never wants to leave her side. "Amber Clyborne, she's my wife. Where is she?" Her eyes were captured as soon as he heard Estevan's anxious and frightened voice as he asked the nurse about her wife."Larisa!" Gavin exclaimed aloud that his voice almost echoed in the hospital. Their eyes all went at her who was standing in front of the operating room, shivering. When her eyes found Gabe, the weakness that she has been holding back for Amber finally filled her out. "What happened?" Gavin asked immediately. But before Larisa could even answer him, Gabe quickly pulled her towards him and locked her in his arms. He knows—he knows those eyes of hers. He can tell just by looking at her eyes what she feels. That is how Gabe Clyborne
Chapter 110Interfered "Hey, Larisa. What's with you?" Estevan asked when Larisa was only staring into nothing while they were having a funny conversation together. She looks anxious. "Did Amber reply?" She asked. "No. Maybe she's still busy shopping," Estevan uttered. She washed her hands on her face in frustration. "Where's that mall?" Larisa asked. "The only mall here in this city," Gavin answered instead. Larisa quickly stood up and was about to leave them behind. "Where are you going?" Gabe asked. "I'll follow her," she said. "Hey, calm down. Nothing's going to happen. My men are with her," Estevan said, making her calm. But then, her instincts tell her something that is bothering her. "Estevan, your wife is pregnant. How can you be calm there? The Valestine can quickly kill your men!" She exclaimed with frustration. They all became silent, especially Estevan. Larisa took a heavy breath and cooled herself down. "This is a war. Among us, Amber is the only one who cannot
Chapter 109The most treasured Clyborne "Why don't you pull the trigger, Lucinda? Let's end each other here," Gavin uttered, provoking her. She kept her gun on her grip tightly, pointing it at Larisa. They were cornered. It was when she realized that Larisa anticipated it all. She was only waiting for them to come and she was too dumb to decide recklessly again. "We retrieve, Lucinda." Yna uttered, glaring at them. "I will wipe off that fvcking smile of yours," Candice said firmly before they slowly retrieve and leave her cake shop. Larisa watched them leave with a smirk. "You were right," Estevan said. "Lucinda will really attack," Amber said unbelievably. "I told you. I know how they think and how they move," she said and chuckled as she put down the gun at the counter. "They buried Gabriel today," Gavin mentioned. "Obviously," Gabe uttered as he took a deep breath."What do we do now?" Leo asked. Larisa looked at them as she became silent. "We wait," replied. "We have to