(Gabriel)
The office felt different without her.I stared at my screen, the words blurring together as my fingers drummed against my desk. Emails were stacked up, calls went unanswered, and my focus was shot to hell. It was ridiculous. I gave her the damn day off because i wanted space, needed it, after what happened last night. Yet here I was, noticing her absence like a lovesick schoolboy.I should feel satisfied and in control. I took what I wanted. She wanted it too, but instead, I felt… raw. Like I’d ripped something open inside myself and now I didn’t know how to close it back up.This was why I kept my distance. Why I didn’t get involved. I’d slept with my secretary. Worse, I’d let my guard down with her, let her see a side of me no one should. I wasn’t that kind of man, the kind who let emotions cloud his judgment, who lost himself in a woman. And yet, ever since that damn stunt she pulled when she fainted after I fired her, she’d been wedging herself deeper(Gloria)I walked into the office like any other day, my coat draped over my arm, heels clicking like I was walking into war. Because I kind of was, just that no one else knew it yet.Kate was already behind her desk, perfectly poised like she hadn’t spent the weekend stabbing people in the back with her red bottom heels. Her expression didn’t even twitch when I walked in.“Morning, Kate,” I said, sweet and polite. She didn’t look up, she just kept typing like I was invisible.Cute. I bit back a smile. Please. I had bigger things to worry about.I headed to the break room and made Gabriel’s coffee from muscle memory. My hand was steady, but my heart wasn’t. It thudded against my ribs, not because of the coffee, not even because of her, but because of him.Things had changed between us. Ever since that work event. Ever since the heat… and the look in his eyes like I wasn’t just a girl behind a desk.And now everyone had something to say about it. I took the mug to his office and gave
The office was as quiet as a tomb and the only sound was the hum of the lights, which had become as familiar to me as my own breathing. The end of the workday was in sight and Kate was long gone, her heels clicking loudly as she strutted out of the building, no doubt headed straight home to prepare for her date with Damon.Grabbing my purse, I shoved my things into it a little too forcefully. It was time to leave. I was almost out the door when I saw him, Gabriel, standing there at his desk looking like a very handsome storm waiting to happen. I froze mid step. I was this close to walking out and following Kate, but damn it, I couldn’t just ignore him.“Gloria,” he said, his voice soft in the quiet din. “Before you go, I wanted to ask you something.”I just stood there, looking at him, trying not to let the heat I felt in my chest show on my face. “Yeah?” I finally managed to say, crossing my arms, like I wasn’t completely thrown off guard by his voice.He looked up at me from his pa
(Gloria)At The Lysander, Gabriel’s eyes never left mine as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers tracing the edge of his wine glass. His smile was small, but his gaze, those piercing blue eyes, made me feel like he could see right through me. I fought the urge to check my phone again. The seconds were ticking away, but I couldn’t afford to look anxious. I was supposed to be on a date with him and not planning my next move.“So, Gloria,” Gabriel said, breaking the silence between us. “What’s something about you that I don’t already know?”I froze for a second. My mind was so focused on the time that I almost didn’t catch the question. “Hmm,” I muttered, tapping my fingers on the edge of my glass, pretending to think. “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you everything important, Gabriel. Unless you’re interested in more personal details.”His lips curled into teasing smile. “I like personal details,” he said, his voice low, the words lingering between us. “Maybe I’ve been reading the wrong p
(Gloria)The beeping is the first thing I notice when I wake up. Slow, steady, and annoying as hell. Then there’s this sting in my head, like someone cracked it open and poured regret inside.I blink against the harsh white of the ceiling. My throat feels like sandpaper and my limbs feel heavier than wet cement. It takes a second for the fog to lift, then everything slams into me like a goddamn freight train.The Lysander. Kate and Damon. The photos. The voice recording.The envelope.Shit.I jerk up, or I try to, and pain shoots through my side so fast it nearly knocks me out again. I groan, my head falling back against the pillow and breathing through my teeth like that’ll make it hurt less.The parking lot and that bastard who kicked me…His boot connecting with my ribs savagely like he had a vendetta. All of it gone, the proof, the evidence. The one thing I had to burn their whole little game to the ground. It was all on my phone and in my bag, tucked with that envelope I swiped f
(Gloria)So far, I’ve successfully dodged the GI - Gabriel Interrogation.Barely.He hasn’t asked again about the envelope, but the way he keeps looking at me? Like he’s waiting for a confession or a crack or maybe just for me to trip over my own guilt, it’s exhausting. I’ve spent the last day pretending to nap, sipping lukewarm soup, and mentally running laps around how I came to lose everything.And now, finally, I’m getting out of this hospital.The door swings open and in walks Gabriel in a fresh suit, coffee in hand, and… a box.I blink. “Please tell me that’s not another fruit basket.”He smirks, then he walks over and places it on the bed beside me. “Nope. Just thought you might want your life back.”I peel back the lid, and there it is… a brand new phone.“Gabriel,” I say, stunned, “you didn’t have to…”“I wanted to,” he says simply, settling into the chair. “Besides, you need a way to ignore my texts again.”I laugh, but it hurts my ribs, so I wince instead. “Still not funny.
(Gloria)“So are we gonna pretend that look he gave you at the door wasn’t straight out of a romance novel or…?”I don’t even bother looking up from my phone. “Elena.”“Oh come on, Gloria.” She throws herself dramatically onto the couch beside me before bouncing back up again, clearly too excited to sit still. “He practically undressed you with his eyes. You guys are so in love.”I grunt. “We’re not in love.”“Sure,” she says, heading into my kitchen. “Just sharing tender hospital hand holding and making googly eyes on the front porch. Totally platonic.”“I was nearly murdered, Elena. That wasn’t a googly eye moment, it was a ‘thank God you’re not dead’ moment.”“Same thing.” She starts opening cabinets. “Do you even have food, or am I making a miracle out of stale cereal and bread?”“Middle shelf. There’s pasta and the sauce you like.”“Ha! Knew I was your favorite.”I roll my eyes, sinking further into the couch, with my blanket tucked around me like protective armor. My ribs still
I come back to my senses with the sharp sting of a slap that feels like I’ve been yanked from a deep, suffocating dream. My head spins, and everything is blurry for a moment. “Elena…” I murmur weakly.Her hand is warm and shaking as she holds my face, the slap was just her frantic attempt to bring me back.“Gloria! What the hell… Gloria! Should I call the hospital?” she asks, her voice rising in panic. “Should I call Gabriel?”I push her hand away weakly, trying to sit up, “No… no hospital,” I mutter, my voice unsteady. “I’m fine. Just… too much.”I try to stand, but my legs betray me and give out beneath me. I stumble forward, barely catching myself against the edge of the coffee table.“Elena, I…”But before I can say more, I crumble, tears welling up in my eyes and spilling over before I can stop them.“Gloria?” Elena asks, confusion in her voice. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”I shake my head, unable to answer. “I’m… I’m just so… overwhelmed.” The sobs shake my whole body, and
(Gloria)I walk through the office doors with my face set in a grim expression. The air feels thicker and heavier today as the weight of everything is dragging me down. My mind’s a mess, and no matter how hard I try to push it away, the blackmail message keeps circling back and I can’t shake it.I’m almost at my desk when I hear footsteps behind me. Gabriel. I can feel his gaze on me before he even speaks.“Gloria,” he says, his voice low and concerned. “I told you to take the day off. Why are you here?”I try to keep my voice steady, but there’s a tightness in my chest. “I feel better. Besides, I’d just be bored at home.”The words come out before I even think about them. But as I look at him, really look at him, I feel the guilt hit me. He’s genuinely worried and I can see it in the way his brow furrows, in the way his eyes search mine like he’s trying to figure out if I’m lying.I swallow hard. “I’m fine.”He doesn’t seem convinced, but he doesn’t press me. Instead, he gives me a s
(Gloria)“Breathe,” Elena whispered, tucking a stray curl behind my ear.I tried but the air caught in my throat, thick and dry. My lungs were working, but it didn’t feel like breathing, it felt like drowning.The dress fit like a custom made trap.Silk, delicate and stupidly expensive, clunging to every inch of me like it had a personal grudge. White, backless, tight around the ribs, I looked like the kind of dreamy bride people wrote poems about. But underneath? I felt like a prisoner.We stood just behind a pillar out of sight, but I could already hear the rustle of guests, the low hum of whispers, and the click-click-click of paparazzi cameras fighting for a shot. “You ready?” Elena asked, her fingers brushing mine.I nodded, but the truth was, I wanted to run, like, just bolt. But my heels stayed rooted to the grass, like even they knew escape was pointless.“You look like you’re about to jump the hedge,” she said. “If you do, I’m not wearing flats under this dress for nothing. I
(Gloria)Elena sinks into the chair beside me, picking up the halfempty wine bottle on the table. “So… everything’s unraveling fast, huh?”I let the rim of the glass rest on my lips before I answer. “Apocalyptic.”She winces. “Sorry.”I shrug stiffly. “Don’t be. Eleanor Montclair doesn’t back down. I’ll give her that.”There’s a beat of silence, then Elena says quietly, “You admire her?”I scoff. “No. Maybe. Hell, I don’t even know. She’s scary but effective. She sent me this ridiculous form to fill out, and when I hesitated, she hit me with so much legal jargon, I thought I’d be arrested for lying about my blood type.”Elena lets out a low whistle. “She really did her daughter-in-law homework.”“Thoroughly,” I mutter, setting the glass down harder than I mean to. “Shame her son isn’t going along without a fight”Elena shifts. “He was angry…”“He was humiliated,” I cut in. “And now he thinks marrying me is the worst decision of his life.”Elena clears her throat. “Jordan hasn’t called
(Gabriel)The moment I step out of the car back home, flashes go off like fireworks from the cameras shoved into my face, with reporters barking questions I have zero interest in answering.“Mr. Montclair, is it true you fired your secretary?”“Was the relationship ever real?”“Did she seduce you for the money?”I keep walking with my sunglasses on. Let them feast on the scraps because I’m here for the queen of manipulation herself.I push open the grand double doors and make my way inside without a word to the housekeepers who bow and scurry out of my way. Up the marble stairs, past the lifeless portraits of smiling men I never cared to resemble, and straight to her favorite room, the tea room.The door’s already open of course. She probably wants this to feel casual and warm. My mother sits by the window elegantly like she’s been waiting for me to arrive. She smiles like I’m her darling boy coming home from war.“Gabriel,” she says softly, patting the velvet cushion beside her. “Co
(Gabriel) The saltwater clings to my skin as I step out of the ocean, feeling the waves pull away from me with each step forward and i take a deep breath to enjoy the tropical air. Hawaii’s warm breeze is supposed to wash away the anger, frustration, and chaos of my life, but it doesn’t. It doesn’t do a damn thing to numb the knot in my stomach or the rage simmering just beneath the surface of my skin.I make my way to the beach dragging my board behind me, the sound of the ocean drowned out by the rush in my ears. The soft sand shifts under my feet as I approach the edge of the beach, and that’s when I see them.Two women. Tall, tanned, and wearing almost nothing. They’re eyeing me up like I’m their next meal. I don’t blame them, no doubt the waves have done wonders for my physique.The blonde is the first to speak. “Nice ride out there,” she says with flirtation in her voice.I glance over to them disinterestedly. I’m not in the mood for small talk. But then I notice the brunette.
(Gloria)My phone rings and I almost drop it. Eleanor Montclair.Her name stares back at me like it’s been branded on my screen. I freeze, every one of my muscles tightening. Suddenly, the idea of crying over a documentary feels like a warm up for the real horror show to come .Because if there’s one person who’s probably angrier than Gabriel right now, it’s his mother.I imagine her standing in a designer robe, swirling a glass of wine like a villain from a movie, already drafting the legal papers to sue me into poverty. I picture myself back on Elena’s couch begging for space, struggling to afford groceries, and eating cheap ramen in bulk while I try to pay back…The phone buzzes again in my palm demanding an answer.Shit. Okay.I swipe. “Hello?”No greeting and no hesitation.“I’ll pay it back,” I blurt. “Please. Just give me a payment plan or something. I… I know the contract’s over, but I swear I’ll find a way. You don’t have to take me to court or ruin my life or… ”“Gloria,” El
(Gloria)I stare at the door hoping it might swing back open like Gabriel forgot something, maybe his sanity, maybe his heart. Maybe the part of him that didn’t just threaten me like a mafia boss in a three piece suit.But no. It stays shut.And I’m just standing there, jaw slack and completely, spectacularly, ruined.“Welp,” I whisper, blinking. “I think that went well.”A tiny, pitiful laugh bubbles out of me but it dies as fast as it came.I take a step forward, my knees buckle. Okay. That’s fine. That’s totally okay. I’ve been through worse.…Haven’t I?Then I collapse onto the floor in a heap, one arm flopped over my stomach like I’ve just been fatally wounded in battle. Maybe I have. The battle of the heart. The war of love. The massacre of dignity.And then it happens, the sobs.Real ones, loud and messy. Not those pretty movie tears. Nope. This is the kind of crying that makes your face puff up like a marshmallow and your nose run like a broken faucet.I bury my face in my han
(Gabriel)“Well?” I ask, the word coming out as more of a command than a question. My eyes rake over her coldly but inside, a storm is raging. She looks like a mess, unkept, terrified, and I can barely keep it together.I’m fighting every impulse not to grab her and shake the answers out of her, demanding she tell me what the hell is going on. Instead, I stand there stiffly, my fists clenched at my sides trying to control the rage that’s boiling in my veins.Kate had walked into my office earlier, slamming that tablet down in front of me with an expression that said ‘you need to see this’. The documentary was everywhere, the headline hitting me like a slap across the face: Ex-Drug Dealer’s Secret Contract to Marry Montclair CEO. The words felt like they burned into my skin.Gloria, an ex-drug dealer working with her trash of an ex, Ethan. And then the real kicker, a contract from my mother, Eleanor Montclair, to marry me for money. All over the media. I’m still trying to wrap my head
(Gloria) I wake up with a jolt with my phone vibrating against my chest and pressing into me like it’s trying to make sure I’m awake. Groaning, I push it off and onto the couch, the screen lighting up and blinking at me like a warning sign. I rub my eyes, feeling the ache in my head from too much sleep, and I shuffle to the kitchen, craving some water to shake off the grogginess. The cool glass of water hits my lips but it doesn’t stop the gnawing feeling in my gut. I can hear my phone, no, I can feel it vibrating from the other room. Then the beeps start. A flood of notifications, calls. I freeze, water halfway down my throat, and a cold shiver races down my spine. I know what’s happening. I know. It’s over. They’ve done it. Just like they said they would. I’ve been exposed. My heart races as I stare at the water in my hand, as if it could somehow give me the answers I need, some way out. But there isn’t one. It’s too late now. I ignore the phone, my fingers twitching as the n
(Gloria)The next day I’m at home. I’d gone home early the previous day after telling Gabriel I’d take the day off, much to his delight. I guess he was happy to get me to relax a bit.Now, I’m on the couch, wrapped in my blanket mindlessly eating Chinese takeout. The TV’s on but I’m not really watching anything. I’m just sort of… there. My thoughts are too tangled, too all over the place, and I can’t seem to shake off this feeling of being stuck.I’m lost in the emptiness of the moment when the doorbell rings, interrupting the silence. I almost ignore it, who the hell is visiting me? I’m not expecting anyone. But the damn thing rings again, louder this time. So, I roll my eyes and reluctantly pull myself up off the couch.When I open the door, I’m hit with the surprise of a delivery guy standing there holding a big hamper. There’s food, fruit, and… flowers? My first thought is, What the hell?He hands me a card after I sign for it. I glance at it, almost as if I don’t want to know who