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In the golden glow of the Royalty Hotel ballroom, Gabriella stood silently beside Dona, both of them observing the lively crowd. Laughter, music, and clinking glasses filled the air, but their attention was elsewhere.
Dona broke the silence. "What…?"
Gabriella tilted her head with a small smile. "Cold war. That means… she knows who I am. And I know who she is. But we act like we don't know anything."
Dona frowned, studying her carefully. Gabriella's smirk deepened as she turned to walk away.
"Hey, wait!" Dona hurried after her. Gabriella paused mid-step, glancing back.
Dona's eyes narrowed at her hand. "Where are your bandages? You acted as if you had a bone injury, right?"
Gabriella chuckled softly. "They won't notice. It's already been so many days. Of course, it would have healed by now, right?"
Dona folded her arms, not fully convinced. "Ha… maybe. But one more thing—Ronnie isn't here yet."
Gabriella stiffened. "What? He's always with his members. The other Silver Storm members are here, right?"
"Yes," Dona replied, her voice lowering. "But I feel something strange… they're planning something." Her tone carried genuine care.
Gabriella smiled at her reassurance. "What can they do? They can't give a shock… like me."
Suddenly, a girl staggered over, her cheeks flushed from drink. "Are you Selina's friends, right? Come join us for drinks!"
Gabriella and Dona exchanged quick looks, then offered polite smiles. "Sure." They followed and soon found themselves at a table with others, glasses clinking.
The music shifted—an upbeat rhythm filling the hall. The DJ announced a special number, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
"Han and Selina!" someone shouted.
The spotlight hit them as they stepped onto the dance floor. Their performance was flawless, movements sharp and fluid, pulling gasps from the audience. Each spin and lift left the crowd in awe.
But Gabriella's focus drifted. At the far edge of the hall, she noticed Jake, standing alone by a table, phone pressed to his ear. She excused herself and moved closer, keeping her steps silent.
"Yeah… it's with me. Don't worry," Jake murmured into the phone.
Gabriella froze as she caught sight of a small object in his hand. A pendrive. Her heart skipped. Is that the pendrive… about my identity?
Jake twisted it absently between his fingers. Gabriella's eyes widened. He knows…
He turned casually, ending his call the moment he noticed her. Their gazes locked. Gabriella forced herself to remain calm and approached him.
"Are you hiding something?" she asked smoothly.
Jake raised a brow. "Me? Why?"
She smirked. "Why did you cut the call the moment you saw me, ha?"
Jake's eyes flickered toward the pendrive before narrowing. "I cut it because I had finished talking." Then, leaning slightly closer, he whispered, "But someone is hiding their truth from this world… am I right?" He winked.
Gabriella's chest tightened. He definitely knows who I am… that pendrive has my video. But she masked her thoughts with a cool smile.
"No one shows their true face. Everyone has their own. But it doesn't mean they should expose others," she countered.
Jake's smile widened.
Just then, the host announced, "Everyone is welcome to the dance floor!"
Jake stood abruptly, extending his hand toward her. "Give me your hand."
Gabriella frowned. "Why?"
He leaned close, his breath tickling her ear. "Dance with me. I don't have a partner."
Her heart skipped, though she quickly shoved him back.She said...I always see so many girls around you...Where are they call them.
Han, still dancing with Selina, noticed the interaction from across the floor. His gaze sharpened.
Jake smirked again. "You always see so many girls around me. But I don't want them." He suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her close. "Because I want only you."
Gabriella blinked, heat rising in her cheeks. Confusion clouded her. She shook her head quickly.
But Jake dragged her to the dance floor. The music surged, and Gabriella, though reluctant, realized this was her chance—her only chance—to get the pendrive. She moved with him, her body flowing into the rhythm.
"You're smooth," Jake whispered as he twirled her in.
"I didn't expect you to dance too," Gabriella replied with a sly smile.
"Don't judge a book by its cover," Jake murmured into her ear. "I'm a dancer too."
Gabriella was momentarily shocked. Their movements grew more intimate, his closeness unnerving her. Each time he leaned in, she slipped back with a clever twist, her eyes always flicking toward his pocket.
Han clenched his jaw from afar, stepping forward, but Selina caught his hand. "Where are you going? Stay with me." Reluctantly, he stopped, though his eyes never left Gabriella and Jake.
Seizing her moment, Gabriella let her fingers trail teasingly across Jake's chest, slowly moving downward, distracting him. Jake's two top buttons were undone; she smirked as she edged closer to his pocket.
But Jake noticed. He spun her swiftly, his lips brushing near her shoulder, his breath warm on her skin. Gabriella's hand darted toward his pocket, but he caught her wrist. With a grin, he lifted the pendrive high above her head, spinning her beneath it, then lowering it teasingly as they danced.
Gabriella's determination sharpened. With one last bold move, she jumped, snatching the pendrive from his grip. Jake caught her mid-air, lifting her gracefully as the song ended, making it look like part of the routine.
Applause thundered around them.
Gabriella stared at him, breathless, clutching the pendrive. Jake still held her, refusing to let her down immediately. He finally lowered her, but not without pinching her waist. Gabriella stumbled and fell against his chest.
Their bodies pressed together. For a heartbeat, neither moved. Their eyes locked.
"You…" Gabriella whispered angrily.
Jake smirked.
Before anything more could happen, Han stormed forward, grabbing Gabriella's hand and pulling her to his side.
"Enough," Han growled.
Jake blinked, slightly surprised. "What? We were dancing."
Han shoved him by the collar. Gabriella gasped, torn between them. Selina rushed over, grabbing Han's arm.
"Han, stop! What are you doing?"
Han released Jake reluctantly, his glare sharp. Turning to Gabriella, he asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes…" she murmured, though confusion clouded her features.
Han leaned close to Jake, his voice low and firm. "Stay away from her."
Jake smirked, tilting his head. "Why? Are you interested in her too? Even while you're with Selina?" His eyes flicked meaningfully to Selina, who stared at them, puzzled.
Han's anger simmered, but instead of answering, he stormed off. Selina followed after him, clearly unsettled.
The music dimmed for a moment as the entrance doors opened. A figure stepped inside, hand in hand with someone else.
The lights caught his face—Ronnie.
Beside him was a girl with a faint bandage still wrapped around her head. Lara.
"Come," Ronnie said, holding her hand firmly.
Gabriella's eyes widened in disbelief. "No… how is she with him?"
From a distance, Jake watched casually, expression unreadable. And in the shadows, Raina observed, her sharp gaze flickering with secrets yet untold.
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