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​🏡 A Whisper and a Promise
​The air inside the Montclaire mansion was thick with unspoken tension, a contrast to the scent of polished mahogany and the expensive, yet comforting, fragrance of old leather. This was Gabriella's house—a fortress of warmth and wealth tucked away on a sprawling, tree-lined estate. It wasn't just big; it was a sanctuary where every antique rug and hand-carved piece of furniture seemed to hold a secret.
​In the dimly lit Kitchen , bathed in the glow of a Tiffany lamp, Gabriella's parents were talking.
​Roselette Montclaire, a woman whose elegance was only surpassed by the fierce protective love in her eyes, ran a nervous hand over her emerald silk robe. "Frederick, are you sure about your decision? We can't take it in a rush. It's about…"
​Frederick Montclaire, a man whose broad shoulders and authoritative voice had built an empire, cut her off, his face etched with rare urgency. "I'm not taking a decision in a rush, Roselette. I think twice before I take it. I talked with him."
​Roselette's eyes, usually as calm as a deep lake, widened slightly. "I want to tell you something first. That boy… he brought Gabriella to our house last night."
​Frederick's composure snapped. "Him?"
​Roselette nodded quickly. "Actually, you know right, Gabriella is anemic. She fainted… so…"
​"What happened to Gabriella? Is she alright?" Frederick was already moving, his voice a sharp, panicked whisper. He hurried toward the door.
​Roselette grabbed his hand, her touch firm. "Wait. Don't worry. She is sleeping. Let her take rest."
​Frederick's concern was palpable, a deep, furrowed line between his brows. "We have to care for her more these days. She fainted twice. I will arrange a nutritionist for her. Immediately."
​Roselette squeezed his hand, her own worries momentarily eased by his devotion. "She is blessed because she got a father like you."
​Frederick leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "What about you? Am I a good husband?"
​She gently pushed him, a soft, genuine smile replacing her anxiety. "Get out of here."
​"Good morning!"
​A cheerful, slightly confused voice cut through their private moment. It was Gabriella. She stood in the doorway, a vision of youthful innocence in a butter-yellow cotton nightdress, the color brightening her usually pale complexion.
​"Why are you two laughing?" she asked, narrowing her eyes playfully.
​Frederick grinned. "Ask your mother."
​Roselette offered an awkwardly sweet smile. "Nothing, just casual talk of husband and wife." She shot a meaningful look at Frederick.
​Frederick suddenly clapped his hands together. "Right! I was forgetting. Listen, sweetie, you have to be ready within two hours. We have to go to the Royal Hotel."
​Gabriella's eyes narrowed, the playfulness gone. She knew that name. It was Raina's family hotel. "Why so sudden?"
​Frederick's smile was disarmingly warm. "We haven't spent family time these days, so… for a family dinner!"
​Gabriella, softened by the mention of family time, smiled and nodded.
​Roselette chimed in, "Come, get your coffee ."
​Frederick checked his watch, the moment of levity gone. "Oh, I'm running out of time. I have to attend an important client meeting. I will come to pick you up after that, okay?"
​Roselette smiled, and Gabriella gave him a quick 'okay' sign with her hand. As he left the kitchen, his mind was already spinning with the secret he was about to reveal.
​💎 The Royal Deception
​The Royal Hotel was a monument to opulence. Its lobby was a soaring space of marble floors, crystal chandeliers that glittered like frozen starlight, and velvet drapes. Gabriella, dressed in a stunning, long pearl-white gown with delicate, thin sleeves—a dress that made her look like a dreamy, ethereal princess—felt a growing sense of curiosity. This wasn't just a family dinner.
​They were led into a private dining area. It was exquisitely set: a huge, polished oak table, heavy silver cutlery, and a single, breathtaking floral arrangement.
​Gabriella stepped inside and froze.
​Sitting at the table, smiling warmly, were Jake and his parents, Robert and Julie.
​It was a setup. She couldn't believe it.
​Jake, looking effortlessly handsome in a tailored blue suit that emphasized his golden hair and confident smile, met her eyes. His smile was knowing.
​Frederick and Robert, Jake's father, hugged each other like old friends. Roselette and Julie, Jake's mother, exchanged a warm embrace.
​Jake came toward Gabriella. He gently took her hand, his touch immediately treating her like a princess. He pulled out the chair for her, his movements a practiced, gentle choreography.
​"What's going on, Jake?" she whispered.
​He leaned in, a flash of mischief in his eyes. "Wait and see." He winked.
​Gabriella blinked, her mind racing.
​The parents settled in, talking casual pleasantries and business. Then, Robert, Jake's father, cleared his throat, his smile beaming.
​"We have talked already, but…" He paused dramatically. "…we are here to fix the official date for the engagement of Gabriella and Jake."
​Gabriella's eyes widened, a rush of disbelief and shock making her heart pound against her ribs. Both sets of parents were smiling widely, their faces radiating happiness.
​Frederick turned to his daughter, his expression one of pure, benevolent love. "Of course, I wish both children to be happy." He gazed at Gabriella, his smile soft and encouraging.
​In that moment, Gabriella's resolve softened. Her father was doing everything for her, fulfilling her wish that she didn't even say to him—the wish to be with Jake, the boy she loved.
​Roselette whispered to her, "Are you happy now?"
​Gabriella felt trapped between her deep love for her father and the terrifying speed of this commitment. She stood up abruptly.
​"I want to talk to you… personally, Jake."
​Everyone at the table looked confused. Robert awkwardly smiled. "Yes, you can."
​Jake's knowing smile finally disappeared, replaced by a flicker of surprise. He followed Gabriella to the doorway.
​Frederick chuckled, trying to ease the sudden tension. "Let them talk. They have their own plan about their engagement."
​Roselette leaned close to her husband. "Why did Gabriella react like that? I think we are rushing. We have to talk to her before this arrangement."
​"Don't worry, darling," Frederick reassured her. "We are not done yet. We are here to discuss, that's it. Moreover, I want to surprise my daughter." He turned back to Robert and Julie, who reciprocated his smile.
​💔 The Price of Love
​A few minutes later, Jake and Gabriella were on the hotel's balcony, overlooking the dazzling city view. The cool breeze was a sharp contrast to the heat building inside Gabriella.
​She turned to him, her face completely straight. "Do you know about this arrangement before?"
​Jake flipped his golden hair, leaning casually on the railing. "Yes," he said simply.
​Gabriella scoffed. "Don't you think you should have postponed it? Or you could have at least told me earlier?"
​Jake leaned closer, his voice dropping, his usual smirk returning, but with a predatory, knowing edge. "Because I agreed to it. Don't you? What's the matter whether it's a rush or not?"
​Gabriella's heart pounded, a strange mix of terror and attraction.
​He straightened up, his tone shifting to a calmer, more normal pitch as he looked out at the view. "I was also surprised when my parents told me. Wait… is your parents told you before you came here?"
​"No," she muttered. "I know they want to surprise me."
​Jake chuckled. "That's why you are reacting like that! I get it."
​"What's so fun?" Gabriella countered, trying to keep her voice steady. "And it's so rushed! I don't want to be engaged so quickly."
​Jake's face got serious, the easy charm replaced by a look of intense sincerity. "I know that. But think like this: You and me… we have to be glad that our parents are supportive of our love. In this world, who gets a green light from their parents? We got it. Then why are you worried about other things?"
​Gabriella thought to herself, But I don't want this commitment to delay my revenge. The depth of her hatred for the Raina who had killed her Friend Kevin was a secret she kept deep inside, a dark fire that even Jake's love couldn't extinguish. Her plan needed time, precision, and freedom. This engagement was a beautiful, golden cage.
​Jake's eyes narrowed, suspicious of her sudden silence. "What are you thinking?"
​Gabriella forced a smile, the emotion not reaching her eyes. "You are right. I agree."
​Jake smiled back, a relieved, genuinely happy smile.
​A little farther away, hidden in the shadows where the balcony met the hallway, a girl listened to every word. She was dressed in a dark, severe outfit, a stark contrast to Gabriella's white dress. A sinister, triumphant smile stretched across her face.
​"So," the girl whispered, her voice like grinding sandpaper, "you're going to engage with Jake…"
​Her perfectly manicured nails slowly, rhythmically tapped the cold stone pillar she was hiding behind, a silent countdown to a future Gabriella didn't see coming.
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To be Continued.....
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