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The First Spark
The air on Crestwood Hill bit with a frosty sharpness, the kind that made your cheeks glow pink. Below, the town lights glittered like scattered jewels, all buzzing with anticipation. Two more hours until the New Year fireworks would erupt, painting the snow-dusted sky in a dazzling, noisy frenzy.
Gabriella, clad in a sleek, midnight-blue velvet dress that shimmered subtly against the pristine white landscape, was walking near the edge of the viewing area. She looked like a figure carved from ice—beautiful, unmoving, and utterly cold. The dress was a sharp contrast to the fluffy ski jackets everyone else wore, a deliberate choice, signaling she wasn't here to blend in.
Suddenly, a hand—warm and surprisingly firm—latched onto her wrist.
She didn't flinch. She simply stopped and slowly turned.
It was Jake.
His golden-blonde hair was dazzling, catching the ambient string lights strung across the outdoor vendor booths, making him look unfairly perfect. He was wearing a dark, expensive-looking wool coat, the collar up against the cold.
Jake leaned in, his breath a white mist in the air. "Are you satisfied?"
A slow, utterly dark smile stretched across Gabriella's lips. "Of course. It's so much fun when you avenge the person who messed up with you." Her eyes, usually a soft hazel, were sharp now, glinting with a dangerous delight.
Jake smirked, a look of knowing complicity passing between them. "Who is that person in that photo, Gabby? Is he from our school?"
Gabriella's smile vanished as if wiped clean. Her face was suddenly a mask of controlled fury. "Are you suspecting me... like the others?"
He turned his face away, then back to her, his intense blue eyes locked on hers. "No. I'm curious. Who is that? You are hiding him, even if everyone has misjudged your character. Everyone thinks you have a 'secret lover'."
She scoffed. "I don't care what others think." She stepped closer, her gaze pinning him. "What are you thinking?"
He didn't reply for a tense moment. "I know you only love me," he finally said, his voice low and possessive. "So, I believe you."
A softness, a flicker of genuine hurt, crossed Gabriella's face. "He is my friend," she whispered, the cold reality settling on her. "He helped me while I tripped. Anitta took a photo that angled it... like we kissed." She scoffed again, the sound now one of pain. "That I have a secret lover." She exhaled slowly. "Yes. He is my friend... and I will protect him whatever cost it takes."
Jake offered a slight, almost sad smile, and turned away, taking a few steps.
"Did you bring your friends too," Gabriella's voice sliced through the air, icy and devoid of emotion, "even if you were in a critical situation... like me?"
Jake turned back, his eyes catching hers in the pale light. "It's your wish. I won't ask anything." He moved to walk away again.
She grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "Didn't you protect your friends before at any cost?"
He didn't reply. He simply pulled his arm free and walked away, melting into the shadows of the festive lights. Gabriella stood there, alone, the cold seeping into her very bones.
💻 Dona's Distraction
In the warmth of the magnificent Dona's Mansion, surrounded by heavy, dark mahogany and velvet drapes, Dona herself sat in front of her high-tech PC. She was deep in a fantasy game, her fingers flying across the custom-lit keyboard.
Chime.
Her phone lit up with a message from her ten-year-old brother, Andrew.
Andrew: Who is he?
Dona (typing awkwardly): I told you, right? My friend.
Andrew: But... why was he bringing you home while you were drunk yesterday night?
Dona swallowed, remembering the blur of the night before—the spin of the world, the heavy, confusing comfort of strong arms. She smiled awkwardly, sweat forming on her palms.
Dona: Did you tell Mom or—
Andrew called. Dona panicked, nearly dropping her phone before snatching it up.
"Not yet," Andrew's voice was sharp with a kid's brand of righteousness. "But if you don't tell the truth, I will."
"I swear, he's just a friend!" Dona rushed to change the subject. "How is New Year going?"
Andrew sighed, "It's cool. Why didn't you come with us to Granny's house? Are you missing out?"
"Because I want to celebrate with my friends!" she lied brightly.
"Liar," he shot back. "You're in the house. I can hear your game sound. I know you're upset because of... that contract."
Dona's small, forced smile faltered. The contract. The reason for all of this. "No. I'm okay now. I'm enjoying myself by playing games."
"Are you okay?" Andrew asked again, the concern in his voice making her heart ache.
"Mm-hmm. Happy New Year, little bro," she said softly.
"Happy New Year, too," he replied just before the phone was snatched away by a parent who wished Dona a cheerful greeting.
Dona hung up and sighed, staring at her screen. Another call popped up instantly: Ajax.
"Hlo? Why didn't you join the new event in the game? By playing this, you can get gems," Ajax's voice was warm and familiar.
"Oh no, I forgot! But, leave it, I don't have enough swords. I can't beat the demon," Dona lamented.
"Don't worry, I have. Why don't we make an ally?" he suggested, a virtual smirk audible in his voice.
Dona grinned. "Sure!"
They played for an intense, victorious hour. "OMG! I can't believe it! Because of you, I won! Anyway, bye, and Happy New Year!" Dona cheered.
"Wait, didn't you celebrate New Year? You've been playing for a long time," Ajax pointed out.
"No, my family went to Granny's place. So, how can I celebrate New Year alone? I'm just playing. What about you?"
"No. I'm actually in a hotel. After family dinner, I came to the room. They are partying on the upper floor. I'm not interested in parties."
Then, a sudden spark in his voice. "Wait... Get ready quick. I'll bring you somewhere."
"No!" Dona protested.
"Are you going to celebrate your New Year alone? No way! Get ready," he said, checking his watch. "Two more hours for New Year. I will come to your place within half an hour. Be quick!" He hung up before she could reply.
Dona stood up from her chair, a hesitant smile on her face. She had no choice. She sighed—a sigh of resignation, mixed with a tiny, secret spark of excitement.
🔥 Truth, Dare, and Flames
Back on Crestwood Hill, the festive lights pulsed with the growing countdown.
Gabriella reached a small, remote campfire area reserved for staff and select guests. She saw someone waving casually.
It was Felix. He was wearing a stylish, loose-fitting sweater under a jacket, looking relaxed and inviting. "Aren't you going to watch the fireworks?"
"A few more hours left," she replied, coolly.
Felix hesitated. "Why don't you join us?"
Raina stepped up beside him, her long, sleek hair falling over a striking red coat. Her expression was devoid of emotion, a cold beauty.
"Am I right, Raina?" Felix prompted.
Raina simply nodded once.
Other staff invited her warmly. "Yes! Actually, we need two more people to play. Come, let's have fun."
Gabriella's eyes locked on Raina's cold face for a moment, then she gave a small, genuine smile to Felix and nodded. She joined them.
A few minutes into a heated game of Truth or Dare, a voice cut through the cheerful noise. "Gabby!"
Everyone turned. It was Jake. "I've been looking for you."
Gabriella looked at him, her face unreadable.
Felix's eyes fixed on Jake, and Raina gave a thin, cold smile. "Why don't you join us, Jake?"
Jake sat down with them, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere, adding tension.
Jake flipped the bottle. It spun and slowly pointed to Felix.
Jake smirked knowingly. "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare," Felix said with an arrogant little smirk.
"No, wait, I'll choose Truth," Felix corrected himself, looking at Raina.
"Do you love Raina?" Jake asked, his eyes never leaving Felix.
Raina looked slightly shocked.
Felix's smirk grew, almost mockingly. "Of course. Then why should I agree to marry her?" He glanced at Raina, a subtle challenge in his eyes. Raina's eyes softened for a fraction of a second before she suddenly stared away.
Gabriella watched them both, her face devoid of any feeling.
Then, Gabriella flipped the bottle. It stopped, pointing directly at Jake.
Jake smiled, his eyes daring her.
Gabriella asked, her face perfectly straight, "Do you have... really..." She leaned in close and whispered the rest directly into his ear.
His ears flushed deep red as she whispered the words: "my video... that I'm the Andria."
Jake smirked. "No."
Gabriella's eyes softened, a huge relief washing over her.
Everyone gasped. "It's not a fair game! You have to ask questions loudly!"
Before Gabriella could reply, Jake spoke up, his voice firm. "The person who wanted to ask the question, asked and the person who wanted the answer got it. That's enough, right?"
Raina stared coldly. Felix looked between Gabriella and Jake, an intensity in his gaze that suggested he was thinking of something deeper.
One of the staff quickly suggested, "Why don't we play a couple's dance game?"
Felix immediately said, "I'm always ready to dance with my fiancée."
Everyone cheered. Raina leaned in and whispered fiercely into his ear, "Do you want to die?"
Felix smiled casually. "It's all an act. Why are you taking it seriously?"
"But that is only needed in front of our parents, not others," Raina insisted.
Felix leaned in again, his tone dropping. "But they are my staff. If they know we aren't a real couple, rumors will spread." He sat up straight.
Raina gave a small, cold smile.
The staff mixed up numbers and gave them out. They wrote the same number twice on slips of paper; if two people drew the same number, they had to dance together.
Gabriella got number 3.
💥 The Secret
On the Bridge Road overlooking the town, the countdown was almost over.
Ajax stopped the car and grabbed Dona's hand, dragging her through the thickening crowd. Dona looked at him intensely, then shook her head as if to clear a sudden rush of emotion. They reached the center of the bridge just in time.
"We are here right on time," Ajax said, a genuine smile lighting his face.
"Why did you bring me here?" Dona asked softly.
Ajax feigned a mocking expression. "Are you a fool? To celebrate New Year, of course!"
Dona smiled. "Seriously, though. Are you treating everyone like this?"
Ajax's face softened. "No. I don't want you to spend your New Year alone. I know being alone is more painful than we thought. I don't want others to feel the same way."
Dona's heart swelled.
The first bright blast of fireworks shot into the sky. Both of them smiled, turning their faces upward as they wished, in unison, "Happy New Year!"
💃Back at the dance game...
"Who has number 3?" a staff member called out.
Gabriella and Felix stood up together.
Jake's eyes widened in genuine shock. Raina remained utterly devoid of emotion. Gabriella was confused, re-checking her number. It was definitely 3.
The music started. Felix took Gabriella's hand. Gabby hesitated.
Felix gave a charming smile. "Don't worry. I don't know how to dance either. But I'm sure I won't let you fall."
Gabriella was surprised. What?
He danced with her flawlessly, his movements graceful and effortless. Everyone cheered. Raina's eyes were icy cold. Jake's were devoid of expression, but something was burning—jealousy.
Felix twisted Gabriella effortlessly, and everyone gasped. Jake tightened his fists. Gabriella couldn't believe his perfect dance moves.
Then, Gabriella suddenly tripped, stumbling backward.
Felix grabbed her waist, pulling her tight against him to keep her from falling. Their eyes locked, his intense and focused, hers wide and surprised. She grabbed his shoulder and hand tightly for balance.
"Are you okay?" Felix whispered.
Gabriella nodded, her breath catching in her throat.
She straightened up quickly. Before anyone could speak, Jake stood up, fury blazing in his eyes.
But before he could react, Raina stormed forward and slapped Gabriella hard across the face.
Everyone gasped in shock.
"How dare you get so close to my fiancée?" Raina demanded, her voice shaking with outrage.
Gabriella raised her head, her cheek stinging, her face chillingly devoid of emotion.
"Why did you slap her?" Felix demanded, shocked. "She tripped, so I helped her!"
Jake rushed forward and grabbed Raina's hand tightly, his face furious. "Why did you slap Gabriella?"
Raina scoffed. "Can't you see? Why are you asking me? You have to ask her instead of me!"
"She didn't—" Jake started, but Gabriella looked at him with a soft face.
"It's your fiancée getting close to my girlfriend,"Jake continued, a protective fire in his eyes.
"Are you picking a fight?" Felix challenged.
"Yes," Jake spat back.
Felix warned "Leave Raina's hand."
Felix violently pulled Jake's hand off Raina. Raina looked at Felix, her face softening instantly. Jake grabbed Felix's collar. Felix grabbed Jake's. They were nose-to-nose, both faces contorted in rage.
"Leave!" Gabriella screamed, a sudden wave of panic washing over her. "I said, LEAVE!"
Felix's eyes snapped to Gabby. He released Jake's collar. Jake did not.
"Jake, leave him!" she shouted.
He finally released Felix, turning his back, and walked away in cold, angry silence.
"Apologize to her, Raina," Felix said, his voice cold.
Raina was literally shocked. "What? Me? No!"
"Say sorry!" Felix demanded, his eyes blazing with a sudden, unexpected anger.
"No," Gabriella cut in, her face straight. She smiled a small, chilling smile. "Leave it. Of course, she is my friend." Gabriella's eyes locked onto Raina's. "She doesn't need to apologize to me."
"But—" Felix tried.
"Leave it," Gabriella repeated. Felix turned and walked away, his shoulders tense.
Raina's eyes remained fixed on Gabriella. Everyone else slowly backed away.
Gabriella walked closer to Raina, slowly.
Raina chuckled, a low, shaky sound. "Do you know why I slapped you?" she whispered in a husky voice. "Because I have returned what you gave me before." Her eyes were darkening with a horrifying realization. "Do you remember when you slapped me in front of everyone in the school auditorium?"
Gabriella didn't flinch. She smiled like a magnificent, terrifying villain. "Are you happy?"
Raina's smile disappeared.
"I have already told you," Gabriella said, her voice dropping to a cold, razor-sharp whisper. "Don't mess up with me."
She leaned in, her eyes locked on Raina's, and asked the question that shattered Raina's control: "Do you want ,what happened to Erica ?".
Raina's cold expression finally cracked. "What... do you mean?"
Gabriella smirked. "It won't take a few minutes to play the video about your dark secret in front of everyone. I still have that video."
Raina's eyes were terrifyingly wide, pure panic flooding them.
"Happy New Year, my dear enemy," Gabriella chuckled, and she walked away, finally free, melting into the night.
Raina sank to her knees in the snow, a single word escaping her lips: "Impossible... impossible..."
unexpected warm🌲
Gabriella walked, not toward the fireworks, but deeper into the dark embrace of the Pine Forest.
As she walked, sudden lights began to brighten, one by one—small, gentle LED bulbs strung between the trees. She stopped, shocked, then continued walking. She reached a small clearing where a rustic bench was placed, surrounded by candles and soft decorations.
"Gabriella!" a voice called softly.
She spun around.
A hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her in, hard and close.
It was Jake. His face was serious, his eyes intense. He leaned in and kissed her, desperate and forceful. She was shocked, the kiss intense and consuming.
She pulled back suddenly, their lips parting.
Jake leaned in again.
"No," Gabriella said, stopping him. "Why are you suddenly acting like this?"
His hand was still wrapped around her waist. "Because... I'm possessive," he confessed, his voice rough. "I can't bear it when you dance with someone else. You are only mine."
Gabriella pushed his hand away. "Do you think that by saying things like that you can make me love you?"
"I know you are still upset about what my father said," Jake pleaded. "I am sure I won't let his plan happen."
Gabriella chuckled, a sound full of pain. "Not upset because of your father. Because of you, too."
Jake was shocked. "What?"
"How can I believe your words?" she asked, her expression serious. "Didn't you blackmail me earlier, at Raina's birthday party?"
"Yes, I did," he admitted instantly. "But I had no other option then. I didn't want to get engaged with Elisabeth, so I had to. So sorry. I lied to you that I had the video about you being Andria."
Gabriella smiled painfully. "So that... you... have tricked your lover? How can you do that to me? Could anyone do that to the person they love?."
Jake grabbed her hands, his voice sincere and full of conviction. "I am sorry, but I did it because I love you. What I did was wrong, but my intention was not wrong. I can't think of another girl in your place. I only love you." He hugged her tightly. "I won't allow whatever my father's plan is to happen. Gabriella Enterprises is still with your father, but I won't do anything that hurts you again."
A single tear slipped down Gabriella's cheek.
Jake sat up straight, looking into her face. "Did you give me another chance?"
Gabriella smiled.
"Happy New Year, my love," Jake whispered huskily. He leaned in and kissed her again, gently tracing her hair as the fireworks suddenly began to blast behind them, lighting up the forest clearing.
Gabriella kissed him back, melting into the passionate embrace. Jake's hands roamed her waist, his kisses desperate and loving. They were lost in the moment, blinded by the fireworks and consumed by their love...
Suddenly, a person stormed into the clearing.
He grabbed Jake and yanked him away from Gabriella, his face a mask of absolute fury.
He punched Jake straight in the face.
Gabriella screamed. Jake fell to the ground, stunned.
The attacker was Han, Gabriella's cousin.
Han pulled Jake up by the jacket collar, his eyes outraged and locked on Jake's stunned face.
"You have already played with my sister's emotion," Han whispered, his voice shaking with restrained violence. "I won't let that happen to my another sister, too."
Jake's eyes widened, realizing the true extent of the revenge... and who was now caught in the crossfire.
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To be Continued...
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