---------
The air in Robert's office was thick with the scent of expensive cigar smoke and betrayal. It was a room built on power—mahogany walls, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, and a desk that felt like a battlefield.
The Office Stand-off
Gabriella stood perfectly still, her heart hammering against her ribs, though her face remained a mask of cold porcelain. Beside her stood Aunt Fiona, the definition of "Elite." Fiona wore a sharp, tailored cream power suit that screamed authority, her heels clicking like a countdown on the marble floor.
On the other side of the heavy desk, Robert leaned back, his lips curling into a smug, jagged smile. He tapped a fountain pen against the signed share transfer certificates—the documents that essentially handed him the keys to Gabriella's family empire.
"I didn't expect you to agree so fast, Gabriella," Robert chuckled, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Smart girl. You know when you've lost."
Standing like a shadow behind Robert was his brother, Xander. Unlike Robert's loud arrogance, Xander was silent, his dark suit blending into the shadows of the room, his eyes unreadable.
Fiona didn't flinch. She gave a microscopic nod toward Xander.
In one swift, blurred motion, Xander reached forward and snatched the certificates right out of Robert's hands.
"What the—?" Robert snapped, his face turning a deep, angry crimson. "Xander, give those back! What are you doing?"
Xander didn't back down. He tucked the papers into his jacket, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "Brother... let's just make sure we register these properly first. Don't want any mistakes."
Robert paused, his anger fading into a triumphant grin. He thought Xander was being thorough. "Fine. Go. Get it done."
As Xander walked out, Fiona's gaze followed him for a split second—a flicker of something raw and painful passing through her eyes—before she turned to Gabriella. "Let's go, Gabby."
"Wait!" Robert barked, clapping his hands together. The sound echoed like a gunshot. "Don't forget, Gabriella... once your father is out of prison, your engagement to Jake is back on. Fixed date. No escapes."
Gabriella stopped at the door. She didn't turn around, but her voice was like ice. "I remember. But you should remember your words, Robert. Whatever it takes... bring my father back. If he isn't home, there is no wedding."
--------
Outside the Emilda Building
The cool air hit them as they stepped out of the giant, glass-and-steel Emilda Office Building.
Gabriella grabbed Fiona's hand, her voice a frantic whisper. "Auntie... what did you decide about Xander? ."
Fiona let out a dry, hollow chuckle. "It's over between us, Gabby. It's been over for years."
"I don't think so," Gabriella pressed, looking at the pain etched into her aunt's face. "I saw the way he looked at you in there. He's betraying his own blood, his own brother, just to help us. He still loves you. I know it."
Fiona stopped, her mind racing back to the night before.
The Memory:
Rain was slicking the pavement in front of this very building. Fiona had lost her cool, grabbing Xander by his expensive collar, shaking him.
"Why is your family like this?!" she had screamed, tears blurring her vision. "First me, and now my brother's daughter? Why do you keep playing with our lives?"
Xander hadn't pulled away. His eyes were filled with a crushing regret. "I didn't know, Fiona. I won't let Robert destroy her the way he destroyed us. I swear."
"If that's true," Fiona hissed, "then do exactly as I say."
Back in the present, Fiona looked at the building where Xander was currently "registering" the papers.
"He's doing what he promised," Fiona whispered.
"But at what cost?" Gabriella asked.
Fiona looked at her niece, her expression turning deadly serious. "The cost doesn't matter, Gabby. Because Xander doesn't know the last part of my plan... and when he finds out, he won't just hate Robert. He's going to hate me, too."
----------
The mall was buzzing with the sound of chatter and pop music, but the Luxurious Café was an island of calm. With its velvet navy chairs and gold-trimmed marble tables, it was the kind of place where millionaires closed deals over espresso.
Felix stood up from his table, smoothing out his cream-colored linen shirt and dark trousers. He looked effortlessly stunning in his casual outfit—like a model off-duty. He had just finished with a client when a flash of familiar dark hair caught his eye. It was Gabriella.
She was walking with a sharp, determined stride, her silk slip dress shimmering under the mall's skylight. Felix felt a pull he couldn't explain. He followed her.
---------
The Shooting Gallery
Gabriella didn't go to a boutique or a makeup counter. She stepped into the neon-lit Shooting Game Spot. Her eyes were cold, filled with the fire of a girl who had been pushed too far. She picked up a heavy plastic gun, her knuckles white.
Bang! The first shot hit the mark.
Bang! Bang! The next two went wide, hitting the edges.
"I think you've lost your focus," a smooth, playful voice echoed behind her.
Gabriella stiffened. She turned and saw Felix leaning against a pillar. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion. "Are you following me?"
Felix stepped into the neon glow, a mischievous wink lighting up his face. "What if I said yes?"
"Weirdo," she whispered, her heart skipping a beat. She turned back to the game, but her hands were shaking. She pulled the trigger, but before she could fire, a warm hand covered hers.
Felix moved close, his chest almost touching her back. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the scent of expensive cologne and sea salt filling her senses. She froze.
"Your gun position isn't right," he murmured.
"None of your business," she snapped, though her breath hitched.
"Of course it's mine," he teased. "I can't stand seeing a beautiful girl hold a weapon so incorrectly."
He adjusted her grip, his fingers lingering on her skin. "Fire," he whispered in her ear.
Bang! The target shattered perfectly. Gabriella's lips curved into a small, triumphant smile.
"I wasn't following you," Felix said, finally stepping back. "Client meeting. Coincidence."
Gabriella scoffed, gesturing to his casual clothes. "Who meets a client dressed like that?"
"It was informal," he chuckled. Suddenly, his tone shifted. "Are you still upset with me about our last meeting?"
Gabriella took her gun back, looking him straight in the eyes. His gaze had softened, losing its sharp edge. "No. Why should I be? You aren't a bad person, Felix."
She turned and fired one more perfect shot. Bullseye.
"Nice shot," he said, genuinely impressed.
----------
The Bittersweet Truth
As they walked through the wide corridors of the mall, Gabriella asked coldly, " aren't you visit Raina? your fiancée?"
Felix went quiet for a moment. "Not anymore. The engagement is canceled."
Gabriella stopped. Guilt washed over her. Because of me, she thought. She wanted to destroy Raina's reputation, but she didn't want to hurt Felix. "I'm sorry," she said, her face falling into a look of genuine sadness.
Felix snapped his fingers in front of her face, mocking her. "Are you worrying about me? Don't. We didn't have feelings for each other. She's nice... but not my type." He looked at her intensely. "Is Jake your type?"
Gabriella froze. The name felt like a bruise. "I don't know... but I liked him. Does a partner always have to match your vibe?"
"Of course," Felix replied.
"What if they are total opposites?" she mused. "But they still like each other?"
Felix stopped walking, his eyes drifting away into a deep, hidden memory.
"Why aren't you replying?" she asked.
"You just reminded me of someone," he said quietly. "Never mind."
At the far end of the hallway, the mood shifted. Jake and Elisabeth were walking together. As usual, Elisabeth was clinging to his arm like a trophy, laughing at something he said.
Gabriella's face darkened. Her jaw tightened with a jealousy she hated.
"Are you jealous?" Felix asked playfully.
"Me? No," she lied, though her eyes stayed glued to them.
"Then why does your face look like you want to set the mall on fire?"
Felix leaned in, his voice a low, dangerous velvet. "I have an idea. Let's make him regret betraying you."
Before Gabriella could ask how, Felix acted. He grabbed her, one hand firm on her waist, the other on her shoulder. He spun her around and shouted her name—"Gabriella!"—just loud enough for the couple down the hall to hear.
Jake and Elisabeth stopped dead. They watched as Felix pulled Gabriella flush against his chest.
"What are you doing?" Gabriella gasped, her eyes wide.
"Making him regret," Felix whispered.
He tilted her head back and leaned down. From where Jake and Elisabeth stood, it looked like a passionate, cinematic kiss. Felix had placed his thumb over Gabriella's lips, shielding the actual contact, but the intimacy of the pose was undeniable.
Gabriella's heart was hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. She looked at Felix, seeing the playful smirk in his eyes as he glanced toward a fuming, jealous Jake.
Then, the smirk vanished.
Felix shifted his hand, his thumb sliding away. He leaned in for real this time, his breath hot against her skin, and pressed his lips firmly against hers.
Jake's eyes widened in pure rage—but as Felix pulled her deeper into the kiss, Gabriella realized this wasn't just a game anymore.
---------
To be Continued.......
----------