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The Two-Year Vow
The sun dipped low over Brighton Wisdom, casting long, amber shadows across the courtyard. It was Graduation Day. The air was filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and the bittersweet energy of seniors saying goodbye.
The Ghost on the Roof
Gabriella stood amongst the sea of caps and gowns, looking stunning in her navy blue graduation robe with a silk gold stole. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and her makeup was flawless, yet her eyes held a depth that didn't match the celebration. She snapped a few photos with her friends, flashing a bright, practiced smile for the camera.
But as soon as the flash faded, her gaze drifted upward. She looked at the rooftop, the very place where her world had shattered.
Leaving the noise of the party behind, she climbed the stairs. When she reached the cold concrete of the roof, her smile vanished instantly. The wind whipped her gown as she stood at the edge, looking down at the spot where Lara had fallen.
"First Kevin... then Lara," she whispered, her voice cracking. "They both left me." Hot, angry tears escaped, stinging her cheeks.
Her mind drifted back to that dark day two years ago. After she had tried to strike Raina with the knife in the hallway, they had all ended up in Principal John's office.
The room was suffocating. On one side stood Roselette and Frederick, Gabriella's parents, looking weary and defensive. On the other stood Bianca and Victor, Raina's parents—the city's most powerful lawyer and a woman with a heart of stone.
"Gabriella went too far," Principal John sighed. "I should be filing a police report."
"My daughter is just grieving her friend! forgive her ," Frederick said coldly, his eyes darting to Raina, who sat there looking like a victim.
"Forgive her?" Bianca scoffed, her voice sharp as glass. "If the guards hadn't stopped her, my daughter would be dead! How can I leave this alone?"
"But she didn't do it, did she?" Frederick countered, his voice rising.
Victor, Raina's father, held up a hand. His gaze was cold and calculated. "Bianca, enough. Principal, we won't file charges. But you must give us your word that this girl will never interfere with my daughter again."
"I won't promise that!" Gabriella screamed, her face contorted with fury. "Your daughter will die by my hands!"
Raina eyes locked on Gabriella eyes with fury. Bianca outraged.
Roselette quickly dragged Gabriella toward the door. "She won't! Leave it to me!"
Raina smirked as she won.
Outside, in the school parking lot, Gabriella shoved her mother's hand away. "Mom! She's a killer! Why are we letting them win?"
Roselette looked at her daughter with tear-filled eyes. "I believe you, Gabriella. I do. But I need my daughter alive and out of prison. Please... I'm begging you. Give me your word: No revenge until your graduation. Just finish your school. Please."
Seeing her mother's heartbreak, Gabriella's face finally softened.
Back in the present, Gabriella's phone chimed, snapping her out of the memory. A news notification popped up:
"ROYAL GROUP NEWS: Raina White-ville to be announced as the next business heir in 2 days."
Gabriella's fist tightened until her knuckles turned white. Her jaw set in a hard line. She unknowingly swiped to Raina's social media. There was a new reel. Raina was glowing, celebrating her MBA graduation from a prestigious international business school abroad. She was laughing, surrounded by friends in an expensive designer dress, living a life of luxury as if she hadn't stepped over bodies to get there.
Gabriella whispered into the wind, her voice deadly and calm: "I won't leave you, Raina. I've kept my promise to my mother... and now, I'm just waiting for your arrival."
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Fiona's Luxurious Apartment
Later, the scene was much calmer. Gabriella sat on the plush, cream-colored carpet of Fiona's luxurious penthouse. The room was modern, filled with soft sunlight and high-end toys. Gabriella was focused on playing with a 9-month-old baby boy, moving a rattle back and forth to make him giggle.
"Sorry I couldn't make it to your graduation, Gabby," Fiona said, walking in wearing a sharp, emerald-green power suit. "Client meetings ran late."
"It's okay," Gabriella replied, her voice soft but distant.
The baby started to cry, and Fiona scooped him up. Xander appeared, looking every bit the doting father. "I think he's hungry," Xander said, taking the baby to start feeding him baby food.
"So, what's the plan?" Fiona asked casually. "Post-grad?"
"Of course," Gabriella said.
"I have details on some international business schools i will forward you ," Fiona added, biting her lip nervously. "But... I also arranged a blind date for you today at 4 PM."
Gabriella bolted upright. "What? Auntie, I have no plan to marry!"
"It's just a meeting!" Fiona laughed, though her smile faded when she saw Gabriella's dead-eyed stare. "Why are you pushing me?" Gabriella asked. "You didn't marry until you succeeded. Why should I?"
"Are you still not over Jake?" Fiona asked suspiciously.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "I moved on."
Suddenly, Xander walked back in with the baby. "Hey, did you hear? Jake's marriage date is fixed. My family is so petty, they didn't even tell me. I saw it on the news."
Fiona glared at Xander—a silent "shut up" signal—but it was too late.
Gabriella stood up. "So this is why you're rushing me? To prove something to him?"
"At least show him you've moved on!" Fiona pleaded, grabbing her hand. "Just give this one guy a chance. If you don't like him, I won't push again."
"Fine," Gabriella snapped, grabbing her bag. "But after this, you leave me alone. No more dates."
"Until the next one!" Fiona called out as Gabriella walked out the door.
Fiona turned to Xander, her eyes sparking with fury. Xander quickly looked down, pretending to be deeply fascinated by the baby's feeding schedule to avoid his wife's wrath.
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The Floating Deception
The air was cool and salty on the floating restaurant docked along the coast, its lights shimmering on the dark water like scattered jewels. The night view was breathtaking, but for Gabriella, her heart was a cold, hard stone. She wore an elegant, long cream-colored gown that flowed like liquid moonlight, her hair styled in soft, natural waves.
Gabriella stepped into the luxurious restaurant, her gaze sweeping over the tables. She spotted a man with his back to her, sitting at a reserved table. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice cool and practiced.
He turned. Gabriella's eyes widened, then narrowed in confusion. This man was definitely middle-aged, with a round face and a very enthusiastic smile. He wasn't at all like the "handsome" description Fiona had given her.
"Please, sit," he said, beaming.
Gabriella sat, forcing a polite, awkward smile. Anyway, I'm going to reject him, handsome or not, she thought, already bored.
"You're even more gorgeous than your photo!" the man gushed. "Though in your picture, you had much shorter hair."
Gabriella blinked. Which photo did Auntie Fiona send? she wondered, a flicker of irritation sparking. She just nodded, letting him talk, her mind drifting to her revenge plans.
Few minutes later she get annoyed....because he is talking continues.
"Enough," Gabriella finally murmured, standing up abruptly. "I can't listen to this anymore."
Just as she was about to escape, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Hello? You're Johnson, right?"
The middle-aged man turned. A beautiful woman, radiating a fierce confidence, stood there, her eyes immediately locking onto Gabriella. Her gaze sweeping over Gabriella with a disdainful sniff. "Who is this?"
The man, Johnson, looked confused. "And you are...?"
"I'm Jessica. Your blind date." She looked at Johnson, then back at Gabriella.
"So, you're not Jessica?"Man confused.
"I'm not," Gabriella said, an awkward chuckle escaping her lips.
Jessica scoffed. "You disappointed me on our first date! You don't even know who you're talking to! I sent my photo. Ha! I get it—you fell for her looks, didn't you?"
"What?" Gabriella blinked.
Johnson, suddenly flustered, stammered, "Sorry, I... I..." He rushed after Jessica, trying to explain himself.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. This is all Auntie Fiona's fault! Why didn't she just give me his name? Only 'handsome,' huh?
Pissed off, she turned to leave. Her eyes landed on a man leaning against a marble pillar, his profile sharp and elegant. He had a few strands of silver hair at his temples, mixed with dark black. He was breathtakingly handsome. Gabriella was completely mesmerized.
He turned, and her heart slammed against her ribs. It was Felix.
He offered a slow, knowing smile. "Hi, Gabriella."
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To be Continued....
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