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The Architect of Shadows
The night at the floating restaurant was breathtaking. Situated right on the coast, the deck seemed to hover over the dark, rhythmic waves of the ocean. The air was thick with the scent of sea salt and expensive jasmine.
Gabriella stood frozen, her long cream-colored silk dress catching the moonlight. The fabric clung to her curves before flowing down to her ankles, making her look like a ghost of royalty. Her hair, styled in loose, effortless waves, danced in the ocean breeze.
The Secret Connection
Felix stood there, leaning against a pillar, his signature smirk playing on his lips. "Hi, Gabriella," he said, his voice a low, smooth vibration.
Gabriella's heart did a frantic somersault. "Felix?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Quickly, she dialed her Aunt Fiona.
"Did you meet him?" Fiona's voice chirped enthusiastically through the phone.
"Is the date... Felix?" Gabriella asked, her voice cold but firm.
"Yes! He's my best friend's brother," Fiona laughed. "I knew you'd try to dodge any other guy I set you up with, so I played my trump card. Your tricks don't work on me, Gabby! Wait... have you met him before?"
Gabriella sighed, her eyes locked on Felix's playful gaze. "We've met... a few times."
"Perfect! Behave yourself. Don't disappoint me, or I can't show my face to my bestie!"
Before Gabriella could respond, Felix's hand swept in from behind, snatching the phone right out of her grasp.
"It's me, Felix," he said into the receiver, his eyes never leaving Gabriella's face.
"Oh, Felix! Impress her," Fiona teased. "She's picky, so you'll have to work hard!"
"Don't worry," Felix murmured, his gaze darkening with intensity. "I will."
He handed the phone back to a fuming Gabriella. "Why did you snatch my phone?" she snapped.
"Why did you call Fiona? Were you afraid you were on the wrong date again?" He laughed, a rich, melodic sound.
Gabriella snatched her phone back, huffing. "How was I supposed to know it was you?"
As they walked slowly across the deck, Felix asked, "Didn't Fiona tell you anything about me?"
"No," Gabriella muttered, her guard slightly down. "She just said he was handsome."
The second the word left her lips, Gabriella bit her tongue. Did I really just say that out loud? she thought, her face heating up.
Felix scoffed, his eyes lighting up. "What was that?"
"Nothing!" Gabriella said, forcing an awkward smile.
Felix stepped in front of her, performing a graceful little spin before leaning down to her eye level. He raised an eyebrow, his face inches from hers. "Am I... as handsome as she said?"
Gabriella froze. The world seemed to stop. She felt the heat of his breath and the magnetic pull of his gaze. Unable to speak, she let out a forced cough. Felix's mockery vanished instantly, replaced by a soft, genuine concern. "Do you need water?"
He led her to a reserved table positioned perfectly at the edge of the floating platform. He pulled out her chair with a gentlemanly grace that felt entirely new to her. As she drank the water he poured, she watched him. He was gentle, warm, and attentive—a far cry from the cunning man she had seen two years ago.
"Did you know back then?" she asked, staring at him over her glass. "That I was Fiona's niece?"
"Not at first," Felix said casually. "I found out at your... fake engagement... two years ago." He smiled, but there was a flicker in his eyes—something hidden, something deep.
When the steak arrived, he reached over and began cutting it into perfect bite-sized pieces for her.
"I can do it myself," Gabriella insisted.
Felix simply swapped their plates, giving her the perfectly cut portions. She couldn't reject it.
"How have you been?" he asked.
Gabriella said " Not bad. What about you ?
I heard you went abroad. Why did you suddenly return?"
Felix chuckled. "To date you."
Gabriella blinked, stunned. "What?"
"I'm joking," he laughed, though his eyes remained serious. "Our main branch is abroad and the company needed me. Now that things are stable, I came back."
After dinner, Gabriella stood up, ready to end the night before her heart got too involved. But Felix was faster.
"Let's go see the sea view from the edge," he suggested. "It's amazing. It would be a waste to leave without seeing it."
Gabriella followed him to the very edge of the floating restaurant. Below them, the black water swirled dangerously. Felix leaned against the railing, the wind tousling his dark hair.
The floating restaurant swayed gently on the dark, restless waves of the coast. The night was alive with the sound of the ocean crashing against the hull, and the city lights in the distance looked like a fallen galaxy. A strong, icy breeze swept across the deck, making Gabriella shiver.
Gabriella looked stunning in her long, cream-colored dress, the silk fabric clinging to her as she fought the cold. Suddenly, a warmth enveloped her shoulders. Felix had taken off his midnight-blue designer coat and draped it over her. His touch was gentle, almost protective, sending a spark through her heart.
Gabriella looked down at the coat, her eyes widening as she recognized the rare designer logo stitched into the lapel. Her mind raced back two years—to Raina's birthday party. Her dress torn by a stray bush, leaving her exposed and trembling. A mysterious stranger had draped a coat over her back and vanished before she could see his face.
"Is that you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Felix looked at her, his dark eyes unreadable. "What?"
"The coat... at Raina's party. Was it yours?"
Felix paused, then slowly nodded. "How did you know?"
She said, her gaze locking onto his. "This logo... it's the same. It was you all along."
For a moment, the air between them grew heavy and tensed. Felix's gaze lingered on her lips, then her eyes, making her heart race. She turned toward the sea to hide her blushing face. "Thanks," she murmured.
The Deal of a Lifetime
"Do you like the sea?" Felix asked, breaking the silence.
"I love it," Gabriella breathed, watching the white foam of the waves. "Don't you?"
"No," Felix replied with a faint smile. "I've always preferred the hillsides."
Gabriella took a deep breath. She knew she had to say it. "Felix... please just consider this a friendly gathering. Don't take it as a real date."
Felix's smile vanished instantly. "Why?"
"I can't think about marriage now," she said, her voice turning cold. "I have... more important things to finish."
Felix looked at her, his eyes piercing through her mask. "Your revenge, right?"
Gabriella stunned, her breath catching. "How did you know?"
"I was there," Felix said, looking out at the horizon. "I was right behind you at the nightclub two years ago when you confronted Jake. I heard everything."
Gabriella bit her lip, cursing her own mouth for betraying her.
"I know you can't forget what happened to Lara," Felix continued, his voice sincere. "I know you want Raina to pay. I won't stand against you. I promise... this marriage won't interfere with your revenge. It might even help."
Gabriella gaze softened when she heard his sincere words.
A sudden, powerful gust of wind blew Gabriella's hair across her face. Felix stepped closer, his fingers brushing against her skin as he slowly moved the strands away. Gabriella's heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird.
Felix leaned in, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I'm here to give you an answer to what you asked me two years ago. Do you remember?"
Gabriella blinked, her face flushing hot. "What?"
"When you were drinking on the back of the car," Felix said, his eyes intense. "You were drunk, but I remember. You asked me... 'Will you be my boyfriend?'"
Gabriella felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She had forgotten, but he hadn't. Felix took another step, closing the distance between them until they were inches apart.
"My answer is yes," he whispered.
Startled by his intensity, Gabriella's heel tripped on the wooden deck. She began to fall backward toward the railing, but Felix's arm shot out, catching her firmly by the waist. He pulled her flush against his chest. Their faces were so close they were breathing the same air.
Felix didn't let go. His grip was firm, and his eyes were burning with a fire she hadn't seen before.
"I'm not only here to answer that old question," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "Will you marry me, Gabriella?"
Gabriella felt a wave of heat wash over her. She couldn't breathe, her mind spinning between her hunger for revenge and the overwhelming presence of the man holding her.
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To be Continued....
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