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The floating restaurant swayed gently as the waves licked the sides of the deck. The night air was crisp, smelling of sea salt and expensive cologne. Gabriella stood trapped in Felix's arms, her long cream-colored dress glowing under the moonlight. Their faces were so close she could see the flecks of silver in his dark eyes.
The Heartbeat Proposal
"Marry... you?" Gabriella whispered, her voice trembling. Her brain felt like it had short-circuited. Being this close to him, feeling the warmth of his hands on her waist, she couldn't think straight.
Felix smiled, a slow, devastatingly handsome look. "Mm-hmm."
"How can I say yes immediately after a first date?" she stammered. She wasn't even sure if that was the right answer; she was just saying whatever popped into her panicked mind.
Felix didn't look disappointed. Instead, he gently helped her stand straight, his fingers lingering on her arm for a second too long. "Fine," he said, his voice dropping to a husky velvet. "Then let's date first. But I warn you... after five dates, I'll make it so you can't possibly leave me."
Gabriella blinked, her heart racing. Five dates? What did I just agree to?
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On that night, Gabriella was tucked away in her room, pacing back and forth as she recounted every detail to Dona over the phone.
"Wait! So you basically said yes indirectly!" Dona shrieked from the other end of the line.
"What? Me? No!" Gabriella scoffed, leaning against her window. "I just said what came to my mind. It was a reflex!"
"Listen, Gabriella," Dona said, her tone turning serious. "You didn't say no. That means somewhere, deep down, you're attracted to him. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made an excuse about it being too soon—you would have just shut him down. I'm happy for you. You're finally ready to find some happiness."
Gabriella stayed silent, her mind spinning. Why didn't I say no? What is happening to me?
"Hello? Gabby? You there?" Dona asked.
"Yeah, I'm here," Gabriella sighed.
"Anyway, let's meet next Sunday. I have so many medical practicals to finish; being a med student is literally draining my soul. I'm sorry I haven't had time for you lately."
Gabriella smiled. "It's fine. I know the struggle. Focus on your studies, Doc."
"And congrats again on your graduation, babe!" Dona chirped. "Wait... has Ajax contacted you lately?"
Gabriella's face fell. "No. It's been six months. I haven't heard a word since he joined that Secret Agency training."
"Me neither," Dona sighed. "Sometimes he'd text, but now... nothing. Maybe he's on some top-secret mission. 'Mission Raina,' maybe?" Dona laughed.
Gabriella laughed along, but the sound died in her throat the moment she heard that name. Raina. The reason for everything.
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The Calm Before the Storm
The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Gabriella's bedroom, casting soft patterns on her silk sheets. It felt like a normal morning, but the weight of her secrets made the air feel thick.
Gabriella groaned as she opened her eyes, only to find her mother, Roselette, sitting on the edge of her bed with a beaming smile. Gabriella nearly jumped out of her skin, sitting up abruptly.
"Mom! You scared me!" Gabriella gasped.
"You came home so late last night," Roselette said, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "How was the date? Do you like him?"
Gabriella looked toward the door and saw her father, Frederick, leaning against the frame. Even he was waiting for the tea. Gabriella sighed, pushing her messy hair back.
"He's... nice," she said cautiously.
Roselette's smile widened, and Frederick nodded in approval. "Fiona's selection wouldn't disappoint us," he said. "In that case, let's arrange a formal family meeting."
Gabriella was in the middle of taking a sip of the coffee Roselette had handed her. She instantly started coughing. "No! That's way too sudden!"
Roselette glanced at Frederick. "Let's give them some time. They need to get to know each other first."
Frederick nodded. "Fine. We'll wait."
As Gabriella sipped her coffee, she thought bitterly, Know each other? We already know way too much about each other.
"Mom, Dad," Gabriella said, her voice turning serious. "A school contacted me for my higher studies. The International Stieves Academy. I have to go check it out."
"Ah, the one you mentioned before," Roselette said. "It's a very prestigious opportunity, Gabriella. Don't waste it."
Frederick walked over, his expression supportive. "It's one of the best schools out there. If you don't like it once you see it, don't force yourself. Leave the rest to me."
Roselette narrowed her eyes at Frederick's over-protectiveness but didn't say anything. "I need to get breakfast ready," she said, heading toward the kitchen.
As Frederick turned to follow, Gabriella called out, "Dad?"
He stopped and looked back. "Yes, princess?"
Gabriella's voice was barely a whisper, filled with a deep, lingering fear. "You aren't... using illegal money for the business anymore, right?"
Frederick's expression softened. He walked back and gently touched her head. "How could I? I left all of that behind two years ago. Don't worry about me. You just focus on your studies."
Gabriella nodded, feeling a small sense of relief, but her heart was still heavy with the revenge she hadn't yet finished.
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The hallways of International Steve's Academy felt more like a five-star hotel than a campus. The floors were polished marble, and the air smelled of expensive sandalwood and success. Gabriella walked through the corridors, feeling the weight of her chic charcoal blazer dress. It was sharp and professional, but her heart was racing with a different kind of energy—the hunger for revenge.
The Genius Alumnus
After a long talk with Principal Augustin, Gabriella finished filling out her admission forms. The Principal's phone buzzed. "Ah, the Alumni function starts soon," he said with a warm smile. "Why don't you join us, Gabriella? It's a great way to see the spirit of this school."
Gabriella nodded, her mind still heavy with thoughts of Raina and the past. As the Principal stepped away to take another call, Gabriella roamed the luxury halls. She caught herself smiling, remembering Felix's face from the night before.
Stop it, she scolded herself, shaking her head. Don't lose focus.
She stopped in front of a massive bulletin board. Her heart skipped a beat. Right there, under the title "Chief Guest," was a photo of Felix.
"Great," she whispered to herself. "Now I'm hallucinating his face on the walls. Get it together, Gabriella."
She turned quickly to head toward the auditorium and accidentally stepped on someone's polished leather shoe.
"I am so sorry—" she began, looking up.
Her breath hitched. The man in front of her wasn't a ghost. He was dressed in a bespoke navy suit that fit him like armor, looking every bit the powerful CEO. It was Felix.
"Fine," he said, his voice a low, smooth vibration. He looked at her shocked expression and smirked.
"You... here?" she whispered. "Is this another hallucination? Your voice and your face at the same time?"
Felix leaned in, his voice dropping to a husky, teasing whisper that sent chills down her spine. "Am I disturbing you that much, Gabriella? Am I even haunting your unconscious mind?"
Gabriella cleared her throat, her face heating up. "No. I... just forget what I said."
Principal Augustin reappeared, looking delighted. "Ah, Felix! I was looking for you in the main hall."
Felix glanced at Gabriella, his eyes dancing with mischief. "I just wanted to visit the old grounds first."
"Gabriella, this is the man I told you about," the Principal said proudly. "The genius top student of our history. This is Felix."
Gabriella's mind spun. Of all the schools in the world, why did I pick his?
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As the three of them walked toward the grand auditorium, the crowd of students parted for them. The atmosphere was electric. Felix leaned toward Gabriella, his shoulder brushing hers.
"Did you apply here?" he asked in a voice only she could hear. She nodded silently, feeling the heat of his presence.
Principal Augustin turned to them. "Wait, do you two know each other?"
Without missing a beat, Felix reached out and grabbed Gabriella's hand, lacing his fingers through hers. It was a firm, possessive grip.
"Mmm, of course," Felix said, looking the Principal dead in the eye with a confident smile. "She is my fiancé."
The Principal gasped, then beamed. "Congrats! What a power couple!" He hurried inside to announce the start of the event.
Gabriella yanked her hand back the second they were alone, whispering fiercely, "Why did you lie?! I am not your fiancé! We have only had one date!"
Felix turned his face toward her, his gaze intense and unyielding. He leaned in until their noses almost touched.
"I'm confident," he said with a mocking, beautiful smirk. "I'm going to make you mine. It's only a matter of time."
Gabriella stunned.
Before he stepped onto the stage to take his place as the guest of honor, he glanced back over his shoulder. "And don't forget... we have a date tonight."
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To be Continued....
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