Chapter five

Gabriel’s POV

“What are you doing? You’re always glancing at your phone.”

Elena’s questioned, noticing that I wasn't listening to her. I forced myself to look at her, keeping my face blank and casual.

“Nothing important,” I replied smoothly. “Just some errands I had my assistant run for me.”

“Some errands, huh?” She took a slow sip of her wine, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “I thought you were still thinking about that bitch.”

The word “bitch” hit me hard. I wanted to reach across the table and strangle her. My hand tightened around the napkin in my lap until my knuckles turned white. I swallowed the rage and kept my voice cold.

“Drop it, Elena.”

She shrugged and raised her hand. “Waiter!” I pulled out my black card and tossed it onto the tray the moment the waiter arrived with the bill. Elena paused, her own card halfway out of her designer purse.

“You shouldn’t have,” she said, trying to sound sweet. “I wanted to treat you tonight.”

“There’s no need,” I said flatly. “I can afford it.”

I stood up before she could argue. All I wanted was to get out of this place. We walked together to the underground parking lot in tense silence. Elena’s driver pulled up almost immediately. She turned to me, eyebrows raised.

“Where’s your driver?”

“I sent Harry on an errand earlier,” I said, glancing at my watch. “He’ll be here soon.”

She studied my cold expression, searching for any hint of a lie, but I gave her nothing. After a moment, she stepped closer, leaned in, and tried to kiss me. At the last second, I turned my face. Her lips landed on the corner of my mouth instead.

She pulled back with a stiff smile. “One day you’ll beg me, Gabriel,” she whispered before sliding into her car.

The moment her taillights disappeared up the ramp, I felt sick. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, the disgust crawling over my skin. Only her touch could make me feel this dirty.

Harry arrived a few seconds later in the black Maybach. I climbed into the back seat and immediately reached for the pack of clean wipes in the console. I scrubbed my mouth and hands hard, trying to erase the memory of Elena.

The car moved smoothly through the city streets. The silence was thick. I could see Harry’s fingers tapping nervously on the steering wheel.

“How is she?” I asked quietly.

He didn’t need to ask who I meant. “Miss Claymore is… okay. She told me to pass a message to you, sir,” Harry added carefully.

I raised an eyebrow. “A message?”.He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. “She said… you should never appear in front of her again. She’s currently seeing a new man, and he would be jealous if he sees her scumbag husband around her.”

My eyes darkened slightly. Harry stepped on the brake a little too hard, and the car jerked to a stop at a red light.

“Those were her exact words, sir,” he added quickly.

I pulled out a cigarette from the pack and lit it, taking a long, deep puff. The smoke filled my lungs, calming the storm inside me for a moment. “investigate that man, every single person Liana had come into contact with lately.” Leaning my head back against the chair in the car, I stared at the burning cigarette between my fingers and let out a dry chuckle. How ironic. Because of her, I quit smoking. Now, because of her again, I picked it up again

—

Knock. Knock.

“Sir, the documents you requested.”

Harry walked in holding a thick folder. I frowned, confused. I hadn’t asked for anything today. But the moment I saw the name on the file, my interest piqued.

Richard Stark. 26 years old. Heir to Gold Holdings. Liana’s high school friend.

Harry cleared his throat, shifting nervously. I looked up lazily. “What is it?”

“We received an invitation from the Stark family. It’s the patriarch’s birthday. They’re hosting a big gathering.”

“Party?” Elena’s voice rang out as she walked into the room with a thermos in her hand, her smile too sweet. “Come on, Gabriel. We have to go.”

She handed the thermos to Harry and rushed to my side, her voice turning syrupy. “It’ll be good for us.”

“There’s no need,” I said coldly. “I’m busy with work.”

Her expression darkened instantly. “We are going. That’s final.” Her tone left no room for argument.

I stared at her with ice in my eyes until she shrank back a little. Harry muttered something about leaving and slipped out, closing the door quickly behind him.

“I’m not forcing you,” Elena continued, stepping closer. “I just want us to make a public appearance. So everyone knows our relationship… and some women understand that you’re taken.” She reached out to adjust my collar.

I slapped her hand away. “Whatever. You can stay in the lounge area. We leave by dusk.”

She beamed. “You’re the best.” But she was smart enough not to touch me again.

I finished my work, changed into a fresh black suit, and met Elena downstairs. She wore a beige backless gown that clung to her body, which was supposed to be seductive. The car ride was silent. When we arrived at the venue, the place was crawling with paparazzi. No wonder she insisted we come together.

I stepped out first and helped her down. Camera flashes exploded around us like fireworks. Elena gripped my hand tightly and smiled brightly for the lenses. I almost flinched at her touch but kept my face neutral.

Inside, business elites swarmed us immediately, throwing out investment ideas and compliments, my eyes kept scanning the crowd.

Then I saw her. Liana.

She looked breathtaking in a strapless black gown that hugged her curves and showed just a hint of cleavage. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders. And she was smiling up at him, Richard—again. “Gabriel, is everything alright?” one of the investors asked.

“I’m fine,” I replied, setting my wine glass down harder than necessary. “Excuse me.”

I followed her the moment I saw her heading toward another hallway. She slipped into the restroom. Without thinking, I pushed the door open and stepped inside, locking it behind me with a soft click. She was washing her hands at the sink, touching up her makeup. At the sound, she spun around.

“Why are you—?” She stopped when she saw it was me. Her face shifted from surprise to a deep frown. “What are you doing here? Your fiancée is probably waiting for you outside.”

She tried to walk past me and push me out of the way.

I grabbed her wrist and spun her around, pressing her back against the wall.

“Let me go!” she hissed. “Let you go?” My voice came out rough, anger overriding my control. “Are you eager to see that man again?”

She pushed against my chest. “Which man? Besides, I’m free to meet as many men as I want. The same way you can kiss anyone you want.”

“Why would I—”

She pushed me again, but I caught her waist and trapped her firmly between my body and the wall. Our eyes locked. Our breaths mingled. Her familiar scent wrapped around me, driving me insane.

It was wrong. It was dangerous. But I didn’t care.

I leaned down and crushed my lips against hers in a desperate, hungry kiss.