Gabriella's safety

****

Suddenly, a familiar masculine voice called out her name, "Gabriella."

Her heart skipped a beat as the voice reached her ears, sending a jolt of surprise through her. She turned towards the direction of the sound, her eyes searching the shadows for the source of the voice.

The room seemed to hold its breath, the silence broken only by the racing of her heart. With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, she responded, "Who's there?"

The air in the room felt charged with tension as her voice hung in the darkness. For a moment, there was only silence, and then the voice spoke again, closer this time, "It's me, Simon."

Gabriella's heart raced, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. The pieces of the puzzle were fitting together faster than she had anticipated.

"Simon? Why would you…?" Her voice trailed off, a mix of confusion and anger in her words.

"Gabriella, please, let me explain," Simon's voice sounded earnest, carrying a blend of urgency and regret.

She hesitated, torn