A Dangerous Feeling

Sunday morning dragged on slowly. Gabriella woke up with the weight of Alexander’s words still wrapped tightly around her chest.

‘Then I start making decisions for you.’

Those words had followed her into her dreams and taunted her all through the night. Even now, as she stared up at the ceiling, it lingered like a quiet threat pressing down on her.

After a moment, she forced herself out of bed. Staying locked in her room again would be childish, and the last thing she wanted was to give Alexander more reasons to treat her like a child.

Gabriella moved through her morning routine deliberately. She brushed her teeth, showered, and got dressed in light blue jeans and a purple tank top. She needed to feel like she still had some kind of say over her life, even though everything else felt like it was slipping.

When she finally stepped out into the hallway, she paused and listened carefully. The house was silent. Her brows furrowed slightly before she made her way downstairs. Her steps were light, almost cautious, like she expected him to appear out of nowhere.

The living room was empty, the dining room too. No sign of Alexander. A small breath of relief escaped her. Maybe she could have a few hours of peace without him.

Her gaze drifted around the space. The house was massive, and she had barely seen half of it since she moved in.

Between everything that had happened, the constant tension, the dinner, and Alexander’s persistent, overbearing nature, she had simply stayed in her room. But now, she had time.

She shrugged lightly.

‘Why not?’

The house felt even bigger when she started walking through it.

Long hallways, closed doors, and rooms that looked untouched.

She passed a study with walls lined with tall shelves that almost looked intimidating. Every space was designed carefully.

Eventually, she reached a set of glass doors at the far end of the house, with sunlight pouring through them. She slid the door open, and warm air brushed against her skin instantly.

A pool stretched out before her, clear and reflecting the morning sky. Seated at a table near the pool, with sleeves slightly rolled up and a cup of coffee in one hand, was Alexander.

His gaze lifted knowingly and met hers.

“You’re awake,” he said.

Her lips pressed together firmly.

“Yes.”

She should have known he would be somewhere around the house.

“Come here.”

There it was again. That authoritative tone. Not loud or harsh, but somehow, Gabriella found it impossible to ignore.

She walked to him slowly and took a seat across from him.

Alexander set his cup down.

“You have an appointment today,” he announced casually.

Gabriella’s brows furrowed.

“What appointment?”

“A dress fitting for the gala.”

She looked at him in surprise.

“You could have given me a heads up before now…”

“It’s already arranged,” he cut her off sharply.

Gabriella leaned back slightly, studying him.

“Do I even get a say in anything?” she asked.

“You do, if necessary.” 

She scoffed in disbelief.

“You don’t have to argue with me unreasonably all the time,” he said, irritation lacing his voice.

“Except for the fact that most of the time, you are being unreasonable,” she shot back.

Alexander dragged a hand across his face in frustration. 

“Everything is already arranged. I don’t have the patience to go back and forth with you.”

Gabriella rolled her eyes at him.

“Fine,” she said, folding her arms.

“Good,” he continued, “The driver will take you there, and you can give him your friend, Khloe’s address, so he can pick her up and she can come with you.”

Gabriella eyed him suspiciously.

“Why?” she asked

“Don’t girls usually like doing stuff like this together? He said carelessly. “I figured you would need a friend’s opinion, and it gives you a chance to meet up again.”

Gabriella frowned slightly.

“Again?”

The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Alexander held her gaze, his eyes searching hers.

“You were with her yesterday, weren’t you?”

Her heart skipped.

“You said she’s the only one you know in the city,” he continued, his tone calm. “Your only friend.”

Gabriella forced her expression to remain neutral, but her mind was racing.

“Yes,” she said carefully. “I was with her.”

Alexander studied her for a moment, then nodded.

“Good. It’s settled then.”

That was it. No further questions or suspicion. At least none that he showed.

But somehow, Gabriella didn’t feel relief. She felt like she had just passed a test she didn’t even realize she was taking.

“I’ll text Khloe,” she said, standing up.

Alexander reached for his coffee again.

“Don’t be late,” he said.

Gabriella turned and walked quickly back into the house.

Upstairs, she shut her door and immediately reached for her phone.

Her fingers hovered over Khloe’s contact, then she quickly typed:

“Hey, this is short notice, but I have a dress fitting appointment, and I need you to come with me. Are you free today?”

Almost instantly, the reply came.

“Girlll..You had me at dress fitting.”

Gabriella smiled at her phone, then set it down on the bed before going to get ready to leave the house.

The drive felt longer than it should have. 

Gabriella sat in the back seat, playing with the edge of her top as the city passed by in a blur. Her thoughts weren’t on the gala or the fitting. They kept drifting back to one thing.

Alexander.

Her brows furrowed in deep thought. The way he just accepted her answer so easily, even after she had slipped up, didn’t feel right. It made her stomach twist in a tight knot, and she wondered if he was truly oblivious or just pretending to be. 

By the time they picked up Khloe, Gabriella had forced herself to relax. She didn't want her to notice anything was off. 

“Alright,” Khloe said, grabbing her arm dramatically, “what is this life you are suddenly living? Fittings? Gala? Driver?”

Gabriella couldn't help but laugh at her friend's antics.

Khloe narrowed her eyes playfully.

“Hmm.. Still so suspicious I see.”

“Don't worry about it, Khloe, let's just go,” she said, and the driver reared the engine to life, heading for the stylist’s studio.

At the studio, literally everything looked expensive. Design racks lined the walls, filled with dresses that looked like they belonged in museums. Each one more gorgeous than the last.

A young woman stepped out from an inner office to greet them.

“Welcome, Miss,” she said, stretching out her hand. “ I’m your stylist for today. ”

“Thank you,” Gabriella said, politely shaking her hand.

“Right this way please, and we can get started.”

They followed the lady deeper into the boutique, and stylists began bringing out dresses one by one. Each dress looked elegant and bold.

Gabriella touched the fabric of one dress lightly, afraid she might ruin it.

“Do people actually wear things like this?” she murmured, making Khloe laugh.

“Starting today, you will,” she replied.

Gabriella forced a smile.

“Mr. Kingston selected a few top picks for you,” the stylist said politely.

Gabriella froze, but somehow she wasn't even surprised. She sighed deeply.

‘Of course he did.” 

Minutes later, Gabriella stared back at herself in the mirror. She had tried on a metallic gold dress with a high slit down the front. It was stunning and fitted her curves perfectly, yet she looked sad staring back at her reflection.

“Okay… wow,” Khloe said with wide eyes. “You look insane.”

Gabriella took a deep breath and tried to appreciate the beauty of the dress, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of being out of place.

Next, she tried on a deep blue strapless dress that hugged her waist tightly and flowed down elegantly to her toes. It had silver glitter that mimicked the night sky, and the material flowed effortlessly as she stepped in front of the mirror.

For a moment, Gabriella couldn't recognise herself. She looked different. Like she belonged in Alexander’s world.

Khloe gasped loudly behind her.

“You, my friend, are drop-dead gorgeous,” she said in excitement.

Just then, Gabriella’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at her screen. There was a text from Alexander.

“Send me a picture.”

Her stomach dropped. She definitely wasn't expecting that.

Slowly, she lifted her phone and looked at her reflection again. She looked perfect and polished in the dress Alexander had picked for her. 

At the appointment he had arranged for her. 

With the stylist he had hired for her.

Her fingers hesitated for a moment, then she took the picture swiftly.

For a few minutes, she just stared at it. Then she hit send before she could overthink it.

Gabriella exhaled slowly and turned her attention back to the mirror as Khloe continued talking excitedly beside her, but her words blurred into the background.

‘He probably won't even respond,’ she thought to herself.

And for some reason, that thought didn't sit right with her.

Why did it even matter? Why was she expecting a reply?

A few seconds later, her phone buzzed again, and Gabriella’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at her phone, and there was a reply from Alexander.

Just one word.

“BEAUTIFUL”

Gabriella’s fingers tightened around her phone as her heart suddenly began to race in a way she couldn't understand. She felt flutters in her stomach and didn't even realise she was smiling at her phone.

“Helooooo,” the sound of Khloe’s voice trying to get her attention snapped her out of it.

Gabriella looked up at her instantly.

“Did you hear a single word I said? What’s got you all flustered and smiling at your phone?” Khloe asked.

“Nothing,” Gabriella replied quickly.

Khloe laughed. “Gabby, you’re as red as a tomato.”

“Just a silly meme,” she said guiltily. “I think I like this dress. Let’s just go with this one,” she turned and said to the stylist.

“Alright,” Khloe said, eyeing her suspiciously.

As they waited for the stylist to gather her things, Gabriella found herself reading Alexander’s text repeatedly. It was just one word, but it still made her insides feel like jelly.

Gabriella wasn't sure what was more unsettling. The fact that Alexander called her beautiful…

Or the fact that she actually liked it.