ログインSaturday rolled in calmly, but the air inside the house was anything but.Tension lingered in every corner, thick with anticipation of what was to come.Gabriella threw on her clothes and stared at herself in the mirror. The gala was tomorrow night.Her reflection stared back at her. Composed and put together, but her eyes gave her away.A mix of fear and anxiety twisted deep within her chest, rising with every passing second.Tearing her gaze away from the mirror, she gathered the files from her desk and left the room.Today wasn’t about nerves. It was about preparation.Alexander had called her to meet him in the dining room that morning. They were going to go over everything from how they would act at the gala to pitching the proposal to Mr. Patrick.‘We have no time to lose,’ he had told her.As she walked into the dining room, she found Alexander seated at the head of the table. His laptop opened in front of him, and multiple files splayed across, almost taking up the entire spa
Morning came too quickly.Gabriella sat at her desk, a file spread open in front of her. Faint sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the pages.She had woken up early to get a head start on the day. Her fingers rested lightly on the files as she scanned through them with careful precision. The house was still. No footsteps, no voices.Only the steady rhythm of her thoughts.She exhaled slowly and turned another page. Her eyes moved carefully over every line, every figure, every detail Alexander had entrusted her with.This wasn’t just information. It was strategy.Her brows furrowed as she paused over a section. Something about it clicked.Her gaze sharpened.She leaned forward slightly, her finger tracing a line across the page as if grounding her thoughts.The numbers told a story.A story of calculated risk and bold ambition.She turned the page again, her focus deepening.Just then, a soft knock came from the door.She didn’t look up.“Come in,” she ca
Outside the company building, Mason and Miranda stepped out into the afternoon sunlight.“Hold on,” Mason said with a small chuckle. “I think I left my wallet in the car.”Miranda folded her arms, watching him walk off with an easy smile.The moment stretched.And then,Dennis stepped beside her quietly.His voice lowered just enough.“What do you think?” He asked, slipping a hand into his pocket.Miranda kept her eyes forward. Her gaze fixed on Mason as he rummaged through his car to find his wallet.“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “But I think you’re right.”A small smirk played on his lips. “I told you.”Miranda glanced at him now. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything…“Hey!” Mason walked toward them, slipping his wallet into his pocket with a grin.“I’ll text you later,” he said to Miranda and walked off with quick steps.Mason raised a brow as he reached her.“What was that about?”She smiled lightly.“Nothing, babe. Are you ready? I’m starving.”Mas
Later that night, Alexander lay on his back, one arm resting on his chest and the other under his head, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.The room was dark and silent, but not at rest.His mind replayed the night in fragments. The flashes, voices, and questions. Chaos pressing in from all sides.And then, Gabriella.He had pulled her into his life, into his chaos.He replayed her laugh in his head over and over again. The way her eyes crinkled at the sides, and her smile grew bigger.The way her hand had tightened on his arm when she was startled.His jaw tightened slightly as he exhaled.Turning on his side, he shut his eyes and tried to sleep.‘That’s why you gave me the ring.’His chest rose and fell slowly. His breathing was measured.‘Had she seen it?’He wondered.She would probably discover the initials he had engraved on the ring sooner or later.And when she did, he knew she would want answers.She always did.Morning light filtered softly through the curtains of Gabriella’s ro
Gabriella’s breath caught as another burst of light exploded against the window.“Alexander! Look here.”“Is she the one?”“Are you engaged?”The voices were relentless, cutting through the glass like they were already inside.“Let’s go,” Alexander said, standing abruptly.Gabriella nodded quickly, pushing her chair back as she rose to her feet, her heart thumping violently in her chest.Before she knew it, his hand found hers. The flashes outside instantly grew more violent.Her breath hitched slightly.“Don’t react,” he said quietly. “No matter what happens outside, don’t say anything.”Gabriella felt her stomach churn with anxiety.Alexander guided her forward, his hand steady against her back as they walked to the entrance.The closer they got to the door, the louder the noise became.Security approached them. Two men positioned themselves ahead, another behind, forming a tight barrier.“Ready?” he asked her.Gabriella swallowed hard, then nodded.Alexander gave the bodyguard ahe
The day went by in a flash, and by the time evening settled in, Gabriella had already changed outfits twice.She stood in front of her mirror for what felt like the hundredth time, her fingers lightly brushing over the fabric of yet another dress she wasn’t sure of.Tonight wasn’t just dinner. It was about practice, a performance for the public. It made everything more complicated.Her gaze drifted to the nightstand. The velvet box sat exactly where she had left it.Gabriella exhaled slowly, dragging her eyes away from it and back to her reflection. This wasn’t the night to overthink. She just needed to get through the evening.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.Her brows pulled together.Gabriella walked to the door and opened it.One of the house staff stood outside, holding a large box.“Miss Gabriella,” she said politely, “this is for you.”Her gaze dropped to the box before lifting back to her.She didn’t have to ask.“Thank you,” she said, taking the box.Closing the door be
The deafening silence stretched, feeling the air with thick tension. Gabriella stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Alexander, her chest rising and falling unevenly as she waited painfully. For what? She wasn’t even sure.Mr. Kingston shook his head disapprovingly. “Unbelievable,” he muttered. “You’ve
Gabriella managed to maintain a straight posture, despite the tension sitting in her chest. She forced herself to breathe evenly and beamed a smile as she stood before Alexander’s family. The air in the grand foyer felt thick with expectation.“Good evening. It’s so nice to meet you.” Gabriella sai
Gabriella barely slept. Tonight, she would meet the parents of the man she was pretending to be in love with. She knew deep within her that this wasn’t going to be any ordinary dinner.She had dressed carefully, choosing something professional but subtle, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to
8 PM arrived in the twinkling of an eye. The sun had gone down, and the faint sound of crickets and nocturnal insects could be heard in the distance. Gabriella had just changed into her nightdress when a gentle knock came from her door.Throwing on her robe and securing the belt around her waist, s







