CHAPTER TWO

The silent drive back to her house gave Gabriella the opportunity to reminisce about the events of the rather pleasant night.

She had achieved all she intended to at the event, mingling with the guests, making small talk, exchanging a few pleasantries, and donating generously to the cause.

All she was looking forward to was getting home, taking a warm bath, diving into bed and calling it a night. She smiled happily and contentedly as the thoughts crossed her mind.

Not surprisingly, her thoughts strayed to the engaging conversation she had with Alejandro Hernández.

There was something about him that had caught her attention.

Maybe it was his piercing eyes or how sinfully handsome he looked; no one should be allowed to look that good; or perhaps it was just the way he carried himself with confidence and poise.

Gabriela pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the cool night air pouring in through the passenger window of the cab.

The ride home also gave her time to reflect on her life.

Growing up, she had always felt like an outsider. Her mother had been young and single when she was born, and her father…. Well, her father was a man she had never met in person.

Gabriella’s thoughts drifted back to her childhood, to the stories her mother had told her about her father. He was a powerful man, a man with connection and influence, but he had never acknowledged his daughter as his own, and neither had he provided for her or her mother.

While the pain of rejection and not having a father resurfaced from time to time, she had long learned to channel those feelings into something productive. She had dedicated her life to helping others and to making a difference in the world.

From a young age, she already knew she would lead a different future from her childhood, giving her utmost best to ensure that children who were probably rejected or abandoned like her wouldn't go through the same struggles she went through while growing up.

She made an earlier resolve to be the family to orphans, children from struggling single parents and young ones who needed a home, not just in a building but in people, hence her job as a social worker.

Gabriella had gone against all odds thrown at her, struggling to become better and stronger.

As a college student, she juggled several part-time jobs to fend for herself while in school. Despite how uncomfortable and hard her situation was, she still volunteered with NGOs when she could make time to participate.

It was with these organizations that she first got the opportunity to partake in social responsibilities that ranged from visiting sick and lonely children to cleaning and organizing outdoor events for less privileged kids.

As the cab pulled up to her apartment building, Gabriella blinked back the sentimental tears that had begun to pool in her eyes.

She may not have had the easiest childhood, but she had made a good life for herself, and tonight, she had met someone she found intriguing. Maybe, just maybe, her life was about to get interesting.

Gabriella got out of the cab after paying the driver, feeling a sense of hope she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She stepped into her apartment and her fingers immediately reached for the light switch as she closed the door behind her. The familiar sight of her cosy living room, with its old couch and colourful throw pillows, was a much-needed reprieve from the glamour and glitz of the charity event.

She slipped off her heels and strolled over to the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of water and took a long sip. As she stood there, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change in some way. It was a feeling she'd had before, of course.

Growing up, she had always felt like she didn't quite fit in with the world around her and it had made her somewhat lonely and had also affected her confidence.

But as she grew older, she had learned to trust her instincts, to listen to that quiet voice inside her that seemed to know things before she did, and right now, that voice was telling her that something was coming. Something big and uncertain.

Gabriella took another sip of her water, her eyes wandering over to the photo on her kitchen counter. It was an old picture, one of her and her mother taken when she was just a little girl.

Her mother had been her rock, her confidante, her best friend. Though she had passed away a few years ago, Gabriella still felt her presence in her life.

She smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over her. She knew that she owed a lot of her strength and resilience to her mother, who had raised her on her own despite the odds being against her.

As she stood there, lost in thought, her phone buzzed on the counter. She picked it up and smiled when she saw the text from her best friend, Rachel.

"Hey girl, how was the charity event?" the text read.

Rachel was another grand part of Gabriella’s life she was grateful for. They had met in college, and while lots of people seemed to pay no attention to her, for some strange reason, Rachel did. She smiled as she recalled that her best friend had always been a weird one.

Gabriella typed out a quick response, filling Rachel in on the details of her night. As she typed, she couldn't help but think about Alejandro Hernández again.

Something inside her had flared to life in his presence. Whatever it was, she couldn't deny the spark of attraction she'd felt when they met, and as she drifted off to sleep a little while later, she couldn't help but wonder if she'd see him again.

.....................

Alejandro soon realized that it was impossible for him to stop thinking about the gorgeous woman he met at the charity event.

He had been to countless events and met numerous people, but there was something about her that drew him in.

As he went about his day, attending to his family's business, he found himself wondering about Gabriella. What was her story? What had brought her to the charity event?

But every time his thoughts drifted to Gabriella, Alejandro’s instincts kicked in. He was an Hernández and getting involved with someone outside of their inner circle was a risk.

His family's business was built on loyalty and trust, and he knew that his father would not approve of him getting close to someone who had not been vetted. But still all of that didn't stop the fact that she was all he could think about.

For some reason, it was hard to focus on the amiable chatter swirling around him as all he could think about was her. Even worse for the fact that she was truly breathtaking, with her long wavy hair wrapped around in long waves. Her defined juicy lips almost in the shape of a heart, lingered a sweet caring, but small smile painted with deep crimson lipstick.

Alejandro’s thoughts was soon interrupted by his ringtone. It was his father, Alessandro.

"I need to see you. Now,” his father said immediately, not bothering with pleasantries, and then hung up before he could say a word.

His gut tightened.

What did his father want to discuss?

He thought about how urgent and grave his father’s tone had been and mentally braced himself for whatever it was that he was soon about to learn.

As he made his way to his father's office, his mind racing with dreadful thoughts, he renewed his personal vow to leave the family business no matter the consequences.