14:23 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
ן
Chapter 2
“Gabriel…” Serena murmured, her voice so soft it was almost loss to her own ears.
Her arms tightened further, her fingers brushing the hard muscles of his abdomen.
A bittersweet heat surged through her, overwhelming her as unshed tears glistened in her eyes.
For eight years, she had waited for this–for the chance to hold the boy who had once been her entire world.
As she listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat, warmth radiating from his body, her mind traveled back to that vibrant
summer
She could almost see him standing under the shade of the trees his carefree smile lighting up his face as he ruffled her hair.
The memory stung, and her grip on him instinctively tightened
Gabriel didn’t stop her. He neither embraced her nor pushed her away.
The soft sweetness of her scent stirred something unfamiliar within him, a warmth he couldn’t quite place.
But then, Serena released him. Her trembling fingers reached hesitantly for the buttons of his shirt.
Before she could undo the first button, Gabriel’s hand caught hers–firm but gentle.
Her eyes lifted to his, filled with uncertainty, silently questioning his reaction.
Gabriel leaned in closer, erasing the distance between them. Their breaths mingled, thick with tension.
“Freeing the nip? You’re a naughty one, aren’t you?” he murmured, a teasing smirk curving his lips.
The sensation when she had hugged him earlier had been unmistakable.
Serena’s eyes
widened slightly, and her pale checks turned a deep crimson. T… they were all wet…
“Why stressing out!” He caught her chin lightly between his fingers, tilting her face up. “You’re shaking.”
His gaze was steady and calm, his tone detached, as if they were discussing the weather.
Serena bit her lip, the soft curve trembling slightly, as if gathering courage.
Then, she closed her eyes, leaned forward, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his in a hesitant, reverent kiss
Her lips were cool, soft, and carried a faint sweetness that sent an electric jolt through Gabriel’s body
For Serena, the kiss was awkward and unpracticed. She had never kissed anyone before, and this felt like leaping into the unknown.
Gabriel’s faint scent, mingled with a trace of alcohol, brushed against her senses.
After a few seconds, she pulled away, her tear–bright eyes searching his face for any sign of reaction.
His expression remained unreadable, his deep, dark eyes like an unfathomable abyss,
Frustration and desperation surged within her.
Her trembling fingers returned to the buttons of his shirt, fumbling clumsily and failing to undo even, one.
175
14:23 Tue, Dec 24 T G G ·
Chapter 2
Nervous sweat formed on her nose as her anxiety grew
Her clumsiness brought a low, amused chuckle from him.
When she glanced up, his hand covered hers. With a simple flick of his fingers, the first button came undone with ease.
“Don’t bother, he rasped, his voice roughened with an edge of raw intensity.
72%2
Serena’s face burned as if it were on fire. She didn’t know where to look when Gabriel’s slender fingers brushed against her lips.
“Move your lips, would you?” he asked, his voice low, teasing
Following his lead, Serena wrapped her arms around his neck again and leaned up to kiss him. This time, she wasn’t stiff or
hesitant
Her lips moved against his–tentative but sincere.
The moment their lips met, a spark shot through her, the sensation electric and spreading warmth deep into her core.
Gabriel’s restraint snapped, too.
He pulled her closer, one arm encircling her slender waist while bis other hand pressed firmly against the back of her head,
His intoxicating scent–an earthy mix of cool wood and raw masculinity–wrapped around her, overwhelming her senses.
The silk robe Serena wore fell open with ease, and Gabriel’s lips left a trail of possessive marks on her skin, unyielding and relentless.
She wasn’t sure when or how she ended up on the bed. By the time her back met the plush surface, Gabriel was already leaning over her.
Her robe had slipped, exposing smooth, tender skin now flushed from his heated touch
Gabriel, in stark contrast, hadn’t bothered unbuttoning a single button on his shirt.
His expression remained maddeningly composed as he remarked dryly, “Slender. Exactly what I was talking about Serena’s face turned crimson. She instinctively grabbed at the blanket to cover herself, but Gabriel pulled it away effortlessly.
Cupping her warm face in his hands, he kissed her deeply again
The sudden coolness against her lower body made her squirm, soft sound escaping her lips.
That sound seemed to spark something primal within Gabriel. His breathing grew heavier, and his hands moved with increasing intensity.
aha As the tension between them peaked, pain sliced through her indial apprehension, dissolving it into a haze of overwhelming
sensation.
Any protests she might have made were swallowed by his fervent kisses,
When Serena woke up, the first light of dawn filtered through the hotel’s expansive floor–to–ceiling windows
The sound of running water from the bathroom told her Gabriel was taking a shower.
Her body felt sore, as if it had been thoroughly dismantled and ly just put back together.
2/5
14:23 Tue, Dec 24
Chapter 2
Looking down at her chest, she winced at the faint, lingering marks left behind,
Clutching the blanket to her chest, she reached for her now–dry clothes, pulling them on while hiding beneath the covers.
Her skin felt clean–she remembered how Gabriel had carried her into the bathroom for a rinse last night.
Then, her face flushed crimson. Because even there, it had continued.
The memory made her cover her face, heat radiating from her cheeks.
It all felt surreal. She had spent the night with Gabriel
Thinking about it now, she wasn’t sure she’d ever have the courage to do something like that again.
Still, she thought to herself, at least she no longer had any regrets.
This one–sided crush, buried in her heart for so long, had finally run its course.
Or so she convinced herself.
When Gabriel emerged from the bathroom, Serena was fully dressed, sitting by the window as she brushed her long hair.
She froze mid–motion when she saw him, her eyes blinking once before darting away as though the sight of him scorched
her.
“Why don’t you sleep a little bit more?” Gabriel asked casually
He walked toward her, his gaze flickering briefly over the faint marks visible on her pale neck
The sight sent a flicker of heat through him, even after his cold shower.
A towel hung loosely around his hips, revealing his chiseled abs and the sharp lines of his v–cut waist,
“I have to get to my part–time job, Serena mumbled, her voice dry and unsteady.
She kept her head down, avoiding his gaze, and fumbled with her hair, tying it into a messy knot.
Before Gabriel could respond, a knock came at the door.
He moved to open it. It was Darren, who held a fresh set of clothes for Gabriel–and a change of clothes for Serena
Gabriel placed Serena’s outfit beside her. Take this. Your clothes were all soaked.”
Serena glanced at the neatly folded clothes in silence.
As Gabriel stood near the bed and began dressing, Serena couldn’t help stealing glances at him out of the corner of her eye.
His broad back bore faint red marks, with one particularly long scratch trailing to the nape of his neck.
The sight of those marks, evidence of last night’s passion, sent a fresh wave of embarrassment coursing through her.
Gabriel’s tone remained indifferent as he said, “I had the other assistant pick them out. She said they’re all in your size.”
Serena glanced at the beige dress and matching undergarments beside her.
Even at a glance, she could tell they were from high–end luxury brands.
Clutching her phone, she waited until Gabriel finished dressing before cautiously approaching him.
14:23 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 2
Opening her payment app, she murmured, “Thank you, but I’ll wear my own clothes.”
Gabriel’s sharp brow arched as he noticed the app. “How much?”
Serena muttered. “Uh… tw… that’s… uh…”
Serena wanted to say twenty thousand, Gabriel had seemed satisfied last night, and she figured twenty thousand was reasonable.
But the idea of pricing herself left her overwhelmed with shame, and the words caught in her throat.
“Two thousand?” Gabriel offered, deliberately cutting off the extra zero.
As expected, Serena looked up at him in shock, her wide almond eyes filled with disbelief.
As expected, Serena looked up at him in shock, her wide almond eyes filled with disbelief.
Her reaction amused him, and his lips curved into a teasing smirk.
He had intended to correct himself and raise the offer, but before he could, Serena nodded hesitantly, her expression. resigned.
“OK, then, I guess,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Gabriel blinked, momentarily surprised. She had actually accepted it.
He pulled out his phone and spun it leisurely in his hand, making no move to transfer the money.
“Mr. Harrington, I’m in a bit of a hurry,” Serena said, keeping her tone polite but firm.
She held up her phone, displaying her payment QR code.
“Add me on WhatsApp. We’ll talk about the price later,” Gabriel replied coolly.
He added her contact with ease, then tossed his phone onto the bed.
Turning back to the mirror, he began knotting his tie without sparing her another glance.
Serena frowned slightly, but realizing she was already running late, decided not to press the matter.
She reasoned that someone as wealthy as Gabriel wouldn’t bother withholding such a small sum.
“Then I’ll see you around,” she said, grabbing her canvas bag and heading for the door.
As she reached for the handle, Gabriel’s voice stopped her, “Wait
72%
Serena turned instinctively, starting to say, “Don’t worry. This is business to me, and once the deal’s closed, we’re done. Even if we meet outside-
“Darren will give you a ride,” Gabriel interrupted curtly, his tone cold and final.
Serena got out at the intersection Darren dropped her off at
Her phone vibrated with a notification. She glanced down at the screen.
The Hospital: [Mr. Murry’s medical bills are overdue. Please transfer the outstanding amount to the hospital account as soon as possible]
Serena stared at the message for a moment before locking her phone and slipping it back into her pocket.
14:24 Tue, Dec 24 T GG.
Chapter 2
71%
When she arrived at the training center, Stella Learning, it was just in time for her shift. This was the art school where she worked as an assistant art teacher.
After her uncle stole her money and fled, Serena had turned her part–time job into a full–time position to survive.
Growing up, Serena had learned many things–cello, piano, balles, and painting–but painting was the only one she truly loved. It had become her passion.
Her sketching skills were exceptional, even surpassing some of the veteran teachers at Stella Learning
But without a teaching license or a college degree, she could only work as an assistant.
The morning passed in a blur.
Despite her physical discomfort, Serena remained focused, helping the children correct their sketches with patience and
care.
When lunch break arrived, she slipped out and went to the nearest pharmacy.
She bought a morning–after pill.
Last night, Gabriel hadn’t used protection.
SEND GIFT
