"So, Zoe, I want to ask you something important," Gabriel began, trying to maintain his composure.Zoe tilted her head, looking at him deeply. "So that's why you came? Because you need something from me? That's quite unlike the Gabriel I know."Gabriel laughed lightly, "Oh, come on, Zoe. You make me sound so serious. I just need a favor from a friend."She rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright, but you owe me a special treat.""Sure," he grinned. "I'll get you some fried calamari from La Bella Bistro. I know you love it."Zoe's brows creased, and she quickly stopped him. "Fried calamari? No, Gabriel, you know I don't like it."Gabriel paused, his smile faltering. "Huh?""It also causes me allergies! Remember? You were the one who noticed the last time I was tempted to try it, and you scolded me,” she recalled, a teasing smile on her lips.Gabriel looked down, scratching his head awkwardly. He had failed to guess right, and now he wondered what she would make of his mistake."Gabriel, ha
Dan stood fuming as Gabriel's car sped away, his tires kicking up dust. He turned to Zoe, who was still staring in shock."Why did you let him hit you like that?" Dan demanded, his voice sharp with frustration.Zoe shook her head, trying to stay calm. "It's okay. He's under the influence of alcohol."Dan's eyes widened in disbelief. "And you let him drive? Wow, you're such a great police officer then."Zoe sighed, feeling her frustration build. "I don't think all is well with him," she murmured.Dan scoffed, crossing his arms. "I know he's your friend, but don't make excuses for him." He turned abruptly and walked away, his anger still simmering.Zoe watched him leave, a knot of worry tightening in her chest. "What's wrong with Gabriel? He didn't act like himself for one bit," she whispered. She tried calling Camella several times, but there was no response. Frustration grew within her as each call went unanswered.Later that evening, Gabriel pulled up to a small bar. His hands grippe
Gabriel stumbled toward Anna's room, his steps unsteady but determined. When he knocked, Anna opened the door and smiled, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. "Gabriel," she greeted warmly, "I was hoping you'd come by."He smirked, stepping in without a word. She shut the door behind him, and he wasted no time. His lips crashed onto hers, kissing her with a hunger she had only imagined in her fantasies. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her closer, his hands exploring her body.Gabriel’s hands roamed over her bare back, pressing her against him as if he couldn't get close enough. His other hand squeezed her through her shorts and camisole, making her gasp in surprise and pleasure. She heard a knock on the door, but ignored it, pushing Gabriel onto the bed, her heart racing.“Gabriel, are you there?” Camella’s voice came through the door, freezing Anna in place. Her excitement quickly turned to frustration. Reluctantly, she pulled away from Gabri
Camella's face was tight with suppressed emotion as she walked Jessie out of the house. She held her daughter's hand a little too firmly, her thoughts still caught in the whirlwind of what had just happened.“What happened, Mommy? Why was Dad so angry?” Jessie asked, her eyes wide with confusion and worry.Camella took a deep breath, trying to keep her cool. She forced a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Let’s just go, honey,” she replied softly. She hurried Jessie into the car, hoping to leave the tension behind them.After dropping Jessie off at school, Camella sat alone in the car for a long moment. The air felt heavy, suffocating even. She clutched the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as the memory of Gabriel’s outburst replayed in her mind. The way he had grabbed her, the fire in his eyes... it wasn’t the Gabriel she knew. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to cry in public.Instead, her thoughts drifted to Zoe. Zoe
Gabriel's heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the man who looked exactly like him. The resemblance was unnerving—same height, same build, even the same cold smirk that Gabriel sometimes wore when confronting his enemies. But this man, Jarod, was a twisted reflection.Gabriel's eyes darted from Jarod to the woman in the black outfit, still standing silently by the door. She remained unreadable, her face concealed by her mask.“What the hell is going on here?” Gabriel’s voice came out low and threatening, but beneath his tone, there was an edge of panic.Jarod casually walked around the room, picking up a small object from a nearby table and fiddling with it. “Oh, don’t look so surprised, Gabriel. You should’ve known Master Russell would have a contingency plan. I mean, after all, you’ve been a real thorn in his side for years.”Gabriel clenched his fists, his muscles tensing against the ropes binding him. “What are you talking about? What plan? And why do you look like me?”Jaro
The woman in the black outfit turned her head, her eyes widening as she watched him. She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped, mesmerized by the sheer force of his will. Gabriel’s eyes shut for a moment, and all he could see was his family—Camella and Jessie. The thought of Russell laying a hand on them sent a wave of dread and rage crashing over him.Jarod’s words echoed in his mind. “He’ll kill your family… wipe them out…”“I will end them,” Gabriel muttered under his breath, his voice low and filled with venom. “I swear.”The woman’s eyes widened at his words. Slowly, almost hesitantly, she reached up and pulled off her mask, revealing a stern expression. Her gaze was severe, yet there was something unreadable in her eyes as she stared at him. Her focus drifted lower, to Gabriel’s neck, where a faint glow began to emerge. A symbol—one she hadn’t noticed before—was appearing, illuminating under his skin, spreading along his veins like lightning.She shook her head slowly,
Jarod paced outside frantically, his hands running through his hair in frustration. "I can't stand this. What should I do? That fool didn’t even flinch at my threats," he muttered under his breath.He stopped for a moment, glancing back toward the building. "Should I go back and force him to spill the truth?" His fingers twitched with irritation, but then he shook his head and headed toward his car. "No. If I do that, he’ll know I’m desperate, and I can’t give him the upper hand. Better to let my words work in his mind first."Settling into the driver’s seat, he started the car, gripping the wheel tightly. As he began driving, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he muttered, "Greg is calling."Jarod answered with a casual tone, "What’s up, Greg?""There’s a new mission for you regarding Gabriel Wellington," Greg said, his voice all business.Jarod’s lips curled into a sly grin. "Really? I *am* Gabriel—""Stop it, Jarod! I’m in no mood for your jokes today!" Greg cut him off sharp
Jarod’s breath hitched. He turned slowly, covering his real eye as tactfully as he could, but he felt it was too late. The truth had slipped out—literally. The hazel contact lens he had been wearing to conceal his natural brown eyes lay on the floor, exposed. Gabriel’s eyes were hazel, and without the lens, his disguise was unraveling. His heart raced as he moved swiftly, casually stepping forward and covering the lens with his foot. “It’s nothing. Just an eyelash or something,” he said, his voice tight, forcing a smile. “Really, Mother, I’m fine.”Marie narrowed her eyes, her confusion deepening. “But your eye color... you’ve never had brown eyes.”Jarod’s mind scrambled for an excuse. “It’s the light in the room,” he said quickly. “Hazel eyes sometimes look brown under certain lighting. You’re probably just seeing the brown tint because of that.”Marie frowned, still not convinced but not pressing the issue. She shook her head, glancing around the room. “If you say so…”“Yes, pleas