Chapter 13

Gabrielle's POV

It started like any other day...me, drowning in coffee, wrestling with spreadsheets, and dodging Matthew’s mood swings. The man could go from charming to broody faster than I could blink.

By lunchtime, I needed fresh air. The office was suffocating, and my boss was being his usual cryptic self. “Just a walk,” I told myself as I stepped out onto the bustling city street.

That’s when I met him.

He was leaning casually against a lamppost, dressed like a model straight out of some edgy magazine. Black leather jacket, tousled hair, and an easy smile that screamed trouble.

“Hey,” he said, his voice smooth as velvet. “You lost?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Nope. Just taking a walk.”

“I’m Mike,” he introduced himself, extending a hand. “You look like someone who could use a friend.”

I hesitated. “Gabrielle,” I replied, shaking his hand cautiously.

His grip was cool, almost too cool. Something about him set off alarm bells in my head, but I ignored them. It wasn’t every day a gorgeous stranger wanted to talk to me.

We walked for a while, chatting about nothing in particular. He was charming, funny, and—okay, I’ll admit it—pretty easy on the eyes. But there was an edge to him, a darkness lurking just beneath the surface.

“So, Gabrielle,” he said, stopping abruptly. “Do you believe in the supernatural?”

I laughed nervously. “What, like vampires and werewolves? Not really my thing.”

His smile widened, revealing teeth that were just a little too sharp. “Interesting.”

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and winced. Matthew. Again.

“I should get back to work,” I said, stepping away.

Mike’s smile didn’t waver, but his eyes darkened. “Sure. See you around, Gabrielle.”

...****************...

By the time I got back to the office, I was five minutes late, my coffee was cold, and I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

The moment I stepped into Matthew’s office, I knew I was in trouble.

He was standing by the window, his back to me, radiating pure anger. Julian was perched on the edge of the desk, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.

“Where were you?” Matthew’s voice was dangerously low.

“I, uh, went for a walk,” I stammered.

He turned around, his eyes blazing. “A walk? During work hours? Alone?”

“I needed some air,” I said defensively. “What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal,” he snarled, “is that you decided to wander off, unprotected, in a city crawling with danger. Do you have any idea how reckless that was?”

I crossed my arms. “I’m not a child, Matthew. I can take care of myself.”

He took a step closer, his expression thunderous. “Clearly, you can’t, if you’re chatting with strangers like an idiot!”

The words hit like a slap. My throat tightened, and before I could stop myself, tears welled up in my eyes.

Julian jumped to his feet. “Okay, that’s enough. She doesn’t deserve—”

“Get out,” Matthew snapped, his voice icy.

Julian hesitated, glancing at me.

“I said, get out,” Matthew growled, his fangs peeking out.

Julian shot me an apologetic look before slipping out the door.

As soon as it closed, silence filled the room. My tears were falling freely now, and I hated it. Hated that he could make me feel so small.

Matthew’s anger melted instantly. His eyes softened, and he ran a hand through his hair, looking more panicked than I’d ever seen him.

“Gabrielle,” he said softly, stepping closer.

I turned away, swiping at my tears. “Don’t.”

“Gabrielle,” he repeated, his voice breaking.

Suddenly, his arms were around me, pulling me into a tight hug. I stiffened, unsure what to do, but he didn’t let go.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice heavy with guilt. “I didn’t mean it. Any of it. Please, don’t cry.”

His words were muffled against my hair, and I felt his breath, warm and steady, on my neck. For a moment, I forgot about everything else...the fight, Mike, even my anger.

“You scared me,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought something had happened to you.”

I blinked up at him, surprised by the raw emotion in his eyes. Was this the same man who yelled at me five minutes ago?

“I’m not your responsibility,” I said softly.

“You are,” he said firmly, cupping my face in his hands. “Whether you like it or not, Gabrielle, you are.”

I didn’t know what to say to that.

So, I didn’t say anything. I just let him hold me, his arms warm and steady, as the tension between us dissolved into something neither of us could name.

But one thing was clear: things between us had changed. Again

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***