Gabriel's Obsession

Love's Flames Ignited

Amelia's POV

As we stepped into the mansion, the weight of exhaustion bore down on me, my body yearning for rest. Every fiber of my being craved the comfort of bed, the solace of sleep. But lingering beneath my fatigue was the awareness of Gabriel's earlier words—his desire for tonight to be special, intimate. The thought sent a shiver through me, a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty tightening in my chest.

The grandeur of the living room stretched before us, its elegant décor bathed in the dim glow of the chandelier. But my gaze didn't linger on the opulence. My heart stuttered as I caught sight of Gabriel's parents, seated on the plush sofa, their expressions unreadable yet sharp as knives.

Gabriel's father, a man whose presence alone demanded obedience, exuded an air of cold authority. His eyes, dark and piercing, fixed on his son before shifting to me. I felt my throat constrict, my palms suddenly clammy. His mere gaze made me feel insignificant, as if I were an intruder in their world, an unwanted addition to their carefully curated legacy.

"Tomorrow morning. My office." His voice was void of warmth, an order rather than an invitation. No further explanation, no attempt at pleasantries. And just like that, he rose from his seat and strode toward his room, his departure as swift as his words.

Gabriel's mother lingered, her gaze a silent dagger slicing through me. If there was any doubt about her distaste for me before, it had now crystallized into something unmistakable—resentment. She offered no words, only a final, disdainful look before following her husband out of sight.

I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until Gabriel's arms encircled me, pulling me into the warmth of his embrace. My fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt, a silent plea for comfort. It was only when I felt the dampness on my cheeks that I realized I had been crying.

"Hush now, don't shed a tear, love," Gabriel whispered, his lips pressing softly against my temple. "I deeply apologize for their treatment of you. Please believe me when I say I will protect you from any harm."

His words were meant to soothe, to reassure. But could he truly shield me from them? From their disdain?

I swallowed down my fears, nodding against his chest.

"Come, let's retire to our room," he murmured, leading me away from the heavy silence that loomed in the living room.

With each step toward our sanctuary, a single thought clung to my mind—tonight might be ours, but tomorrow, the battle would begin.

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The warmth of the shower lingered on my skin as I stepped into the dimly lit bedroom, wrapped in the softness of my white nightdress. The fresh scent of lavender from my soap clung to me, a comforting reminder of normalcy in a world that felt increasingly unpredictable.

But as my gaze lifted, all thoughts of comfort evaporated.

Gabriel sat at the edge of the bed, his bare chest bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. The contrast of his tanned skin against the pristine white sheets sent a shiver through me. His ocean-blue eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

A rush of warmth crept up my neck, blooming into a blush that painted my cheeks. Instinctively, my fingers grasped the hem of my dress, a feeble attempt to anchor myself against the overwhelming presence of the man before me.

"Come here," he beckoned, his voice laced with something dark and intoxicating.

I hesitated for only a moment before taking slow, measured steps toward him. The air between us grew heavier with each inch I closed. When I finally stopped before him, the heat radiating from his body wrapped around me like an invisible force.