FORBIDDEN LOVE

CHAPTER ONE

Adrianna Winters woke to the sound of children laughing outside her apartment window. The sun, creeping through the cracks in her blinds, cast slanted beams of light across the cream-colored walls. She sat up, stretching her arms above her head as she savored the last moments of peace before the day began.

It was a Tuesday, and for Adrianna, that meant another day at P.S. 6, the bustling elementary school where she worked. As Adrianna emerged from her cozy cocoon of blankets, she made her way into the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face, washing away the traces of sleep that still lingered in her eyes. The hum of the blow dryer filled the room as she brushed her hair, transforming it into a smooth cascade of dark chocolate waves.

After a quick breakfast of yogurt and fruit, Adrianna grabbed her messenger bag and headed out the door. The crisp autumn air enveloped her as she stepped into the street, dodging rain puddles as she made her way to the subway station. Adrianna descended the steps into the subway, immersing herself in the hum of activity that surrounded her. New Yorkers, young and old, rushed past in a blur of color and sound. She felt a sense of comfort in the chaos, knowing that she was a part of this city and its people.

As she waited for her train, Adrianna's thoughts drifted to her students at P.S. 6. "Ms. Winters, what's your favorite book?" the eager young voice of Jayden, her star student, echoed in her mind. She smiled at the memory. It was moments like these that made her love being a teacher.

The screeching sound of the train's arrival jolted Adrianna back to reality. She boarded the train, finding a seat next to the window. As the train sped through the underground tunnels, Adrianna's gaze fell on the colorful advertisements that lined the walls.

One poster in particular caught her eye. It was an ad for a luxury fashion brand, showcasing a handsome, dark-haired man in a tuxedo. The tagline read, "Live the dream." Adrianna couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of it all. She, a simple elementary school teacher, could never imagine living the dream of the rich and famous.

But as the train came to a halt at her stop, something unexpected happened. The doors opened, and in stepped the very same man from the ad. Adrianna's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met for a fleeting moment. The man strode past her, his immaculate suit and expensive cologne filling the air. Adrianna watched him, mesmerized, as he took a seat a few rows away. She couldn't help but wonder what his story was. Who was this mysterious stranger, and why was he taking the subway like everyone else?

As the train continued on its journey, Adrianna couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special about this man. A sense of intrigue and excitement stirred within her. The ride passed in a blur, and soon enough, Adrianna found herself stepping out onto the busy streets of Manhattan. She walked the familiar route to her school, her thoughts still occupied by the man on the train.

But as she turned the corner onto Lexington Avenue, she bumped into someone. Adrianna looked up, her gaze colliding with the very man who had captured her attention just moments ago.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, as the man steadied her. "No harm done," the man replied, his voice smooth and rich. He smiled, revealing perfectly straight, white teeth. "I should be apologizing. I wasn't paying attention." Adrianna felt her cheeks flush slightly as she absorbed his charm. "Well, I guess we both had our heads in the clouds," she quipped, trying to hide her nerves.

The man laughed, his eyes sparkling with humor. "Indeed we did. My name's Gabriel Anderson. And you are?" "Adrianna," she said, giving him a small smile. "Adrianna Winters."

Gabriel nodded. "A pleasure to meet you, Adrianna Winters. And what is it you do, if you don't mind me asking?"

Adrianna's mind raced. Should she tell him she was a teacher? She was sure he would think it was mundane compared to his own glamorous life. But she decided to be honest. "I'm a teacher," she said, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "At P.S. 6, just up the block."

Gabriel's eyes lit up. "A teacher? That's an admirable profession. I bet you make a difference in the lives of your students."

Adrianna felt her cheeks flush with pride. "I try my best," she said.

Gabriel nodded, his smile widening. "I can tell.

"Well, Adrianna Winters, I'm glad our paths crossed, even if it was a bump in the road."

Adrianna giggled. "Me too. It was a pleasant surprise, even if it was a bit of a shock."

Gabriel laughed. "A shock indeed. Maybe we should be more careful next time."

Adrianna nodded, her heart fluttering at the possibility of a 'next time'. "Speaking of next time," Gabriel said, "I don't suppose you'd be interested in grabbing coffee sometime? I'd love to hear more about your life as a teacher, and maybe share a bit of mine as well."

Adrianna's eyes widened. Was he asking her out? She wanted to say yes, but her mind started racing. What if he discovered her past? She wasn't sure she could handle that.

"I don't know," Adrianna said, trying to keep her voice even. "I'm not really looking for anything right now."

Gabriel held her gaze. "Fairenough. But maybe you could just think of it as a friendly chat. No strings attached."

Adrianna considered his offer, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Well, I suppose I could make time for a coffee." "Great," Gabriel said, handing her a business card. "How about you call me when you're free? We'll find a time that works for both of us."

Adrianna took the card, her fingers brushing against his. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. "I will," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Gabriel gave her a final smile before turning and walking away. Adrianna watched him go, her mind still reeling from the encounter. The rest of the day passed in a blur for Adrianna. She was barely able to concentrate on her students, her thoughts still fixated on Gabriel.

As she made her way home that evening, the rain had stopped, leaving a golden glow in the sky. Adrianna couldn't help but think it was a sign. Maybe, just maybe, there was a ray of hope in her otherwise predictable life. She arrived at her apartment and reached for her phone, ready to call Gabriel and arrange their coffee date.

Adrianna hesitated, her finger hovering over the phone's screen. Her past had always held her back, but she couldn't deny the excitement she felt at the prospect of spending time with Gabriel.

Finally, she took a deep breath and pressed the call button. The phone rang, and her heart pounded in her chest.

"Hello?" Gabriel's voice answered on the other end of the line.