As we race away in the car, a storm of anger and fear swells inside me. How could she be so reckless? How could she risk everything like that?
When the empty road stretches before us, I slam on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I throw the...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Walking into the office after three weeks felt surreal. The usual hustle and bustle of Insight City greeted me, but everything seemed a bit different. The cover story Gabriel had set up—a business trip with him—worked like a charm. No one suspected anything else.
Maya, my colleague and friend, spotted me as soon as I walked in. "Chiara! Where have you been?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "And do you have any dirt on Gabriel? We tried to expose him, but it’s like he’s untouchable."
I forced a smile, reminding myself of the decision I made not to write an article on Gabriel. "I've been working with Gabriel," I said nonchalantly. "Tagged along with him on a business trip. Unfortunately, I didn't get any information on him."
Maya scoffed, her disbelief evident. "Seriously, Chiara? Three weeks with him and nothing? That’s pretty incapable if you ask me."
Her words stung, but I masked my surprise with a retort. "How is this any of your concern, Maya? Last I checked, my assignments were my business."
Maya narrowed her eyes and shrugged. "Just saying. Everyone expected you to come back with something big. Guess we were wrong." She turned and walked away, leaving me feeling a twinge of suspicion.
Something about her reaction didn't sit right with me. Was she just being nosy, or was there something more to her questions? Shaking off the unease, I decided to focus on the task at hand. Gabriel had given me plenty of information on John and his men, and it was time to put it to good use.
Settling at my desk, I opened my laptop and began typing. The story about John and his criminal activities was explosive and could potentially shake up the underworld. Gabriel had risked a lot to give me this intel, and I intended to make every word count.
As I worked, my thoughts kept drifting back to the past few weeks. Despite everything, a part of me missed being around Gabriel. But there was no time for distractions. I had a job to do, and nothing was going to stop me from getting this article out.
It was Friday, and I finally finished the article. Taking a deep breath, I headed to Sandra's office, my chief editor. I handed her the printout, my heart pounding a little faster than usual.
Sandra skimmed through the pages, nodding occasionally. "This is good work, Chiara. You've captured the essence without compromising your safety," she said, finally looking up at me. "But considering the danger, I think it would be best if you used a pen name instead of your own."
I pondered for a moment. What name would I use? Then it hit me. "Tuono," I said with a smile. Gabriel calls me that.
Sandra raised an eyebrow but nodded approvingly. "Tuono it is. Stay safe, Chiara."
As I left Sandra's office, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. It was a message from Gabriel.
Gabriel: Hey, what are your plans for the weekend?
I smiled and quickly replied: Nothing planned. I'm free.
Gabriel's response was almost immediate: Great. Get ready for tomorrow. We’ll spend some time together. I’ll take you somewhere special.
Curiosity piqued, I texted back: Sounds intriguing. What should I wear?
Gabriel: Something comfortable but nice. You'll see.
I tucked my phone away, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. Spending time with Gabriel outside of our usual settings was always an adventure. I couldn’t help but wonder where he was planning to take me this time.
With the article submitted and plans for the weekend set, I felt a rare sense of calm wash over me. For now, all I had to do was wait and see what tomorrow would bring.
†††††††
The next morning, I dressed in casual chic—a light sweater, skinny jeans, and ankle boots—perfect for whatever Gabriel had planned. As I made my way downstairs, my phone buzzed with a text from Gabriel.
Gabriel: I’m outside.
I stepped out and was pleasantly surprised to see him dressed casually in jeans and a fitted tee. Even more surprising, he was driving himself. He greeted me with a warm smile, opening the car door for me.
“Good morning, Tuono,” he said, his eyes twinkling with that familiar spark.
“Good morning,” I replied, slipping into the passenger seat.
Once he was behind the wheel, he handed me my favorite coffee and a breakfast sandwich. “Thought you might need this,” he said, starting the engine.
“You know me well,” I said, taking a grateful sip of the coffee.
As we drove through the city and into the countryside, I couldn’t help but ask, “So, where are we going?”
Gabriel glanced at me with a playful smirk. “It’s a surprise.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You know I’m not a fan of surprises, right?”
He chuckled. “Trust me, you’ll like this one.”
We continued driving, the scenery changing from urban sprawl to rolling hills and open fields. The morning sun cast a golden glow over everything, making the landscape look like something out of a painting.
“What’s with the casual look?” I asked, still marveling at how different he seemed outside of his usual suit and tie.
“I thought it might help you relax,” he said, glancing at me. “And besides, today is about enjoying ourselves, not business.”
I smiled, appreciating the thoughtfulness behind his words. “I like this side of you,” I admitted.
His expression softened, and he reached over to gently squeeze my hand. “I like this side of me too, especially when I’m with you.”
I blushed, feeling a warmth spread through me. Whatever Gabriel had planned, I knew it was going to be special. And for once, I was content to just go along for the ride, trusting him completely.
