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.
As I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but sigh. I had already spent an hour going back and forth between dresses, but nothing seemed quite right for tonight. Gabriel had insisted on this date as an apology, and while I wasn’t entirely ready to forgive him for his overprotective behavior, I also wasn’t going to let that ruin the evening.
In the end, I settled on a simple yet elegant outfit—a soft burgundy dress that hugged my curves in all the right places without being too flashy. The neckline was modest but flattering, and the fabric had a subtle sheen that caught the light whenever I moved. My hair fell in loose waves down my back, the natural volume adding a soft, feminine touch. I’d taken my time to get the curls just right, spending way too long with the curling iron, but it was worth it.
I accessorized with simple gold hoop earrings and a delicate gold bracelet, nothing too over-the-top. My makeup was understated yet polished—soft gold eyeshadow, a hint of highlighter on my cheekbones, and a swipe of rose-pink lip gloss that complemented my dress. And of course, my favorite nude stilettos completed the look, giving me just enough height to feel confident without feeling like I was trying too hard.
I glanced at my reflection one last time and nodded in approval. Tonight was going to be special, I could feel it.
When I walked out of the bedroom, Gabriel was sitting casually on the couch, flipping through a book. I stopped in my tracks for a moment, taking in the sight of him. Even in a simple dark button-up shirt and black slacks, he looked effortlessly handsome. His dark hair was tousled in that way that made him look like he’d just rolled out of bed, yet somehow still looked perfect. And of course, the way his eyes lit up when he saw me didn’t hurt either.
“You read?” I asked, genuinely surprised as I approached him.
He glanced up from the book, his lips curving into a smirk. “Only when I’m waiting for a woman who takes hours to get ready.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “Well, at least you’re learning patience.”
He closed the book and stood up, taking a few slow steps toward me. His eyes traveled up and down my body, and I felt a warmth spread through me under his gaze.
“You look… breathtaking, Tuono,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.
Before I could respond, he cupped my face in his hands and leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. It was soft at first, but then his grip tightened on my waist, pulling me closer, and the kiss deepened. I melted into him, losing myself in the warmth of his lips, his hands, everything.
But when he finally pulled away, I gave him a playful glare. “Gabriel! You smudged my lip gloss.”
He grinned, clearly unbothered by the fact that he’d ruined my carefully applied makeup. “I’ll ruin it again later.”
I shook my head, half-amused, half-annoyed. “You’re impossible.”
He chuckled, but his eyes never left mine. “And you love it.”
I sighed dramatically, reaching into my purse to reapply my lip gloss. “Fine, but you better behave during dinner.”
“I’ll try,” he said with a wink, but something told me he had no intention of behaving.
Once we were both ready, Gabriel took my hand and led me out to the car. The drive to the restaurant was peaceful, the city lights slowly giving way to the quiet serenity of the countryside. It wasn’t long before we arrived at a small, cozy restaurant nestled among the trees. The moment we stepped inside, I could feel the romantic atmosphere—soft music playing in the background, candlelit tables, and the scent of fresh flowers in the air.
Gabriel led me to a secluded table in the garden, where fairy lights twinkled above us like stars. The gentle hum of nature surrounded us, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else—about the tension between us, about the world outside this little bubble of tranquility.
“This place is beautiful,” I said as I sat down, taking in the picturesque view of the garden.
“I wanted tonight to be special,” Gabriel replied, his eyes softening as he looked at me. “You deserve that.”
Dinner was perfect. The food was exquisite—fresh pasta, delicate sauces, and wine that tasted like heaven. But more than that, it was the easy conversation and laughter that made the evening memorable. For once, there was no tension between us, no secrets looming in the background. It was just us, enjoying each other’s company.
After we finished eating, Gabriel suggested we take a walk, and I eagerly agreed. The night air was cool, the sky clear and full of stars. We strolled hand in hand through the garden, the sound of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves creating a peaceful backdrop.
I glanced at Gabriel, my heart swelling with affection for this complicated, infuriating man. And yet, there was a question that had been gnawing at me, a question I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I stopped walking and turned to him, still holding his hand. “Gabriel… what are we?”
He stopped too, his expression softening as he looked down at me. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, as if he were searching for the right words. Then, he gently cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks.
“We don’t need to name what’s between us, Chiara. What we have… it’s real. It’s more than just words. It’s something that doesn’t need a label to exist.”
His words hung in the air between us, and I felt a lump rise in my throat. He was right. What we had was real, and it was enough. But still, a part of me ached to hear him say it—to hear him call me his girlfriend, to put a name to this thing between us.
“I get that,” I said softly, leaning into his touch. “But it would be nice, you know? For once, it would be nice to have a label, so people would stop judging me, stop gossiping.”
Gabriel’s eyes darkened, and he pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around my waist. “Let them talk. Let them judge. None of it matters, Tuono. What matters is you and me. And I’m not letting you go.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I knew, in that moment, that I didn’t need a label. As long as I had him, nothing else mattered.
We continued walking, hand in hand, the stars twinkling above us like a promise of something more. And as I glanced up at the night sky, I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this was enough.
