Someday, Someway

Meet Krystal

Gabriel arrived at the office early, as usual. The city skyline was bathed in the soft hues of the morning sun, and he had a long day ahead of him with meetings and reports to get through. He grabbed his coffee from the break room and made his way to his desk, but something felt off.

He glanced toward Lorraine's corner, expecting to see her immersed in work, her eyes locked onto her computer screen, a soft frown of concentration on her face. But today, her desk was conspicuously empty. Gabriel frowned. Lorraine was never late—if anything, she was the one who arrived before everyone else, always organized, always punctual.

Maybe she's just running late, Gabriel thought, trying to shake off the unease gnawing at him. But as the morning stretched on and her desk remained vacant, his concern grew. By lunchtime, the absence was impossible to ignore.

Gabriel tried to focus on his tasks, but his mind kept drifting back to Lorraine. He had texted her earlier, but there was no reply. His thumb hovered over his phone, debating whether to send another message or just drop by her apartment after work.

By the time the day wound down and the office buzz began to die, Gabriel couldn't wait any longer. He needed to know if she was okay.

Gabriel pulled up in front of Lorraine's apartment, the familiar building standing tall against the night sky. He parked, grabbed his jacket, and made his way up to her floor. Each step he took up the staircase seemed heavier than the last. Something didn't feel right, and he couldn't shake the nagging worry.

When he finally reached her door, he knocked twice, waiting for the sound of Lorraine's footsteps on the other side. But there was silence. He knocked again, louder this time, and then, to his surprise, the door creaked open.

But it wasn't Lorraine who answered.

Standing before him was a woman who looked strikingly similar to Lorraine but with an unmistakable aura of confidence and authority. She was stunning, with sharp, well-defined features, almond-shaped eyes that held an icy edge, and long dark hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves. She wore a tailored designer coat, her posture exuding the grace and poise of someone used to commanding attention.

Gabriel immediately recognized her from the countless magazine covers and television interviews. This was Krystal Soo-Martino, Lorraine's mother—and not just any mother. Krystal was a famous celebrity, an actress-turned-fashion-icon, adored by millions and feared by those who knew her true, more cutthroat side. Her reputation for perfectionism was well-known, and she had a reputation for being controlling and, above all, fiercely protective of her image.

The air between them felt immediately tense.

Krystal's eyes swept over him in one quick, assessing glance, and her lips curled into the faintest hint of a smirk. "You must be Gabriel," she said, her tone smooth but carrying an undercurrent of disdain. "I've heard about you."

Gabriel blinked, momentarily taken aback by her tone. "Yes, I'm Gabriel," he said carefully. "Is Lorraine here? She didn't come to work today, and I was worried."

Krystal's expression barely shifted. "Lorraine's resting. She's had a lot on her mind lately."

"Resting?" Gabriel repeated, his concern deepening. He tried to peer past Krystal into the apartment, but she blocked his view with a subtle shift of her body. "Is everything okay?"

Krystal raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, her expression cold and unimpressed. "That's not really any of your concern, is it?"

Gabriel bristled at her tone, but he kept his voice steady. "Actually, it is. Lorraine and I—"

"Lorraine and you," Krystal interrupted, her voice cutting through his words like a blade. "What exactly is that? Do you think you're in a position to be involved in her life, Gabriel?"