Dark Paradise

Chapter 6

GABRIEL

The moment I saw her in the front row during the concert, my first thought was to flirt. Her beauty caught my attention immediately, and I won't deny that I enjoy making my fans lose their minds, watching how nervous they get with just a smile. But she was different. She held my gaze in a way I didn't expect, to the point where I felt intimidated.

I don't know if it was that defiant look, the spark of rebellion that seemed to say, "I'm not just another one," or the way she moved, combining elegance and strength in a way that captivated me from the start. There was something about her that made me want to know more, to unravel the mystery she carried with her.

When I saw her step out of the van, I recognized her immediately. I hesitated for a moment, surprised to find her here, in these circumstances. How had she ended up in this place? But everything clicked when I remembered her seat had been empty at the concert. I hadn't seen her after that, and now here she was, trying to escape down the hallway. The situation didn't make sense, but something inside me pushed me to approach her, to discover what was behind that facade of confidence she showed to the world.

What else can I say? I couldn't get out of my head the way she stood up to me, without a trace of fear, when anyone else in her position would have backed down. There was something about her that stirred my most primitives instincts, a mix of challenge and desire. I wanted to dominate her, to subdue her, but at the same time, something strange was growing inside me—a respect I hadn't felt before.

But that wasn't all. As I watched her face him, I felt a pride I couldn't quite understand. This woman, whom I barely knew, dared to challenge a man like Arturo, someone used to have everyone bend to his will.

I, who had always played by Arturo's rules, learning to keep my place to avoid unnecessary conflicts, now found myself enjoying every word Alexandra threw at him. She wasn't just defending herself; she was showing clear contempt for everything Arturo represented. And in that moment, I realized something important: I wasn't alone in this internal battle.

Her defiance made me feel something I hadn't experienced in a long time—relief. Knowing that I wasn't the only one who saw beyond appearances, that someone else was willing to stand up to Arturo's twisted ideals, brought me a sense of calm. Alexandra was strong, stronger than she even seemed to realize, and that strength drew me to her in a dangerous way.

I couldn't deny the satisfaction I felt seeing Arturo lose, even if just for a moment, his usual control. Watching him falter before Alexandra's fire was a small victory for me too.

After all the commotion, I went to my room. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, but I couldn't get her out of my mind. The desire I felt for her was consuming me, and the image of her body in that perfect lingerie kept tormenting me. The idea that everyone else had also seen her like that filled me with jealousy. I couldn't stand the thought that I wasn't the only one who had enjoyed that view.

Then I heard Tae's voice echoing down the hall. "All the girls look gorgeous, I want them all, but there's one I especially want with me," he said, laughing. I knew Tae all too well; he was the kind of guy who never let a woman slip through his fingers. The fear that he was talking about Alexandra began to grow inside me, like a dark shadow I couldn't ignore.

I had to protect her, so I waited for the house to fall into complete silence before getting up to make sure she was okay. I went downstairs quietly, using my phone's flashlight to light the way. But a movement on the couch stopped me dead in my tracks. I turned off the flashlight and let the moonlight guide me. As I slowly approached, I saw her. She was there, curled up and asleep on the couch. I stood watching her for a few minutes; she looked so peaceful, so vulnerable.

My heart started pounding when I heard Tae moving around upstairs again. "If he sees her here, he might take advantage of the situation," I thought. I couldn't allow that. Carefully, I lifted her in my arms, to take her to a room before Tae found her. But it was in vain. She woke up and asked me to let her go.

—Now you're being nice? —she said, a mix of challenge and distrust in her voice. I didn't know what to say. Around us, everything was dark, but I could feel her gaze fixed on my eyes, questioning me, challenging me.

—I'm not always an asshole —I replied, trying to hide the discomfort I felt. Her closeness was making me nervous, so much so that I could feel her warm breath on my chest, making my skin tingle. It was a strange feeling, one I tried to ignore.

—What are you playing at, Gabriel? —she asked in a whisper, and for a moment, her voice disarmed me. There was something in her tone, in the way she said it, that sparked a dangerous mix of desire and adrenaline inside me. I don't know if it was the moment, the risk of being caught, or just the way her voice sounded so damn sexy.

—Maybe... I just want to see how far you're willing to go —I answered without thinking, regretting the words as soon as they left my mouth. She shoved me hard, calling me a pervert, but I didn't move. I watched her in the darkness as she ran off, cursing under her breath: —Shit —was all I could say.

Suddenly, a crash and a small cry broke the silence. I turned on the lights and ran toward her. I saw her on the floor, her knees bleeding. The sight of the blood left me momentarily in shock, and before I could react, Saúl came down the stairs, ready to take her away. Jealousy burned inside me. Saúl never acted this way with any girl, and knowing he was willing to fight for her ignited a fury within me.

But before I could do anything, Tae entered the scene, wanting to take her away too. Seeing her smile as she left hand in hand with Tae froze my blood. Saúl and I exchanged glances, both aware of what that could mean.

Without wasting any more time, I ran to find a first-aid kit, using it as an excuse to be close to her. When I returned, I found Saúl on the stairs. We looked at each other, and he, resigned, said to me:

—Go to her.

I nodded and ran to the room. As I suspected, Tae was already starting with his compliments, beginning his game. I knew how it all started, and I also knew how it would end if she played along. But I wouldn't allow it. I asserted my authority over Tae, who tried to argue with me, but he knew who was in charge here.

Tae left, and I finally felt a bit of relief.

—He was just trying to help me — Alexandra said, with an innocence that amused me.

—Yeah, and when you woke up, you'd be without clothes — I replied harshly. She turned away, saying nothing more.

—I won; finally, she's quiet. —I told myself, savoring a small victory.

I watched her as she sat on the bed. Her movements were slow, almost cautious, as if she were weighing each step she took. I approached slowly, trying not to provoke any reaction of rejection. When I crouched down to take off her heels, I felt the coldness of her skin under my warm fingers, and in that instant, her body reacted to mine. A dark satisfaction surged through me as I realized she wasn't immune to me. Knowing that I could make her tremble, even just a little, only fueled the desire that burned within me.

But at the same time, something deeper stirred inside me, something I hadn't felt in a long time: a strange vulnerability. It wasn't her projecting it; it was me feeling it. For the first time, I was in front of someone who had the power to make me feel something beyond simple lust or the need for control. And that unsettled me. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, as if she were a key piece in a game that was only just beginning.

As I tended to her wounds, a wave of guilt hit me. I knew I was responsible for her being hurt, and every brush of my hands over her injuries served as a reminder of how close I had come to losing control. But here we were, in this room, with her so close, yet so out of my reach.

I realized that this battle was far from over. I had no idea how it would all end, but one thing I was sure of: Alexandra wasn't going to disappear from my mind or my life that easily.