I stayed on the stairs for what felt like an eternity, staring into the distance as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The vibrant colors of twilight painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, but I felt none of its beauty. Instead, I was engulfed in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, replaying the moment Carlos had kissed me over and over again.
What had just happened? I pressed my palms against my knees, trying to make sense of the chaos in my mind. My heart still raced at the thought of his lips on mine, the unexpected intimacy of it. I couldn't shake the memory of his intense gaze, nor could I forget how lost I had felt in that brief moment.
After a while, the cool evening air began to bite at my skin, reminding me that I was outside and alone. Just as I was about to stand up and head back inside, I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Gabriel making his way toward me, his brow slightly furrowed with concern.
"Hey, Lilith," he said, stopping a few feet away. "Are you alright?"
I forced a smile, but I knew it didn't reach my eyes. "Yeah, just... taking a breather."
He studied me for a moment before sitting down beside me on the stairs. "You don't look fine," he remarked gently. "What's going on?"
I sighed, feeling the weight of my thoughts pressing heavily on my chest. "Carlos kissed me," I admitted, the words spilling out before I could stop them.
Gabriel's response surprised me. Instead of the shock I expected, he simply nodded. "You do look like Corian," he murmured.
"Who's Corian?" I asked, intrigued despite my turmoil. The name felt heavy on the air, a reminder of a past I had yet to uncover.
Gabriel leaned back, crossing his arms as he looked out into the distance. "Corian was Carlos's ex-girlfriend," he explained, his tone contemplative. "They were together for a long time. She was beautiful, fierce, and he loved her deeply. But she cheated on him with a rival mafia leader. It destroyed him."
The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. "So... I look like her?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around it. "Is that why he kissed me?"
"Probably," Gabriel replied, glancing at me with an unreadable expression. "You have the same dark hair and fierce spirit. It's easy to see why he would feel that connection."
"Great," I scoffed, running a hand through my hair. "So I'm just a replacement?"
Gabriel shook his head. "No, that's not how Carlos sees it. He's complicated, and what happened with Corian left scars. He's drawn to you, but I think it's more than just your appearance. You have that fire in you, and he respects that."
"Respect?" I scoffed again, disbelief coloring my voice. "He kidnapped me! He's using me to get back at my brother's death!"
Gabriel sighed, his expression softening. "I know it seems that way, but Carlos is not the monster you think he is. He's trying to build something—something he believes in. And honestly, he sees potential in you that N.O.V.A. has probably overlooked."
"Potential?" I repeated, shaking my head. "I'm not interested in being part of his mafia. I want to find out who killed my brother and make them pay. That's my focus."
"I get that," Gabriel said. "But have you ever considered that you might be able to do both? Work for Carlos and still seek revenge?"
I looked at him incredulously. "You think I should just forget about everything and join him?"
"I'm not saying that," he replied carefully. "I just think you should keep an open mind. Carlos knows things—things about the underworld, about your brother's death. Working with him could give you the resources and connections you need to find the truth."
"Or it could just lead me deeper into the shadows," I shot back, the anger flaring again. "I don't want to become a pawn in his game."
Gabriel studied me, his eyes filled with understanding. "You're not a pawn unless you let him treat you like one. You have a choice. You always have a choice."
His words resonated with me. I had always believed I was in control of my destiny, but now I felt like I was trapped in a web of choices made for me. Carlos had tangled my life further into chaos, and I was still trying to find my footing.
"Maybe," I murmured, looking down at my hands. "But it doesn't change the fact that he's still the reason my brother is dead."
Gabriel nodded slowly. "True. But think about this: What if you could use your anger toward him as fuel? What if, instead of letting it consume you, you channeled it into finding out the truth?"
I met his gaze, his suggestion weighing heavily on me. I had always fought with a singular focus—revenge for my brother. But the thought of working alongside Carlos, using him to uncover the truth, made my stomach churn. Yet, I couldn't deny the logic in Gabriel's words.
"Just... take your time to think it through," he said, his voice gentle. "You're strong, Lilith. You'll make the right choice for yourself."
I nodded, appreciating his support more than I could express. Gabriel had been a constant in this storm, a grounding force amidst the turmoil that surrounded me.
"Thanks, Gabriel," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Anytime," he replied, standing up and offering me his hand. "Now, how about we head back inside? It's getting cold out here."
I took his hand, grateful for his warmth as I stood. "Yeah, I guess I should face the music."
As we walked back to the entrance of the mansion, my thoughts swirled with possibilities. Carlos might be the last person I wanted to trust, but perhaps, just perhaps, there was a way to use this situation to my advantage.
The kiss still lingered in my mind, an unwanted reminder of the complications that lay ahead. I couldn't afford to get lost in it, but I also knew I needed answers. It was time to find a way to navigate this tangled web, to use every thread of my anger, pain, and potential to forge my own path.
As I entered the mansion, I steeled myself for whatever lay ahead. The stakes had never been higher, and I couldn't let anything—or anyone—stand in my way.
