The Bennet Scandal

Reflections and Longings

"Why am I still thinking about him?" Sophia muttered under her breath, trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in her mind.

She shut the front door, the soft click echoing louder than it should've. Her heart was still racing from the whirlwind of emotions the gala had stirred up. The glittery gown she was wearing felt heavy against her skin, each sequin reminding her of the evening's complexities. All she wanted was to get to her room and lay down, but her father, Marshal Bennet, was standing there waiting in the dimly lit foyer.

"Welcome home, sweetheart," he said, his voice warm but commanding. "I've been waiting for you."

"Dad..." Sophia said, moving into his embrace.

"You look... exhausted," Marshal said, brushing a lock of her hair out of her face.

"I am," Sophia admitted. "It was quite the night."

Marshal guided her into the living room, where the fire cast a warm, flickering light. He motioned for her to sit, and she sank into the plush sofa, relieved to finally rest.

"So, tell me," he said, leaning forward, hands clasped. "How was the gala?"

Sophia felt her pulse quicken as the events of the night rushed back. "It was beautiful, really. Linda's mom went all out. The decorations, the food—it was all pretty impressive."

"And the guests?" Marshal asked, his eyes narrowing just a bit, as if he could read her thoughts. "Any interesting conversations?"

"Not really... just like any other fundraiser. Full of small talk, business chatter, and people flaunting their social status," Sophia said with a shrug.

Marshal sighed, leaning back. "I send you to these events so you can build connections. When you step into the business world with me, I don't want you to feel like an outsider."

"I know, Dad." Sophia met his eyes, feeling the weight of his expectations.

"Do you know they celebrated Gabriel and Natasha's anniversary tonight?" she blurted, leaning forward.

She noticed the change in her father immediately. The mention of Gabriel's name had darkened his expression, a storm brewing behind his otherwise composed face.

"That was Elaine Thornton's doing," he said tightly. "She's trying to align herself with the Westbrooks, thinking she can climb the real estate ladder through them. She has no idea what she's getting into."

"Dad, what's wrong with Gabriel?" Sophia asked softly, though she could feel the weight of his disapproval hanging in the air.

Marshal crossed his arms, leaning back. "Gabriel Westbrook is dangerous in business. Cold. Calculating. Sure, he's got charm, but he's not someone anyone—especially someone like Elaine—should trust. If she thinks he's going to elevate her, she's dead wrong."

Sophia felt a flicker of frustration as she said, "But everyone at the gala was praising him, giving him so much respect."

"My love, you don't know what lies beneath that polished exterior. I've dealt with him so many times. I know him inside and out. He's not someone you can rely on or trust."

Tension hung in the air. Despite her father's warnings, something about Gabriel had captivated her—a puzzle she couldn't help but want to solve.

"You must be right," she said finally, her voice soft. She didn't want to give away her true feelings to her dad just yet, so she decided to end the conversation.

Marshal's gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. "Just remember, Sophia, you can never trust Gabriel. He's my enemy and has caused me a hell of a lot of losses. I know his dark secrets, his filthy reality, and I don't want him anywhere near you. He can hurt you."

"Of course," she replied, though inside, her resolve was crumbling. The pull she felt toward Gabriel was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

After a few moments of silence, Marshal broke the tension. "I almost forgot to ask, why didn't you come to the office today?"

"I had to go to the salon, and then I went shopping," Sophia said casually.

"You should've come," Marshal said. "I wanted you at the board of directors meeting. It would've been a great learning experience for you."

Since Sophia started her business studies, Marshal had insisted she visit the office regularly, believing that real-world experience was the best form of education.

"I know, but I had to get ready for the party," she explained.

"Alright, but tomorrow, I want you to come with me to an auction. I need to see how you handle acquiring that piece of land from the government for my shopping mall expansion."

"I'll be there," Sophia said with a smile. She knew her father had high expectations and wanted her to lead Bennet Industries like a pro.

"It's getting late. You should get some rest. We've got a busy week ahead." He stood and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Goodnight, Sophia."

"Goodnight, Dad," she said, forcing a smile as he walked away.

As she made her way upstairs, her thoughts weighed heavily on her. She locked her bedroom door and stepped out onto the balcony, still in her emerald green, glittery gown, gazing out at the night sky.

The cool breeze touched her skin, but it did little to cool the heat rising within her. The moon cast a silvery glow over everything, and she leaned against the railing, staring at the stars.

"Why can't I stop thinking about him?" she whispered to herself.

She could still picture Gabriel's subtle gestures, the way he carried himself with an effortless confidence that left her breathless.

"I shouldn't feel this way," she muttered, gripping the railing tightly. But even as she said it, the pull toward him only grew stronger, like a magnet drawing her in.

She went back inside, picked up her phone, and unlocked it. She scrolled through her social media accounts until she found Gabriel Westbrook's profile.

"So, here's Gabriel Westbrook," she muttered under her breath as she browsed his page.

She felt a rush of anticipation but was quickly met with disappointment. His posts were sparse, mostly business-related, with few glimpses into his personal life. There were pictures of his daughter, and a couple of business events, but nothing that revealed the man behind the corporate facade.

"Why is it so hard to know you?" she whispered into the night, frustration bubbling inside her.

Her thumb hovered over the screen as she searched for more, desperate to uncover the layers of Gabriel Westbrook. But every click led her back to the surface—board meetings, charity events, and the occasional picture with Natasha, always so polished, so perfect.

She tossed her phone aside and leaned her head back against the sofa.

"I can't believe I'm obsessing over a married man," she groaned.

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered, sinking back into the soft fabric of the sofa, staring into the dimness of her room. She needed to shake these thoughts, to focus on her own life and goals. But the undeniable pull kept gnawing at her, teasing her with what might be—if only things were different.