A Calculated Move

1 0 0
                                    

The polished floors of Gabriel's home gleamed under the lights, reflecting the tension in the air as he paced the living room, glancing at the clock. Across from him, Sophia sat on the edge of a sleek leather couch, watching him without realizing it.

"What are you waiting for?" Sophia asked, taking a sip of her black coffee.

"Nothing," Gabriel replied, not even glancing her way.

Sophia studied him with curious eyes, trying to figure out what was making him so restless. She had settled into his house but still didn't know how to move forward and organize her life.

"You're waiting for something or someone... I can feel it," she said, her voice louder.

"You don't need to worry about me," Gabriel responded, his face serious.

"Hmm," Sophia murmured, falling silent.

She wanted to say more, but a maid entered the room and said, "Sir, they've arrived."

"Thank God," Gabriel muttered under his breath, then said aloud, "Have them wait in the drawing room."

The maid nodded and left.

"Who's here?" Sophia asked.

Gabriel heard her but didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "Come with me."

Sophia, intrigued by the mystery on Gabriel's face, stood up and followed him.

Gabriel led her to the drawing room. As they entered, Sophia was stunned to see the room filled with reporters from various media outlets. She turned to Gabriel, her expression full of shock.

"Why are they here?" she demanded.

"I called them to tell them the truth," Gabriel said matter-of-factly.

Sophia's eyes widened as realization dawned. He'd brought the media here to ruin her father. Her face hardened, and she said, "I'm not going to let you destroy my family's reputation. Now I get it—this is why you brought me here. You wanted to manipulate me, get me to say something bad about my father, and clear your name."

"How manipulative can you be, Gabriel Westbrook?" she spat, her voice trembling with shock and anger.

"It's not manipulation if it's the truth, Sophia. Your father used that kiss to take me down. I'm just turning the tables."

"I'm not a pawn in this game!" she protested, standing up, her frustration boiling over.

Gabriel stepped closer, his eyes cold and intense. "You are if you want to be. We can't let him win. If we don't control the story, he'll destroy us both."

Sophia bit her lip, torn. The idea of being used as a weapon against her father made her stomach turn.

"I won't be part of this," she said, her tone resolute.

"I knew you wouldn't help me. But just by coming here, you've already done what I needed. The reporters have seen you in my house, and now I'll set the narrative to destroy your father's image," Gabriel said, his voice laced with revenge as he met her eyes.

At that moment, the cameramen began snapping photos of them. As the cameras clicked, Gabriel masked his face with a smile and pulled Sophia closer to him.

He wanted to show the world their happy side, and he was doing it deliberately. After a moment, Sophia regained her composure. She pushed Gabriel aside and stormed out of the drawing room. She knew she couldn't stop him, so she turned back and said, "Just go to hell."

Gabriel sat down in front of the cameras, his face a mix of anger and exhaustion. The press conference had been hastily arranged, and the room was packed with reporters eager to hear his side of the scandal that had dominated the headlines for weeks. He leaned forward, his voice steady but laced with emotion as he began to speak.

The Bennet ScandalWhere stories live. Discover now