The Bennet Scandal

A Moment

The storm outside was relentless, with rain hammering against the windows, lightning slicing through the dark sky, followed by the deep, rumbling growl of thunder. Sophia lay in bed, her heart racing with each flash of light. She hated storms. The unsettling energy gnawed at her nerves, building an urgency that grew unbearable. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer.

Before she knew it, she found herself standing in front of Gabriel's bedroom door, hesitating for a moment. The wind howled outside as if urging her to make a move. With a deep breath, she knocked softly. Within seconds, the door creaked open.

Gabriel stood there, half-illuminated by the faint glow of the bedside lamp. His brow furrowed slightly as he took in her anxious expression. "Sophia?" His voice was soft, yet it carried the weight of surprise. "What's going on?"

She hesitated, feeling foolish for even being there. But another crack of thunder made her jump, and she pushed the words out before she could change her mind. "I— I'm scared of storms. I can't sleep... I just... I don't want to be alone right now."

He stared at her for a long moment, surprise flickering in his eyes. Then, without a word, he stepped aside, silently inviting her in. She shuffled past him, her heart pounding, but this time it wasn't just from the storm. There was something about being in Gabriel's space that stirred emotions she'd tried to bury. She settled onto the sofa in the room, her movements tentative.

Gabriel's gaze lingered on her longer than usual, and for the first time since they had met, he truly saw her—her innocence, the quiet beauty beneath the surface, the restlessness etched across her face, and the tears brimming in her eyes. Something shifted in his chest, a softness he hadn't felt before. She wasn't the fiery, defiant woman he was used to; right now, she looked like a lost, vulnerable girl who needed someone, anyone, to be there for her.

A sudden urge to pull her into his arms rushed through him. He almost laughed at himself, faintly smiling at the thought. What are you doing, Gabriel? This wasn't supposed to happen.

Still, he reached for a blanket, gently draping it over her shoulders. "Better?" he asked, his voice softer than usual, almost tender. She nodded, feeling a strange comfort just from being near him. Despite everything—the betrayal, the manipulation—there was something about him that made her feel safe. It was maddening.

They sat in silence for a while, the rain now a soft hum in the background. Sophia found herself leaning against him, just slightly. His warmth and the steady rise and fall of his breath calmed her in a way she didn't want to admit.

"You know," Gabriel said after a long pause, his voice laced with teasing mischief, "I didn't think you'd be the type to come running to me when things got rough."

She pulled back slightly, narrowing her eyes at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He smirked, his gaze dropping to her lips for a split second before meeting her eyes again. "Just didn't think the storm was the only thing you were afraid of."

The air shifted between them, tension crackling like the storm outside. Sophia's heart raced, but not from fear anymore. Gabriel's presence was overwhelming—his teasing tone, the way his eyes lingered on her, and the warmth from the blanket he had placed over her shoulders. She wanted to leave, to escape the confusion swirling inside her, but the storm outside was louder than the turmoil within. She stayed, afraid of the lightning but even more afraid of the thoughts racing through her mind.

As the minutes passed, her body betrayed her. Her eyes grew heavy, and despite her best efforts to stay alert, exhaustion took hold. Slowly, without realizing it, she leaned over, resting her head against Gabriel's shoulder. He didn't move or push her away. Instead, he remained perfectly still, glancing down at her with a quiet smile playing on his lips.

In that moment, everything else faded—the storm, the tension, the complicated web of emotions between them. All that mattered was the warmth of his shoulder, the blanket cocooning her, and the unspoken understanding that filled the space between them. She felt safe, sheltered from the chaos outside and the turbulence within. And for the first time in a long while, she let herself relax, surrendering to the comfort of his presence.

In the dim glow of the reading lamp, Gabriel continued to skim through his office file, but his mind wasn't on the words in front of him. It was on her—the way her breathing slowed, how her face softened in sleep. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this... protective over someone.

The woman who had challenged him, who stood toe-to-toe with him, now looked so small, so peaceful in this moment. He could have moved, but he didn't. He didn't want to. For the first time in a long time, he found himself content, enjoying the quiet intimacy of the moment. He closed the file, letting the soft sounds of the storm outside fill the room. As she slept against him, he soaked in the comfort of her presence, savoring this unexpected closeness.

His mind drifted to what had brought them here—so much pain, so much confusion. But right now, none of that mattered. Right now, she needed this, and he realized maybe he needed it too.

Suddenly, Sophia's eyes fluttered open, and she jolted upright.

"Oh God, what am I doing here?" she gasped, her voice filled with surprise and a touch of panic.

Gabriel glanced down at her, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well, sweetheart, you're the one who came into my room," he teased, leaning back casually. "But don't worry, I won't tell anyone you were here, asleep on my shoulder... especially after, you know, that kiss a few days ago." His voice dripped with amusement, light but teasing.

Sophia's face flushed with embarrassment as the memory of their kiss rushed back to her. His teasing only made her heart race faster, but she wasn't about to let him see just how much he was getting to her.

Her eyes widened, realization crashing over her. She wasn't just some damsel seeking comfort—he was playing with her. Toying with her emotions.

Anger flared in her chest. "You're unbelievable," she muttered, pulling the blanket off and standing up, her face burning with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

Without another word, she bolted out of the room, leaving Gabriel sitting there, his smirk still lingering.

Once back in her room, she leaned against the door, her heart still racing. She couldn't believe herself—how could she let him get to her like that? After everything he'd done? How could she still feel something for him?

She shook her head, reprimanding herself. He's using you, Sophia. He's been using you from the start.

But the truth gnawed at her deep inside. Despite it all, being in his presence had given her a sense of peace she hadn't felt in weeks. She hated it, but it was the truth.

As she lay back in her bed, pulling the covers tight around her, the storm seemed a little less terrifying. She closed her eyes, frustrated and conflicted, her mind racing with questions she didn't want to answer.

How could you still love him after everything he's done?

Tears of frustration stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Whatever was happening between them—whatever it was—she knew she had to protect herself. Because falling for Gabriel, after all this, would be the biggest storm of all.