Chapter 11N
C
The moment I walked inside, I saw my father standing near the staircase, his sharp eyes softened when they landed on me.
“Gabriella,” he said softly.
I smiled warmly. “Dad.”N
He walked toward me and, to my surprise, he pulled me into a firm and warm hug. My father was not a very affectionate man, so I knew this was his way of showing concern.
“You’ve lost weight,” he murmured as he pulled back. His eyes pierced into me as if he was trying to read my thoughts.})
“I’m fine,” I assured him quickly.
His eyes narrowed for a moment before he nodded.}}
“Welcome home, sweetheart,” a gentle voice said.§
I turned to see my stepmother, Elise, standing in the doorway. She was a kind and softhearted woman, though we weren’t very close.
“Thank you,” I said, giving her a warm smile.
She brushed the hair from my face. “You must be exhausted. Let’s get you settled in. Dinner will be ready soon.“}]
I nodded in appreciation. I really was tired. But before I could move, my father’s voice stopped me.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?”
I paused, then I gave him a small smile.
don’t,” I said softly.
“I don’t,”
He studied me for a moment, then he nodded. “Alright. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”N
I gave him a small nod before turning away.
Zander followed behind me, waiting until we had walked far enough before he spoke, “You know, you don’t have to keep everything bottled up. If you need to talk, I’m here.” He said softly.
I glanced at him with a small smile. “Thank you, Zander.”
He nodded, “Get some rest, Gabe. You look like you need it.”
During dinner, I asked the question that had been bugging me since I landed from the plane.
“Who is this person that you guys want me to get married to so bad?” I asked.
There was a short silence before my father cleared his throat.
“Well, he’s a fine man with very good character and qualities. Trust me, I know you’ll like him.” He assured me.”
I lifted an eyebrow at him. “What’s his name?” I asked.
My father shrugged. “Can’t tell you yet. But you’ll find out soon.”
I gaped at him in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?“}
I turned to Elise, my stepmother. “Is he kidding? He’s been disturbing me about this engagement, and now he won’t tell me this person’s name. What’s going on?” I asked.
Elise shifted uncomfortably, “Just be patient, you’re going to like him. And if you don’t, we promise not to bring it up again.“}
My father spluttered in outrage. “Wha–“>
Elise cut him off. “We can’t force her to marry anyone, Lucas.” She said firmly.
My father scowled, before he sighed, slumping in defeat. “Fine. If you don’t like him, we won’t bring it up.“>
The next morning, I found myself at a familiar spot, a hidden spot in my father’s large library, my hiding place where I used to escape when I felt too overwhelming.”
I sat on the bench, reading a book, one of my childhood favorites.§
“I knew I would find you here.”
I turned to see Zander approaching with his hands in his pockets as usual. He smirked as he took a seat beside me.>>
“I see you still like hiding out in the same old spots,” he said.”
I smiled faintly. “Some things don’t change.“}
A comfortable silence fell between us, and I turned my attention back to my book.”
After a long pause, I finally asked, “Tell me, Zander… how did you become… this?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “This?”
I raised an eyebrow at him. From the mischievous look in his eyes, he knew what I meant.
He smirked, leaning back. “After you left, I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. Turns out, you were taking up way too much of my
time.”
I rolled my eyes. “Haha, you’re hilarious.” I said sarcastically.
He laughed, then he sighed. “Honestly? At first, I did it to impress a girl.“}
I turned to look at him, there was something unreadable in his expression. “A girl?”
He nodded, staring at the floor, tapping his fingers on the bench. “Yeah. I thought maybe if I changed, she would finally notice me.”
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I watched him carefully. “Did it work?”
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “No, it was too late for that. But then I realized that I actually liked the person I was becoming. So, I stopped doing it for her and started doing it for myself.”
Something about his words made my stomach turn, so I looked away, staring at my book. “Well… I think it suits you.”
Zander glanced at me with a soft smile. “Really?”
I nodded, smiling back at him. “Yeah.“}
“My father won’t tell me who he wants me to get married to.” I said after another moment of silence.}
Zander blinked twice, “Really?” He said.
I nodded with an annoyed sigh. “It’s infuriating. But he agreed that if I don’t like him, I can reject it, and they won’t bring it up again.”
I snorted. “Somehow, I doubt that. My father is a persistent man.“}
Zander nodded slowly, looking lost in thought for a moment.”
“Are you okay? What are you thinking about so deeply?” I asked.
He cleared his throat, standing up from the bench. “I just remembered that I have something to do right now.” He muttered, then hurriedly left.”
I furrowed my eyebrows, staring at his broad back as he walked away.”
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