Three days after that dinner, Gavin Pavlovna's heart still remained locked, refusing to open its doors to Raquel. But Pablo, like a relentless storm, pressed on, determined to see his plan through to the end, no matter the cost.
For Pablo, this marriage was not simply a matter of love or duty. It was a strategic alliance, essential for the success of his business empire. And so, with a single decree, he decreed that Gavin and Raquel would be wed as soon as possible, without any objections.
As Raquel and Nina stepped out of their classroom, Gavin swooped in like a hawk. He grabbed Raquel's arm with a vice-like grip and tried to pull her away. Raquel struggled, but Gavin was too strong.
"Let me go!" Raquel screamed. "Gavin, leave me alone!"
Nina rushed to Raquel's side and started yelling at Gavin.
"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded. "Let her go!"
Gavin ignored Nina. He kept pulling Raquel towards his car.
"Help!" Raquel cried. "Someone help me!"
Gavin's cold, slender fingers swiftly slipped under Raquel's arms and scooped her up like a weightless child. Her heart pounded in her chest like a trapped hummingbird. She felt like a rag doll in his arms, completely at his mercy. His voice was like ice, sending chills down her spine.
"Sit!" he commanded.
Raquel froze, her eyes wide with fear. She wanted to scream, but the words caught in her throat.
He then slammed the door shut, leaving her alone in the confusions.
"But why did you kidnap me!" Raquel snorted.
The man's voice was a low, menacing growl, like a hungry lion stalking its prey. His eyes were narrowed and his lips curled into a cruel sneer.
"Be quiet," he hissed, "or I'll make you disappear right now."
"You-"
Sharp as a dagger, Gavin's glare silenced Raquel completely. Her lips parted in a silent gasp, but no sound came out. She held her breath and closed her eyes, as if to shield herself from the storm brewing inside the car.
Gavin accelerated, his foot pressing down on the gas pedal like a hammer. The car surged forward, its engine roaring like a wild beast. Raquel's heart pounded in her chest, matching the rhythm of the engine.
Unaccustomed to being treated like this, Raquel felt a wave of dread wash over her. It was as if she were drowning in a sea of fear, unable to catch her breath.
Gavin screeched the car to a halt in front of the renowned bridal boutique, his tires squealing on the pavement like a banshee's wail.
He spoke without turning, his voice laced with tension. "Get out and meet Mom."
"But-"
Gavin's eyes were filled with fury.
"Don't pretend you don't know why we're here," he hissed.
"But why did you kidnap me just like that? I still have work to finish and--"
Raquel's voice was trembling with anger as she glared at Gavin. She couldn't believe that this man had just abducted her from her campus and dragged her to this unknown location.
Gavin grinned, his eyes flashing with a cruel glint. "That geeky guy, right?"
Raquel's fists clenched at her sides.
"His name is Jonas," she said through gritted teeth, she hissed, her voice like cold steel. ""Don't touch him, or--"
Gavin laughed, a cruel sound that echoed in his car.
"Or what?" he taunted. "What will you do, little girl? Scratch me?"
Raquel's eyes narrowed.
"I'll do whatever it takes to protect him," she vowed. "Even if it means destroying you."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with menace. Gavin felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that Raquel was bluffing like lamb before wolfdog.
Gavin's lips quirked up in a smirk as he watched Raquel storm out of the car, her heels clicking angrily on the marble floor. Her wide, hurried steps echoed through the air, her long, flowing hair bouncing behind her.
Jacquelin, who had been pacing nervously, stopped short at the sight of Raquel.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Darling! Where's Gavin?"
Raquel's heart skipped a beat. She had expected Jacquelin to be angry, but her concern was disarming.
"He's..." she trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Just then, Gavin's footsteps echoed down the hallway. Raquel held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
Gavin emerged from the shadows, his face expressionless.
"What happened?" Jacquelin asked, her voice laced with worry.
Gavin shrugged. "Nothing."
Jacquelin's lips curved into a gentle smile as she shook her head and handed a booklet to Raquel.
"I hope you can maintain your composure, Gavin," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "Choose whichever dress you like, dear."
Raquel sighed, her eyes darting between the shimmering picture of dresses in the booklet. She felt like a little girl in a candy store, overwhelmed by all the choices. She turned to Jacquelin, who was already seated on the plush couch, sipping from a glass of black tea and flipping through a magazine.
"I don't know what kind of dress to choose," Raquel whispered, her voice filled with indecision.
Jacquelin chuckled and called out to someone who was busy checking some fabric supplies in the room. The person came with a gentle smile on her face.
"Has the blushing bride made her entrance yet?" She inquired with intrigue.
Jacquelin marched up to the counter and addressed the shop assistant with a commanding tone.
"I need your help," she announced. "I'm looking for the perfect dress for my future daughter-in-law, Becca."
Becca looked Raquel up and down, her eyes taking in her outfit from head to toe. "You have a pretty good fashion sense, Miss."
Raquel smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Becca raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Alright, what's your name?"
"Raquel," She replied, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Raquel," Becca repeated, savoring the syllables. "It's a beautiful name."
With a flourish, Becca gestured to Raquel to follow her. "Come with me."
Raquel trailed behind her, her eyes wide with wonder as Becca led her into a room filled with the most glamorous wedding dresses she had ever seen.
The dresses were suspended from the ceiling, their flowing skirts cascading like waterfalls of white. They were made of the finest materials, and their intricate beading and embroidery shimmered like diamonds in the sunlight.
Raquel felt her breath catch in her throat as she walked among them. She felt like a princess in a fairy tale.
"Take your pick," Becca said, smiling. "Try on as many as you like."
"I-I have no idea..." Raquel whispered.
"Do you like something interesting?" Becca glanced at Raquel.
Gavin's interjection was like a thunderclap on a clear day, startling everyone.
"Don't you know that Raquel means 'female lamb'? Why don't you use that motif on our wedding dress?" he said, his eyes flashing with excitement.
Becca chuckled, the sound catching in her throat. "But that's a weird theme," she said, her voice laced with humor. "As far as I know, Raquel means blameless."
Raquel folded her hands over her chest, her brow furrowed like a plowed field. "I don't know," she said slowly, her words weighted with indecision.
Gavin sighed wearily, his shoulders slumping like a deflated balloon. "The most stunning dress," he murmured, his voice laced with longing.
Becca's heart skipped a beat as she approached a statue in the display. The statue wore a white gown adorned with scattered diamonds. The gown was simple yet elegant, but it was the way the diamonds sparkled and twinkled that caught Raquel's eye.
Becca held up a wedding dress that shimmered like a million stars. "This one is $1,000,000, complete with heels and a tiara. Also, a robe embellished with Swarovski diamonds," she explained.
The dress was made of the finest silk and lace, and it was encrusted with thousands of crystals. The heels and tiara were made of matching white gold, and the robe was so soft and luxurious that it looked like it could melt in your hands.
Raquel was a stone statue, her eyes fixed on the display window. Gavin growled, his blue eyes flashing with impatience. He stalked over to the display and examined the dress, his fingers caressing the soft fabric.
Gavin's voice caught in his throat as he held up the dress.
"Do you think this suits her?" he asked. "I mean, my future wife."
"Since you're already a VVIP customer at this boutique, I guess Raquel can try on that dress first," she said, her voice as smooth as honey.
Becca helped Raquel zip up the elegant wedding gown.
"What do you think?" she asked anxiously.
Raquel stepped in front of the three-way mirror, gasping softly as her reflection came into view. The dress was utterly perfect - crisp white satin hugging her curves in all the right places. For a moment, all other worries melted away as she dreamed of her special day.
But then reality set back in. She had hoped Jonas would be by her side for this moment, not Gavin Pavlovna. A small pang of sadness pierced her joy as she recalled their recent problem. Still, seeing herself now, she knew this dress was meant to be.
Raquel's eyes welled with tears as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Her wedding dress was a work of art, with delicate lace and a shimmering train.
"You look absolutely stunning," Becca said. "I understand how you feel. This will be the day when you become a queen for a day."
Jacquelin's eyes lit up with admiration as she approached Raquel, her hands clapping gently together.
"It suits you perfectly," she breathed. "Gavin, look at your future wife. She looks absolutely stunning in that dress."
Gavin commented, ""Look, if any of these options really speak to you, just pick that one. I'm so torn I feel like I'll be stuck here forever contemplating every tiny detail. Let's just decide so we can get out of here, yeah?"
Jacquelin watched her son, Gavin, sit across from her, his face as cold as the winter ice. She sighed.
"Gavin, listen to what your future wife wants, dear," she said gently. "Don't be so rigid."
"Look, Raquel," Jacquelin said with a smile, her eyes lighting up at the colorful array of clothing before her. She carefully sifted through the racks until stopping on a particularly lovely floral print dress. "Doesn't this sweet dress just scream spring?"
"It's very beautiful," Raquel commented nervously, her eyes darting between the two dresses Jacquelin had placed on the table.
"Come on, don't be so awkward, darling. Choose what you want," Jacquelin shook her head, her voice warm and inviting.
Raquel took a deep breath and stepped closer to the table. She reached out and touched the fabric of the first dress, a flowing, emerald green gown that shimmered in the light. The fabric was soft and luxurious, and it felt like butter against her skin.
Gavin snorted, his patience wearing thin. "Raquel, hurry up and choose, let's go pick up Damian."
Raquel stood in the middle of the store, her eyes darting from one dress to another. She was overwhelmed by the selection, but she couldn't seem to find the perfect dress.
"I don't know," she said, sighing. "They're all so pretty."
"Just pick one!" Gavin exclaimed, his voice rising. "We're going to be late."