Raquel's eyes darted across the menu, searching for the perfect dish to satisfy her hunger. She had been craving something rich and decadent, something that would melt in her mouth like a symphony of flavors. But with so many options to choose from, she was feeling overwhelmed.
Gavin's voice pierced through her thoughts, breaking her concentration.
"What would you like to eat?"
Raquel glanced up at him, her eyes flashing with irritation.
"I don't know yet," she snapped. "Can't you give me a minute?"
"Should I wait for hours for you to make a decision for your dinner?" Gavin asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Umm, ravioli pasta, I guess," Raquel said with a shrug, drumming her fingernails on the laminated menu.
Gavin's eyes darted between the book menu and Raquel, his expression unreadable. Finally, he turned to her, his gaze as sharp as a knife.
"And what would you like to drink?" he asked, his voice cold and clipped.
Raquel folded her hands tightly, lips pressing into a thin line.
"I'm not sure, but I definitely want something chocolate-flavored," she said evenly.
Gavin's impatience simmered like a cauldron of boiling water. "Stop beating around the bush and just tell me what you want to drink!"
"Nuttela latte?" the five-year-old boy interjected.
Raquel glanced at him for a moment and then commented, "Sounds good."
Gavin's sigh heaved out like a weight off his shoulders, his hand shooting up like a traffic sign to summon the waiter. The waiter, as if on cue, appeared at their table with the alacrity of a hummingbird.
Raquel's eyes darted to Damian, who was seated across from them. His face was as handsome as a Greek god's, but his features bore little resemblance to Gavin's.
Damian's hair was a vibrant reddish-brown, a far cry from Gavin's golden mane. It was unusual for a son to look so much like his mother, but Damian was the spitting image of Gavin's ex-wife. His eyes were the same deep blue, and his nose had the same delicate curve. Even the way he smiled was identical.
Damian's big, curious eyes darted to Raquel, his head tilted to the side.
"So, Auntie is Dad's friend?" he asked.
Raquel felt a bead of sweat trickle down her back. She scratched her neck, even though it didn't itch.
"You could say that," she replied, her voice tight.
Damian's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at his father, Gavin.
"But Dad rarely has female friends," he said, his voice tinged with confusion.
Gavin leaned closer to Damian's ear, his lips brushing against Damian's soft skin. Damian held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. Gavin whispered something in his ear, and Damian's eyes widened in surprise. A smile spread across his face, and he couldn't help but giggle.
Raquel's phone buzzed relentlessly, like a swarm of angry bees taunting her. She glanced at the screen, her heart sinking at the sight of Nina's name followed by a triple-digit number in bold. Jonas had also sent her a few messages, but their urgency was eclipsed by the sheer volume of Nina's.
Gavin's jaw clenched as he snatched Raquel's phone from her hand. His eyes flashed with anger as he glared at her.
"Put your phone away if you're with me," he growled.
Raquel's lips curled into a snarl as she glared back at him.
"You have no right to do that at all," she replied fiercely.
Gavin's eyes narrowed into icy slits, as piercing as shards of glass. His gaze bore down on Raquel like a heavy weight, threatening to crush her. His lips curled into a cruel sneer, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
Raquel felt a shiver run down her spine. She had never seen Gavin so angry before. It was as if he were a different person entirely.
"Is that so?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.
Raquel swallowed hard. She knew that Gavin was capable of great violence. He just like psycho.
Raquel's voice was like a whip as she said, "Don't try to control me."
Damian watched Raquel and Gavin eat in silence, his eyes darting between them like a ping pong ball. The only sound was the clinking of silverware against plates.
Raquel's appetite was ravenous, her fork shoveling food into her mouth like a machine. Her eyes were focused on her plate, her expression blank.
Gavin, on the other hand, ate slowly and deliberately. He cut his food into small pieces and savored each bite. His eyes met Damian's briefly, but then he looked away.
Damian felt like a third wheel, intruding on a private moment. He wanted to say something, to break the silence, but he didn't know what to say.
The tension in the room was thick, like a heavy fog. Damian felt like he was suffocating. He wanted to get up and leave, but he couldn't. He was drawn to Raquel and Gavin like a moth to a flame.
The meal concluded, and they swiftly departed the restaurant, making their way back to the car.
The clinking of silverware and laughter faded away as Raquel and Gavin exited the restaurant. They stepped out into the cool night air, the moon casting a silvery glow over the empty street.
The direction Gavin's car seemed to be taking appeared to be towards Emma's house, bringing a sense of relief to Raquel. At last, she would also be transported home.
Gavin's car glided through the quiet streets, its headlights slicing through the darkness like twin knives. Raquel watched as the familiar landmarks whizzed by outside her window. Her heart swelled with relief as she realized that they were heading towards Emma's house.
Raquel glanced out the window, spotting Damian climbing into another vehicle once more. As usual, his loyal butler followed close behind to attend to his needs. Meanwhile, an uncomfortable silence fell over the car where Gavin and Raquel sat side by side. Between them, a tense atmosphere grew, leaving both lost for what to say in the awkward moment.
Gavin's hand hovered over the ignition, ready to start the car. Suddenly, a blur of motion caught his eye. Damian was sprinting towards them, his face flushed and his eyes wide with excitement. He was followed closely by a butler.
Raquel rolled down her window, revealing her elegant and poised features. "Damian, why are you—"
Without a word, Damian withdrew a small plastic case from his pocket, opened the clasp and revealed a perfectly sculpted miniature brown cat no bigger than his palm. Raquel's brow furrowed as she peered down at the detailed figurine, its painted green eyes peering back up at her inquisitively. Before she could inquire further, Damian gently placed the cat in her hand and back to his car.
"That's his favorite figurine," Gavin commented as he drove the car.
She held the figurine in her trembling hands, her heart pounding in her chest. "Um... if this is his favorite figurine, why did Damian give it to me?"
"Maybe he likes you."
Raquel's heart pounded in her chest like a trapped hummingbird as the car rolled to a stop in front of Emma's house. She bolted out of the door without waiting for Gavin to open it for her, leaving him standing on the sidewalk, his hand outstretched in a futile gesture of chivalry.
"Thank you for the ride," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Gavin leaned against his car, his arms crossed over his chest. He watched her walk away, his expression unreadable.
"I'm sure you're also opposed to this arranged marriage," he said, his voice carrying through the night air.
Raquel fidgetted with her fingers, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to tell Gavin, but she was terrified of his reaction.
"I love someone else," she finally blurted out. "And he might find out about this arranged marriage."
Gavin's eyes narrowed.
"Do you love that snotty brat so much?" he sneered.
Raquel's eyes welled up with tears.
"His name is Jonas," she corrected. "And he's not a snotty brat."
Gavin smirked, his sharp teeth gleaming like daggers in the moonlight.
"Whatever, but you couldn't even persuade your dad to find another alliance that could inject funds into your company, right?"
Raquel's eyes narrowed to slits and her lips curled back in a snarl as she spat out, "You're taking advantage of the chaos in my family!"
"Yayaya... whatever your clear accusations are, the business marriage will continue. It doesn't matter who you love or who loves you." Gavin shrugged and walked away, leaving Raquel drowning in a sea of despair.
***
A week later, on Raquel and Gavin's wedding day, she couldn't stop crying. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her mascara ran like rivers down her cheeks.
The MUA sighed and shook her head. "Raquel, honey, you need to stop crying. Your makeup is going to run."
Emma, standing near Raquel, watched as her niece's face crumpled in despair. Without hesitation, she swooped in and enveloped Raquel in a warm hug, her arms like a gentle cocoon.
"Raquel," Emma murmured soothingly, her voice a balm to her friend's wounded soul. "Calm down, my dear. Everything will be okay."
Raquel's heart sank like a lead weight as she shook her head.
"This is really difficult, Aunty. I'm going to marry someone I don't love at all."
Her voice was as empty as a dried-up lake, and her eyes were as dull as the sky on a cloudy day.
Emma brushed Raquel's hair back from her tear-stained face. "Everything will be fine, sweetheart. Don't let Jonas find out about this, okay?"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.
"I won't," she whispered. "But I'm so scared, Emma. What if he finds out? What will he do?"
Emma's arms wrapped around Raquel's shoulders, pulling her close.
"I won't let him leave you," she whispered. "Don't worry."
Raquel's eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks stained with tears. Her sadness was a storm cloud that hung over her head, threatening to rain down at any moment.
Emma squeezed Raquel's arm reassuringly. "All the guests have arrived," she said gently. "Let's go out there and show them how happy we are."
Raquel took a deep breath and tried to smile. She knew that Emma was right. She couldn't let her sadness ruin her business wedding day.
As Marvin entered the room, his breath caught in his throat. His daughter, in her wedding gown, looked like a radiant angel.
"You look absolutely breathtaking in your white dress, my dear. Time has flown by - it feels like only yesterday I was holding you, a tiny bundle in my arms. Now here you are, walking towards your future husband on our joined arms. I'm filled with love and pride watching you start this new chapter of your life. You've become a strong, caring woman and I know you will find happiness together."Marvin's eyes welled up with tears as he shuffled towards Raquel, his shoulders hunched and his head bowed.
Gently, Emma placed the lacy white veil on Raquel's platinum blond locks, smoothing out any wrinkles with a maternal touch. "We must stand now, my dear - the ceremony awaits!"
The wedding ceremony was a whisper in a cathedral, a secret shared between two hearts and their closest loved ones. Gavin and Raquel had agreed on a simple and intimate affair, with only immediate family and a few close friends present. Pablo, Gavin's dad, found this strange. He wanted a big, boisterous wedding, with all the bells and whistles. But Emma, Raquel's aunt and lawyer, gently reminded him that a widespread announcement of their marriage could potentially affect Raquel's thesis grade in the future.
Emma argued that she didn't want her niece to fail in her thesis because everyone knew that Raquel was the daughter-in-law of a notorious and ruthless Mafia CEO.
Raquel's heart pounded like a drum in her chest as she walked down the aisle, her hand tightly clasped in Marvin's. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the sea of smiling faces turned towards her, all eager to witness her union with Gavin.
Raquel and Gavin stood at the front of the altar, their hands clasped together. The priest began his prayer, and Raquel felt her tears welling up in her eyes. She was filled with a mixture of emotions.
Nina, a bridesmaid in a flowing dress the color of the summer sky, dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she watched Raquel weep tears that sparkled like diamonds in the morning sun. After the blessing ceremony, a tiny flower girl with rosy cheeks like blushing roses and a mischievous grin approached, her delicate fingers clutching the sparkling wedding rings, which gleamed like stars in the night sky.
Pablo and Jacquelin's joy shone brighter than the setting sun as Gavin and Raquel's love blossomed in the twilight. But Raquel's heart fluttered like a nervous bird in her chest, her nails drumming a restless rhythm against her lap.
Raquel's head lolled to the side, her eyes drooping like wilted flowers.
"Do you want some water?" Nina asked softly.
"Girl, you know I got you," Nina said, gripping Raquel's hand tight. "Ain't nobody gonna find out the truth about you and Gavin, you feel me? I ain't tryna see you catch no trouble with these fools on the block."
Raquel's body slumped in Nina's arms like a wilted flower, her eyes closed and her face pale. Nina let out a piercing scream, and Emily rushed over, her heart pounding in her chest.
"What happened to Raquel?" Emily worriedly asked about her daughter's condition.
"I'm not sure, Aunt," Nina said with a worried frown. "She seemed exhausted all day. Do you think we should call an ambulance?"
Before the aunt could reply, a whoosh of air announced a new presence. Gavin had slipped into the room like a shadow, as quiet as his name implied.
"I've got her," he said in a low voice, already sweeping Raquel into his sturdy arms. Her small form looked frail against his broad chest. "You ladies stay here. I'll carry her to the car, we don't have time to wait."
With that, he exited as swiftly as he'd come, cradling the unconscious Raquel.
He carried her to the car and drove off, with Nina following closely behind, filled with worry. Emma and Emily also trailed behind them, concerned for Raquel's well-being. Meanwhile, Pablo and Marvin continued their discussion about their business matters with Jacquelin.
***
"Doctor, please, how is my daughter?" Emily cried, clutching Raquel's hand like a lifeline as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"She seems physically drained," the doctor observed, examining her vitals. "Is she getting enough rest with her busy schedule? Nutrition is also important - has she been eating regularly?"
Emma nodded. "She does take on a lot."
"That's likely taking its toll then," the doctor replied. "When the body becomes run down, even minor stressors can trigger situations like fainting. The good news is with some rest and balancing her workload, she should start to feel better soon. But I'd recommend taking it easy for a few days just to be safe."
She gave a reassuring smile. "Women are strong, but we all have our limits. A little self-care goes a long way. Try not to worry too much - she's in good hands and I expect a full recovery."
"Doctor, please tell me she's going to be okay. Is there anything we can do to help her recover?" Nina asked, the panic clear in her voice as she feared for Raquel's health and future.
The doctor turned, shrugging slightly. "She just fainted because she didn't eat all day," he explained to the others present. "As long as she eats properly after waking up, she shouldn't experience any serious issues."
"But what if she has a fever or gets sick?" Nina pressed.
"She'll be alright, miss," the doctor reassured Nina. "As long as she gets some nutrition after waking, there's no cause for concern about fever or other illness developing from the fainting episode alone."
"Alright. Maybe she didn't eat because she was so nervous. This is the most important day for her," Jacquelin suggested thoughtfully.
Just then, Jacquelin entered Raquel's room to check on her condition. "I hope she doesn't experience any other complications," Jacquelin said worriedly to the doctor.
"She'll be alright, Ma. No need to fret," Gavin said calmly. He'd been quietly listening to their talk, watching Mom pace back and forth wringing her hands. Finally he spoke up, hoping to ease her worries.
"But Gavin, she's so—" Mom began twisting her tissue in her hands, brows furrowed with concern.
Gavin gently took her arm, stilling her anxious movements. "I know you're scared. But she's tough, and the doc said she'll pull through. Why don't you sit for a spell, try to relax. She's restin' now, so you should too."
"Her skin is white as death, Gavin. She looks barely alive, like a corpse waiting to rise. What will you tell everyone when we leave her here alone and she begins seizing?"
Nina snapped, worry weighing heavy in her tone.
Gavin sighed impatiently. "Don't be dramatic. A few minutes rest is all she needs."
"You know nothing about her." Nina folded her arm before her chest.
Gavin's eyes roamed the room like a bored cat, his expression dismissive. "What's all the fuss about? She's just fainted from hunger and exhaustion."
Emma glanced worriedly at Nina. "My dear, shall I call your driver to take you home?" she asked gently.
Nina shook her head slowly. "Thank you aunt, but I intend to accompanying Raquel safely."
"Accompany her? Why bother?" Gavin interrupted, his voice rising in anger. "She already has a husband, young lady!"
"You don't understand anything about Raquel," Nina snapped.
Emma tenderly held Nina's icy hands in her own, the chill reminding her of the late hour.
"Come dear, let's head home before night falls," she urged gently yet firmly. Nina, exhausted from the day's stresses, nodded gratefully.
Across the mansion's ostentatious foyer, Emily bid farewell to the family doctor with polite smiles and curtsies. Jacquelin followed, escorting the man to the ornate mahogany doors.
"Please send our regards to your wife. Safe travels to you!" Jacquelin called as he departed down the ivory steps.
Meanwhile, in the west library where Gavin reviewed letters by the fire, a shadow stirred in the moonlit archway.
"Daddy," came a familiar voice, smooth as silk. He looked up to see Damian emerging from the gloom, opening his arms wide in welcome. Gavin rose with a smile, slipping into the warm embrace of his dear son, finding solace at long last.
"Dad, may we travel across the sea to the dazzling City of Light for Yuletide merriment?" Damian inquired with a gleam of hope in his eye, having spent hours pouring over photographs of the romantic streets and towering architecture of Paris in his textbooks.
Gavin knelt down in front of his 5-year-old son, who was staring sadly. Gavin remembered the past two Christmases, where work commitments had pulled him away from family celebrations at the last minute. He saw the disappointment in Damian's eyes both times, and now recognized the same hollow look as his son hoped that they'll go in a perfect christmas, likely worried history would repeat.
"Darling, Damian," Gavin said, his voice soft and soothing. "I'm trying my best so that we can go to Paris, two days before Christmas. Can you calm down a little?"
Damian looked at Gavin, his eyes sparkling like stars. "I'm so excited, Daddy! I can't believe we're going to Paris! I've always dreamed of visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. We're going on christmas vacation like perfect family!"
Gavin smiled and gently stroked Damian's hair. "I know, sweetheart. I'm excited too. But we still have a few weeks to wait, so why don't you try to relax a little? You don't want to burn yourself out before we even get there."