Gabriela stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her zebra-colored jumpsuit and admiring the way the fabric hugged her curves. She topped off her outfit with a beautiful white flower hat, adding a touch of elegance to her overall look. As she touched up her makeup, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Diana.
Gabriela answered, and the two friends exchanged pleasantries. Diana asked, "Where are you off to, looking so stylish?" Gabriela smiled, "I'm going shopping. By the way, how's Isabella doing?" Diana's expression turned serious. "She's sleeping right now."
Gabriela's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Sleeping? At this time of day? What's going on with her?" Diana leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "To be honest, I've noticed she's been acting strange lately. She's been having late-night calls and texting with some mysterious guy. She's always laughing at midnight, and it's like she's a different person."
Gabriela's face fell, a mix of disappointment and shock etched on her features. "What? Isabella's always been so focused on her reading, movies, shopping and other activities. When did she start getting into this?" Diana shrugged. "I don't know, but it's like she's lost interest in everything else."
Gabriela's jaw clenched, her teeth gritting in determination. "I'll talk to her when the Claudia problem is sorted out. I'll make sure she doesn't get distracted by guys." Diana nodded in agreement, and they reluctantly said their goodbyes as Gabriela had to leave for her shopping trip.
After hanging up, Gabriela couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. She was disturbed by the thought of Isabella's newfound interest in boys and the potential impact it could have on her life. Gabriela's mind whirled with thoughts of how to address the situation, her determination to protect her friend growing stronger with each passing moment.
She was having another mind whirl with Miguel.
"You dream big, Gabriela. And if you want all those dreams to be fulfilled, no boys."
"Boys are a distraction to a girl's success in life, love can come after a girl is successful, and that is true love."
"The girls that are called self-made not made by boys."
"Having a boyfriend at teenage is an hindrance to fulfilling your dreams."
"A boy shouldn't jeopardize the vision for your life."
"A boy can't make you, he can only break you."
"You should be a strong woman, not one that's ruined easily by men."
Those were her dad's words to her.
Words that built her.
On one side, her dad's words.
On the second side, her dreams.
On the third side, Miguel.
The hottest guy in school who she once hated, but he's now making things hard for her.
Let go of her dreams and let Miguel handle her romantically?
Put an end to her infatuation and focus on the future?
Could she balance these sides?
There was another question.
"Do I like him or just admiring?"
"Does he like me the same way or it's gonna be one-sided?"
"I should ask someone about this. Michelle is wiser and more reserved than the two witches I call besties!" Gabriela exclaimed dramatically.
"Gabriela?" Michelle peeked into the room.
"Uh?"
"I'm waiting."
"Oh." Gabriela took the card from her dressing table and left the room.
"Do you have his card?"
"Yaaaasss!!" Gabriela half squealed triumphantly.
Michelle smiled mischievously.
"I know he'd listen to you."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. We're taking your car. Call your driver. Asap!!" Michelle changed the topic.
★★★FLORES MANSION★★★
"Hello. Alejandro Flores. Do not change the name on the company's ownership documents, no matter what."
"Yes sir." He hung up.
"Heck?! Changing the name on my documents? Never. Gabriela Flores is my daughter. And even if it seems like I've forgotten you, my dear wife, the only Mrs. Flores who resides in my heart, I'll fulfill your last wish. Gabriela's big dreams will come true. A billionaire, self-made woman. Not a female who depends on her husband to feed."
As they stepped into the upscale shopping mall, Gabriela and Michelle's eyes widened with excitement. They were ready to indulge in a day of luxury shopping, and they didn't hold back. The first stop was a high-end shoe store, where they picked out designer stilettos that made their feet scream with delight. Next, they hit the bag stores, emerging with boxes containing sleek, expensive handbags that would make any fashionista jealous.
Their next destination was the jeweler, where they went wild, selecting gold and diamond-encrusted necklaces, waist chains, belly chains, and bracelets that sparkled like fireworks. Gabriela's eyes landed on a stunning belly chain, which she immediately thought would look perfect on Michelle. "Girl, you have to get this!" she exclaimed, holding up the chain. Michelle shook her head, laughing. "No way, I don't do belly chains," she said firmly.
Gabriela tried to persuade her, but Michelle stood her ground. "Trust me, it's not my style," she said with a smile. Gabriela shrugged and put the chain back, moving on to the next piece of jewelry.
After what felt like hours of shopping, they finally made their way to the cashier. As the bills were tallied, the cashier's expression remained neutral, but Gabriela and Michelle's faces began to reflect a mix of excitement and apprehension. When the cashier finally announced the total, they exclaimed in unison, "Five hundred and eight thousand dollars?!"
Gabriela's shock was palpable. "There's no way we spent that much," she said, scanning the items as if expecting some to magically disappear. The cashier, however, remained unfazed, insisting that the calculation was correct.
Michelle's eyes darted to Gabriela, her expression a mixture of amusement and concern. "Uh, we went too overboard, I think," she whispered, wondering how Miguel would react to such an astronomical bill. Gabriela reassured the cashier, "It's not that I don't have the money; I'm just shocked." With a deep breath, she handed over the card, and the payment was processed.
As their purchases were loaded into the car, Michelle couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "Girl, what if Miguel freaks out?" she whispered. Gabriela rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I didn't go crazy. It's just a few things." Michelle raised an eyebrow, gesturing to the mounds of shopping bags. "A few things?" Gabriela chuckled. "Okay, maybe more than a few, but I'll handle Miguel." Michelle shook her head, laughing. "You're crazy, but I love you for it."
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"But I'm still scared..."
Damien and Rafael plopped on the sofa next to Miguel, snatching his milkshake and switching off the TV.
"What for, man? Can't I watch a movie alone in peace?"
"When are you going to tell Gabriela the truth?" Damien asked.
"What's the truth?" Miguel looked confused.
"The truth about your feelings."
"Feelings??"
"Oh please! Don't pretend like you don't know what we're talking about, man!" Damien exclaimed.
"Guys. Aren't I allowed to have a close female friend?"
"Say that to our face that she's your 'close female friend'." Damien emphasized on the last three words.
"Miguel, you know you can tell us anything, right? We've been friends since we were kids. And there's nothing we hid from you about ourselves." Rafael spoke to him calmly.
"If you tell us that you like her, we won't laugh or mock you."
Miguel rolled his eyes goodnaturedly.
"I'm not ready to discuss that. Can you please pass me the remote? I was watching something." Rafael and Damien exchanged glances.
~~~~~
Miguel took his phone and the notification he saw made him shake with immense shock and anger.
"What?! How...how...when..." He was speechless. When he heard the main door slamming loudly and the girls' voice, he sped.
"Gabriela! What came over you? Why did you spend five hundred and eight thousand dollars? I mean, how did you spend it?"
Michelle's head was bowed down.
"I....I don't know what you're talking about...I mean, yes I know what you're talking about, but I only bought a few things...so, how is...it...five hundred...and eight...thousand d..dollars? I'm confused too."
"You're confused? No. I should have known. I should have thought about it. I didn't think before giving you my card. I wasn't aware you're such a squanderer. How did your dad make you the heiress if you don't even know about financial management? Have you gone crazy?!" He roared at her.
Gabriela shut her eyes, finding the word to justify her actions.
"If you weren't taught about budget, plan or impulse, then welcome! This is where you'll learn it. I never knew you were so spoiled!"
"Look, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
"Yeah, sorry! There isn't any other word. It's just sorry!" Gabriela yelled back at him. She threw the card at his face and walked away.
Michelle followed her.
"Gabriela, I told you! I knew he'd freak out."
"He should freak to hell for all I care!"
They sat on the bed.
Gabriela's eyes welled up.
"I'm sure you know it's your fault."
Gabriela didn't speak. Angry tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Are you crying?" Gabriela sniffed and wiped her tears with the back of her palm.
"No." She sniffed again. Michelle smiled.
"Gabriela, I don't know of any better apology...but couldn't you have asked your dad if you didn't have much?"
"I should have! But I thought he was...I thought he could...he could just..."
"Plus, I was pissed with Dad about telling Claudia to move in. I couldn't call him."
"How do we make it up to Miguel?"
"I'm not ready to make it up to him," Gabriela snapped.
"I don't care if he forgives me or not. I'd rather stay locked in the room." She sniffed again.
~~~~~~~NIGHTTIME~~~~~~~
Michelle pushed open the door to Miguel's room, the soft creak a gentle announcement of her presence. Miguel, engrossed in his phone, didn't look up, his fingers scrolling through his screen with a speed that belied the tension in his shoulders. Michelle's eyes took in the scene, her heart sinking at the sight of his rigid posture. She walked over to the bed and sat beside him, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight.
"Miguel?" she said softly, her voice a gentle probe into his emotional state.
He finally looked up, his eyes locking onto hers, and Michelle's concern deepened at the turmoil she saw there. "Hey," he said, his voice neutral, but his eyes told a different story.
"Please don't be angry with Gabriela," Michelle pleaded, her hands clasped together in a gesture of supplication. "She's really sorry about what happened."
Miguel's expression didn't change, but a flicker of emotion danced in his eyes. "I'm not angry with her, Michelle," he said, his voice low and measured.
Michelle's eyes widened in surprise. "You're not? But...I thought..."
Miguel sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I was, initially. I said some things I regret, and I wish I could take them back. But the truth is, I realized I overreacted. The words just came out, and I wish I could repair the damage, but...it's not that easy."
He paused, his gaze drifting away from Michelle's. "I needed some space, so I came in here. Being around her right now...it's not something I'm ready for."
Michelle nodded understandingly, her eyes filled with empathy. "I know how you feel," she said softly. "I feel guilty too, we squandered your money."
Miguel's gaze snapped back to hers, a small smile playing on his lips. "You don't have to apologize, Michelle. But...seeing you now...it makes me realize I need to talk to Gabriela. Clear the air."
A resolve hardened in his eyes, and Michelle knew that Miguel had made up his mind. He would go see Gabriela, and Michelle hoped that it would bring some closure to the situation. With a newfound determination, Miguel set his phone aside and stood up, his movements decisive. Michelle watched him, a sense of hope rising in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, things would work out after all.
"Gabriela??" He entered her room. She was reading a novel and when she noticed his presence, she had an unreadable expression, one that hid her ache for him.
"What do you want?" She spoke and he sat next to her on her bed.
"I'm sorry about what happened, Gabriela."
She didn't respond.
"Look at me!" He snatched the novel abruptly. She rolled her eyes.
"I regret any hurt caused. Apologies. I wish I had thought deeply before yelling at you like that."
"You overreacted."
"I know! I know this is not the way a friend should act." He paused but Gabriela was still frowning.
"I feel bad too for what I did. I just...I just suck at apologies..." He smiled.
"Will you smile now or I tickle you?" She blinked in embarrassment.
"Tickle? You wouldn't dare."
~~~~~~
"Michelle, can we talk?"
"I'm tired, Gabriela." Michelle replied in a sleepy tone.
"Please, sit up. It's urgent." Michelle groggily sat up.
"I'm all ears."