Gabriela's eyes fluttered open, the blaring alarm piercing through the remnants of her dream like a knife. She lay there, disoriented, as the vivid images of the Sea Witch and the Sea Prince lingered in her mind. The Sea Witch's cackle still echoed in her ears, the Sea Prince's desperation palpable. But as she slowly sat up, the dream gave way to the harsh reality of her own struggles.Her mind wandered back to the events of the previous night. She had left Miguel's house without getting the closure she desperately needed. The uncertainty of his feelings towards her lingered, gnawing at her insides. Her friends' preference for Carissa's company over hers stung, and the knowledge that her sister Daniela would rather go on sleepovers than spend time with her felt like a betrayal.As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, a sharp cramp seized her stomach, making her double over.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she couldn't hold them back. She hadn't planned on crying, but the pain and frustration seemed to have a mind of their own.With a groan, Gabriela tried to stand up, but her legs felt like jelly beneath her. She stumbled, her palms landing hard on the floor as she fell. The room spun around her, and her groans grew fainter.
Summoning every last bit of strength, she began to crawl towards her phone, her belly scraping against the cool floor.Finally, her fingers closed around the phone, and she pulled it towards her. Her hands trembled as she scrolled through her contacts, her eyes blurry with tears. She tried calling Isabella, but the call went unanswered. The silence was deafening, and Gabriela's sobs grew louder, mingling with her whimpers of pain.
"Tell me everything I need to know about you, Gaby. Even when you have cramps." Miguel's voice played in her head, and recalling that literally reduced the intensity of her pain.
A smirk appeared on her lips.
Looking confident and a little wistful, she dialed Miguel's contact and his answer was instant.
Gabriela's excitement seemed to supersede the pain.
"Gabriela. Good morning."
"You mean, bad morning. Is the test today? This morning?"
"Yeah, it is. Why are you asking? Thought you could be a little stupid to establish the truth about how I felt last night?" Gabriela rolled her eyes.
"Don't talk too much. I have cramps."
"Why are you telling me about it?" Miguel feigned a nonchalant attitude.
"You said I should tell you about it. Now you're acting like you never did."
"You should know I was kidding. I don't know how to heal cramps."
"You don't? That's awful. What if your girlfriend has severe cramps and she needs it to stop or she'll die. What are you gonna do then?" Miguel chuckled.
"She should consult medical assistance. I'm not a physician."
"Wow, that sucks. You're not even a boyfriend material."
"Humorous. Why don't you get yourself 'the boyfriend material' and leave me alone? I need to get to school. At least, I don't have cramps."
Gabriela threw the phone aside, frustrated.
She didn't hang up and he could hear her moaning sharply.
Even he had no idea what control her sounds had over him.
"Gosh, is she doing this on purpose?"
She was in so much pain but her cries were undeniably hot to Miguel.
"She has no idea how these sounds make a man feel." He exhaled, bit his lip hard and hung up.
~~~~~~~~
Michelle was heading to the door, increasing her pace to leave before Damien.
Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she held the door knob and Damien greeted, his voice cheerful.
"Good morning, my beautiful chick."
"What's that for?" Michelle asked, her mean expression making Damien's smile waver.
She tried to make herself look calmer.
"Damien, I understand how you feel but...I'm not really comfortable with last night...the kiss...you shouldn't have."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Reasons. Did I smell bad?"
"Not at all. I'm not sure if I feel anything yet. Anything other than being friends with you. You're actually a nice guy and you deserve better."
"You're the best for me, Michelle."
"Why are you saying 'Michelle' that way?"
"In what way? In a sexy way?"
"Something like that..." She avoided his gaze and smiled faintly.
"Michelle, I really like you."
"But, I'm not sure if I do, too." Michelle paused.
"Can you give me time to think about it? Please."
"Okay, great. Two weeks. That should be enough time, right?" Michelle nodded.
"Two weeks." She sighed.
~~~~~~
Gabriela woke up in a relaxed mood.
Things weren't as chaotic as they were, previously.
The underwater world was peaceful and the Sea witch was enraged.
The sight before her made her scream.
"Miguel?!" He was sitting in front of her, his eyes on his phone with a bored expression.
His eyes left his phone screen, giving her a knowing gaze.
"Miguel, what are you doing here? How did I even fall asleep?"
"I saw you asleep on the ground and helped. I decided to watch over you so it wouldn't strike when I was gone." Gabriela sat up, still confused.
"Then...wha...what about the test? Did...did you miss it?" Miguel nodded.
"Yeah." Her eyes widened.
"But why?" He didn't respond.
"I got you a heating pad." He unboxed the pain relief heat before her and she was amused.
She spent millions on looking beautiful and never thought of purchasing a solution to her regular cramps.
She smiled.
"Its my favorite color."
"Are you going to use this or go on about your favorite color?"
"I - I don't know how to use it."
"Am I going to teach you this? Do I have to explain everything?"
"Yes. That's because someday, your girlfriend's gonna be in this condition." Miguel's eyes widened.
"Woah. Learning to take care of a girl child can be seriously cringe."
"Ow! Do this, would you?" She exclaimed.
Miguel took the heating pad and leaned over. Gabriela closed her eyes, being dramatic.
"Why are you closing your eyes?" It felt awkward when he noticed.
"Miguel, shut up." He shook his head and retreated.
"May I?" He touched the hem of her top and she nodded, lying down.
He pulled up the top a little, revealing her lower abdomen. Gabriela felt her heart leap when he unbuttoned her jean short.
"What are you doing?"
"Stay quiet." He went to the other side of the room and fetched a towel, placing it gently on her skin before applying the warm pad, around her waist.
She felt weird at first by the vibration but felt comfortable afterwards.
The heating pad stayed on for fifteen minutes while Gabriela went on and on about how special the color green was.
He finally took it off and she feigned a sad childlike expression.
"I wish I could fall asleep with it."
"You know you can't."
He placed the sheets on her gently.
"What for?"
"Get some more sleep. I'm here." He replied and sat.
She smiled in satisfaction.
She felt safe - the best cramp day she ever had since she took on her menstrual journey.
~~~~~
Gabriela sat in her office, staring blankly at the stack of papers in front of her. Her mind kept drifting back to the Commerce test she had missed that morning.
She didn't know how she was going to face the Professor tomorrow, especially with the looming question of why she was absent.
Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Michelle. Gabriela's face lit up as she answered, and the two friends spent the next hour chatting and laughing. Michelle's infectious laughter and silly jokes momentarily pushed aside Gabriela's worries.
"That reminds me, Damien...he kissed me last night." Gabriela's eyes were about to pop out of its socket, her heart already dancing.
"OMG, are you serious?"
"Yeah."
"Wait, did he kiss you or you both kissed?"
"They are two different things, Gabriela. Don't be silly. The bombshell is, he wants me to think about...giving him a chance in just two weeks. How am I supposed to go about that?" Michelle's confused look made Gabriela chuckle.
"You can. I can't help but ask Aunt Cariah. She's like...a love doctor." Michelle chuckled, embarrassed.
"You met Aunt Cariah. She never really liked me, but she loved to know that Miguel and I are on good terms now."
"I won't ask Aunt Cariah. If Damien is that desperate, he'll make me fall for him in two weeks." Gabriela raised a brow.
"Wow. Good thought."
"So tell me, how did his lips taste?" Gabriela sounded teasing to make her blush but she was baffled at Michelle's neutral expression.
"I don't know." She feigned ignorance.
"By the way, what's Miguel's favorite color?" Gabriela's voice was inquisitive.
"Green. Didn't he ever tell you?" Gabriela was overjoyed like a teen who made her first million.
She tried not to look excited.
"Um...he never mentioned it. I thought it was red. He looks good in red."
When Michelle dropped the call, Gabriela's phone rang again, this time with Isabella's name flashing on the screen. Gabriela's tone changed instantly, her voice laced with anger and hurt.
"Where were you this morning when I needed you?" she demanded, her words spilling out in a rush. Isabella listened patiently, apologizing profusely as Gabriela vented about feeling neglected and forgotten in favor of Carissa.In the background, Gabriela could hear Diana and Carissa trying to intervene, their voices muffled but conciliatory.
Isabella's sincerity eventually won Gabriela over, and she accepted their apology. Just as Isabella asked about her cramps, Gabriela heard a knock on the door and hastily ended the call, promising to talk later.
"Come in," she called out, her eyes fixed on the door as it swung open. Sana, one of the workers, stood in the doorway, looking slightly flustered.
"Miss. Gabriela, I'm so sorry to interrupt. A company called Dean and Co. specifically asked to meet with you. They sent these flowers."
Sana handed Gabriela a bouquet of white roses, and as Gabriela took them, her fingers brushed against a small note tucked among the petals. Unfurling it, she found an address scribbled on it, along with a time - 9 pm - and a mention of a contract signing.
"Why do they want to meet so late?" Gabriela wondered aloud, her brow furrowed. She asked Sana to leave and then dialed Alejandro.
When he answered, she briefed him about the meeting."Meet them at 9 pm, Gabriela," her father's voice was firm.
"This is an opportunity for you to prove yourself."Gabriela hesitated, feeling a flutter of uncertainty. She texted her dad the address, hoping he would reconsider coming with her.
But his response was immediate - "You're on your own, kiddo. Time to prove you're self-made."A shiver ran down her spine as she looked at the clock.
Less than an hour left.
~~~~
"Do you have her?" Claudia asked Jennie, sounding impatient.
"Yes dear. Did Sana report back?"
"She did. Gabriela will be there soon."
"Come here before 9pm, Claudia. You'll handle things."
"Really? Won't you even help out at all?"
"What about helping you abduct her sister? That was such a fucking big task. Don't be ungrateful."