âđĨ The Royal Deception
âThe Royal Hotel wasn't just a place; it was a castle of whispers, gilded and gleaming, where deals were sealed and fortunes were forged. Its lobby alone was a ballroom of polished marble and crystal chandeliers that dripped light like frozen rain.
âInside a secluded, private dining areaâa silent, luxurious box paneled in dark cherry woodâGabriella's world was being rearranged.
âFrederick and Roselette sat with Robert and Julie, the two couples a portrait of old money and power. Frederick, in his tailored $10,000 suit, spoke of quarterly profits, while the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the promise of a merger. Robert and Julie smiled, their expressions serene, like people who knew they were winning.
âThe atmosphere was shattered.
âđĨ BANG!
âThe heavy mahogany door to the private room slammed open with the force of a thunderclap. Every head snapped up. The polite conversation died in their throats.
âIn the doorway stood Elisabeth.
âShe wasn't dressed for the gilded cage of the Royal Hotel. She wore a simple white, ribbed crop top and a faded denim mini-skirt, a stark contrast to the formality around her. Her simple attire was a symbol: she was here to cut through the performance. But it was her face that was the true wrecking ball. It was a raw, aching mask of Betrayal. Her beautiful features were pulled tight, her eyes blazing with a mixture of confusion and desperate love.
â"How can you do this to me?" Elisabeth's voice trembled, a thin thread of pain barely holding together her fury. "Are you planning a secret engagement behind my back?"
âFrederick, Gabriella's father, frowned. "What is this, Robert?"
âRobert, ever the smooth operator, held up a hand. "Don't worry, Frederick. Give me a moment."
âRobert moved swiftly, bringing his wife, Julie, to his side. They approached Elisabeth. Julie, whose face was usually a mask of gentle composure, looked steely. With a firm, decisive grasp, she took Elisabeth's arm and, without another word, dragged the protesting girl out of the room. The door shut with a muffled click, leaving an eerie silence behind.
âGabriella's parents were completely clueless. Frederick was utterly confused.
âRoselette, a wave of shock washing over her delicate features, turned to her husband. "What is going on here, Frederick?"
â"Robert told me he had already canceled the engagement between Elisabeth and Jake. I'm just as confused about why she's here," Frederick admitted.
âRoselette shook her head, her deep motherly intuition buzzing. "Something is off. I think... Elisabeth loves Jake too. I saw it in her expressionâhow desperate she is. You can't make a rushed decision. This is our daughter's life, and more than that, I don't want to build her happiness on another girl's pain."
âFrederick softened, taking his wife's hand. "Don't worry, my love. I will talk to them."
âđ The Corridor of Lies
âIn the hushed, deep-carpeted hallway of the Royal Hotel, Robert confronted Elisabeth.
â"How did you know we were here?" Robert's voice was cold, his patience already gone.
âElisabeth scoffed in pure, hot anger. "Do you actually think, Uncle, that I would believe your lies? I'm not a kid anymore! Why did you cancel my engagement with Jake so suddenly?"
âRobert remained icy. "I have already told everything to your parents. Go and ask them."
â"What?" Elisabeth's voice cracked. "You're ignoring me because you found a new girl for Jake? Did you forget you promised me I would be your daughter-in-law? Why did you change?"
â"I don't want drama, Elisabeth. I've already booked a ticket to L.A. You have to go."
âElisabeth's eyes turned red. A single, heavy teardrop escaped and tracked a hot path down her cheek, symbolizing the collapse of her dream.
â"I won't! Jake is only mine!"
âRobert finally snapped. His voice lowered to a dangerous, deadly whisper. "Do you think I don't know what you did to Gabriella yesterday?"
âElisabeth's eyes widened in panic. Does he know that I arranged for street bullies to destroy her?
â"Exactly what you are thinking," Robert stated, watching her every flinch. "I cannot stand for that, Elisabeth."
â"UncleâĻ"
â"If you don't leave, I will expose you. I am still quiet only because I have concern for you. Don't ruin it all. You can leave." Robert walked away, dismissing her completely.
âJulie stepped closer to Elisabeth, her face a straight, unwavering line. "I can't accept a girl like you as my daughter-in-law who would dare to harm another girl. You had better forget my son."
âJulie walked away. Elisabeth slammed her fist against a nearby decorative pillar, a muffled thud of raw rage.
âA few steps down the hall, Julie caught up to Robert. "Why didn't you tell me before? Did Elisabeth really do that?"
âRobert nodded.
â"You made the right decision to cancel the engagement," Julie said, relieved.
âRobert smiledâbut it wasn't a kind, fatherly smile. It was the sharp, cunning grin of a predator. The kind of smile that made your blood run cold.
â"Not only that," Robert said. "Because your son kissed Gabriella in front of everyone, the news spread like wildfire. I need to end that rumor and regain my image. So, I decided to engage Jake with Gabriella."
âJulie didn't reply immediately. Her mind was reeling. "But you said you had a collaboration with Elisabeth's father. Won't canceling the engagement affect our business?"
âRobert chuckledâa dry, emotionless sound. "Do you think I'm a fool? No. Frederick is far more worthy than Elisabeth's father. If I collaborate with his Gabriella Enterprise, we will get more goodwill and profit. AndâĻ he only has one daughter. So, gradually, the whole Gabriella Enterprise will be mine soon."
âHe smiled, a victor's look. Julie was literally shocked by her husband's monstrous move.
âFar away, hidden by a large floral arrangement near the elevators, Gabriella listened to everything.
â"It won't happen. I won't let that happen," she whispered to herself, grinding her teeth in a furious resolve. The love she felt was now a weapon. She walked away, a new plan forming.
âđ The Great Rejection
âBack in the private dining room, Gabriella and her parents sat with Jake. Robert and Julie entered.
âFrederick looked at Robert. "Robert, you said you had canceled Elisabeth's engagement, but what was all that about? Why did she come here?"
âJake, who had been quiet, asked, "Elisabeth came here?" Gabriella barely flinched, listening intently.
âRobert nodded, turning his eyes to Frederick. "Yes, it was a small misunderstanding. Elisabeth loves Jake, so she won't give up, even though I talked to her parents." Robert smoothly transitioned. "But we know, right? My son Jake and your daughter love each other! So that's why, for our children's happiness, I have canceled Elisabeth's engagement. You know marriage should be happy if they both like each other."
âFrederick nodded and smiled, feeling relief. Robert was inwardly smug, Julie gave a thin smile, but Roselette remained slightly uneasy.
âJake looked at Gabriella. She had a straight faceâshe didn't smile. He felt a sudden, sharp confusion.
âThe six sat there, finishing their brunch. Robert was about to talk dates. "Then let's finalize the date for the engagementâĻ"
â"Before that, I have to say something," Gabriella cut in, her voice clear and ringing. "I disagree with this engagement."
âEverybody gasped. Jake was stunned. He hadn't expected this. He stood up. Gabriella stood up too, her posture rigid.
âRoselette hissed in a low voice, "What are you doing? You like him, right?"
â"Don't ask anything, Mom. Please."
âFrederick, trying to salvage the situation, smiled nervously. "I think she doesn't want the engagement too fast. I get it." Robert and Julie smiled, relieved.
âBut Jake just read Gabriella's face.
â"No," Gabriella said, her voice firm. "I mean I don't want to engage with Jake."
âHer eyes glanced at Jakeânot with hate, but with a deep, sorrowful regret.
â"Gabriella, don't kid around," Jake asked, disbelief thick in his tone.
â"I'm not," she said, her expression set in stone.
âShe stormed out of the room.
âFrederick and Roselette followed. "I'll talk to you later, Robert," Frederick called out before they left.
âRobert looked at Julie and Jake. "I've arranged this far, but lookâĻ it's her! It's beyond my control!"
âJake's eyes were cold. "Leave the rest to me," he said. "I will make her agree." He smiled, but it was a knowing, possessive smile. Robert scoffed. Julie watched with worry.
âđ The Highway of Reckoning
âAt the entrance of the Royal Hotel, Gabriella started walking down the street, not waiting for her parents. Her phone rangâshe knew it was them. Instead of answering, she messaged: I need time. Let's talk later.
âShe walked fast. Suddenly, a person grabbed her hand.
âShe spun around. It was Jake, his chest heaving, sweat beading on his forehead from running to catch her. Gabby's eyes softened when she saw him, a momentary flicker of the deep love she still held for him.
â"Why did you do that?" he asked, hesitant. "Don't you like me?"
â"Because," Gabriella said, the softness gone, replaced by a cold fire. "How can I agree to an engagement that is actually making a huge business strategy behind the scenes?"
âJake was confused. "What?"
âShe scoffed in boredom, the ultimate dismissive sound. "Your father is using this engagement as a key to get the whole Gabriella industry! How can I let that happen, huh?"
âJake was genuinely shocked. "What exactly happened?"
âGabriella spoke in a clear, ringing voice. "Listen, Jake. Yes, I'm the only daughter. But that doesn't mean your family can steal our business empire by just my marriage to you. Even if I married you, it would still remain my father's business!"
âShe turned and walked away, her mind made up. She was about to cross the busy highway when a luxurious, black sedan rushed toward her, driving far too fast.
âJake noticed it. His eyes widened in primal fear. He barged forward, shoving himself into the road and spinning Gabriella out of the car's path. In a blink of an eye, he rescued her.
âGabriella's heart was racing high against her ribs. She turned and saw the expensive car. Jake saw it too.
âHe whispered one word: "Elisabeth."
âGabriella's eyes widened, her revenge plan temporarily forgotten in the face of sudden death.
âThe car stopped far away. Inside, Elisabeth was in outrage. She violently punched her car's steering wheel, her breath coming in ragged, desperate gasps. She looked up and saw Gabriella safe in Jake's arms.
âShe whispered, her voice laced with venom and the thrill of the hunt:
â"You have escaped this time, but not the next time. I won't allow you two to be together. Not now. Not ever."
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To be Continued...
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