Chapter 9
盘米69%!
As soon as Serena slid into the car, she felt the icy tension emanating from Gabriel beside her. It was sharper than the car’s air conditioning.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Harrington, Serena said brightly, attempting a cheerful smile.
Gabriel glanced at her indifferently and wordlessly placed his phone in front of her. On the screen was their WhatsApp chat.
“Did you block me?” His dark eyes narrowed, filled with displeasure.
“You–you blocked me first, Serena stammered, caught off guard by his sudden accusation.
It was true; he had blocked her first. She had only blocked him fack to vent her frustration.
She didn’t see why she needed to keep him in her contacts:
“Undo 11, now, he ordered.
Serena hesitated, reluctant.
“We don’t really need to talk Do we have to add each other back?“s! sked.
Gabriel pocketed his phone and said coolly, “I helped you last time, remember? You haven’t paid me back.”
Reluctantly, Serena sighed and restored him on WhatsApp.
She was dressed in her usual simple outfit: wide–leg pants and T–shirt. Her long hair was tied up in a bun, with a few loose strands framing her smooth forehead.
The car windows were closed, and soon, a faint, sweet fragrance from her began to fill the air.
Gabriel’s gaze shifted back to her.
“Who was that guy talking to you at the campus gate?” asked Gabriel.
Serena looked surprised. “A classmate. Same year as me. He’s in the finance department.”
“Was he hitting on you?” he asked.
Serena stiffened. “He asked me out.”
Gabriel went quiet for a moment. Just when she thought the topic had passed, he spoke again. “Do you like him? You seemed to enjoy chatting with him.”
“I don’t dislike him, Serena answered simply.
Gabriel said nothing more. He closed his eyes, and the car lapsed into silence.
Half an hour later, Serena followed Gabriel into Pashew Central Hospital..
A young nurse approached them, assuming they were there for premarital health screening.
“Congratulations! Everything looks good. Here are your results, he said, handing Serena the forms.
Serena scanned the results, her expression freezing when the nuise added. “If you’re planning to have a baby, Miss Murry, you will need to work on her health a bit–slight anemia.”
1/4
|||
14:25 Tue Dec 24
Chapter 9
Serena glanced at Gabriel, who stood a little further away, seemgly uninterested.
We’re
She quickly stammered. “We’re not… we’re not here for a marriage check–up”
The nurse looked at Gabriel again, trying to hide her amusement. “Oh, are you two just starting to date? A lot of young couples nowadays do health check–ups before officially staying together?”
69
Lowering her voice, she added with a knowing smile, “It’s good in prioritize health and, you know, intimacy. No need to feel embarrassed”
Serena’s cheeks turned crimson.
The nurse leaned in closer. “Your boyfriend’s in great health, but your body’s a bit frail. You should be careful not to overdo
Outside, at the hospital entrance, Gabriel’s driver, Darren, gestured toward their car. “Miss Murry, it’s a short trip. Let us give you a ride.
Serena shook her head. “No need. I’ll just grab a shared bike.”
Gabriel’s lips curved faintly, his tone distant but teasing. “Blushing after a simple check–up. What exactly are you thinking.
Serena?”
“It was stifling in there,” she muttered, avoiding his gaze.
She hurried off to unlock a shared bike.
In the car. Darren glanced at Gabriel. “Mr. Harrington, your family doctor could have handled this check–up. Did you specifically choose a public hospital for Miss Murry’s sake!”
Gabriel only replied, “My doctor’s results might have raised her suspicions. This was simpler.”
Darren chuckled. “Always meticulous, Mr. Harrington. But… Mr Chase Moore seems to have taken a liking to Miss Murry. That was a surprise.”
Gabriel snorted, “It’s one–sided, Serena isn’t interested in him”
Gabriel recalled the earlier incident, Chase was at the Harrington’s home for lunch today. So Gabriel have Chase a ride to the school after lunch.
During the trip, Chase wouldn’t stop talking about a girl he had admired for two years–how beautiful she was, how her smile was like sunshine.
The chatter had grated on Gabriel’s nerves, and he had nearly kicked Chase out of the car.
When they arrived at the school, however, and he saw Chase hovering around Serena, everything clicked. The girl Chase couldn’t stop raving about was her.
Serena was moving out of her dorm. She had found an affordable place near Stella Learning.
When she returned that evening to pack, Amiya wasn’t around, so she sent her a message.
Serena didn’t have much–everything fit into a small suitcase. She decided to leave her bedding for tomorrow.
The new apartment was in a rough neighborhood, a little rundown, but Serena didn’t mind.
She thought about the shared kitchen, where she could cook some sandwiches and avoid tacos for a
a while. Cooking for
2/4
14:26 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 9.
herself would cost her less op meals.
That night, as she lay in bed, her new roommate came home and started arguing loudly with her boyfriend. Their shouting echoed through the small space, keeping Serena wide awake.
Unable to sleep, she stared at the ceiling and let her thoughts water.
She thought about her brother, wondering when he might wake up. She thought about how long it would take to save enough money to return to school.
And then she thought about her parents, who had been missing for years. Will they ever come back? Will we ever sit down to eat together again like we used to?
Tears rolled silently down her cheeks. She tried to stop thinking but couldn’t shake the reminder that she still owed Gabriel
a favor.
Picking up her phone, she typed a quick message on WhatsApp
Serena: [Mr. Harrington, I’m pretty good at drawing. If you ever need anything in that area, feel free to ask. I still owe you a favor.]
It was late–nearly two in the morning–so she didn’t expect a resp
ss than a minute later, her phone buzzed.
Gabriel: (Where are you?]
Serena: [At my new place.]
After that, there was no reply. She stared at the screen for a moment longer before typing again.
Serena: [Are you coming over?]
The message went unanswered. Outside, the noise from her roommate and her boyfriend finally died down. Closing her eyes, Serena tried to drift off to sleep.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep when her phone vibrated with an incoming call. The number was unfamiliar.
“Hello?” she said groggily.
“Come down,” a familiar voice replied.
Serena blinked in confusion. Walking to the window, she peered down to see a sleek Rolls–Royce Phantom parked incongruously on the street.
“Gabriel?” she asked, her voice hesitant..
“Come down. I’m in the car waiting for you,” he said. His tone wasn’t as cold as usual; it sounded almost gentle.
Serena threw a thin jacket over her nightgown and hurried downstairs.
The driver opened the car door for her, gesturing for her to get in. She hesitated for a moment before leaning inside.
The faint scent of alcohol wafied toward her. Gabriel was seated with one arm propped on the window frame, rubbing his temple.
“Did you drink? Serena asked softly.
“Business meeting. Had a few, Gabriel replied, his voice low and slightly strained
Serena leaned closer to check on him, her brows furrowing. His expression was tight with discomfort.
3/4
14:26 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 9
“If you have got a headache, J can help with a massage, she offered.
Back when Jonathan had just become comatose, Serena had learned various massage techniques
Gabriel glanced at her, his eyes half–lidded but focused. After a beat, he straightened slightly, leaning toward her.
He was nearly a head taller than her even while sitting. Serena hail to kneel on the seat to reach him properly.
She placed her hands on his temples, her fingers working in steady, deliberate circles.
Her small hands applied just the right amount of pressure.
Gabriel closed his eyes, his sharp features gradually relaxing as die tension eased from his face.
“Why aren’t you staying in the dorms?” he asked, his voice quieter now.
“I took a break from school, so I moved out, Serena replied, her hands continuing their work.
Her voice sent tingles on his skull.
“A break?” Gabriel tilted his head slightly, giving her better access
“I couldn’t afford the tuition for now, so I had to pause my studies
Gabriel’s lips pressed into a thin line. That night you reached out to m
Serena froze for a moment before resuming her movements.
ave enough, I’ll go back,” she said, biting her lips.
as it for the tuition”
“It wasn’t just for tuition… there are other reasons,” she said softly, her tone guarded.
Gabriel seemed to sense her reluctance to elaborate. He didn’t push her for more.
The car grew silent except for the steady rhythm of their breathing
Serena was so focused on the massage that she didn’t notice the occasional brush of her chest against Gabriels ear as she adjusted her position.
His voice broke the stillness, rough and low. “You’re not wearing again?”
SEND GIFT
COMMENT
14:26 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
