Chapter 7

▫️Stella’s POV...

I walked back to Jess’s apartment, my head heavy with thoughts. Tears blurred my vision as the weight of everything settled in my chest. My heart ached, not just from my mother’s words but from the life I’d been living. Why was life always testing me? Why did it always seem to show me the worst when I least expected it?

When I was little, I wasn’t the unwanted child. My mother used to show me off to everyone—her pretty little daughter, her pride. But that pride disappeared the moment I failed to get into the university she wanted. I didn’t choose the career she dreamed of for me, didn’t earn the digits she wanted to boast about. I became nothing more than a disappointment in her eyes.

And now, after three years of silence, she calls me. Not to ask how I’m doing. Not to see if I’m okay. But to parade me around for her precious image.

Jess opened the door before I could knock twice. Her eyes scanned me.

"Stella?" she said, stepping aside to let me in. "What happened? You look awful."

The moment I stepped inside, my composure broke.  I hugged her tightly, sobbing into her shoulder.

I cried. “It’s too much cruel of my mother. She always treats me like my existence didn't even matter to her. My home my own parents felt so distant to me. Even Christian’s house didn’t feel as distant as this.”

Jess pulled back, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Christian? Who’s Christian?”

Taking a shaky breath, I told her everything—from Christian to my mother’s call and Gabriel. When I finished, Jess shook her head in disbelief.

She held my hands and said firmly, “It’s going to be okay. Everything will get better.”

She paused, her gaze softening. "And about Gabriel... Maybe you should meet him. Not because your mother says so, but because he was kind to you. If you like him, you could give it a chance. You deserve happiness."

Her words made sense, and I nodded hesitantly. Maybe meeting him wouldn’t be the worst idea.

The next day, I woke up feeling lighter, though a little nervous. I checked my phone after a shower, only to see a message from an unknown number.

Hi, this is Gabriel. I heard you’re in NYC too. Would you like to meet up?

After some coaxing from Jess, I agreed. He sent the location, and Jess helped me pick out an outfit—a simple frock that looked cute but was comfortable with sneakers.

When I arrived at the restaurant, Gabriel was already waiting. He waved at me, a warm smile lighting up his handsome face. As I approached, he pulled out the chair for me.

"Stella," he said, his voice calm and charming, "It’s good to see you. You look beautiful. You made my day girl."

I smiled lightly. "Flattery already? You don’t waste time, do you?"

"Not when I’ve got someone worth impressing," he shot back smoothly.

I chuckled, "You’ve got quite the confidence, Gabriel."

"Comes with the job," he teased. "But tell me, have you written anything new lately? Or are you saving all the drama for real life?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Depends—are you volunteering to be part of the drama?"

"May be yes, so, Ms. Writer, when am I going to be the hero in one of your stories?" he teased, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

I rolled my eyes, grinning. "Oh, please. You think you’re hero material? Heroes don’t flirt with everyone they meet."

Gabriel gasped in mock offense, clutching his chest. "Ouch! That’s a low blow. I’ll have you know, I save my best flirting for you."

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. "Well, aren’t I lucky then?"

He looked in my eyes and said,  "You are, actually. But not as lucky as me."

His words caught me off guard, and I looked away, feeling the warmth rush to my cheeks. "You’re too smooth, Gabriel. It’s not fair."

He chuckled, leaning closer. "Fair or not, Stella, I just want you to know… I mean it."

My breath hitched at the sincerity in his voice. Before I could respond, he reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"See?" he said with a playful grin, breaking the moment just enough. "Hero material. Told you."

I laughed, pushing his arm lightly. "Okay, okay. Maybe you’ve got a shot."

"That’s all I ask," he said, his eyes twinkling as we continued talking.

We talked for hours. He is funny, attentive, and, to my surprise, a little flirty.

“I'm not good in twisting talks so I would be frank, Would you be open to going on a few dates to see how we feel?” He said while smiling.

His honesty caught me off guard, but I appreciated it. He was kind, respectful, and nothing like the people who had hurt me. So, I nodded. “Yeah, let’s give it a try.”

He smiled, a real, genuine smile that made me feel warm inside.

---

▫️Christian’s POV...

Four days.

It had been four days since Stella left. Not that I was counting or anything. I didn’t want her involved in any of this, but of course, Dad had to ruin everything.

"You need to bring Stella to the party," he’d said over the phone. "People are talking insane about you. Do you know how bad it looks when there are rumors about you being gay? My son being g..."

"Dad, why the hell does anyone care if I’m straight or not?"I said irritated.

He snapped. "Just bring Stella. One night, no big deal. I don't want such talks."

I groaned and hung up. Nick, my ever-annoying best friend, leaned against the doorframe with a smirk.

"So, boss, are we picking her up today or tomorrow?"

“Tomorrow,” I muttered.

The next morning, Nick and I headed to Stella’s apartment. Only, she wasn’t there. After a quick phone hack—thank God for Nick’s skills—we found her location.

We arrived at a different apartment, and a girl I didn’t recognize opened the door. She was... not Stella.

“Does Stella live here?” Nick asked, his tone polite but firm.

The girl nodded, her eyes practically undressing us. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Yeah, she’s inside. Want to come in?”

"No," I snapped. "Just call her."

A minute later, Stella appeared in PJ's , her hair a mess. Her eyes widened when she saw us. “What are you doing here?”

“My dad wants you at the party,” I said bluntly. “One night. That’s all.”

Her expression hardened. “Not interested. After everything that happened last time? No, thank you.”

Nick stepped in. “Stella, just this once. We promise Chris won’t be... well, Chris.”

She crossed her arms. “Sorry, I have a date that day. I’m happy with my life now, and I’m not risking it for whatever dangerous mess you’re involved in.”

Dangerous mess? I wanted to argue, but let me be me.

“Who’s your date?” I asked casually.

“Gabriel. Why?”

Before she could react, I grabbed her phone and unlocked it using face ID. Nick moved quickly, grabbing her arms before she could snatch it back.

"Chris!" she yelled, furious. "Give me my phone!"

I ignored her, scrolling through her messages until I found Gabriel’s number. Then I copied the number and handed the phone back to her.

"You have two options," I said coldly. "Come with me to the party, or I’ll ruin your date by sending Gabriel pictures of us at the mansion."

Her glare could have melted steel.She snapped angrily, “If there were a competition for being the biggest asshole, you'd win effortlessly."

"Shut up you PIG." I shot back without missing a beat.

After a tense standoff, she agreed. “Fine. But this is the last time. And don’t you dare send him those pictures.”

"Deal." I said.

Then she went in informed something to her friend and came back after changing into her frock.

In the car Stella is sitting next to me while nick ride another one.

I peeked , she is leaving a message to her date: Sorry Gab, something urgent came up. I’ll be unavailable for a couple of days. Let’s reschedule the date?

"Excuse me? Are you seriously peeking at my texts?" She glared at me, shifting her phone out of my view.

I smirked, keeping  eyes on her. "Relax. Just making sure you’re not plotting an escape plan."

"Unbelievable," She muttered, shaking her head.

▫️ Stella's pov...

I shot him a glare but followed him in the mansion. The air inside was crisp and cool, the decor screaming wealth and power. Before I could take another step, Christian grabbed my phone from my hand.

“Hey!” I shouted, trying to snatch it back.

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk firmly in place. "You don’t need this for the next two days. Consider it… confiscated."

“That’s not fair! At least let me reply to Gabriel's text !”

He shrugged, unlocking my phone with my face ID—again. “Be quick about it.”

Fuming, I grabbed the phone and typed out a message to Gabriel. Hey, just letting you know I won’t have my phone for a couple of days. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!

I could feel Christian’s eyes on me as I hit send. When I handed the phone back to him, he locked it and stuffed it into his pocket.

"You’re insufferable," I muttered, crossing my arms.

He smirked. "And yet, here you are."

---

Christian’s POV

Once inside, she made herself at home—raiding the kitchen like she owned the place.

“She’s impossible,” I muttered under my breath.

"Really?" I asked, leaning against the doorway.

She glanced at me, her cheeks puffed with food. "What? I’m hungry."

I shook my head, walking past her toward my office. This girl was a disaster.

Dropping her phone into my drawer, I noticed a notification light up the screen. It was from Gabriel. The message read: Take care. Can’t wait to see you again.

I scoffed. What a bore.

Later that evening, Ava arrived with the designer dress. Stella came out of the kitchen, a soda in one hand and a grin plastered across her face.

"Finally," Ava said, rolling her eyes. "Let’s try this one. "

Stella shot her a sarcastic smile.

The two disappeared into the room to try the dress. For the next hour, all I heard was endless chatter and laughter coming from inside. How could someone talk so much?

Nick walked by, grinning. “She’s a handful, isn’t she?”

"She’s a headache," I corrected, rubbing my temple. "A walking, talking headache."

Nick chuckled, slapping my shoulder. "You like her though, don’t you?"

I glared at him. "Don’t push your luck."

But as I listened to her laughter echo through the halls,  I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe—just maybe—I’d made a mistake pushing her away.