Chapter 15

Heaving a deep sigh, Gabriela shoved her hands into her pockets and glanced to her side. Ingrid stood next to her, both of them gazing out the window at the men in uniform stationed outside the university premises.

"Are you sure they're not here for you?" Ingrid teased, nudging her with a chuckle. "I'm more worried about the students, though," she added, sighing as her playful tone gave way to concern.

"Should I go out and check with them?" Gabriela asked, clicking her tongue.

Ingrid smacked the back of her head lightly. "Are you an idiot?" she said, rolling her eyes. "Oh, by the way, have you heard? We're having a faculty event next week. Are you coming?"

Gabriela froze for a moment, her breath hitching. "That event—does it mean the owner will be there too?" she asked cautiously.

Ingrid nodded. "Probably. They usually attend since it's being held on campus. Why? Does it matter?"

Gabriela shrugged, keeping her tone casual. "No reason. Just curious. Professor Ward mentioned they don't usually show up at these things," she replied, feigning indifference. The truth was, she was trying to avoid running into Vien.

Ingrid laughed. "Well, seems like the twins changed that tradition," she said with a grin. "But are you coming or not?"

"I'm not sure yet," Gabriela replied, turning to look at Ingrid. Her breath caught when she noticed Vien standing not far away, watching her. Gabriela's chest tightened, and she quickly averted her gaze, focusing instead on the men outside. "You know how it is with my work—unexpected calls at the most inconvenient times," she added with a nervous chuckle, trying to steady her nerves.

"Wow, don't tell me you're a workaholic now," Ingrid teased, laughing.

Gabriela chuckled softly. "I don't have much else going on in my life, honestly. Burying myself in work keeps me busy. That's why I applied to be a professor, too—helps fill the free time," she said with a self-deprecating smile.

Ingrid tilted her head, studying her. "What about your personal life? No boyfriend? Girlfriend?" she asked curiously.

Gabriela laughed, shaking her head. "No, nothing like that. And at this point, it feels pretty impossible to even think about it," she mumbled, her chuckle tinged with bitterness.

Ingrid raised a brow. "What do you mean by that?" she pressed.

Gabriela blinked, laughing awkwardly as she rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't know. Maybe it's just not my time to have someone. You know, someone to share a bond with," she said lightly, though her voice wavered.

Ingrid gave her a playful pat on the head. "You'll find someone, for sure," she said with an encouraging smile.

Gabriela laughed softly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh yeah? We'll see. Whatever," she said, exhaling deeply. It would be nice if I had a chance with Vien, she thought, biting her lip. But she doesn't want you, idiot! her inner voice snapped at her. She clenched her fists in her pockets, forcing a smile to hide the ache in her chest.

Vien stared at her phone screen, her thumb hovering over a recently saved number. Her jaw tightened as she wrestled with indecision, unsure whether to make the call. With a sharp inhale, she shut her eyes and cursed under her breath.

"I thought you wanted her to stay away," she muttered to herself. "So why are you thinking about calling her now?" A bitter chuckle escaped her lips.

Resting her cheek against her unlocked phone, she didn't notice when her thumb accidentally dialed Gabriela's number. "Why do I even care if she's avoiding me?" she murmured.

"Did I hurt her feelings?" The thought slipped out, unguarded. Frustration welled up in her chest. "This is driving me crazy," she groaned, shutting her eyes again. "I don't know what to do anymore."

A soft knock at the door startled her. It must be Vera, she thought, eyes still closed. "Come in," she said, her cheek still pressed against the phone.

"Ms. Briar."

Vien's eyes snapped open, her body tensing as her heart skipped a beat. Slowly, she sat up, her wide-eyed gaze locking on Gabriela, standing in her office.

"Wait," she stammered, pointing at Gabriela as if trying to confirm she was real. I was just thinking about her, and now she's here?

"Why are you here?" she blurted out.

Gabriela raised a brow, holding up her phone. "Didn't you call me?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "The call's still ongoing. Weren't you the one who made it?"

"What?" Vien quickly glanced at her phone, her eyes widening as she yelped. She covered her mouth, standing abruptly.

Gabriela chuckled at her reaction. "Looks like it wasn't intentional," she teased.

"I didn't mean to!" Vien protested, her cheeks flushing. "It's just..." She trailed off, realizing the implications of what she'd said before. Her embarrassment only deepened.

She glared at Gabriela, who stood with her hands casually tucked into her pockets, watching her with amusement. "How much did you hear?"

Gabriela shrugged. "Everything, I guess? Honestly, I wasn't sure. I came rushing over, thinking it was urgent."

Vien quickly ended the call, covering her face with her hands. "This is mortifying," she mumbled.

"I don't need anything from you," she said, attempting to regain composure. "You can leave now."

Gabriela sighed. "Do you really want me to leave?"

"Yes. Now," Vien said firmly, straightening her posture.

But Gabriela took a step closer, making Vien's pulse quicken.

"What are you doing? I told you to leave, Ms. Vaega," Vien said, her voice rising as she glared at her.

"Why are you so desperate for me to leave?" Gabriela asked, her voice soft but steady.

Vien swallowed hard. "Because I don't need anything from you," she insisted. "And stop taking another step, I'm warning you!"

Gabriela's lips curled into a small smile. "Why do you want me to leave so badly, Vien? Don't you want me?"

Vien's breath hitched. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Gabi! I'm telling you to leave my office, not—"

"Not leave you for good?" Gabriela interrupted, her grin widening.

Vien blinked, bewildered. "What the hell are you trying to do now?" She stormed forward until she was inches away from Gabriela. "Will you quit playing games with me? I told you to leave. Now!"

"You could just admit that you miss me," Gabriela said, her voice softening. "I wouldn't mind, you know... because I miss you, too."

Vien shut her eyes, her face burning as she exhaled deeply. "If you don't stop this nonsense, Gabriela Vaega, I swear I'll have you removed from your position," she threatened.

"Go ahead," Gabriela replied, shrugging.

Vien scowled. "What?"

"If that's what you want, fire me," Gabriela said evenly. "If you really can't stand to see me anymore, then I'll leave. For good."

Vien scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Are you trying to gaslight me now, Gabi?"

"I'm not," Gabriela said with a smirk. "Why? Are you feeling gaslighted?"

"Get out!" Vien hissed, giving Gabriela a gentle shove. "I said get—"

Before she could finish, Gabriela pulled her into a hug.

"What the hell are you doing, Gabi?" Vien snapped, squirming in her arms.

"You're hurting me," Gabriela whispered, resting her head on Vien's shoulder.

Vien froze, her fists clenching. "I told you before, Gabi, I'll only ruin you. Hurt you. So don't tell me I'm hurting you now—it's your fault for getting involved with me!"

"I know," Gabriela chuckled softly, her voice trembling. "But I told you I'd wait until you're ready, Vien. Yet you keep pushing me away."

Gabriela slowly released her, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She steadied her breath and asked, "Do you really want me to leave?"

Vien looked down, shutting her eyes tightly. "Don't make me feel guilty," she whispered.

"I'm not," Gabriela said quietly. "I just want to hear it from you. If you truly want me gone, I'll go."

Vien bit her lip, the metallic tang of blood grounding her. "Don't make this harder than it already is," she murmured.

"Just tell me, Vien. Do you want me to leave?" Gabriela's voice cracked, her desperation evident.

Vien covered her face, her ears burning. Why can't you just answer her? Why can't you let her go and end this? she screamed inwardly.

"Vien?" Gabriela prompted, her voice softer now.

With a bitter laugh, Vien lowered her hands. "I've had enough heartbreak, Gabi," she said, forcing herself to meet Gabriela's gaze. Her voice wavered. "Why can't you just hate me for pushing you away? Why can't you leave and give that love to someone who actually deserves it?"

Gabriela's lips parted, her expression unreadable. "Is that your answer?"

I want to be happy, too, Vien thought. But can I be happy with her? Am I ready to take that risk?

Vien shut her eyes tightly, letting out a bitter laugh. "This is ridiculous," she muttered before storming forward, grabbing Gabriela's collar, and pulling her into a kiss.

Gabriela gasped, her eyes wide with shock. But she didn't pull away.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop as the tension dissolved into something unmistakable. When Vien finally pulled back, her face was flushed, and her breathing was uneven.

"I told you I'd ruin you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Gabriela smiled softly, her eyes still glistening. "Then ruin me, Vien. I'll stay anyway."