Chapter 24

Gabriela's brows furrowed as she stared at Vien in disbelief. She pointed to herself, bewildered. "Are you serious right now?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

"I said what I said, Gabi," Vien replied, her tone light. "Pull over to my house. Let's have coffee, hot chocolate—whatever you want. Consider it compensation for saving me from Matthew," she added with a chuckle.

Hesitant, Gabriela sighed, shaking her head. "Fine, do as you please," she muttered, clicking her tongue as she honked softly in front of Vien's house.

"Mr. Ellis is familiar with you now, thanks to Blair," Vien noted as her bodyguard opened the garage gate with practiced ease.

Gabriela laughed, glancing at Vien. "You seem... lively," she remarked with a soft smile, parking the car inside the garage and turning off the engine.

"That's just your imagination," Vien retorted, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Gabriela didn't reply but quickly stepped out of the car, hurrying around to Vien's side to open the door for her.

Vien raised an eyebrow. "Are you auditioning to be my driver? I could hire you," she teased.

Gabriela chuckled. "Oh, so now you want me close to you? That's a big step, Vien," she replied, her tone playful.

Vien didn't answer, instead smacking Gabriela's waist lightly with her shoulder bag. Gabriela laughed again, letting Vien walk ahead as she followed.

When they entered the house, one of the housekeepers greeted them warmly. Vien motioned for the housekeeper to assist Gabriela, but before they could, a small figure came jogging toward her.

"Mommy! Welcome home!" Blair exclaimed, throwing her arms around Vien in an enthusiastic hug.

"Hi, baby," Vien said, bending down to embrace her daughter. She straightened slightly and stepped aside, revealing Gabriela. "Look who's with me."

Blair's eyes widened in delight as she glanced between Vien and Gabriela. She squealed with excitement. "Gabi!" she cried, running toward Gabriela and wrapping her arms around her.

Gabriela chuckled, returning the hug. "Hi, Blair," she said, smiling warmly as she gently pulled back. "Careful, my clothes are wet. You might get soaked too."

"I'm just so happy you're here!" Blair giggled, her joy bubbling over.

Vien shook her head, a fond smile tugging at her lips as Blair clung to Gabriela. "Blair, Mommy needs to change first, okay?" she said gently. Then, turning to Gabriela, she added, "And you're coming with me."

Gabriela blinked in surprise, pointing to herself. "Me?" she asked.

"Do you see anyone else here? Yes, you," Vien said matter-of-factly. "You need to change too. Come on."

Before Gabriela could protest, Vien started walking toward the living room and up the stairs. "Blair, stay here with Nana, okay?" Vien called over her shoulder. "I'll just help Gabriela change her clothes."

Blair nodded enthusiastically, her attention still on Gabriela. "Don't take too long!" she chirped.

Gabriela sighed, glancing at Blair before reluctantly following Vien upstairs. "I don't need to change," she mumbled. "I'll be fine once I dry off."

Vien stopped midway up the stairs, turning to look at her. "Gabriela, you're soaked. If you catch a cold, Blair will be heartbroken. Is that what you want?"

Gabriela frowned, unable to argue. "Fine," she muttered, trudging after Vien with a small smile she tried to hide.

Vien led Gabriela into a spacious guestroom with a neatly arranged wardrobe. Gabriela rubbed her brow and sighed softly as she followed Vien inside, her steps hesitant.

"Wait here," Vien instructed, disappearing into an adjacent room.

Gabriela stood awkwardly, her gaze drifting around the room. Moments later, Vien returned, holding a set of clothes—a soft sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants.

"Here," Vien said, handing them over. "They might be a bit oversized, but they'll do for now."

Gabriela chuckled, accepting the clothes. "Are you always this bossy?"

Vien smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Only with people I care about."

Gabriela froze for a moment, her eyes meeting Vien's before quickly looking away. "Right. I'll change," she muttered, heading toward the bathroom.

Once the door clicked shut, Vien let out a small sigh, rubbing her temples. What are you doing, Vien? she thought, shaking her head. She cast one last glance at the bathroom door before retreating to her own room to change.

After finishing, Vien stepped out of her bedroom, frowning when she saw no sign of Gabriela. "Is she still in there?" she murmured, walking toward the guestroom.

"Gabi?" she called, knocking gently before pushing the door open.

Inside, Gabriela stood holding her wet clothes on a hanger, her expression sheepish as she glanced around.

"What are you doing?" Vien asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gabriela rubbed the back of her neck, avoiding Vien's gaze. "I don't know where to hang my clothes to dry," she admitted.

Vien chuckled and stepped forward. "Here, let me—"

"N-no!" Gabriela protested, pulling the clothes back. "Just tell me where I can hang them, and I'll do it."

Vien sighed, trying to grab the clothes. "I said give them to me."

"And I told you, I'll do it," Gabriela insisted, stepping away.

"No, I'll do it!" Vien shot back, tugging on Gabriela's sweatshirt to stop her from moving around.

"Vien, wait—" Gabriela's eyes widened as Vien lost her balance, tumbling backward onto the mattress and pulling Gabriela down with her.

They both froze, staring at each other in shock. Gabriela was now on top of Vien, her hands braced on either side of Vien's head.

Vien blinked, her heart pounding. What is this...? she wondered, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in her chest.

Gabriela's breath hitched as she leaned in slightly, her voice barely a whisper. "Vien..."

Vien's hands instinctively clutched Gabriela's sweatshirt as their faces drew closer. When Gabriela's trembling lips brushed hers, Vien shut her eyes. Her heartbeat thundered as she responded, her hands moving to cup Gabriela's face.

Gabriela deepened the kiss, her hand sliding to Vien's waist as she pressed closer. Vien gasped softly when she felt Gabriela nip her lower lip, her thoughts a blur.

"Mommy? Aren't you done yet?" Blair's faint voice echoed from outside the room.

They pulled apart abruptly.

"Shit!" Vien hissed, her cheeks burning as she gently pushed Gabriela off her. Scrambling upright, she grabbed Gabriela's wet clothes and thrust them back into her hands.

"I'll hang them," Vien said quickly, marching to the wardrobe and hanging the clothes without another word.

Gabriela stood, her gaze fixed on Vien. "Vien," she called softly, taking a tentative step closer. "Are you mad?"

Vien turned, her face still flushed. "I'm not," she replied, her voice quieter. "I just... don't understand myself."

"Mommy?" Blair called again.

Vien swallowed hard, stepping around Gabriela to open the door. "Blair, Mommy and Gabi are here," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

"There you are!" Blair giggled, grabbing her mother's hand and peeking into the room. "Gabi, come on!"

The three of them headed downstairs. Blair, oblivious to what had transpired, tugged at Gabriela's hand. "Gabi, you look like you're ready for a sleepover!"

Gabriela laughed, ruffling Blair's hair. "Maybe next time, Blair. For now, it's just coffee... or hot chocolate."

"Hot chocolate it is!" Blair announced, dragging Gabriela toward the kitchen.

Vien followed, her lips twitching into a smile as she watched her daughter bond with Gabriela.

Once seated at the kitchen island, Vien handed Gabriela a steaming mug. "Here you go, the famous Briar hot chocolate. Blair swears it's magical."

Gabriela took a sip, her eyes widening dramatically. "Wow, Blair, you weren't kidding. This might actually be magical."

Blair giggled, resting her chin in her hands. "I told you! Mommy's hot chocolate is the best."

Vien shook her head, her expression soft. "You two act like old friends," she remarked.

"That's because Blair is great at making people feel welcome," Gabriela said, smiling at the girl.

"And you're great at putting up with me," Vien added, her voice light but sincere.

Gabriela glanced at Vien, her gaze unreadable for a moment before she smiled. "I guess we're even, then."

Clearing her throat, Vien pulled a seat closer to Gabriela and set her mug down. She hesitated before speaking. "Maybe... no, I mean..." She stopped herself, her face warming.

Gabriela tilted her head. "What?"

Vien took a deep breath. "I can give you a chance," she said, her voice quiet but steady.

Gabriela blinked, her mug paused mid-sip. "What? Wait... seriously?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vien nodded, biting her lip to suppress a nervous smile. "Yes. Seriously."