Gabriela burst through the hospital room, her heart racing with worry. Her eyes locked onto her father's, and for a moment, she was taken aback - his eyes were open wide, and he looked... okay. She felt a mix of relief and surprise, and her words tumbled out, "Dad, I just came to check on you when I heard the call, but now I see you're okay, so I need to take my leave."
Alejandro's expression softened, and he called out to her, his voice filled with regret, "Gabriela, wait." He paused, collecting his emotions. "I'm sorry, mija. We haven't really been on good terms, and I've been making everything so hard for us. I'm sorry for yelling at you back there. I put the meeting before you, and I'm sorry about that."
Gabriela's eyes began to well up as her father's words pierced her heart. Alejandro continued, his voice cracking, "I'm sorry for putting my work above my daughter. From now on, I'll think about your happiness before anything else." His eyes shone with unshed tears, and Gabriela's heart swelled with emotion.
She smiled a little, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders, and accepted his apology. Alejandro's face lit up with a weak smile, "And as for Miguel, I think you both make a really great couple." Gabriela chuckled softly, her eyes overflowing with tears, and thanked her father for giving her the privilege to do whatever she wanted.
She promised, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'll do better, Dad. I'll work hard to strengthen Flores Corp and make you proud." The words were a vow, a promise to make their relationship a priority.
Without another word, Gabriela stepped forward, and Alejandro opened his arms wide. They hugged, holding onto each other tightly, the emotional weight of their reconciliation hanging in the air. The sound of their quiet sobs filled the room, a testament to the love and forgiveness that had brought them together.
Damien sat in his car, parked outside Lumi's Kitchen, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk. He adjusted his sunglasses, his gaze lingering on the kitchen door, waiting for a glimpse of her.
Just as he was about to give up, Lorena, one of the chefs, caught his eye. He rolled down the window and called out to her. "Hey, Lorena. Can you do me a favor and call Michelle out?"
Lorena's eyes widened in recognition, and she hurried into the kitchen. Damien's eyes followed her, his heart racing with anticipation.
Inside, Michelle was chopping vegetables with precision, her face set in a serious expression. Lorena burst in, a cheeky grin on her face. "Michelle, your man is out waiting for you!"
Michelle's head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise. "My man? Damien?" Lorena winked and nodded, and a radiant smile spread across Michelle's face.
Without a word, Michelle dumped the vegetables into a bowl and handed them off to Iris. "Finish this, I'll be back," she said, already racing out of the kitchen.
As she burst out of the door, her eyes locked on Damien's car. She sprinted towards him, her heart pounding in her chest. Damien opened the door, his arms wide open, and swept her into a warm hug. He lifted her off the ground, and she let out a squeal of delight.
"I missed you," Michelle whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.
"I missed you too," Damien replied, his voice low and husky. "I came to get you, we have to go somewhere. It's really important."
Michelle pulled back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, yeah? Where are we going?"
Damien smiled mischievously.
"You'll see. Get in."
Michelle slid into the car, her heart racing with anticipation, and Damien closed the door behind her.
As Damien and Michelle stepped out of the car, the warm evening breeze greeted them, and Michelle's eyes widened in astonishment. She took in the breathtaking villa, its grandeur silhouetted against the vibrant horizon. Her gaze drifted to Damien, dashing in his tuxedo, and a radiant grin spread across her face.
The villa's exterior was stunning, with a gleaming swimming pool and lush greenery swaying gently in the wind. Michelle's eyes sparkled as she took it all in. Damien's hand enveloped hers, and he whispered, "Shall we?" She nodded, her eyes still fixed on the villa.
As they entered, Michelle's breath caught. The interior was a masterpiece of romance. Luxurious furniture, exquisite dishes, and fine crystal adorned the tables. Rose petals carpeted the floor, and balloons floated above, adding a playful touch. A bold, red "I LOVE YOU" wallpaper dominated the wall, exuding opulence. Michelle's eyes darted around, drinking it all in.
Damien smiled, his eyes locked on hers. "First of all, Michelle Jackson, this is for you." He opened her hand, placed a key in her palm, and closed her fingers around it. "This is the key to this villa. It's all yours."
Michelle's heart skipped a beat. Shock, joy, and gratitude swirled in her chest. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she stared at Damien, her vision blurring. She pulled him into a tight hug, her face buried in his chest, and whispered a muffled "thank you" as tears soaked his tuxedo.
Damien chuckled, his arms wrapping around her. "Please don't cry. You're supposed to be squealing." His voice was gentle, his eyes shining with love. Michelle couldn't form words; she just held on to him, her heart overflowing with emotion.
"Michelle, please look at me." She broke the hug and wiped her tears.
"Why...why did you...get this for me? Why did you do this?"
"Babe, do you really have to ask me that? You deserve so much more than this." Michelle's face reddened.
"Don't cry anymore, please. Don't you want it?"
"Of course I do!" She half yelled.
"I'm just overwhelmed. All of this...it's too much."
"Let's eat, Michelle. I'm too hungry for all this talk." Damien sat immediately and was ready to dig in.
Michelle was slower, her eyes scanning everywhere with delight.
"I love the interior, Damien." She clutched the key in one hand and was eating with the other.
Damien laughed at her cute behavior.
"The food is really nice." Michelle spoke after few seconds of just the clinking of cutleries and plates.
"I know, right?" They both giggled.
Damien's phone rang loudly and their smiles disappeared.
"Who the fuck dares to disturb us?" Damien frowned. He raised a brow when he saw the caller ID.
"What does Mom want?" He answered the call and put it on speaker.
"Hi, Mom."
"Damien! What's going on?"
"Nothing much, Mom. I'm with Michelle, can you call later?"
"Oh, you're about to do the thang?" Michelle looked confused and Damien's eyes went to Michelle to see her reaction.
"Yeah."
"Alright, I wish you best of luck! I'll call later to talk about the arrangements we've made."
"Hm hm."
"Tell me if she agrees. But I'm sure she will." Damien hung up.
"What is she saying?" Michelle questioned.
He smirked.
"Eat up, then I tell you what she means."
"Okay." Michelle shrugged and faced her meal.
As they lingered over dinner, the conversation flowed effortlessly, and the hours slipped away. Michelle glanced at her watch, her eyes widening slightly. "Oh! It's 8pm! I have to go see Mom."
Damien's expression turned thoughtful. "It's high time your mom moves here."
Michelle chuckled, shaking her head. "No! This place should be just for you and I, no other person."
Damien grinned, pulling her close. "Yes, boss."
As Michelle turned to leave, Damien's hand caught her wrist, and he pulled her back. Their eyes met, and Michelle's smile turned curious. "What's wrong?"
Damien's heart was racing, his palms growing sweaty. He had wanted this moment to be perfect, to come naturally – but now, staring into Michelle's sparkling eyes, the words stuck in his throat. He took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Michelle, can you stop looking at me like that?"
Michelle's brow furrowed, sensing his nervousness. "What do you mean?"
Damien's eyes locked onto hers, his voice gaining momentum. "Forget about that. I have something to ask you."
Michelle's smile softened, and she leaned in. "Damien, what's going on? You can tell me."
Damien swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He took another deep breath, and the words began to spill out.
Damien's eyes locked onto Michelle's, and he let his heart speak.
"You know, from the moment I met you, I knew you were something special. I knew you belonged to me, I didn't just know how to prove it. You're the first girl I actually fell in love with and I vowed you'd be the last. You're the reason my days are brighter, and my nights are... well, let's just say they're never boring."
Michelle's eyes were sparkling, her lips parting slightly as Damien continued, his voice filled with emotion.
"You make me feel like I'm home, like I can be myself around you. And I'm proud of that, because with you, I feel like the best version of myself."
Damien took a deep breath, his voice shaking slightly as he dropped to one knee. Michelle's eyes widened, and she stepped back, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Whoa, okay, this is happening," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Damien chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. He opened a small box, revealing a stunning golden ring with a diamond that sparkled like fire.
"When I wanted to gift you the villa, I called you Michelle Jackson," he said, his voice filled with love. "But here's the question now... would you like to be Mrs Michelle White? Would you like to spend the rest of your life with this silly boy in front of you? Will you marry me, my beautiful chick?"
Michelle's eyes were glistening with tears, and for a moment, Damien worried she was speechless.
"Say something, Michelle."
But then, she nodded frically, tears streaming down her face. "Yes... yes, yes, yes!"
Damien's face broke into a radiant smile as he slid the ring onto her finger. He rose, embraced and crashed his lips onto hers.
Michelle giggled in his mouth and he whispered unheard promises, his breath making her blush.
"I'm already painting the picture of our wedding in my head." She said softly, their faces were still inches closed as Damien planted wet kisses on her cheeks and jaw.
"How do you see it?" He asked, kissing her neck and earning a moan from her.
"Dreamy. Fantastic." She replied.
"I can't wait to tell Gabriela about this! She'd be so happy for us."
"She made this possible - of course she should be the first to know."
"Would you stop kissing?!" Michelle protested.
Damien dropped the last kiss on her collar bone.
"You'll have to tolerate this when we get married." Michelle nodded.
"I will." Michelle winked.
"Babe, I'm hungry." She looked amused.
"But we literally just had food."
"Not food, I want you. I can't be satisfied without having you as a dessert."
~~~~
Michelle's face lit up as she dialed Gabriela's number on her phone. She couldn't wait to share the news with her best friend. The call connected, and Gabriela's face appeared on the screen, but Michelle's grin quickly faltered. "Hey, Gaby, what's wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Gabriela forced a smile, but her eyes told a different story. "Hey, Michelle. Just got back from a long day at work," she said, her voice lacking its usual spark.
Michelle's excitement deflated like a punctured balloon.
"Oh sorry. Maybe I should put my news on a back burner for now."
Gabriela nodded, trying to shake off her fatigue. "I'm good. Your expression was electric. Looks like you've got really good news."
Michelle chuckled.
"Yeah but I don't think you're in the mood to listen to it."
"Of course I am in the mood. Talk to me."
Michelle cleared her throat.
"Just look at this, Gaby!" She waved her hand at the screen, flaunting her ring and Gabriela's eyes widened.
"Is that....a ring? He proposed??"
"He proposed, Gabriela!" Her voice was more like a squeal.
"Oh God, that must have been so...awesome! How..how was it? Did he take you to a romantic dinner? Or he just asked the question when you were both alone?" Gabriela was interested.
"Well...first surprise, he got a villa in my name. And he proposed in that villa."
"Damn! A villa? You're a lucky girl! I'm so happy for you, cutie. So you're getting married?" Michelle nodded.
"I'm getting married!!!! I stared at the ring all night, it looks so stunning, shining...I can't wait to wear it to work tomorrow, gosh my friends would be on fire!"
"Of course they will."
"Let's stop - talking about that. It's so obvious that you're not just tired but sick. Tell me what's happening."
"I had a nightmare, Michelle." Gabriela started.
"A nightmare? I thought you said those marine dreams stopped."
"They did...but now, I've been having some really scary ones. It's been haunting my sleep."
"Okay, Gabriela, I think you should talk to Veronica. Since she knew something about those marine dreams, she should be able to tell you about the nightmares too." Michelle suggested.
"It's a great idea. I'll talk to Veronica."
"Alright, now smile. You look so old right now." Gabriela grinned and the two laughed heartily.
"You didn't tell Miguel about the proposal yet, did you? Because he didn't inform me."
"No. You deserve to know about it first. Damien says you made this all work. Without you, he wouldn't have the courage to ever approach me. I was just a lonely person before I met you."
"I'm glad to have helped." Gabriela pouted.
~~~1AM, MIDNIGHT, GABRIELA'S HOUSE~~~
Gabriela's eyelids fluttered, and she began to twitch in her sleep. Her head turned from side to side, and she shut her eyes tight, as if trying to escape a nightmare. Her breathing quickened, and she muttered incoherent words.
Sophia was human, standing on a moonlit beach, the sea witch's lair looming in the distance. The witch, with seaweed-like hair and glowing eyes, cased a spell, her voice echoing through the waves. The Sea prince, by Sophia's side, was being pulled away, his voice calling out to her.
Sophia tried to reach him, but the witch sent demons to attack her. Claws pierced her neck, and she felt her life force being drained. She tried to scream, but her voice was hoarse. "Leave me... save me... somebody help me..." she whispered, her eyes wide with terror.
Gabriela's body tensed, and she groaned harshly, "Somebody help, please don't kill me..." She struggled to breathe, her hands grasping at her neck.
The dream shifted, and she saw Sophia, falling to the ground, the sea prince's face etched with grief. The witch's laughter echoed, and Gabriela's eyes snapped open. She sat up, panting heavily, her heart racing.
She tried to piece together the fragments of the dream. Sophia, the sea witch's daughter... but her mom wasn't evil. Was this a myth, or was she really a part of the marine world? Did she have a past life? The questions swirled in her head, making her dizzy.
Gabriela grabbed her phone and typed out a message to Veronica:
[Come to my house right now, I need you]
She shut her eyes and the sound of claws slashing Sophia and the tight grip on her neck frightened her.
She ran out of the room, scared to death.
"What the fuck? The sea witch wants to take everything from Sophia just because she's with the prince? Am I going to die? Is...is..someone going to k..kill me f..for being with Miguel? This better not be true. I'm sure I didn't have a first life or something. Veronica said he was my true love. Then why is the witch doing this?"
[Gabriela, it's midnight. Let's meet tomorrow] Veronica replied.
[Let's meet now, Veronica. Please, I'm begging you. This is about my life]
[Alright, Gaby. I'll be there soon. Don't panic, okay? I'll come and we'll sort this]