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The air on the Rooftop of the Grand Mansion was thick with money and perfume. It was a dizzying world five stories above the city, where string lights glittered like scattered diamonds and the thrum of bass music vibrated through the marble floor.
In the center of this lavish scene, a massive LED screen flashed dazzling visuals, oblivious to the drama unfolding nearby. Five-year-old girl , in a princess dress of shimmering Taffeta silk, was chasing a brightly colored ball. Her innocence was a blinding contrast to the sophisticated crowd.
The ball bounced into the crowd, snagged by two 6 year old boys with matching cruel grins. One of them, a lanky kid, snatched it.
"Check this out," he sneered, and with a swift, nasty arc, he threw the ball—not back to Little girl —but directly at the huge LED screen.
K-CRACK!
The screen wobbled. A collective gasp rose from the crowd. The towering display was tipping, falling right toward Little girl.
Suddenly, a blur of motion. A hand, strong and swift, grabbed the little girl, pulling her into a protective hug and spinning her away from the collision.
BOOM! The screen hit the ground, glass and metal exploding everywhere.
It was Raina.
Her dress, an dark red satin with a high neck, was now dusted with concrete. Her eyes, usually cold and assessing, were wide with a fierce, protective care that no one, not even her friends, had ever seen. Little girl nodded, panicking, clinging to Raina like a terrified kitten. The two naughty boys vanished into the chaos.
Raina carefully released Little girl, but gasped softly. A shard of the LED screen had pierced her skin. Blood, bright red against the sapphire fabric, welled up on her hand.
"Raina! Are you okay?" Felix, broke through the crowd. He saw her hand, his expression instantly shifting to sincere concern.
Raina glanced at the wound, then back at Felix. "It's small," she dismissed, but her voice was shaky.
Lily's parents rushed over, effusive in their thanks. "You saved her life, Raina!" they exclaimed. Raina simply nodded, her gaze already drifting.
As the parents led Lily away, Felix gently took Raina's injured hand. His movements were careful, his touch respectful.
"Let me see that." His eyes were locked on the cut, focused entirely on her well-being.
Raina's eyes locked on him. His gaze was so earnest, so genuine. For a brief, fleeting moment, she felt a warmth she hadn't realized she was missing.
Bianca, Raina's mother and a titan in the business world, arrived, her face etched with worry. "What happened, Raina?"
Before Felix could explain, Raina cut in, "Nothing, Mom. Small accident."
A security guard quickly handed Felix a first-aid kit. As Felix cleaned and bandaged the cut, Bianca watched, a small, knowing smile touching her lips. Felix's caring attention was obvious, and a relationship with him would be... advantageous.
Ten steps away, in the shadow of a pillar, a lip curled into a cold smirk.
A girl in a stunning pastel green shimmering slit gown watched the intimate scene. The color was soft, but her eyes were hard. She lifted her phone.
"She actually moved on so fast," she whispered, her voice barely a breath, devoid of any deep emotion. "What about her promise?"
A video was playing on her screen: one year ago, on a sunny beach.
The video shows Raina and a boy, Kevin, laughing, recording themselves.
Kevin (on video): "What would you become after five years?"
Raina (on video, smiling widely): "Your wife!"
Kevin chuckles.
Kevin (on video): "Not that one, silly. What is your aim?"
Raina began to think, her expression thoughtful...
A sharp, perfectly manicured nail paused the video.
The face of the girl holding the phone finally showed. It was Gabriella. Her beauty was striking, but her eyes were like polished stones—cold, hard, and utterly focused. Revenge was the only emotion they held now.
She scoffed, pocketed the phone, and turned on her heel. The show had just begun.
🏥 A Quiet Ward and a Deafening Silence
Ronnie paced outside the hospital room. Every tick of the clock was agony. When the doctor finally emerged, Ronnie rushed forward, panic in his eyes.
"How is Lara? Doctor?"
"She's stable now, Don't worry."Doctor told.
"Why did she faint?"Ronnie panicked.
The doctor paused. "I read her file. She had memory loss right after her accident. You know that." Ronnie nodded, suddenly terrified.
"Well, she is actually getting back her memory. Slowly."
Ronnie's eyes widened in shock. This was the one thing he had dreaded.
"It's a symptom, She could regain it in the following days. I'm not sure when." The doctor walked away, leaving Ronnie drowning in the sudden, terrifying silence.
If she regained her memory, how could I face her? he thought, his chest tightening. If she knows I'm the one who caused her accident...
A nurse interrupted his spiral. "You can visit the patient now."
Wiping a lone tear, Ronnie rushed into the ward. Lara was awake, her eyes open, but they held no trace of her usual smile.
He approached, his hand trembling as he placed it gently on her head. "How are you now?"
Lara nodded, her gaze fixed on him. "Why are you so upset, Ronnie? Tell me honestly... Are you hiding anything from me?"
Ronnie froze. Did she already get her memory back? His mind raced, his secret suddenly feeling impossibly heavy.
🌹 The Past and the Present Collide
Back at the Rooftop Party of the Grand Mansion, Gabriella and her best friend, Dona, were walking through the crowd.
"Is this dress fit to you?" Dona asked, admiring Gabriella's shimmering green gown.
"Yes," Gabriella replied.
"You're looking stunning, anyway," Dona complimented.
"Why are you carrying a spare dress?" Gabriella asked, noticing the bag Dona held.
Dona laughed. "Emergency! Like when your dress ripped before. A girl has to be prepared."
Gabriella rolled her eyes, but smiled faintly.
"Who was that gentleman who gave you his coat that night?" Dona persisted.
Gabriella stopped. "I don't know. He disappeared before I noticed." Her eyes turned across the roof. She saw her father, Frederick, and Jake's father, Robert, talking—a stiff conversation that was clearly more about business strategy than friendly chat.
Dona suddenly checked her phone. "Gabby, I have to go! I've to upload the next chapter for my novel, and I got reminder now...otherwise my audience will upset !"
Before Gabriella could object, Dona was gone.
Gabriella turned, and the cold facade she maintained nearly cracked.
Jake was walking through the grand entrance. He was breathtakingly handsome in a black, perfectly fitted suit, his golden hair shining under the moonlight. But he wasn't alone. A girl was clinging to his arm.
Gabriella felt a small, sharp stab of something hot in her chest—jealousy, but instantly controlled. Who is she?
She subtly moved closer to eavesdrop on her father and Robert.
Frederick noticed the approaching couple. "And who is this?"
Robert smiled proudly. "Jake's Fiancé, Elisabeth."
The announcement hit Gabriella like a physical blow, leaving her face utterly devoid of emotion.
Jake and Elisabeth reached the group. Robert introduced Elisabeth to Frederick. Three steps away, Gabriella stood like a statue. Jake's eyes, scanning the area, found her.
He froze.
Gabriella, in her pastel green gown, was mesmerizing. She was staring at him, and her beautiful eyes were a confusing mix of coldness and curiosity.
Then, she suddenly turned and walked away.
"Excuse me," Jake muttered, starting to follow.
Elisabeth gripped his arm, a bright smile fixed on her face. "Where are you going, sweetie?"
Jake rolled his eyes. "Washroom. Do you want to join?"
Elisabeth laughed awkwardly and waved him off.
Jake rushed after Gabriella. He found her quickly, walking toward a secluded alcove. He grabbed her hand.
Gabriella stopped, turning to face him. The moment she saw him, she tried to yank her hand free.
"Leave me, Jake."
He held fast. "Gabriella, listen to me. Actually, Elisabeth is—"
Gabriella cut him off, a chillingly cold smile touching her lips. "Why are you trying to explain to me? Who am I to you?"
Jake's eyes widened.
"You don't have to explain anything," she said with a straight face, then let out a short, cynical chuckle. Her gaze hardened to anger. "Leave me!"
Jake tightened his grip, desperation in his eyes.
Suddenly, another strong hand clamped down on Gabriella's same hand . A deep, familiar voice cut through the air.
"What are you doing?"
Jake became instantly annoyed. "Who are you?"
The two men's eyes locked in a fierce, silent challenge. Gabriella was confused by the man's familiar voice. She could only see his back.
"Do you know him?" the man asked her.
Jake smirked. "Of course she—"
"Yeah," Gabriella interrupted, her voice clear. "He is pestering me. But I can handle it myself. I don't need anyone's help."
The man chuckled—a low, confident sound. He grabbed Jake's collar. "Leave her hand, or not?" He leaned in close to Jake's ear. "If you don't leave her, I will punch you. I won't mind anyone. Do you?"
Jake looked around, finally releasing Gabriella's hand. The man instantly let go of Jake's collar. Jake tightened his jaw and walked away, shooting a venomous look over his shoulder.
The man turned.
Gabriella's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine shock escaping her control.
It was Felix. He smiled.
"You," she whispered.
"You.... And by the way," he asked, his smile softening, "What's your name?"
Gabriella returned the smile, but hers was cold, knowing.
"Gabriella."
Felix's expression changed slightly, curiosity replacing his amusement. "And… are you Raina's friend, or…"
Gabriella's smile widened, her gaze locking onto his.
"More than that,. An inevitable person in her life."
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To be Continued....
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