Chapter 4

I met Gabriel Holmes during our sophomore year at college, when both of us were juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet. We ended up working together at a local convenience store.

Initially, I didn’t care for him much. Sure, Gabriel was attractive, but he always had this distant, icy look on his face. My perspective shifted one night.

It was early morning when a drunken customer started hassling me. He wouldn't listen to reason and gripped my wrist, dragging me out of the store into a dimly lit alley. I screamed, fighting desperately to break free. But he was much stronger, and all I got in return were some brutal slaps across my face. It was a freezing winter night, and the streets were silent.

The man's vile breath, heavy with alcohol, hung in the air, and his bloated face was disgustingly close. In despair, I closed my eyes, feeling utterly hopeless.

Then Gabriel showed up, seemingly out of nowhere, like a knight in shining armor. He grabbed a brick from the ground and struck the guy until he went down. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Ignoring everything else, Gabriel wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. "It's over," he whispered gently, "It's over. I took care of him."

His embrace was so warm, it felt like it could heal all the pain I had endured. I had never found his voice so comforting before.

After that night, Gabriel and I grew closer. He would walk me home late at night, and I would bring him packed lunches with homemade ravioli and spiced honey cake. Maybe it was because of that shared experience, but I fell for him deeply, unable to help myself.

Gradually, we became inseparable. His usual aloof demeanor slowly melted away in response to my persistent warmth. The smile that emerged was genuine and full of life—a stark contrast to the Gabriel I first knew.

During those days, we fantasized about countless futures together, maybe spending cozy evenings sipping coffee by the fireplace or traveling to the Alps. But life rarely goes as planned.