Chapter 156 FOUND MINE

Chapter 156 FOUND MINE
GABRIELLA

I went quiet for a moment before throwing both hands up in surrender. “Fine." I swallowed against the dryness in my throat. "I do have feelings for Isaiah, but that has absolutely nothing to do with not liking you back, alright?"

"I think you're still confused."

My eyes widened in horror. "Excuse you?" I stared at him. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

He remained annoyingly calm.

"If there's anyone confused here, it's definitely you." My irritation immediately doubled. "You don't just wake up one day and start loving someone out of nowhere. Not after spending months hating that person."

"That's because I never hated you."

The words stopped me.

Samil sighed. "I've always kept work and personal feelings separate. That's all." His eyes held mine steadily. "If anything, you've been the one finding new reasons to hate me every week."

He shook his head lightly. "Turns out that wasn't hate after all."

I ran a hand through my hair. "God..." A nervous laugh escaped me as I looked away. "I can't believe this man."

When I turned back, he looked exactly the same. Still calm. And annoyingly composed. Worse still… Confident. Like he thought he'd already won this argument.

"Listen to me carefully, Dr. Samil Ashford."

His brow lifted.

"I have never once liked you. Not before. Not now."

His expression didn't change.

"Yes, maybe I gave you the wrong impression by helping you today but—"

"Guess you still need that second kiss."

"What?"

I stared at him. "Are you actually insane?"

"Ella."

"Stop calling me that!"

"Fine." To my surprise, he nodded. "I think you're right."

That threw me off completely.

"What?"

"I'm probably crazy." He rubbed his hair briefly. "Because I know this is insane." His eyes found mine again. "But what sounds even crazier to me is this.” then his voice softened. "I think you've been using Isaiah as an excuse not to admit you're attracted to me."

I opened my mouth immediately. "No, I—"

"You don't have to admit it."

His gaze never left mine. "I see it every time you look at me when you're angry."

My heart stumbled traitorously against my ribs.

"I see it every time you pretend not to care." His voice dropped lower as he walked closer to me. "You want me, Gabriella." The room suddenly felt too warm. "And the good part is..." he continued quietly, "I want you too."

For once… Just for once, I had absolutely nothing to say.

"I..." The word died in my throat.

Samil reached for the cup on the table and took another sip. A second later his face twisted. "Jesus." He looked down at the cup. "What exactly did you put in this thing?"

I blinked. The emotional whiplash nearly killed me. "Excuse me?"

He looked genuinely offended. "Is this tea or punishment?"

Despite myself, I almost laughed. "I need to leave." I announced, choosing to ignore him instead.

"Forget it." He pointed towards the chair opposite him. "Sit down, Gabriella."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You don't get to tell me that."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Fine. I know your type." His eyes held mine again. "And trust me..." His smile widened slightly. “I'm way more stubborn than you are.”

Just like that, I went completely mute. Samil didn't seem bothered by my silence. He lowered himself onto the chair beside me, reached for his phone, and dialed a number.

It rang once. Then someone answered. "Hey, April."

My eyes snapped to him instantly. No. Absolutely not. He listened for a second before speaking again. "I know you're busy, but I'd like to ask a favor."

I frowned. "A favor?"

"I'd like to excuse Nurse Gabriella from tonight's shift."

My eyes widened. I immediately started ⁰ my head, waving both hands frantically. No. No. No way.

He ignored me. "Actually—"

Before I even realized what I was doing, I lunged toward him, reaching for the phone. "What are you doing?" I hissed.

Samil leaned back just enough to keep the phone out of my reach before pulling it away from his ear and covering the speaker with his palm. "Will you let me finish talking?" he whispered.

"Are you serious right now?" I whispered back furiously. "Why are you calling her?"

"I wouldn't have to..." he said calmly, "...if you'd answered my question."

"Dr. Ashford?" April's voice crackled faintly through the speaker. "Are you still there?"

My heart nearly stopped. I looked at him, silently begging. Please don't. Please.

He looked right back at me. Then, with absolutely no mercy whatsoever—

"Yeah," he replied smoothly. "I'm here." He did a tiny pause before adding. "And Nurse Gabriella is with me."

I stared at him in complete horror. Was this man actually trying to ruin my career?

"I'd like her moved off tonight's schedule."

April responded, though I couldn't make out the words. Samil simply nodded. "Thank you."

He ended the call. The room fell silent. I turned to him so fast my neck almost protested. "Seriously?"

He slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"Why would you do that?"

"Because we need to talk."

"There is nothing to talk about."

I reached for the phone again, intending to snatch it from him anyway.

Instead, I lost my balance. My hands landed against his chest. His back hit the couch. Somehow… I ended up halfway sprawled over him.

For one suspended second, neither of us moved. Then I realized exactly what position we were in. "Oh my God..." Heat rushed straight to my face.

I tried pushing myself upright immediately. Before I could, his hand settled gently around my waist. Not trapping me. Just stopping me long enough to make me look at him.

His eyes softened. "Has anyone ever told you..." A smile tugged faintly at his lips. "...that you're beautiful when you're angry?"

I rolled my eyes despite the way my pulse was racing. "Wow." I forced a dry smile. "That's unbelievably cliché."

He laughed quietly. "I know."

His free hand rose slowly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. My entire body forgot how to function.

His fingers lingered lightly against my cheek. "You drive me crazy, Gabriella."

I bit the inside of my lip before I could stop myself. Every sensible thought I'd been clinging to started slipping away one by one. He searched my face carefully, giving me every chance to pull away.

But… I didn't. Why I didn't? I have no idea.

Slowly… Almost cautiously… He leaned closer. His hand cupped my cheek. And before I could decide whether to stop him or meet him halfway… His lips found mine.