Chapter 386

Chapter 386
“WHAT?!” Dinho almost choked on his own saliva. “Pffft! No! Of course not! She's my boss and a great friend. That's all.”
Gabriela, who was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, almost fainted. “My God, does he think I'm dating Dinho? That's the end!”
Afraid that the misunderstanding would ruin her chances, she interrupted the conversation, almost shouting:
“Daniel! We're not dating! Dinho is like an older brother to me. I'm single! Completely single!”
Daniel laughed at her vehemence.
“Oh, sorry. My mistake.”
“Don't worry. It's Dinho's fault for not explaining anything,” said Gabriela, catching her breath and pointing to the cushions on the floor. “Please, sit down. Let's eat.”
Dinner began with a strange atmosphere. Dinho tried to make small talk about trivial things, avoiding sensitive military topics, while Gabriela, normally talkative, was strangely focused on her food, chewing with palpable nervousness.
Daniel responded politely, but the presence of a “civilian” clearly made him self-conscious.
Dinho was running out of ideas to break the ice. He looked at Gabriela, discreetly signaling for her to say something, but she was panicking.
Suddenly, Dinho's cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He answered it, and Benjamin's voice sounded in his ear, direct and reassuring:
“What are you waiting for? Leave the room now. Make up an excuse. Leave them alone.”
Dinho blinked, confused, but soon understood the move.
“Yes, sir!” he replied loudly, assuming a serious tone.
He hung up and looked at Daniel with an expression of false urgency.
“Daniel, I'm sorry, man. A problem has come up at the office. I need to take this call outside and sort some things out. I'll be right back.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
As soon as the door closed behind Dinho, silence fell over the room like an anvil.
Only the sound of chopsticks tapping on porcelain and background music filled the space. Gabriela looked at Daniel, who was eating calmly. It was now or never.
Gabriela was at war with herself. Every sentence she rehearsed mentally evaporated the moment she looked at the man in front of her. Nervousness left her empty, paralyzed.
She put down her chopsticks, giving up pretending to eat, and looked at Daniel. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
“Miss Gabriela...” Daniel's deep voice broke the silence. “You don't need to be shy or hold back around me.”
Gabriela blinked, stunned.
“Oh, my God! Does he know? Is it that obvious?”
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
“Um... it seems you know what I'm trying to say. Your observation skills are frightening, General.”
Daniel calmly put down his cutlery. His impenetrable green eyes fixed on her. Although he felt slightly uncomfortable being alone with a woman other than Lilian, he maintained his stoic posture.
“I just know,” he replied enigmatically.
Gabriela smiled nervously.
“How was your day, Daniel?” she asked, and immediately wanted to slap her forehead. “Seriously, Gabriela? ‘How was your day?’ What a silly question!”
“No incidents. Which, in my line of work, means an excellent day,” he replied, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
The answer was short, to the point, almost a wall. Gabriela realized that if she continued beating around the bush, he would put up insurmountable barriers.
It was now or never.
She swallowed hard, gathering all the courage she had.
“Daniel... do you know that I like you?”
The question came out in a whisper, but it echoed through the room like thunder. Gabriela's face burned.
One second. Two. Five. Ten.
Daniel didn't move. His expression didn't change. There was no shock, no disgust, no joy. Just that calm, unreadable look that drove her crazy and confused.
The silence was killing her.
"Please say something! Anything!“ she begged mentally.
But he remained silent, watching her.
Gabriela felt panic rising, but her survival instinct (and stubbornness) prevailed. She clenched her hands under the table, digging her nails into her palms.
”Very well," she said, straightening her posture and lifting her chin. “I'll take your silence to mean ‘yes.’”
Daniel frowned immediately. He had known since their first meeting at the cabin in Sweden that she had a crush on him. But he had always kept her at a distance, respecting her friendship with Lilian and protecting his own heart, which still beat for a woman he couldn't have.
“Miss Gabriela...” he began, ready to put a stop to it.
“Please, just call me Gabriela.” She interrupted him with a sweet but determined smile. “And you don't have to answer right now, Daniel. I just want you to listen to me.”
Daniel fell silent, intrigued by her audacity.
“I like you, Daniel Spector. Ever since I first saw you in Sweden. But at that time, I kept quiet. I knew your heart belonged to Lilian, and I respect her too much to interfere.”
The mention of Lilian made a flash of pain pass through Daniel's eyes, but Gabriela did not back down.
“However... Lilian chose Ethan. She's happy. And that means you're free, even if you don't want to admit it.”
Gabriela leaned over the table, her eyes shining with brutal honesty.
“I've decided I'm going to win you over. I'm applying for the position of your future wife.”
Daniel was speechless.
“I'm in no rush,” she continued softly. “I only ask that you consider me if you're trying to move on. Or, if your family pressures you to marry some hand-picked stranger... remember me. I'm the woman who truly loves you, and you already know that.”
Gabriela leaned back, feeling a huge weight lift off her shoulders. She had made her bet. Now the game was on the table.
“Gabriela... does Lilian know about this?” Daniel asked, staring at her. “I believe you know how much I loved her.”
“Of course. She's my best friend.” Gabriela sighed, setting down her teacup. “She told me everything about you two. I knew I had no chance of winning your heart as long as she was single. That's why I never dared to interfere.”
She paused, gathering the courage to hold his gaze.
“However, when I found out that Lilian had taken Ethan back... I told myself it was time to make up for lost time. Time to go after you, Daniel Spector.”
Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but Gabriela, fearing immediate rejection, went on:
“Please, Daniel, don't answer me now.”
“Gabriela...”
“No, I mean it.” She raised a hand in a pleading gesture. “I know it's sudden. I just want you to know how much I like you and that maybe you'll consider seeing me in a different light. That's all I'm asking for now.”
Daniel let out a low laugh, looking away. He understood her game, but there was a missing piece in that puzzle.
“Gabriela, what I wanted to ask is: does Lilian know about your feelings for me?”
Gabriela was stunned.