Chapter 387

Chapter 387
“No...” She shook her head. “I never told her. She doesn't know.”
“Why? I thought you two were inseparable.”
Gabriela took a deep breath, feeling her chest tighten.
“Because I don't want to involve Lilian. You know her. If she knew, she would move heaven and earth to bring us together. She's capable of anything, and you know she could convince you.”
Daniel was silent. He had to agree internally. If Lilian asked, he probably wouldn't have the strength to refuse.
“I don't want that, Daniel,” Gabriela continued, with bitter honesty. “Even though I like you very much... I don't want you to accept me out of obligation or because of Lilian. I want to be chosen for who I am.”
A respectful silence settled between them.
“You're right. It's better that she doesn't know,” Daniel agreed.
A discreet but genuine smile appeared on his lips.
It was a small smile, but enough to make Gabriela's heart skip a beat. It was the first time he had smiled at her like that, without Lilian's shadow between them.
Satisfied that she had said what she needed to say, Gabriela stood up abruptly, picking up her purse.
“Daniel, I've said what I had to say. I'm leaving. I don't want to interrupt your dinner or your soldier talk with Dinho.”
Daniel frowned, confused by her sudden departure.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yes.” She smiled, radiant and vulnerable. “Thank you for listening to me without mocking me, Daniel. You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Daniel just nodded, not knowing how to react to such disarming sincerity.
“Oh, and one more thing...” Gabriela hesitated, biting her lip. “I hope you'll unblock my number. I promise I won't text you every five minutes.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
"Unblock?
I'm absolutely certain I didn't block your number, Gabriela.
Gabriela stopped, shocked.
“Really? You didn't?”
“No. Who said I did?”
“No one... but you have my number saved, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then why do you never reply to my messages?”
Daniel scratched the back of his neck, a little embarrassed by the direct confrontation.
“Oh, that...” He was brutally honest. “I just... ignored them. I'm sorry.”
Gabriela was speechless. His honesty was a punch in the stomach, and she felt like digging a hole and disappearing.
But a second later, a wave of relief washed over her. He hadn't blocked her. He was just... a difficult man. That meant the line of communication was still open. It was a small victory.
She forced a brave smile.
“It's okay if you don't reply. But at least read what I send you. And I promise to tone it down.” She gave a small bow and turned to leave.
“Wait, Gabriela...”
The sound of her name in his deep voice made her heart race again. She stopped and looked back.
“Yes?”
“Why are you in such a hurry?” Daniel asked, feeling a pang of guilt and, surprisingly, a reluctance to let her go so soon. “At least finish your dinner.”
Gabriela's face turned red as a tomato. She couldn't stay there another minute without exploding with nervousness.
“Oh... I'm done. I'm full! Bye, Daniel!”
And before he could insist, she practically ran out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Daniel was left alone in the silence of the VIP room.
He sighed deeply, an involuntary smile lingering on his lips. He looked at her plate, still full of food, and then at the closed door. Suddenly, he lost his appetite. His mind, previously empty and calm, was now filled with the image of that crazy, courageous woman.
Dinho finally returned to the room, wearing a guilty, forced smile. He found Daniel sitting calmly, playing with the rim of his tea cup, his gaze lost.
He cleared his throat, ready to come up with a lame excuse, but Daniel looked up before he could open his mouth.
“Where's Gabriela?” Dinho asked, looking around. “Did she go to the bathroom?”
Daniel's lips curved into a cold, perceptive smile.
“Dinho, you can stop the charade. I know what you did.”
Dinho frowned, feigning confusion.
“I did what? What do you mean, man? You're confusing me.”
“It's okay, Dinho.” Daniel sighed, his tone softening. “I don't mind. I know you meant well.”
He patted his friend's shoulder sympathetically. Dinho relaxed his shoulders and exhaled.
“Oh... sorry, man. I was just trying to help a friend and a female friend. I thought maybe...”
“Forget it. Let's finish our tea.”
Daniel said nothing more, just refilled his cup, his thoughts still stuck on the woman who had run out of there minutes earlier.
At Ethan and Lilian's residence.
The house was silent. Ethan had gone upstairs to put Théo to bed, fulfilling the father-son ritual.
In the living room, Lilian took advantage of the privacy to call Charlie. She needed news about her brother.
The call was answered on the first ring.
“Good evening, ma'am,” Charlie answered with his usual efficiency.
“Good evening, Charlie.” Lilian tried to keep her voice casual, but her fingers gripped the phone tightly. “How are things over there?”
“Everything's under control. Your brother was awake earlier and talked to your mother and grandfather. However, the pain increased and the doctors decided to take him to the operating room now. The procedure should be finished in the next few hours.”
Lilian listened attentively. A sigh of relief escaped her. He was in the hands of the doctors.
“I see. Please let me know as soon as the surgery is over.”
“Yes, ma'am. And don't worry about security or comfort. Chief Ethan has sent an extra team of staff and security guards to help at the hospital.”
Lilian blinked in surprise.
“Ethan sent a team?” She didn't know her husband had acted so quickly. Her heart warmed at his silent gesture. “Okay. Thank you, Charlie. Try to get some rest too.”
When she hung up, Lilian leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes, her mind returning to Josh.
She was in a dilemma. The original plan was to reform her brother's character, but his arrogance tested her patience. Deep down, she hesitated to help him. But the promise she had made to her father and her loyalty to her grandfather weighed heavily on her. Josh was, after all, the only male grandchild, the heir to the Arbex name.
“Tsk! You're an idiot, Josh Arbex. A lucky idiot for having a family that still cares,” she thought, frustrated.