Chapter 76 Gifts and promises
Gavin's Pov
I watched them. Diana gestured wildly with her fork as she told some story about Melissa’s childhood, her face brightened with joy. Jason leaned back in his chair with that cocky grin, saying something quietly that made Melissa kick him under the table. She laughed so hard her eyes watered, her hand pressed to her stomach.
I didn’t speak. I didn’t even know what to say so I just looked at them.
This…this warmth, this easy affection, this lightness…it was foreign to me. I’d grown up in silence and violence, in a world where family meals were strategy sessions and laughter was weakness.
But watching them now, I understood what I’d been missing my entire life.What I’d been fighting for. It gave me strength to do what I knew I had to do very soon.
Diana caught my eye and smiled, reaching over to squeeze my hand. I squeezed back, trying to play the role of devoted fiancé.
But my eyes kept drifting to Melissa.
The way the morning light caught in her dark hair. The way her smile transformed her entire face. The way she seemed so genuinely, completely happy at this very moment. I wish I could freeze time for her.
My phone buzzed against the table.The name on the screen made my jaw tighten.Marcus.
“Excuse me,” I said, standing. “I need to take this.”
I walked to my office, closing the door behind me before answering.
“Marcus.”
“Sir, it’s another dead end.” His voice was heavy with exhaustion. “She isn’t the one.”
I pressed my fingers to my forehead, closing my eyes.
Another dead end. Another failed lead. Another promise I couldn’t keep.
“Okay, Marcus. Thank you.”
“Sir, if I may…” He paused. “I think you should stop now. You’ve tried your best to fulfill this promise. He won’t hold it against you.”
“No.” My voice came out harder than intended. “I need to find her. Just keep me updated.”
“Yes, sir I’ll start working on that immediately.”
I ended the call and stood there, the weight of fifteen years pressing down on my shoulders.
I’d promised him. And I’d failed. Again and again.
Where are you? I whispered.
I straightened my shoulders, smoothed my expression, and returned to my family.
———-
Melissa’s POV
By the time Gavin came back, we had already moved to the living room.
Mom was already sorting through the mountain of presents under the tree, practically vibrating with excitement. Jason sprawled on the floor like he owned the place. I sat cross-legged, trying to contain my own childlike enthusiasm.
Gavin settled into the armchair, watching us with that intensity that made my skin warm, it was like he was looking through me.
“Alright!” Mom clapped her hands. “Let’s start!”
She opened her gift from Gavin first, gasping when she revealed a delicate diamond necklace that probably cost more than our old house.
“Gavin, this is so perfect!” She rushed to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
He hugged her back, then gently clasped the necklace around her throat. “Beautiful,” he murmured, and the tenderness in his voice made me look away.
“Melissa, it’s your turn!” Mom handed me a silver-wrapped box.
It was from Gavin, I unwrapped it carefully and lifted the lid.
I gasped as I saw what was in it. A camera.
A professional Canon I’d been dreaming about for months. The kind I’d stared at in store windows, knowing I’d never be able to afford it.
My hands trembled as I lifted it from the box.
“Gavin…” My voice cracked.
I looked up at him, and the pride in his eyes made tears spill down my cheeks before I could stop them.
“You’re talented,” he said quietly. “You deserve tools that match your skill.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “This is… thank you.”
He nodded, and something passed between us that had nothing to do with gifts.
“There’s one more,” Jason said, sliding another box toward me with a suspicious grin.
I eyed him warily. “What did you do?”
“Just open it.”
I unwrapped it slowly, lifted the lid…
And my face burst into flames.Lingerie. Red, lacy, completely scandalous lingerie.
I slammed the lid shut immediately, my eyes wide with horror.
“JASON!” I shrieked.
He was already laughing, backing away. “What? Red’s your color!”
“Run,” I said, my voice dropping to something deadly. “RUN.”
He bolted.
I chased him through the penthouse, the box clutched in my hand. Behind us, Mom called something about what was happening, but I was too focused on murdering Jason to answer.
He burst into my room and I was right behind him, tackling him onto my bed.
“You absolute fucking IDIOT!” I sat on him and started hitting his chest. “What is wrong with you?”
“It’s expensive!” he protested through laughter. “I thought it was a very thoughtful gift!”
“Thoughtful?!” I hit him again. “This is…you’re impossible!”
“Come on, Warrior Girl, it’s a great gift!”
Then I realized the position we were in.
Me straddling him. His hands on my waist to steady us. Our faces inches were apart, both breathing hard.
Heat flooded through me for an entirely different reason.
I scrambled off immediately, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at his face.
“Baka!” I shouted…stupid in Japanese.
He caught it, still grinning like he’d won some great victory.
I fled my own room, my face burning, his laughter following me down the hall.
When I made it back to the living room, Mom looked concerned. “Everything alright, sweetheart?”
“Fine,” I managed, absolutely refusing to make eye contact with Gavin. “Jason’s just being Jason.”
“What did he get you?” Mom asked innocently.
“Nothing important!” I said too quickly. “Just… a joke gift. Nothing.”
I sank onto the couch, still blushing furiously, very aware of Gavin’s eyes on me even though I wouldn’t look at him.
The box was hidden in my room now.
And I was never, ever going to live this down.