"Are you going to sign this letter or not?" Max asked while holding back the roar of his breath.
"What do you mean? I've signed the letter,” Gabriella said with furrowed brows. Her tone was no longer polite.
"Okay! Don't blame me if something bad happens to your house."
"Wait! I've signed the letter, okay? You can't intrude on this house anymore.”
"Good afternoon!"
Max left after expressing his frustration with words. It was unusual for the man to fail controlling his emotion.
"That girl isn't normal," said the CEO as soon as he got into the car. The man behind the steering wheel glanced at him.
"What's wrong?"
"She gave me spicy coffee and salt water, but not even a drop of water to wash my mouth,” Max said with disgust.
"Is it true? Then, what did you do to wash your mouth?"
The CEO's eyelids were suddenly frozen. The softness of the lips that he had kissed was lingering in his mind. After blinking vigorously, he handed the folder to the secretary.
"Never mind, don't talk about that again. The important thing is, we managed to get the girl's autograph."
"Is this a valid signature?" Sebastian brought the black ink streaks closer to his eyes.
"I told you, she's a strange woman. Now, let's go! My agenda got delayed because of that stubborn girl."
While holding back a smile, the secretary who is also the driver stepped on the gas. They left behind a girl who was peeking through the window.
"That's the consequence of messing with Gabriella," she muttered with pursed lips.
A second later, his fingers rose to touch the traces of a kiss that still felt warm. Without realizing it, her heart was beating faster again.
"Because of that guy, I lost my first kiss," she grumbled, looking down.
"Ah never mind! Why do I regret the past? I'd better get back to practice for tomorrow's competition."
The sound of piano could be heard again. Gabriella's focus was solely on the paper, which was filled with rows of notes.
“I have to make Mom's dream come true. Take the trophy home and display it in the living room!"
The next day, the girl came home with a cheerful face.
“Mom must be glad for I got through in the first round,” Gabriella mumbled along the way.
With light steps, she entered the alley leading to her house. The ruins on the right and left no longer bothered her mind since her heart had been dominated by happiness.
A few moments later, Gabriella's steps were stopped by surprise. The smile on her face immediately changed to a scream.
"Nooo!"
The girl ran without paying attention to her dress being caught in the wind. Every time her steps were blocked by the cloth, she's slowing down, but she was not allowed to stop.
"Please, don't!" Gabriella shouted as the excavator's arm smashed the roof of her house. Tears could no longer be contained.
“Stop it! Don't destroy my house!"
Heavy equipment kept breaking down the walls of her house. Half of the building was in ruins.
"No, no!" the girl who had almost arrived at the yard of the house shouted. But unfortunately, two workers intercepted her steps.
“Don't go there, Miss! It's dangerous!"
"But that's my house!"
"Sorry, Miss. We were ordered to destroy all the houses in this area."
“Not my house! I didn't even agree to sell it! Then, what are you doing now?"
"Sorry, Miss." Those workers dragged her away.
"No! Let me go! Stop!"
Gabriella continued to struggle, but she was still forced away from the yellow monster that was merciless.
"Please ..." she sighed desperately.
Unfortunately, the rakeer continued to work. The yellow monster didn't understand that every time it knocked down one wall, Gabriella's heart was scattered with it.
"My home ...."
Gabriella's voice faded with despair. The girl did not have strength to stand up anymore. Sitting on the side of the road, she watched her house be razed. Gabriella could only cry and cry.
***
"Excuse me, Sir." Sebastian stepped into Max's office.
"What's the matter, Bas? Why are you so serious?" the CEO asked while his gaze stuck to the documents on the table.
"I just got a report. The girl's house has been razed."
The pen in Max's hand spontaneously stifled. After straightening his head, the man blinked firmly. "What did you say?"
“Gabriella's house has just been razed. Someone has sent the wrong order using e-mail from our office."
Max pressed his temple with one hand. "Who is that? Who dares to send out that order?"
"Sorry, Sir. The order was sent via your e-mail. "
The CEO stared intently at his secretary. "My e-mail?"
“Yes, Sir,” Sebastian said, not daring to return his cousin's gaze.
Max leaned back in the seat. After thoroughly reviewing the information, his bland laugh sounded desperate.
“It turns out that my guess was right. There is something wrong with the house. Then, what about that girl? Any news about her?"
"Until now, there's no meaningful news. Gabriella continues to cry over the ruins of her house."
The CEO's forefinger began tapping on the table.
"What would that strange girl do? Will she go on a rampage in front of the media? Or sue us?"
"Sorry, Sir. I have to handle other things. We have to quickly find the person who sent the bogus order. Excuse me."
Sebastian gave a slight bow and walked away, leaving Max with dozens of scenarios in mind.
"What will that woman do?" the CEO muttered since he could not find a good guess. Everything about Gabriella was complicated and unpredictable.
"What should I do?" a girl sighed while teardrops ran down her cheeks. She's been around checking the debris, but not a single object could be saved.
Photos of her father and mother, the glasses she got for her 10th birthday, and even the polar bear that always accompanied her to sleep. Beautiful memories seemed to be destroyed with those items.
"What should I do?"
"Miss ...."
Gabriella turned to the side. A pair of shabby shoes entered the frame of view. With the remaining strength, she looked up at a man holding the project helmet with both hands.
"Sorry, Miss. It's almost dark. We have to go home. It's not good for a girl to be alone in a place like this."
Gabriella looked back. Tears slowly began to form once again. After swallowing hard, she sighed, "You still have a home to come to, but I ... I have nowhere else to stay."
The man standing next to the girl lowered his head. He had chosen a wrong word.
"Sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to offend. But, don't you have siblings? Or distant family? Stay in their house for a while."
Gabriella didn't reply. She was too sad to explain that she had no one to rely on.
“Or, what if you asked the chairman of the Quebracha company to take responsibility? I heard that he is a wise and friendly person. Maybe, you'll be able to receive appropriate compensation."
Gabriella's fists clenched tightly around her dress. An immense rage had just risen and was filling her self.
"It's useless to ask for accountability. My house will not be back."
"But, at least, you can get some money and maybe ... a place to make a living. That's much better than lamenting a fate like this."
Gabriella was stunned. The worker's advice had slapped her face. What the man said was true. Moving was much better than being still. The person who had destroyed her memories and hopes should not be allowed to win.
Slowly, the girl rose to her feet.
"Do you know the address of this heartless company leader?"
The worker nodded.
"What will that woman do?" Max thought in the middle of dinner. The rice on his plate was almost gone, but the debate in his mind was still not over."What kind of craziness is she going to do? Tsk, who is the person who paid for her for this play?""Sorry, Sir. There's a call from the guard,” a servant said while lowering her head and handing him a cell phone.Max's eyebrows rose spontaneously. "The guard?"His question was answered with a nod from the servant."Is it possible ... that crazy woman came here?"Without wasting any time, the CEO answered the call. "What's the matter?""There is a girl insisting to meet you, Sir."Max's expression suddenly turned stiff. "Who?""Her name is Gabriella."A sigh escaped directly from the man's mouth.“It's totally unexpected. Why does she choose to come here?""Is there any 'honesty potion' stored in the post?" Max asked using a code."Yes, Sir."The corner
“You have no heart! Instead of apologizing, you insulted my house and my memories?"Gabriella grabbed Max's hair brutally. Even though he was grimacing, the man was still able to stand up straight. His hands did not hesitate to grip the girl's wrist and freeze the attack."What am I sorry for? I'm not guilty."Gabriella's annoyed chuckle rang out."You're innocent? You think I believe it? Aren't you the one who gave me threat? Do you forget?" the girl protested as she jerked her hand.“That was just a saying. It wasn't me who destroyed your house."Gabriella started jumping up and down, adding strength to the pull, but the CEO still gripped her wrists."Let go! I don't want to be touched by a cruel bragger like you!”“Did you just accuse me of bragging?"Max twisted Gabriella and locked her from behind. With arms crossed over her chest, the girl could do nothing but jump up and down. Even though her head hit the man's chin severa
"God damn it! When did the threat put the stimulant in my food?" Max thought while filling the tub with cold water.The man stepped in as soon as his clothes had been taken off. Then, he closed his eyes trying to catch his breath."Geez! I can be crazy!"The CEO grabbed the soap and played himself. However, the lust within him was too great to overcome. Even after he washed himself, the heat that ran in his veins never went out, while the thirst for woman was even more burning."I can't take it anymore!"Max got out of the water and wiped the body carelessly. Without a single thread covering his body, he went to meet the woman who was asleep on the bed."I'm sorry, Miss. But, you came to this house by yourself. You must be willing to serve my desire."Max hurriedly stripped Gabriella's clothes. He didn't even hesitate to tear the dress in half at the front.The girl's brows furrowed slightly as Max began to play. Her subconscious mind
As soon as the CEO left the bathroom, he gave Gabriella a look of disgust. While opening the wardrobe and taking clothes, the man said, “Stop crying! Your tears won't touch me." There's no answer. The girl didn't even flinch with her eyes glaring at Max. She knew that whatever came out of her mouth would not be trusted. So, silence was the best answer. "I'll give you one more chance. Tell me ... who paid you for all this mess? If you are honest, I will tolerate you." Until the CEO was fully dressed, Gabriella remained locked in the voice. No matter how tired her heart was in facing painful accusations, she had to remain strong. “Oh, you still choose to be quiet? Okay, then, don't expect to get out of this room.” After making a threat, Max stepped out and locked the door. His expression was far from compassionate. In his eyes, Gabriella was nothing more than a despicable woman who would do anything for money. "Aunt Minnie, don't let any
"This is bad!" Max sighed as he moved the limp body onto the bed. "Aunt Minnie! Come here!" While his hands were looking for doctor's contact, his eyes occasionally checked toward the door. As soon as the butler appeared, Max immediately gave instructions. "Find clothes for this girl, please. Then, bring me a basin of warm water and small towel." "Do you want me to clean this girl?" Max shook his head quickly. He was afraid that evidence of his brutality would be seen by the servant. "No, I'll do it by myself." The middle-aged woman's winking turned stiff. "Are you sure?" "Yes." Max nodded while maintaining his expression. "Okay, wait a moment, Sir. " As soon as he got the requested items, Max immediately closed the door and wiped Gabriella's face. He did not have time to think about reluctance or compulsion. His brain was too busy getting rid of guilt. “Tch, this girl .... Why is she so selfish?
Max stared as the pen fell from Gabriella's grasp. Aren't the fingers of a pianist usually stable? Then, why was that girl's hand shaking so much?"What's wrong?" the man asked while raising an eyebrow.“I-I don't know. My hands are out of control,” Gabriella replied softly. A single tear flowed down as the girl's eyes flickered. Great anxiety had risen in her heart.After racking his brain for a moment, the man finally sighed. "Ah, it might be the effect of the drink you drank yesterday.""Will my fingers keep shaking?" Gabriella asked before turning her head around with a very honest face. It unexpectedly touched the CEO's heart."Of course not. It's only temporary. You just need to eat and rest. Tomorrow morning, your hands won't be shaking anymore,” Max explained with a flat face. He felt duplicity now. Since when did he soften in front of the girl?"Now, do you want me to help sign this contract?" the CEO asked after remembering his ultimate
"You think you can run away from me, sly woman?" Max said in a triumphant tone.Gabriella's head spontaneously shook her head rejecting the call. “I don't know anything about that message. Trust me!"“Shhh! Don't panic. Take it easy! The signed contract remains valid. It's just that you won't be away from me as long as you haven't revealed who your boss is.”The girl let out a tired sigh."I'm serious. I don't know who this person is. He's setting me up."Max nodded and pursed the corner of his lips."It's okay if you still don't want to confess. There are still a few days before the competition. You will definitely give that person's name to me before then.”Gabriella continued to shake her head even though she didn't speak a word. Her tongue was too stiff to move."Please enjoy your dinner. I want to sleep."Max shifted the table slightly to the left and then lay down on the right side of the bed. Ignoring the look at Gabriella'
Max opened the door in a sudden, so the girl near the window gasped."This is our target," the CEO said to a man in a long robe with a toolbox in his right hand.The man immediately paid close attention to Gabriella. After a few seconds, he nodded quickly."Good. Lock the door!"Max carried out the order without hesitation."What are you going to do?" Gabriella asked while pushing her back to the wall as she recognized the threat.The interrogator placed the toolbox on the table. Once opened, not only Gabriella, but Max also stared at the contents. Various knives and strange tools arranged on several levels. The first thing the robed man took out was a rope."What do you want?" Gabriella asked breathlessly.The man turned his head. His sharp eyes immediately cut the guts of the girl."Catch her!"Max moved to fulfill the order. He walked over to Gabriella, who was shaking her head, asking for mercy."No!"The gi