Chapter 3
Serena wasn’t naive. The night before, before Gabriel returned to the hotel, she had already searched the room for
condoms.
After checking everywhere, she found none.
She thought Gabriel might bring some, but instead, he just told her he didn’t have anything like that.
After taking the pill, Serena grabbed two tacos from a street verlor for lunch. As she nibbled on one, she opened WhatsApp on her phone.
Gabriel still hadn’t sent her the money.
The only recent bank notification was her part–time paycheck from last week-$170.
While staring at Gabriel’s blank profile picture and debating whether to ask him directly, a voice interrupted her.
“Serena, why is your neck all red? An allergic reaction?” Queenie the manager at Stella Learning, looked at her with concern.
Startled, Serena quickly covered the side of her neck where a faint hickey was visible.
She had tried to hide it with foundation, but it must have rubbed off.
“Yeah… I have an allergy,” she stammered.
Her rushed explanation only made Queenie more suspicious. She gave her a knowing look.
“Seeing someone, huh? I was once young, and of course I know the difference between an allergy and a hickey!” Queenie teased, full of gossip.
Serena awkwardly smiled and stayed quiet, tacitly agreeing.
Compared to the truth–which would be devastating–letting people think she was in a relationship seemed like the lesser
evil.
Queenie sighed. “You’re a pretty girl, all alone. If something happens, there’s no one to back you up.
“But now that you have got a boyfriend, I feel better knowing someone’s looking out for you.”
Serena had a sweet, innocent appearance.
Over the past month, several guys in the center had asked her out, but she had politely turned them all down. Since joining Stella Learning, Queenie had never once seen her engage in unnecessary conversation with a guy, Serena nodded lightly. A relationship. That was something she couldn’t afford now,
After her parents disappeared, her brother jonathan had taken care of her from the time she was twelve.
Jonathan had constantly worried that his naive little sister might be deceived by someone.
He’d make a point to pick her up from school whenever he could. If any boys got too close, Jonathan would step in and scare them off.
They’d even made a pinky promise: no dating until she turned eighteen.
But three months before her eighteenth birthday, Jonathan was in a car accident and ended up in a vegetative state.
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Serena couldn’t even begin to imagine how devastated he would be if he knew she had sold her body for money.
Suddenly, Queenie touched her forehead. “I thought you do seem well today. You have got a fever, don’t you?”
Only then did Serena realize how unwell she’d felt all morning.
After taking two Tylenol pills Queenie gave her, Serena felt a little better physically.
Her phone buzzed, lifting her spirits briefly–but it was just Gabriel, sending her a photo.
The picture showed her debit card lying on the hotel desk.
She realized she must have dropped it in her rush to leave that morning.
Serena. [Where are you? I’ll come to get it.]
Gabriel: [Your location?]
Assuming he planned to send someone to return it, she sent him Stella Learning’s address.
Not long after, Darren arrived. It was clear he was here to pick her up.
“He wants me to come to him?” Serena asked.
Darren nodded. “Yes. This way, please.”
They arrived at Caffe Elysée, the most renowned café in Pashew
Serena followed Darren inside. Past the corridors, they reached a secluded area with an elevator.
A group of middle–aged men stepped out, their faces pale and foreheads damp with sweat.
They looked extremely nervous.
“What happened?” Darren asked them.
One of the men hesitated before replying. There was an issue with company procurement…
“Is he angry?” Darren asked, looking concerned.
The man shook his head. “Not angry, just… intimidating.”
Gabriel could be terrifying when he spoke. When he stayed silent, it was even worse.
Serena stood quietly to the side, her mind replaying the stories she’d heard about Gabriel’s formidable reputation in the business world.
The Harrington family had a long–standing legacy of public service.
While his elder brother served in the military, Cabriel had chosen a different path, founding an IT company–The Quasar Group.
Over the years, the company had grown exponentially, branching into chip manufacturing and investment ventures.
with the Harrington family’s influence behind him, any company in Gabriel’s methods were ruthless and decisive, and Pashew that dared to oppose him had eventually disappeared.
Today, Quasar Group reigned as Pashew’s leading enterprise.
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Chapter 3
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The elevator stopped on the third floor, revealing a small fountain surrounded by sleek décor and a sparkling crystal chandelier overhead.
Darren paused and gestured for her to proceed.
Walking past the decor, Serena saw Gabriel seated at an ornately carved wooden table, sipping coffee.
As he held the mug, every motion seemed deliberate and refined, exuding an air of untouchable sophistication.
Yet Serena couldn’t forget how those same hands had caused her suffering and brought her pleasures just last night
The man now sitting composed and polished had been entirely different then.
She recalled the wicked smile that played on his lips as he brought his fingers to her mouth.
He brushed them against her lips before leaning in to whisper in her ear, his voice low and teasing.
“Try it?” His warm breath had sent a shiver down her spine, leaving her skin tingling like tiny ants crawling over it.
Now, he appeared calm and aloof, sipping tea as if untouched by worldly concerns.
Serena pushed the unsettling memories aside, steadying herself as she lingered behind the fountain.
“Mr. Harrington,” she called softly, her voice unsure.
Gabriel glanced up, his dark eyes piercing and unreadable.
Setting his cup down, he gestured slightly and said, “Take a seat
When she hesitated, he extended his hand toward her.
Serena didn’t move. There wasn’t a chair nearby, and she wasn’t sure what he intended, Forcing herself to focus, she spoke firmly.
“I’m just here to get my bank card. I have work this afternoon, so I’ll leave right after.”
Gabriel retracted his hand but made no move to r
return her card.
The floor was eerily quiet, a sharp contrast to the city’s lively streets below.
Serena opened her mouth but faltered, the words refusing to come.
Gabriel remained seated, his movements unhurried as he calmly sipped his coffee,
The silence and his unwavering presence made her pulse quicken. Her palms dampened with sweat as she tried to calm her racing heart.
Finally, she stepped forward and said nervously, “Mr. Harrington, I really don’t have much time.
Gabriel rose to his feet, crossing the space between them in a single stride.
His hand gently touched her cheek, his fingers tracing the smooth skin before tilting her chin upward.
Then, he leaned in as if to kiss her.
The faint, woody scent of his cologue enveloped her senses, and Serena’s face flushed crimson. She quickly turned her head to the side, avoiding him.
Gabriel didn’t release her. Instead, his arm encircled her waist, pulling her close against his firm body.
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Chapter 3
“What’s the matter!” he asked lightly, though his tone carried a quiet authority that made Serena tense,
“Mr… Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice trembling.
His brow furrowed slightly as he replied, “Kissing. Did you already forget what I taught you last night?”
With playful precision, his fingers brished over her lips. “Open your mouth… and stick out your tongue.”
Serena stared at him in disbelief, her face burning with embarrassment as she turned back.
Gabriel thought she wanted to kiss him, so he pressed his lips on hers.
Serena instinctively turned away again, and his lips brushed her cheek instead.
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A flicker of frustration crossed Gabriel’s face, but before he could react further, Serena pushed him away, her movements sharp with anger and humiliation
“Our deal is over, Mr. Harrington. Please don’t overstep,” she snapped.
Gabriel took a deep breath, the intensity in his dark eyes fading as he regained his composure.
“You’re burning up. Are you running a fever?” he asked, his tone shifting to one of concern.
Serena shrugged slightly and replied, Just a little.
Gabriel lowered his head as he pulled out a cigarette.
“We should have been more careful last night,” he said calmly, “I’ll make an appointment with my doctor for you. She’ll check on you and prescribe medication.”
Serena shook her head firmly. “Thank, but I don’t need that. I have already taken two Tylenols. I need money urgently. Could you transfer it to me now?”
She opened her payment app, holding up the WhatsApp QR code again.
Gabriel glanced at the code, let out a cold laugh, and transferred 2,000 dollars.
“Stay and let the doctor check you. Last time I checked, you were swollen down there,” he said.
Then he turned and walked into the tea room, leaving Serena standing there, her face burning with embarrassment.
Shortly after, a female doctor arrived.
After a thorough examination, she handed Serena some ointments and medication.
“Apply this cream as directed. Also, take these Tylenols and Advil pills, she instructed.
The doctor asked a series of questions about Serena’s lifestyle before giving her some pointed advice.
“Miss Murry, you’re weak now. You must eat on time, and your meals should include a proper balance of meat and vegetables. Make sure you’re getting enough nutrition and rest.
When Serena stepped out of the room, Darren was standing nearby, busy replying to messages on his phone. Hearing her approach, he tactfully moved aside.
Cabriel walked toward her. “Have you thought it over? Will you say with me?”
Serena’s almond–shaped eyes trembled slightly at his words. By STAY, does he mean as his mistress?
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Chapter 3
She shook her head.
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Last night had already been chaotic enough. If she continued down this path, she feared she might lose herself in this kind of relationship and lifestyle.
Gabriel’s dark eyes locked onto hers. He stepped closer, his faint woody cologne once again enveloping her.
