Chapter 3

This was a story that had nothing to do with Gabrielle, who was just a contract worker. She only nodded, thinking it was probably true, when suddenly her hand was grabbed.

“So, if you hear anything, you have to let me know, okay? You know I always look out for you.”

“Okay.”

With someone this persistent, it was pointless to be firm. Gabrielle just nodded along, and only then did the chief leave, satisfied. Gabrielle sighed and started typing again.

The long document was written in Dominic Moore’s handwriting. The script was so neat it could have been submitted to a newspaper. His handwriting was as straight and tidy as his long fingers. At the bottom, there was a short note.

[There’s a lot to type today. Thank you for your hard work.]

Just as the note said, today the work piled up all at once. Gabrielle barely finished her own tasks before having to help the neighboring department.

The worst part was waiting for instructions about the event scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Collaboration with another city hall hadn’t gone through, so she had to wait endlessly for a call, long past quitting time.

She couldn’t leave her desk since they promised to call even late at night. So, unable to do anything, Gabrielle just waited at her seat. At some point, she must have dozed off, because when she opened her eyes, she was slumped over her desk.

“Phone!”

It felt as if someone had poured cold water on her head, and she snapped awake. What if the call had come while she was sleeping? Then all her waiting would have been for nothing. Her mind went blank, and someone spoke to her.

“If you mean that call, I answered it.”

Startled, Gabrielle turned her head to see Dominic Moore standing there.

Still in a daze, Gabrielle brushed her hair back. She hadn’t noticed, but his jacket was draped over her shoulders.

“When did you get here? I didn’t even know you’d come.”

“Not long ago.”

“Thank you for the jacket.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Dominic replied lightly, taking back his jacket.

“It’s time to go home now. It’s late.”

“Oh, yes. I should.”

She answered obediently, but her expression was dark. She dreaded the looks and words from her family when she got home. Since she was way past curfew, Sabrina would surely interrogate her, suspecting she’d been with a man.

“It’s late, so let me walk you home.”

“You don’t have to. I can walk.”

“It’s dangerous for a woman to go alone.”

“I always take this route. Thank you for worrying.”

She refused again and again, and Dominic didn’t insist further. Gabrielle bowed and left the company.

Outside, the street was empty in the late night. Walking by the gaslight, Gabrielle suddenly spotted a flyer on the ground. She bent to throw it away but saw it was an ad for a vocational school.

It was the school she had once hoped to attend. If she’d gotten her teacher’s recommendation, she could have entered with a full scholarship. Maybe it was because she was walking alone at night, or maybe she was just exhausted, but suddenly tears began to fall.

If she’d managed to enter that school, what would her life look like now?

Probably everything would be different. Work and overtime would have come later, and she’d be wrestling with books and assignments in the library. Both paths were hard, but at least at school, she might have looked to the future with hope.

Staggering, Gabrielle collapsed right there. Anyone seeing her would think she was strange, but she couldn’t stand any longer. She didn’t even notice someone approaching. A large hand steadied her and helped her up.

“Gabrielle.”

A clean musk scent tickled her nose. She felt a hand supporting her back. Time seemed to stop.

“Where’s your home?”

When she slowly lifted her head, she saw a familiar face. It was Dominic. She’d thought he’d already left by car.

“…….”

“I asked, where is it?”

His voice was firm, leaving no room for hesitation. Gabrielle finally gave her address, albeit reluctantly.

“Get in. I’ll take you home.”

“I’m really fine……”

He helped the staggering Gabrielle into the passenger seat, then got in himself. The car started and glided smoothly away.

Gabrielle, lips parted in the awkward silence, finally spoke.

“You really don’t have to drive me home. I’m sorry to trouble you……”

Before she could finish, he replied.

“Being stubborn is for people who have the luxury.”

“…….”

His profile was focused straight ahead. Without even glancing at her, he added,

“Pride is for those who have something to be proud of.”

It felt like he was saying, ‘Why are you being difficult when you have nothing?’ Her heart stung, then ached. The words hit too close to home, and her face flushed. Gabrielle turned her head quickly to the window.

The car drove in silence and soon arrived at their destination. Dominic glanced over and gave a light farewell.

“We’re here. Get home safely.”

“…Thank you.”

Gabrielle bowed her head and got out of the car. Just as she was about to close the door, she blurted out,

“But, Director…”

The man, who had been staring ahead with a bored expression, finally turned to look at Gabrielle.

“From now on, you really don’t need to drive me home.”

Not even sure why she said it, Gabrielle hurriedly shut the car door and walked back to her house.

Of course, the next morning, Gabrielle regretted saying that as soon as she woke up. What was she thinking, telling the person who’d driven her home not to do it again?

At least it was the weekend, so she wouldn’t have to see him for two days. But what about her job going forward? Just thinking about it made her anxious.

Renewing her contract might be tough. Young women were always the first to be replaced at work.

Sighing heavily, she got out of bed when someone knocked.

“Gabby. Are you up?”

“Mom?”

Even though she’d come home late last night, her mother hadn’t said a word. In the past, she would have turned the house upside down with complaints, but last night was oddly quiet. She just told Gabrielle to wash up and go to bed, and neither her brother, sister, nor stepfather appeared.

“What about the rest of the family?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Talk about what?”

“Come out here.”

The atmosphere in the house felt gloomy. She noticed some furniture was missing. As she looked around in confusion, her mother dropped a bombshell.

“I sold this house a few days ago.”

“What?”

“Your brother is about to start a business. He needs capital. The only thing we have left is this house.”

Gabrielle had never heard this before. She tried to stay calm as she asked,

“So where will we live?”

“I found a small house. It’s on the outskirts, but it’s livable.”

“How can you just spring this on me? How am I supposed to commute?”

“Gabby.”

She was about to ask where it was when another bombshell dropped.

“You need to be independent now.”

“What?”

“You have a job and you’re an adult. It’s time for you to stand on your own.”

She felt used and discarded. Her head buzzed.

“What are you… suddenly saying?”

“Exactly what it sounds like, Gabby.”

“You have a week, so find a room to rent.”

“Mom!”

Sabrina left Gabrielle behind, frozen in shock.

With a bigger problem than just facing Dominic Moore, Gabrielle found herself going to work a few days later without thinking about anything else.

“Gabby?”

“…….”

“Gabby!”

Lost in thought while typing, Gabrielle finally looked up at the repeated calls.

“What are you typing?”

“Ah…”

She’d been so out of it, her typing was a mess. Embarrassed, she tore out the page and dropped the printed part into the trash.

“It’s nothing. What is it?”

“Do I need a reason to come here?”

The chief laughed and quickly got to the point.

“By the way, Mr. Moore has been in the office all day today, hasn’t he?”

“Yes. He doesn’t have any outside appointments today.”

Urgent business trips were already done, and all that was left was paperwork and tasks that could be handled in the office. The phones rang constantly all morning with clients. Strangely, even though he was only acting director, people were desperate to schedule meetings with him. Maybe, as the chief said, he really was connected to someone powerful.

“Lunch? Did you eat?”

“Not yet, why?”

“Here.”

The chief put down a lunchbox. Gabrielle’s eyes widened at the unexpected kindness, but the chief immediately made a request.

“Take this to the acting director, okay? Make sure to say it’s from me.”

“…He might not eat it.”

“If he doesn’t, you eat it. I’m off!”

Leaving the lunch behind, the chief walked out of the secretary’s office without looking back. Gabrielle stared at the lunchbox like it was a ticking bomb and sighed deeply.

“I can’t just throw it away.”

She hesitated only briefly, then realized this was a good excuse to apologize for last week’s incident. Taking a deep breath, Gabrielle got up and knocked on the office door.

“Acting Director, it’s Gabrielle.”

“…….”

“I have something to deliver. May I come in?”

She stood outside, tense, until permission was given.

“Come in.”

It was the same indifferent tone as always. Relieved, Gabrielle opened the door and entered, seeing her busy boss at work on documents.