When Max arrived at home, the first thing he asked was Gabriella.
“The woman is awake, Sir. But, she looks like out of her mind. She keeps crying and screaming so, I have to lock her in the room,” the butler explained nervously.
“She hasn’t eaten yet?” Max asked with a crease at his brow.
“Not yet, Sir.”
The man let a sigh out of his mouth. “Would you prepare some food for her? Take it to the room in about 15 minutes.”
“Yes, Sir.”
While the butler rushed to the kitchen, Max slid into the room.
As soon as the door was opened, the girl who was hugging herself in the corner of the room began to tremble with fear. She continued to push her body backwards even though she was caught by the wall.
Max’s heart suddenly felt so empty. He had never experienced that feeling, a feeling that tore his chest and forced hands into tight fists. With slow steps, the man approached Gabriella.
“Stay away … don’t come closer!” the girl demanded in a choked voice. She didn’t dare look at the man at all. Her head kept bowing, hiding brow wrinkles.
“I don’t know anything. Nobody pays me,” she said without being asked. The air in Max’s lungs suddenly grew heavier.
“Gabriella?” The man bent his knees. The girl who was dropping the tears was getting smaller.
“I really know nothing. Nobody pays me,” she said while gripping her own fingers. The girl was clearly overshadowed by the interrogator’s threats.
Realizing Gabriella’s fear, Max’s hand reached out to touch the girl’s shoulder. However, as soon as he saw the weak figure shook her head, his intention faded.
“Don’t hurt me, please! Don’t cut my fingers!” Gabriella gasped helplessly.
The man clenched his hand spontaneously and placed it on his lap. It’s not wise to touch the scared girl.
“I know, you’re innocent. So, calm down! No one is going to hurt you.”
“I do know nothing. Nobody pays me,” Gabriella repeated like a broken record, created a bigger hole inside Max’s chest.
“Yes, I know. So, get up! Don’t corner yourself like this,” the man coaxed softly. However, the girl still shook her head. Her body curled even smaller.
“Gabriella?” Max called trying to get the girl’s consciousness. This time, his hands really reached out to grab the thin arm.
There was no response he got. The girl was still caught in the horror that shook her whole body.
Realizing that his effort was in vain, Max left and returned with a large book in his hand. “Are you familiar with this photo album?”
Gabriella’s chin finally lifted. After one breath, the girl grabbed the photo album and hugged it tightly.
“Right. It’s yours,” the man said with lips curving bitterly. “Do you want to see the photos together?”
Gabriella shook her head quickly and tightened her arms. That rejection felt like a slap to the man. Max really didn’t have any idea about how to make the girl open up to him.
Without speaking, Max stood up and stepped back. He hoped to see Gabriella do something. However, until he got to the door, the girl was still huddled. With great compulsion, the CEO stepped out to give Gabriella room to recover her courage.
“What have I done?” he regretted with eyes closed.
After a few seconds, Max opened the door silently. From the narrow gap, he peeked. Gabriella had placed the album on the floor. Her hands were shaking violently, trying hard to turn the page.
Despite the repeated failures, the girl kept trying. She didn’t care how sticky the sheets on the album were. The faces of her parents were so close to the eyes. Until suddenly, Max was already gripping her hand, Gabriella gasped and pulled herself.
“No, please… don’t be afraid! I don’t mean to hurt you. Look at this!”
Max turned one page. The photo of a little girl with her parents could be seen.
In an instant, Gabriella’s tears rolled down. With the trembling fingers, she touched her mother’s face then turned to her father’s.
The CEO was unable to get rid of the frown on his eyebrows. Heavy weight on his shoulders seemed to be pulled by greater gravity.
After letting Gabriella calm down for a moment, the man shifted to the side of the girl. He picked up the album, then placed it on his lap.
“You want to see these photos, right? Let me help,” he nodded convincingly although the girl looked at him doubtfully.
“Look at this! Is it your 10th birthday party? It looks fun,” Max said while turning his gaze to the photo he was pointing at.
“Then, this doll must be the present from your parents. Very cute.”
Little by little, Gabriella began to pay attention to the photos. Longing had overcome fear. Without realizing it, she leaned closer to Max.
Looking at the girl’s progress, the man secretly smiled. He moved the album onto the girl’s lap and turned the page.
“Wow, is this a photo of you on vacation? How fun!” Max continued to comment on each of the photos.
In a few minutes, they had come to the last page. The tremors in Gabriella’s hands suddenly went wild again.
“Do you want to see it all over again?” Max worried if the girl lost her mind again.
Without waiting for an answer, the man turned the album back on the first page. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Ah, it must be your food,” Max headed to open the door.
His guess was correct. The butler brought a trolley full of food.
“Thank you, Aunt Minnie. Let me bring this in.”
“How is the woman, Sir?” the butler asked in a low voice.
The corners of Max’s lips lifted forcibly. “She’s better.”
“Thank goodness. I shouldn’t worry too much. Then, excuse me, Sir.”
As Minnie showed her back, Max’s smile faded.
“Tsk, why does everyone seem to increase my guilt?” he muttered before closing the door.
After one breath, the man returned to Gabriella’s side. He was silent for a moment, thinking of a way to persuade the girl.
“Gabriella, it’s time to eat. Shall we close this album for a bit? We can continue after you eat.”
The girl did not pay attention. Her eyes were fixed on the photos.
“Tsk, it doesn’t work,” Max grumbled in confusion.
After scratching his temples, he took a bowl of porridge. With an awkward motion, he brought a spoonful of it close to the girl’s lips.
“Gabriella, open your mouth,” the man coaxed softly. However, the girl didn’t want to obey.
At his wits end, Max grabbed the photo album and sat on it. Sobs that had stopped automatically continued. With a short breath and red eyes, the girl protested. It was clear that she wanted to fight back but didn’t have the courage.
“If you want to see these photos again, then eat your meals!” the man threatened with an affirmed look. “Now, open your mouth!”
Miraculously, as soon as Max brought the spoon closer, Gabriella opened her mouth even if it was only a centimeter.
Not wanting to lose the chance, the man urged the porridge to enter. The first bite worked out perfectly.
“Swallow or I’ll throw this photo album away!”
Inevitably, Gabriella chewed through tears. She really looked like a child who was threatened by her mother.
A quarter of an hour later, the bowl in Max’s hand was empty. However, as Gabriella was about to snatch the photo album, a threat was launched again.
“Now, swallow these pills if you want to see the photo album again!”
The girl’s eyes trembled when she saw some pills on the man’s palm. After a brief moment, she finally opened her mouth, let Max put in the pills and gave some water to drink. Gabriella was too tired to fight back.
After completing the mission, the CEO moved her to the bed.
“Here… play with your photos! I can’t take care of you all day.”
After giving the album, Max left the room. Finally, he felt a little calm to handle work.
“How is the company, Bas?” the CEO asked by phone.
“It’s under control. How about the girl? Did the interrogation work? You haven’t told me the results at all.”
Max looked down and sighed tiredly. “She’s innocent. ”
“Poor girl,” the secretary murmured.
“Don’t make me feel more guilty, Bas.”
“You’ve screwed that girl mercilessly, Max. You also asked Sharp Knife to interrogate her.”
“Yes, yes, I know! Because of it, my heart was restless. I lost focus on looking for the real criminals.” The CEO’s voice was clearly sounding uneasy.
“What will you do if you fail to gain the trust of the board of directors?” Sebastian asked dryly.
Max raised his shoulders and shook his head. “I haven’t had time to think about it. I hope you have information about it.”
“So far, nothing’s new, Max. If they really wanted to put you down, they should have started talking about replacements already.”
The CEO nodded his head. “Thank you, Bas. Please contact me immediately if there’s any news.”
After putting down the cellphone, Max’s gaze fell on the miniature build he had designed.
“What must I do to maintain this project? I can’t let Gabriella’s house ruined for nothing,” he thought with a faint snort.
Tired of thinking, Max returned to the room. Looking at Gabriella fall asleep hugging the album, his focus immediately took a turn.
Carefully, the man secured the photo album and climbed to the bed. His hand moved slowly, stroking the girl’s hair.
“Should I make this girl my wife? Too many mistakes I have to make up for her.”