Gabriel stormed through the university campus, each step harder than the last. His mind was racing, his frustration building with every whisper and sidelong glance thrown his way. He could hear the rumors in the air, the hushed voices filled with judgment.
“Did you hear? Gabriel and Elena were at the beach together.”
“Yeah, I saw them. I can’t believe it. He’s not the type for someone like her.”
Gabriel clenched his fists, his jaw tightening with each passing word. He had no idea how the story had spread, but there it was-gossip about him and Elena. The one thing he couldn’t stand more than anything else was people talking about him like he was a toy to be passed around, a subject for their entertainment. And the fact that it was about Elena, the girl who had been avoiding him, who had shut him out despite everything, made his blood boil even more.
How did they know about that night on the beach? He hadn’t told anyone. So, how?
His thoughts were interrupted by another whisper as he passed a group of students.
“I heard they were on the beach together at night, just the two of them. Why would Gabriel even waste time with her?”
“Yeah, I don’t get it. She’s just a nobody, a freak.”
Gabriel’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. They had no idea who she really was. No one did. And it angered him, more than he cared to admit.
His steps quickened. He needed to find Elena.
Elena was sitting alone in the courtyard, her textbook spread out in front of her, though she wasn’t really reading. The noise in the background, the quiet whispers that seemed to follow her everywhere, made it impossible to focus. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to turn the pages, but she couldn’t concentrate. The words on the page blurred together, just like the faces of the people who mocked her, laughed at her, and gossiped about her.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she immediately knew who it was. Her father. He had sent another angry message earlier, demanding money for his debts. She hated hearing from him, but the fear of what might happen if she ignored him always kept her responding.
But before she could reach for her phone, she felt a presence. Cold, harsh. She didn’t need to look up to know who it was. The way the air seemed to grow heavier, the way the atmosphere changed-it could only be Gabriel.
“Elena,” he growled, his voice sharp and full of tension.
She looked up, startled. Gabriel stood before her, his face a mask of anger. His eyes were wild, filled with fury and something else-something that almost looked like concern, but it was buried beneath his anger.
“Come with me,” he demanded, his tone not leaving room for any argument. He grabbed her arm, yanking her to her feet before she could say anything. “Now.”
“Gabriel, what-”
“We need to talk,” he interrupted, his grip tightening on her arm as he led her toward the poolside. His anger was palpable, crackling in the air around them. She could feel it radiating from him, and despite her best efforts to stay calm, the knot in her stomach only grew tighter.
Once they reached the poolside, Gabriel finally let go of her arm, but only to turn and face her, his jaw clenched. He looked like he was about to explode.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me about all this?” he demanded, his voice shaking with frustration. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me about the rumors? Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
Elena swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to drag you into this, Gabriel. I didn’t want to make you deal with my problems. They’re mine to handle.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about? You think I wouldn’t care? You think I wouldn’t want to help you?” His voice was dangerously low, and he took a step closer to her, his gaze searing into hers. “Damn it, Elena. You’re pissing me off. You’re making me so damn angry.”
Elena took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t want him to get too close. She didn’t want to give him any reason to think she needed him especially not after everything. She had to do this on her own. She didn’t want to be anyone’s burden, especially not his.
“I didn’t want to get your hopes up,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I didn’t want you to feel like you had to get involved. You’re not my friend, Gabriel. I’m not someone you have to protect.”
Gabriel’s frustration only grew. He stepped forward again, closing the gap between them, and his hands shot out, grabbing her shoulders tightly. His touch was firm, possessive, like he was trying to hold her together when she felt like she was falling apart.
“No one-no one-gets to bully you except me, understand?” he spat, his face inches from hers. His words hit her like a slap, raw and full of anger, but there was something else in his eyes. Something that confused her.
Elena stared at him, her mind racing. She opened her mouth to speak, but he didn’t give her the chance. His grip on her shoulders tightened.
“Why didn’t you fight back?” he growled, his breath hot against her skin. “Why did you let them talk about you like that? Why the hell didn’t you stand up for yourself?”
Her heart raced, her chest tightening with the weight of everything she had been holding in. “Because… because I didn’t want to make it worse,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “I didn’t want to be that person, Gabriel. I didn’t want to make a scene. I didn’t want to be in the middle of all this drama.”
Gabriel’s expression softened for a split second, but it quickly hardened again. “Drama? Is that what you think this is?” he demanded. “You think this is some kind of petty high school drama?” His voice grew louder with every word, full of frustration and confusion. “You let them tear you down, Elena. You let them talk about you like you were nothing. You didn’t fight back, and it drives me crazy!”
Elena looked up at him, her chest aching with every word. “I don’t want to cause trouble. I just… I just wanted to get through this. I didn’t want to drag anyone else into it. Especially not you.”
Gabriel’s eyes darkened as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her face. His hand moved from her shoulder to cup her cheek, his touch gentle, but the intensity in his eyes was anything but soft.
“You’re not a burden, Elena,” he said softly, his voice low. “You’re not some problem I have to deal with. I want to help you. I want to be there for you.” He paused for a moment, his gaze never leaving hers. “But you’re making it so damn hard.”
Elena’s chest tightened. “I didn’t ask you to,” she said quietly, almost a whisper. “I didn’t want to need anyone.”
Gabriel’s eyes flashed with frustration again. “Well, too bad, because you’ve got me now,” he snapped, his grip on her face tightening as he leaned in closer. “And no one is going to mess with you. Not while I’m around.”
Elena’s heart pounded, and for a brief moment, she felt her defenses crack. She wanted to pull away, wanted to stay distant, but something about the way he held her-possessive, protective-kept her rooted to the spot.
“Why are you so angry?” she whispered, barely able to hold back her tears.
Gabriel let out a sharp exhale, his grip finally loosening as he stepped back, though his eyes never left her. “Because you’re mine to protect, Elena,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “And I’m not going to let anyone treat you like you’re nothing. Not while I’m here.”
” What do you mean by this Gabriel?” asked Elena