Romance with the Cursed Siren

CHAPTER 2. Hypnotizing Beauty

“Stay away from my daughter, young man.” Christian’s deep voice sliced through the silence like thunder.

Gabriel stiffened instantly.

He turned around and froze at the sight of the older man standing a few feet behind him, a rifle firmly gripped in his hands and pointed directly at his face. The dim lantern light flickered across Christian’s sharp features, making his expression appear even colder and more intimidating.

The warmth inside the cabin suddenly vanished.

Gabriel slowly lifted both hands into the air.

“Sir, I—”

“Da!”

Crystal’s sweet voice interrupted the tension before Gabriel could even finish speaking.

She hurried toward her father, her long wavy black hair bouncing softly against her back as she moved. Despite the dangerous atmosphere, there was no fear in her expression—only concern that her father might frighten their unexpected guest.

“Please put that scary thing down,” she said gently, her eyes. “You’re terrifying him.”

Christian’s jaw tightened.

Instead of listening, his sharp gaze shifted toward Gabriel once more, silently warning him not to make a single wrong move.

But Crystal, completely unaware of how dangerously beautiful she looked standing so close to a stranger, stepped directly beside Gabriel.

Because of their height difference, she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach the lantern in his raised hand. One of her delicate hands rested lightly against his chest for support while the other carefully took hold of the lamp.

Gabriel forgot how to breathe.

The soft warmth of her hand against him sent his heartbeat spiraling wildly inside his chest. He swallowed hard.

If not for the darkness surrounding them, he was certain everyone would have seen the redness spreading across his face.

It was ridiculous.

Gabriel Anderson had always been confident around women. In the city, charming smiles and playful flirting came naturally to him. He knew exactly how to make women laugh, blush, and fall into his arms.

But Crystal was different. Terrifyingly different.

There was something about her that completely disarmed him.

Perhaps it was the innocence in her silver-blue colored eyes. Or the softness of her voice that sounded almost melodic, calming the storm raging inside him.

Or maybe it was simply her beauty.

She looked unreal beneath the warm lantern light. Her olive-toned skin glowed softly like golden bronze kissed by moonlight, while her long black curls framed her delicate face beautifully. Even the faint scent surrounding her, a mixture of seawater, rain, and tropical flowers felt strangely intoxicating.

Gabriel stared at her, unable to look away.

‘I wouldn’t mind being hypnotized by someone this beautiful’ he thought helplessly.

Unfortunately, Christian noticed everything. And he hated it immediately.

The older man exhaled sharply through his nose while tightening his grip around the rifle.

Crystal finally managed to take the lantern from Gabriel before turning back toward her father with a bright smile.

Then, to Christian’s complete disbelief, she also reached for the rifle.

“Crystal—”

Before he could protest, she gently took the weapon from his hands.

“Da,” she scolded softly, “this is the first time we’ve ever had a visitor on the island. Be nice.”

Christian stared at his daughter in utter disbelief as she casually walked into the bedroom and hid the rifle away.

When Crystal returned, she offered Gabriel an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry about that,” she said playfully while shrugging her shoulders. “My father just isn’t used to seeing someone as handsome as him in the island.”

Gabriel blinked rapidly.

“I—uh—I mean…” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “It’s alright. Really. I understand.”

Crystal giggled softly at his stammering.

Meanwhile, Aya quietly watched the interaction from behind Christian with growing concern. Their daughter was far too innocent around men.

Crystal had spent most of her life isolated on the island, sheltered from the world beyond Caro. She did not understand how dangerous human emotions could become—especially when beauty like hers was involved.

“My name is Crystal,” she introduced warmly before tilting her head curiously. “What’s yours?”

“Gabe,” he answered quickly before fumbling over his own words again. “I uh... Gabe-Gabriel.”

“Nice to meet you, Gabe.”

The way she said his name made something strange tighten inside his chest.

“Come sit down,” Crystal continued cheerfully. “Dad made chicken and vegetable soup earlier. You must be starving after being outside in the storm.”

Without hesitation, she gently grabbed his hand. Gabriel nearly short-circuited.

Her fingers were soft and warm against his skin as she pulled him toward the dining table in the center of the cabin.

He sat stiffly while Crystal placed the lantern carefully between them.

At that exact moment, Gabriel became painfully aware of two intense pairs of eyes watching his every movement.

One belonged to Aya.

The other belonged to Christian.

And judging by the terrifying expression on Crystal’s father’s face, Gabriel had absolutely no doubt that one wrong move would bury him six feet underground before sunrise.

Aya finally stepped forward slightly, clearly preparing to intervene, but Christian moved first.

“Sweetheart,” he said firmly to Crystal while taking the bowl from her hands, “go back to your room. I’ll take care of our guest.”

Gabriel immediately stood again, uncertain whether remaining seated would somehow offend the terrifying man.

Then Christian looked directly at his daughter.

“Don’t argue,” he warned coldly. “Go inside with your mother. Now.” The sharpness in his voice instantly changed Crystal’s expression.

She lowered her gaze.

Gabriel noticed the subtle shift immediately. Despite her playful personality, Crystal clearly respected and obeyed her father deeply.

“Okay, Da,” she murmured softly.

She handed Christian the bowl obediently before walking toward her mother. But just before disappearing into the room, Crystal glanced back over her shoulder.

A soft smile appeared on her lips as her eyes briefly met Gabriel’s again.

Unfortunately, Christian caught it.

“Crystal.”

The warning in his tone made her jump slightly before hurrying immediately toward Aya.

Gabriel gulped nervously.

Christian slowly poured soup into a bowl before placing it heavily onto the table in front of him.

“Don’t tell me you plan on eating while standing there.”

“N-No, sir.” Gabriel sat down immediately. “Thank you very much for helping me,” he added sincerely. “I truly appreciate your kindness.”

Christian crossed his arms.

“Stop thanking me and eat your food before it gets cold.”

Gabriel nodded quickly and began eating.

The soup was surprisingly delicious—warm, flavorful, and comforting after the terrifying storm outside.

Christian turned away for a moment before suddenly pausing.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

Gabriel looked up.

“I want you off this island before sunrise.”

The seriousness in Christian’s eyes left no room for argument.

Gabriel slowly nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

Only then did Christian finally walk away.

Outside, the storm still raged furiously against the island.

Rain hammered the cabin roof while thunder growled across the sky like an angry beast.

Gabriel eventually settled onto the short sofa in the living room, stretching his legs awkwardly over the edge. But sleep did not come easily. Not when thoughts of Crystal kept invading his mind.

Her smile.

Her voice.

Her eyes.

Everything about her lingered inside his thoughts far too vividly.

Meanwhile, inside the bedroom, Crystal lay awake beside Aya.

She stared quietly at the ceiling while replaying her brief interaction with their mysterious guest over and over again.

For the first time in her life, someone new had stepped onto their island.

And somehow… Gabriel felt different.

Near the doorway, Christian remained seated with the rifle resting across his lap, making absolutely certain nobody entered or exited during the night.

Hours later, Gabriel finally drifted into sleep. But it felt as though he had only closed his eyes for a moment before someone shook his arm firmly.

“Wake up.”

Gabriel blinked groggily.

Christian stood above him.

The storm had passed.

Darkness still covered the island, though faint traces of dawn waited somewhere beyond the horizon.

“It’s time to leave,” Christian said bluntly.

Gabriel sat up immediately.

“Yes, sir.”

He rubbed his tired eyes while quickly gathering his belongings.

“Where exactly is your yacht?” Christian asked.

“The waves pushed it near the rocky shore,” Gabriel explained. “There were cliffs and boulders everywhere. I barely managed to escape before the storm got worse.”

Christian nodded once.

“Let’s go.”

Gabriel stood and followed him toward the door.

But before leaving, he glanced back one last time.

And there she was.

Crystal stood quietly beside the bedroom doorway, watching him. Her long black hair cascaded softly over one shoulder while the dim lantern light illuminated her olive skin beautifully. Though still sleepy, she smiled warmly the moment their eyes met.

Gabriel smiled back instinctively.

He desperately wanted to speak to her again. To learn more about her. To understand why simply looking at her made his chest feel strangely light. But Christian’s terrifying presence immediately crushed those thoughts.

‘I’ll see you again, Crystal,’ he promised silently before following her father outside.

The damage left behind by the typhoon was devastating.

Even in the dim early morning light, destruction covered the island everywhere Gabriel looked.

Large trees had been uprooted completely, their massive roots exposed above the soaked earth. Broken branches littered the ground while fallen fruits scattered across muddy pathways. Several animal shelters had collapsed entirely. Some livestock had not survived the storm.

Gabriel stared around in shock.

“This place got hit badly,” he murmured sympathetically.

Christian remained silent. His expression darkened slightly as he observed the ruined crops surrounding their home.

Gabriel suddenly felt guilty.

This family had sheltered him during the storm despite their own suffering.

“If you’d like,” he offered carefully, “I can stay and help repair everything.”

Christian immediately continued walking.

“No.”

Gabriel frowned.

“I mean it,” he insisted. “You helped me last night. It’s the least I can do.”

Still, Christian refused to look at him.

“Not necessary.”

Gabriel sighed quietly. The older man clearly did not trust him. And honestly? Gabriel couldn’t blame him. After all, Christian had definitely noticed the way he looked at his daughter.

But Gabriel couldn’t help it. Something about her pulled him in effortlessly.

They continued hiking through muddy forest trails while birds slowly resumed singing after the storm. Morning mist drifted between the trees while cool wind rustled through thick leaves overhead.

Gabriel eventually realized how far he must have wandered during the typhoon.

Had he not found the cabin… He probably would not have survived the night.

As they walked, Gabriel found himself thinking once again about the strange path that led him here.

At twenty-five years old, Gabriel Anderson had everything most people dreamed of. Wealth, status and luxury.

As the son of one of Creekwood City’s wealthiest families, his future had been planned long ago, including the arranged marriage his parents constantly pressured him to accept.

But Gabriel felt suffocated.

Every elegant party, every business meeting, every fake smile slowly drained the life out of him.

So he ran.

He took his yacht and disappeared into the ocean hoping to clear his mind. And somehow, fate led him straight to Caro Island.

After nearly an hour of walking, they finally reached the cliffside overlooking the sea.

Gabriel inhaled deeply as cool ocean air brushed against his face.

The sunrise had begun painting the horizon with soft shades of orange and gold.

For a brief moment, everything felt peaceful again.

Then they reached the rocky shore.

Gabriel froze.

His yacht looked absolutely destroyed.

One side had slammed violently against sharp rocks, leaving deep cracks along the expensive white exterior. Furniture from the deck floated nearby while broken equipment scattered between the waves.

“Oh, God…”

Gabriel ran his fingers through his damp hair in frustration before rushing toward the damaged vessel.

Years of luxury and pride now looked pitiful beneath the morning light.