Romance with the Cursed Siren

CHAPTER 13. Planned Union

Gabriel spent the entire night at Meryl’s apartment, trying to make up for all the lost time between them.

Her tiny studio unit was far from luxurious compared to the grandeur of the Anderson mansion, yet somehow it felt warmer and more peaceful. The soft yellow lights, the scent of vanilla candles, and the gentle city rain tapping against the windows made the cramped apartment feel comforting. It was a place free from business talks, obligations, and expectations.

A place where Gabriel could breathe.

But even while lying beside Meryl in the tangled sheets after hours of passionate distraction, another face still lingered in his mind.

Crystal.

Her eyes, innocent smile and the way her wet hair flowed around her underwater like black silk drifting through the ocean current.

Gabriel stared blankly at the ceiling while Meryl slept peacefully against his chest.

‘Damn it…’ he cursed inwardly.

He had come to Meryl hoping she would erase the confusion Crystal left inside him.

Instead, everything only became more complicated.

The next morning, Gabriel quietly slipped out of bed while Meryl was still asleep. He wore only his black trousers as he walked toward the kitchen counter to pour himself a glass of water.

“You’re awake already?”

He turned and saw Meryl slowly approaching him while wrapping his polo shirt around her nearly bare body.

Her straight brown hair was messy from sleep, and her hazel eyes still looked drowsy.

“You should’ve stayed in bed,” Gabriel softly said.

“I would if someone didn’t disappear beside me.” She pouted.

Gabriel chuckled quietly before pulling her gently toward him.

“I have work today, remember?”

Meryl rested her forehead against his chest.

“You just came back yesterday…” she whispered sadly.

“I know.”

“You’ll get busy again.”

Gabriel tilted her chin upward.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“You’re acting like I’m leaving forever.”

Meryl forced a smile.

“That’s because sometimes it feels like you are.”

Gabriel’s expression softened.

He kissed her forehead tenderly.

“I’ll come back.”

“You better.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly.

Gabriel closed his eyes briefly.

Why did every woman around him suddenly seem afraid of losing him?

A few hours later, Gabriel finally returned to the Anderson mansion.

The luxurious estate stood proudly on one of the highest hills in Creekwood City, overlooking both the ocean and the busy skyline. Tall iron gates surrounded the massive property while elegant fountains decorated the entrance pathway.

Everything about the mansion screamed wealth and power.

But despite its beauty, Gabriel had never truly considered it a home.

As soon as he entered his room, he loosened his necktie and exhaled heavily.

His bedroom alone was almost the size of Meryl’s entire apartment.

Massive windows overlooked the city, expensive furniture filled every corner, and a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Yet somehow… He still preferred the little wooden cabin on Caro Island.

Gabriel stood before the mirror wearing his expensive black suit. His dark hair was pushed back neatly, and the sharp cut of his tailored suit made him look every bit the future heir of Anderson Industries.

Powerful. Sophisticated and untouchable. But his eyes looked tired.

Slowly, his gaze drifted toward the black backpack resting near the couch.

The same backpack he had carried throughout his unexpected escapade.

Without realizing it, his feet moved toward it.

He crouched down and unzipped the smaller pocket.

Then carefully pulled out the bracelet Crystal had given him.

Tiny white pearls glimmered softly against his fingers.

Gabriel stared at it silently.

“I almost thought you were just a dream,” he murmured.

The memory of Crystal smiling shyly while tying the bracelet around his wrist flashed inside his mind.

“Gabriel?”

He immediately slipped the bracelet into his pocket when he heard his mother’s voice.

Camila Anderson entered the room elegantly wearing a cream silk dress.

Unlike Joemar’s intimidating presence, Camila carried warmth and gentleness.

“Mom.”

Gabriel instantly smiled and embraced her tightly.

“Oh, my son…” Camila sighed lovingly while caressing his face. “Why didn’t you see me yesterday? I was worried sick.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. Rachel ruined my mood the moment I got home.”

Camila raised an eyebrow.

“She went into your room again?”

Gabriel groaned dramatically.

“She practically attacked me.”

Camila laughed softly.

“That poor girl is desperate.”

“She’s terrifying.”

“Gabriel!”

“What? I’m telling the truth.”

Camila pinched his cheek playfully.

“You shouldn’t say things like that about your fiancée.”

“She’s not my fiancée.”

“But legally?”

Gabriel sighed deeply.

“Mom…”

Camila’s teasing expression softened.

“I know.”

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then Camila smiled warmly and linked her arm around his.

“Come downstairs. I prepared breakfast for you.”

Gabriel dramatically leaned his head on her shoulder.

“You’re the only reason I still survive in this house.”

“Oh please,” Camila laughed. “Your father would cry hearing that.”

“He deserves it.”

The mother and son walked downstairs together.

As they entered the dining area, Gabriel immediately spotted his father seated at the long rectangular dining table while reading documents over his morning coffee.

Joemar Anderson looked up coldly.

“So,” he began bluntly, “you spent the night with the saleslady instead of attending dinner with Rachel.”

Gabriel dropped onto his chair heavily.

“Good morning to you too, Dad.”

Camila immediately placed food onto Gabriel’s plate before glaring sharply at her husband.

“Darling, stop interrogating him first thing in the morning.”

Joemar scoffed.

“I’m simply reminding him about his responsibilities.”

“He just came back alive after a typhoon,” Camila argued. “At least let him breathe.”

Gabriel silently smirked while cutting into his food.

Watching his mother dominate his father was always entertaining.

“But the engagement has already been arranged for years,” Joemar continued stubbornly. “Your beloved grandmother herself organized everything with the Alonzo family.”

“Joemar,” Camila warned sharply.

“What? I’m only trying to make him understand the importance of this marriage.”

“Not at the breakfast table.”

“But—”

SLAM!

Camila suddenly placed the empty glass on the table loudly, making Joemar stop mid-sentence.

The room fell silent.

Gabriel bit back a grin.

His mother calmly fixed her napkin.

“Better,” she said sweetly before turning to Gabriel. “Eat.”

Gabriel nearly laughed.

“Yes, ma’am.”

After breakfast, Joemar stood up and adjusted his suit jacket.

“Report to my office the moment you arrive at the company,” he ordered firmly.

“Yes, sir,” Gabriel responded lazily.

Before leaving, Joemar leaned down and kissed Camila on the forehead.

Gabriel watched them quietly.

Despite his father’s strictness, his parents still genuinely loved each other.

Once Joemar finally left, Gabriel leaned back in his chair.

“Mom,” he suddenly said, “why would Grandma arrange something like this?”

Camila sighed softly.

“I honestly don’t know. All I know is that if both families combined their companies through marriage would strengthen their power.”

Gabriel frowned.

“But why Rachel?”

Camila shrugged.

“I suppose she was chosen because she’s the president's only granddaughter.”

Gabriel groaned.

“She’s unbearable.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“She literally acts like she already owns me.”

Camila chuckled quietly.

“Well… technically she thinks she will.”

Gabriel dropped his fork dramatically.

“I’m doomed.”

Camila laughed.

“You’re too dramatic.”

“Mom, she chased me into my own room yesterday.”

“That’s because you ignored her for weeks.”

“And I plan to continue doing that.”

Camila shook her head helplessly.

“You’re impossible.”

Gabriel suddenly remembered something.

“Wait. Didn’t Mr. Alonzo has a son?”

“I heard he did,” Camila answered thoughtfully. “But apparently he left the family years ago after marrying someone his parents didn’t approve of.”

Gabriel looked intrigued.

“So he gave up wealth and status for love?”

“That’s what people say.”

Gabriel leaned back slowly.

“For me, that sounds brave.”

Camila smiled faintly at him.

“Maybe.”

After finishing breakfast, Gabriel kissed his mother goodbye before finally heading toward Anderson Industries.

The company tower stood proudly in the center of Creekwood City, its massive glass exterior reflecting the busy streets below. Employees immediately greeted Gabriel the moment he entered the lobby.

“Good morning, sir!”

Gabriel merely nodded while walking straight toward the elevator.

The moment he arrived on the executive floor, he headed directly toward Joemar’s office without even informing the secretary.

“You’re late,” Joemar greeted immediately.

Gabriel lifted his wristwatch smugly.

“It’s exactly eight.”

His father sighed deeply.

“Sit down.”

Gabriel lazily dropped onto the couch.

“Haven’t you requested a new phone yet?” Joemar asked.

“Not yet.”

His father rubbed his temples.

“Gabriel, we need to discuss the engagement.”

Gabriel instantly groaned.

“Again?”

“Yes, again.”

“Dad, I already said I don’t want this.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Gabriel clenched his jaw.

“If you refuse this marriage, the company could lose Morris Corporation’s investment and worse the entire investment of A Construction and Design”

“And why should my entire future depend on marrying someone?”

“Because you are the heir of Anderson Industries.”

Gabriel dug his face into his palms.

“I hate this.”

Joemar’s voice softened slightly.

“The wedding can be delayed… if you cooperate.”

Gabriel looked up tiredly.

“And if I don’t?”

“Then everything becomes complicated.” Joemar said grimly before reaching for a sealed envelope resting on his desk. He slowly slid it across the glass surface toward Gabriel.

“There’s a confidential medical report regarding the President of A Construction and Design,” he added in a heavier tone. “His condition has been worsening recently, and because of that, both families want the engagement to be legalized and formally honored as soon as possible.”

Gabriel’s brows furrowed as he stared at the envelope without touching it.

“You’re telling me this marriage is now being rushed because an old man is sick?” he asked bitterly.

“I’m telling you that the agreement between our families is becoming more urgent. If something happens to him before the engagement is finalized, the entire partnership could collapse along with the investments tied to it.”

Gabriel let out a frustrated laugh and ran a hand through his hair.

Joemar sighed and leaned back against his chair.

Gabriel stood abruptly.

“I can’t do this.”

“You must.”

Silence filled the office.

Finally, Gabriel stormed out without another word.

“Good morning, sir Gabriel,” Ryan Gabriel’s personal assistant.

“Ryan,” Gabriel muttered tiredly, “get me a new phone.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gabriel entered his office and immediately noticed the mountain of paperwork waiting on his desk.

“What the hell is all this?”

“Financial reports requiring your signature, sir.”

Gabriel groaned dramatically.

“Wonderful.”

“Also, your meeting with Mr. Edgar Banks is after lunch.”

Gabriel walked toward the massive glass wall overlooking Creekwood City.

His hand slipped into his pocket again.

The bracelet.

He stared at it quietly.

“Ryan,” he suddenly asked, “do you believe in sirens?”

“What sirens?” another voice interrupted.

Gabriel immediately shoved the bracelet back into his pocket and turned around.

Axel Dixon stood by the doorway grinning mischievously.

Ryan excused himself quickly.

Axel plopped onto the chair in front of Gabriel’s desk.

“Alright,” Axel began dramatically, “tell me everything about the mysterious island girl.”

Gabriel smirked faintly.

“She’s different.”

“That’s not enough information.”

Gabriel chuckled softly before sitting down.

“She’s innocent.”

“Oh, now I’m interested.”

“She’s unlike anyone here in Creekwood.”

Axel leaned forward excitedly.

“She must be gorgeous.”

Gabriel stared blankly ahead for a moment.

“She is.”

Images of Crystal underwater immediately filled his mind again.

The way sunlight danced against her silver-green tail, the way she laughed and the way she looked at him like he was something precious.

Axel snapped his fingers.

“Earth to Gabriel.”

Gabriel blinked.

“What?”

“You’re smiling like an idiot.”

Gabriel scoffed.

“No, I’m not.”

“You absolutely are.”

Gabriel rubbed his jaw thoughtfully.

“She didn’t want me to leave.”

Axel immediately grinned wickedly.

“That’s my boy.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes.

“Shut up.”

“So when are we going back?”

Gabriel’s expression slowly dimmed.

“I don’t know and there's no ‘we’”

Axel frowned.

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

Gabriel sighed heavily.

“She’s too innocent, Axel.”

“And?”

“I don’t want to hurt her.”

Axel stared at him carefully now.

“You really like this girl.”

Gabriel remained silent.

Because the truth terrified him.

He did like her. Far more than he should.