Sleeping beauty
1014 Words
Gabriel POV
I refused to dwell on the past any longer. This was the moment, and the decision I had made was final. There was no turning back, no second-guessing. I loved her-Amanda,but all that love had only brought me pain.
Betrayal, heartbreak, and relentless suffering had been my constant companions ever since I realized what Natalia had done.
And now, I was ready to strike back, to reclaim control in ways that would make those who had wronged us pay.
But I wasn’t alone anymore. For the first time, I had a partner-a woman who had endured struggles similar to my own, whose pain mirrored mine. Together, we could face the chaos that lay ahead.
“That is perfect!” I shouted aloud, standing abruptly from my seat. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, a fire igniting deep within me.
Every ounce of hesitation and doubt that had plagued me moments ago was gone. I was ready. Nothing and no one could stop me now.
I began pacing the room, speaking aloud as if to reassure myself:
“We’re going to show them exactly what they’ve been trying to take from us.”
“Wait and see.”
I stopped mid-sentence when I realized my partner wasn’t paying attention at all. My eyes wandered across the room, only to find her sleeping peacefully on the couch. My heart softened for a fleeting moment as I stared at her.
She looked utterly exhausted, her delicate features tinged with fatigue. Her skin bore the subtle marks of someone who had endured far more than she should have had to.
Life had not been kind to her. And yet, here she was-still beautiful, still strong, even in slumber.
I stood frozen for over ten minutes, watching her, marveling at her quiet resilience. Every line of her face told a story of endurance, of struggle, of battles fought in silence.
My thoughts briefly wandered to the man who had caused her so much pain. How could anyone treat someone this gentle, this kind, with such cruelty? My fists clenched involuntarily at the thought.
When she shifted slightly, turning to her side, I felt a pang of concern. Perhaps she was about to wake. I quickly moved to the other side of the room, careful not to let her catch me staring.
I wasn’t sure why I had been drawn to watch her so intently.It wasn't’t love, at least not yet. My heart was still tangled in the ruins of Natalia’s betrayal, and I had sworn never to fall for anyone again.
Still, there was something about her that demanded attention, something compelling that I couldn’t ignore. I shook my head, trying to suppress the thoughts creeping into my mind.
I had no room for distractions; there were battles to fight, strategies to plan, and revenge to exact. But, at the same time, I felt a strange protectiveness for her.
She was here, in my house, vulnerable and exhausted, and I couldn’t leave her exposed to discomfort or danger.
She couldn’t remain on the couch all night. She deserved comfort, a proper place to rest, and I knew I had to move her to the guest room. I called softly, trying not to startle her: “Amanda… wake up.”
Nothing.
I tried again, gently shaking her shoulder. Still, she remained in deep sleep. Amanda was clearly a heavy sleeper, immune to my subtle attempts at waking her.
I cursed under my breath. If I had a houseboy or assistant, this task would be easy. But no-this was my responsibility. I had to be the gentleman she needed, at least for tonight.
Carefully, I bent down, supporting her head and shoulders as I lifted her into my arms. Her weight was light, but it carried the full weight of her exhaustion, her struggles, and her pain.
I carried her through the house with precision, careful not to wake her abruptly. The hallways were spacious, the floors immaculate, every corner reflecting the life of someone who lived in luxury. Yet, luxury meant nothing if I couldn’t ensure her comfort.
Finally, I reached the guest room. I laid her gently on the bed, making sure the covers were tucked around her and that she would be warm throughout the night. For a brief moment, I lingered, watching her sleep.
Her chest rose and fell rhythmically, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks. She looked serene, almost untouchable. My heart ached slightly at the thought of the pain she had endured.
I turned off the lights in the guest room, the soft click echoing through the hallway, and made my way to my own bedroom.
Despite the adrenaline still pumping through me, exhaustion settled over me like a heavy blanket. Tomorrow promised long hours of planning, strategizing, and executing the moves we had discussed. I needed rest, and I had little time to waste.
As I lay in my bed, I replayed the scene from the living room over and over in my mind. Amanda sleeping there, so vulnerable, had stirred feelings in me I hadn’t anticipated.
I had always prided myself on being in control, on never allowing my emotions to interfere with my decisions. But she had a way of penetrating that armor, subtly, quietly, without even trying.
I knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t just a partner in vengeance; she was someone I felt compelled to protect.
My mind wrestled with this thought, conflicted between strategy and instinct. Could I afford to let my feelings interfere with our mission? I had no choice but to suppress them, at least until our objectives were complete.
Still, as I drifted into a restless sleep, I found myself glancing toward the guest room, my mind haunted by her image. The path ahead would be treacherous, and there would be danger at every turn, but for now, she was safe. That knowledge, simple as it was, offered a rare sliver of peace.
And perhaps, I thought with a faint, almost imperceptible smile, that was enough for tonight.
- Writer
