The Debt That Changed Everything

CHAPTER 10

Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, gently pulling Gabby from sleep.

For a few seconds, she remained still, staring at the ceiling.

Then yesterday's conversation with Antonio came rushing back, making her smile softly.

It was strange, because she had known the man for such a short time, yet somehow, sitting across from him had felt different.

Gabby turned onto her side, hugging the pillow against her chest.

She had not realized how much she missed having someone older to talk to without feeling judged.

Someone who could listen without immediately reminding her of her father's mistakes.

Someone who made her feel like she wasn't alone.

"Dad..."

She shut her eyes and started to wonder what Chris would think if he knew where she was now.

If he would be relieved that she had found someone kind or be worried about the family she had married into.

Gabby sighed and pushed herself out of bed.

She had just finished dressing when a knock sounded on her door.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Manuel stood outside.

His expression was as unreadable as ever.

"You're coming to the office with me."

Gabby frowned.

"Good morning to you too."

He stared at her.

"Good morning."

"Was that so difficult?"

"I don't have time for games."

"Neither do I."

"Then get ready."

"I am ready."

His eyes briefly moved over her.

"Five minutes."

He turned to leave.

Gabby folded her arms.

"Why am I coming?"

He stopped at the doorway.

"Because you're my wife."

She stared at his back.

"That doesn't answer the question."

He slowly turned his head.

"I'm not asking you to come."

Gabby blinked.

"You're ordering me?"

"Now, you're understanding."

He walked away.

Gabby stared after him in disbelief.

"Unbelievable."

She grabbed her handbag and followed him.

The drive to Reyes Enterprises was quiet.

Manuel sat beside her, his attention was fixed on the tablet in his hands, as always.

Gabby glanced at him several times.

He had not said a word since they left the mansion.

Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Are you always this quiet in the morning?"

His eyes remained on the screen.

"Yes."

"How unfortunate."

That earned her a brief glance.

"For you."

Gabby rolled her eyes.

She turned toward the window.

After a few minutes, Manuel's phone rang.

He answered.

"Speak."

His expression changed almost immediately.

"How much?"

Gabby glanced at him.

Manuel kept on listening to the caller.

"Send everything to my office."

"No, don't contact them again."

He ended the call.

Gabby looked at him.

"Is there a problem?"

"Nothing you need to worry about."

"That's what people say when there is definitely something to worry about."

His eyes shifted towards her.

"You're becoming irritatingly observant."

"Maybe I'm learning from you."

A faint, almost imperceptible change crossed his expression.

But it disappeared quickly.

When they arrived at Reyes Enterprises, Gabby immediately noticed the difference.

The atmosphere felt tense.

Employees moved quickly through the lobby, carrying folders and speaking in hushed voices.

Manuel walked ahead without acknowledging anyone.

Gabby hurried after him.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

She frowned.

"You said that yesterday too."

"And it was true yesterday."

"And today?"

He stopped walking.

His eyes settled on her.

"Today, I don't know yet."

That answer surprised her.

Before she could respond, he continued towards the elevators.

Gabby followed.

When they reached the executive floor, Mara was already waiting outside his office.

"Mr. Reyes."

"What happened?"

"The Henderson Group pulled out of the negotiations."

Manuel's expression hardened.

"Why?"

"They said they have decided to reconsider their investment strategy."

"That's not an answer."

Mara hesitated.

"They didn't give us another explanation."

"Who got the contract?"

"We're still trying to determine that."

Manuel's jaw tightened.

"Find out."

"Yes, sir."

"And get me every communication between Henderson and our legal department."

Mara nodded.

"Right away."

Manuel opened his office door, then he looked at Gabby.

"You can come in."

She followed him inside.

As soon as the door closed, Manuel placed his tablet on the desk.

"Sit."

Gabby sat.

"What exactly is happening?"

He looked at her.

"You ask too many questions."

"And you give very few answers."

His gaze remained fixed on hers.

"Reyes Enterprises lost a contract."

"One contract?"

"For now."

The words made her uneasy.

Manuel moved towards the window, while Gabby simply watched him.

"Is that normal?"

"Contracts fall through."

"Then why do you look angry?"

He turned around.

"Because I don't like losing."

Manuel's eyes remained fixed on the documents scattered across his desk.

Gabby could tell something was bothering him.

"You really think someone is behind this?" she asked.

Manuel looked up.

"I think coincidences are convenient excuses."

Before Gabby could respond, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Manuel said

The door opened, and a man stepped inside.

"You asked to see me."

Manuel looked up from his desk.

"Yes."

"About the quarterly reports, did accounting finish them?"

"They're ready, I left them with your secretary."

"Good, I'll look through them this afternoon."

The man's eyes shifted towards Gabby.

Manuel noticed.

"My wife, Gabriella."

The man smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Josh Hart."

"Nice to meet you too." Gabby responded.

Josh gave her a brief nod before turning back to Manuel.

"I'll let you get back to work."

"Fine."

Josh walked out.

Gabby watched him leave.

"He's one of your executives?"

"Yes."

"He seems..."

She gave a brief pause.

"Normal."

Manuel raised an eyebrow.

"What were you expecting?"

"I don't know, everyone around you seems terrified of you."

"Josh has known me long enough to know better."

Gabby smiled.

"So you've known him for a while?"

"A few years."

Manuel returned his attention to the documents.

"Now that's enough questions.”

She looked at Manuel.

"That's all?"

"That's all you need to know."

Gabby rolled her eyes.

"You really enjoy being difficult."

"I've always known that."

She shook her head.

Just immediately, Manuel's phone rang.

He answered.

His expression changed almost immediately.

"Yes?"

He listened silently.

Gabby watched his face.

"Understood."

He ended the call.

"What happened?"

Manuel placed the phone on his desk.

"The Henderson Group has officially withdrawn from the contract."

Gabby frowned.

"Completely?"

"Completely."

"Did they say why?"

His gaze hardened.

"They gave us a reason."

"And?"

Manuel leaned back in his chair.

"I don't believe it."

Gabby stared at him.

"Why?"

"Because people don't walk away from a deal worth millions without a reason that makes sense."

He looked towards the city beyond the window.

"Whatever made them change their minds happened quickly."

Gabby remained silent.

Something about the way Manuel spoke made her uneasy.

He wasn't simply disappointed.

He was suspicious.

And somewhere beneath that suspicion, was the unmistakable feeling that this was only the beginning.

"So what happens now?"

Manuel's expression hardened.

"Now, I'll find out why Henderson changed their mind."

He picked up his phone.

"And whoever is responsible will regret making me look for answers.”