The Debt That Changed Everything

Chapter 13

The next morning, Gabby lay on her bed thinking about Manuel and reminiscing on everything that had happened the previous day.

She remembered the way he had looked at her before walking away.

For a brief moment, she had seen something different in him, something almost vulnerable.

And she couldn't stop wondering whether he regretted showing it.

By the time Gabby arrived at Reyes Enterprises, she convinced herself not to think about it.

She stepped out of the elevator and walked towards Manuel's office.

Before she could reach the door, she heard a man's voice from inside.

"Sir, I already explained what happened."

Manuel's voice followed.

"And I already told you that I don't care about your explanation."

Gabby stopped.

The employee spoke again.

"It was an oversight."

"An oversight that cost this company money."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry, does not correct mistakes."

Gabby hesitated.

She had never heard Manuel sound as cold, and merciless as that.

Then the door opened suddenly and a young employee stepped out, his face pale.

He nearly collided with Gabby.

"Mrs. Reyes, Good morning."

"Are you okay?"

He nodded quickly.

"Yes."

Then he hurried away.

Gabby looked towards the open door.

Manuel stood behind his desk.

His expression was completely unreadable.

"Why are you standing there?"

She walked inside.

"I was coming to see you."

"Then come in."

Gabby closed the door.

"You are angry."

"No."

She stared at him.

"That wasn't anger?"

"That was business."

He picked up a file.

"The employee made a mistake."

"You could have spoken to him differently."

Manuel looked at her.

"I'm not interested in being liked by my employees."

"I didn't say they should like you."

"Then what are you saying?"

Gabby hesitated.

"Nothing."

"Good."

He returned to the file.

Gabby watched him.

Something felt wrong.

Last night, this same man had listened to her calmly and had seemed human.

Today, he was back, behind an invisible wall.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Are you feeling better?"

"I'm fine."

Gabby frowned.

"About yesterday?"

"There was no yesterday."

She blinked.

"What?"

"Nothing happened."

"You know that's not true."

Manuel finally looked at her.

"Gabby, whatever you think you saw yesterday, forget it."

Her chest tightened.

"Why?"

"Because it doesn't matter."

He turned away.

The dismissal stung more than she expected.

"Fine, I'll forget it"

By the end of the day, Manuel was still working when Gabby picked up her bag and her sketch book.

"I'm going home."

He barely looked up from his laptop.

"Fine."

She walked towards the door, then stopped.

"Manuel."

He looked up.

"What?"

"I'm leaving"

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Nevermind, goodbye."

Manuel didn't say anything else, he simply watched the door close behind her.

For a few seconds, he remained still, then returned his attention to his work.

At home, Gabby sat on the edge of her bed, thinking about the day.

Manuel had been exactly as he usually was, so cold and distant.

She wondered why he was so different from what she had seen the day before

She had to remind herself that it meant nothing, as he had always been like that

She stood up from her bed, walked towards the window, and looked out at the dark grounds of the mansion.

She was beginning to realize that living with Manuel was going to be far more complicated than she had expected.

Not because he was cruel, but because she could never tell which version of him she was going to meet next.

Across the mansion, Manuel stood in his study.

The Henderson file remained open on his desk.

He had reviewed it several times.

There was nothing he could change tonight.

Henderson had made its decision.

Reyes Enterprises would have to move forward without the contract.

He closed the file.

Then his thoughts unexpectedly drifted to Gabby.

Her questions, her stubbornness, her constant habit of saying exactly what she thought.

He frowned.

He didn't understand why he had begun noticing these things.

Gabby was supposed to be a debt and nothing more.

He leaned back in his chair.

Yet somehow, her presence had become part of his daily routine.

And Manuel had never been comfortable with things he couldn't control.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Mara stepped inside.

"Mr. Reyes, I wanted to confirm tomorrow's schedule."

"Go ahead."

She handed him a folder.

"The morning meeting is at nine, you have the financial review at eleven, and the board call is scheduled for two."

"Move the board call to three."

"Of course."

She hesitated.

"Is there anything else?"

"No."

Mara nodded.

"Goodnight, Mr. Reyes."

"Goodnight."

She turned to leave.

At the doorway, she glanced back.

Manuel was already looking at the Henderson file again.

Mara quietly closed the door behind her.

Later that night, Gabby stepped into the hallway to get some water.

As she passed Manuel's study, she noticed the light was still on.

She paused.

She could hear the faint sound of papers being moved inside.

For a moment, she considered knocking.

Then she remembered how cold he had been all day and immediately stopped herself.

But just as she turned away, the study door opened.

Manuel stood there.

Their eyes met.

"What are you doing awake?" he asked.

"Getting water."

He nodded.

She looked at him.

"You're still working?"

"Yes."

"You should rest."

"I'll rest when I'm finished."

Gabby sighed.

"Of course."

She started walking away.

"Gabby."

She turned.

"Yes?"

Manuel looked at her for a moment.

"Goodnight."

She smiled faintly.

"Goodnight."

And then,she walked away.

Manuel remained at the doorway, watching her disappear down the hall.

Gabby moved into the kitchen, picked up a glass of water, and headed back to her room.

Yet Manuel's simple goodnight stayed on her mind.

She couldn't understand why such a small gesture

had surprised her.

Maybe Antonio was right.

Perhaps she simply needed to give Manuel time.

Gabby smiled faintly as she settled into bed.

For now, she didn't need to understand him.

Maybe, with time, he would allow her to see more of the man behind the coldness.

And somehow, she found herself hoping he would.