The Debt That Changed Everything

Chapter 7

Gabby remained frozen beside the doorway.

The man who had stepped out of the office looked from her to Manuel, as his expression tightened with discomfort.

"Good day Mr. Reyes."

Manuel gave him a cold nod.

Then he lowered his gaze and hurried away without another word.

Gabby watched him disappear around the corner.

Manuel's attention returned to her.

"So, you were listening."

Gabby swallowed hard.

"I heard my name."

"And that made you think you had the right to stand there?"

His voice was low, but somehow that made it worse.

"I wasn't trying to.."

"Don't."

The single word silenced her.

Manuel stepped past her and pushed the office door shut.

Gabby lowered her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

He then studied her for a moment and said.

"I don't care whether you're curious, Gabriella, but curiosity doesn't excuse carelessness."

She looked up at him.

"I didn't know they were talking about me."

"You knew they were having a private conversation."

Gabby went dumb.

Manuel checked his watch and then looked at her again

"You've been sitting in my office waiting for me?."

"Yes."

"Good."

He picked up his briefcase.

"Then stay with me."

Gabby blinked.

"Where are we going?"

"It seems like you're so interested in what happens inside this company, I'll show you."

There was no warmth in his voice.

The elevator doors opened onto the executive floor.

Gabby followed Manuel into the corridor, trying to keep up with his long strides.

Employees immediately straightened when they saw him, conversations stopped, and a few persons lowered their heads respectfully.

Gabby noticed it, that people didn't just respect him, they were actually afraid of him.

Manuel didn't acknowledge most of them.

He walked into the first department, and a senior manager rushed towards him with a folder.

"Mr. Reyes, about the Henderson contract…"

"Why isn't it signed?"

The manager hesitated.

"We're still negotiating the final…"

"You're wasting my time."

The man's face turned pale.

"Sir, we should have it finalized by tomorrow."

"You should have had it finalized yesterday."

Manuel took the folder from his hands and flipped through it.

"This company doesn't survive because people make excuses, It survives because people solve problems."

The manager nodded quickly.

"Yes, sir."

Manuel handed the folder back.

"By five."

"Yes, sir."

Manuel then walked away without another word.

Gabby followed silently.

She had seen another side of him.

At home, Manuel was distant. Here, he was something else entirely.

He was controlling, sharp and unforgiving.

They continued through several departments like the finance, marketing, legal and operations departments.

Everywhere they went, people knew who Manuel was.

He rarely raised his voice.

He didn't need to, a glance was often enough to make an employee reconsider a careless statement.

Gabby remained mostly silent until they entered the creative department.

A large wall displayed several advertising campaigns and she instinctively slowed down.

"This one is beautiful." She said

Manuel glanced at the campaign.

"It's effective."

Gabby looked at him.

"That's all you have to say?"

"It's a business campaign, not a painting."

She frowned.

"Not everything has to be about numbers." She said

His eyes settled on her.

"Everything in this company is about numbers."

Gabby looked away.

"Right."

"Keep up." He ordered.

She followed, and then, they reached another executive corridor.

Gabby immediately recognized the woman approaching them.

Mara Steve.

Mara carried a tablet and several folders against her chest, her appearance was as polished as ever.

"Mr. Reyes."

"You're late."

Mara glanced at her watch.

"By two minutes?."

"Two minutes is late."

"I'm sorry then."

Manuel held out his hand.

Mara immediately placed the tablet in it.

"The meeting with the investors has been moved to three."

"Why?"

"They requested additional time to review the revised proposal."

Manuel's jaw tightened.

"Then give them until three. If they aren't prepared by then, cancel the meeting."

Mara nodded.

"Understood."

Only then did her gaze move towards Gabby.

A polite smile appeared.

"Mrs. Reyes."

Gabby returned the greeting.

"Hello, Mara."

Mara's eyes lingered on her for a second before returning to Manuel.

"I also prepared the documents you requested."

"Good."

Manuel turned to leave.

Then Mara spoke again.

"Mr. Reyes, your father called earlier. He asked whether you'd be joining him for dinner tonight."

Manuel's expression hardened.

"No."

Mara nodded.

"I'll let him know."

They continued walking.

Gabby glanced back once.

Mara was still standing there, watching them.

By the time they reached the final department, Gabby's feet were beginning to ache.

She tried not to show it, but Manuel noticed anyway.

He stopped.

"You're tired."

Gabby immediately shook her head.

"No."

"You've been walking for nearly two hours."

"I'm fine."

"You're a terrible liar."

She stared at him.

For the first time that afternoon, something resembling amusement flickered briefly in his eyes.

It disappeared almost immediately.

He turned towards Mara.

"Have the car brought around."

Mara nodded.

"Of course."

Gabby glanced at Manuel.

"We can continue if you still have work."

"No."

"We're done.”

She didn't argue.

As they headed toward the elevator, Gabby glanced at Manuel.

She still couldn't understand him.

He had spent the entire afternoon making it clear that she was not important to him.

Yet he had noticed that she was tired when she did not even say a word.

It was such a small thing.

And somehow, it confused her more than his coldness did.

The elevator doors opened.

Manuel stepped inside, while Gabby followed.

Neither of them said a word.

The elevator doors opened on the ground floor.

Manuel stepped out, while Gabby followed behind him.

But before they reached the entrance, Mara's voice stopped them.

"Mr. Reyes."

Manuel and Gabby turned.

Mara's expression had changed.

"There is something you should know."

Manuel's gaze sharpened.

"What?"

Mara hesitated before glancing briefly at Gabby.

"Someone has been asking questions about your wife."

Manuel's expression hardened.

"Who?"

"We don't know yet."

Silence settled between them.

Gabby's heart began to pound.

The conversation she had overheard earlier suddenly returned to her mind.

Someone had been talking about her.

And now, someone else was asking about her.

Manuel looked at Mara for several seconds before speaking.

"Find out."

His voice was dangerously calm.

"Before they ask again."

Mara nodded.

Gabby stared at Manuel, suddenly aware that whatever world she had entered through their marriage was far more complicated than she had imagined.

And somewhere beyond the polished walls of Reyes Enterprises, someone had already begun paying attention to her.