The Debt That Changed Everything

CHAPTER 12

Gabby woke to the sound of rain tapping against her windows.

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

Her thoughts drifted back to the previous day.

Manuel seemed different, as though the walls around him seemed to disappear, even if only briefly.

She remembered what he had said.

'One day I might believe you.'

Gabby shook her head, pushing the thought away and got out of bed.

By the time she reached the dining room, Manuel was already gone.

She wasn't surprised.

He had probably left for the company before most of the household had even woken up.

Gabby sat down and began eating.

A few minutes later, Ms. Bennett entered.

"Good morning, Mrs. Reyes."

"Good morning, Ms. Bennett."

Ms. Bennett placed a cup of tea beside her.

"Something troubling you?"

Gabby hesitated.

"Not exactly."

Ms. Bennett studied her for a moment.

"Sometimes 'not exactly' means yes."

Gabby laughed.

"You sound like Mr. Antonio."

"Perhaps because I've known him for a long time."

They both laughed.

Gabby took a sip of tea.

"Ms. Bennett?"

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What was Manuel like when he was younger?"

Ms. Bennett's expression softened.

"Young Master Manuel?"

Gabby nodded.

"Was he always like this?"

"Like what?"

"Cold."

Ms. Bennett smiled.

"No."

Gabby looked surprised.

"He wasn't?"

"No."

She sat across from Gabby.

"Manuel was a very quiet child.

He wasn't particularly affectionate, but he cared deeply about people."

"What happened?"

Ms. Bennett sighed.

"Life."

Gabby waited.

But Ms. Bennett didn't continue.

"What do you mean?"

"Some things are better understood by the people who lived through them."

Gabby lowered her eyes.

She understood the message.

Ms. Bennett wasn't going to tell her yet.

Later that morning, Gabby wandered into the mansion's library.

She had discovered the room a few days earlier and had quickly grown fond of it.

Books lined on almost every wall.

She ran her fingers across the shelves before selecting one.

As she turned, she nearly collided with Antonio.

"Gabriella."

She smiled.

"Mr. Reyes."

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for something to read."

Antonio looked around.

"You found the right place."

He walked towards one of the shelves.

"I used to spend hours here."

Gabby smiled.

"You?"

"Don't look so surprised."

"I just can't imagine you spending hours reading."

Antonio laughed.

"Your opinion of this family is becoming increasingly insulting."

Gabby laughed.

"I didn't mean it that way."

"I know."

He pulled out a book.

"Here."

She took it.

"What is it?"

"One of my favorites."

Gabby examined the cover.

"You actually read fiction?"

"Occasionally."

She smiled.

"I wouldn't have guessed."

"Perhaps you should stop judging us so quickly."

"I'll try."

They sat together near the window.

For a while, they simply talked.

Antonio asked about her paintings.

Gabby told him about the first painting she remembered creating.

She spoke about colors, emotions, and how painting had always been her way of expressing things she couldn't say.

Antonio listened carefully.

"You love it."

"I do."

"Then don't give it up."

Gabby looked at him.

"I don't intend to."

"Good."

His voice was firm.

"Marriage should never require you to lose yourself."

Gabby smiled.

"You're very different from your son."

Antonio chuckled.

"That is something I already know."

She laughed.

Then Antonio's expression became thoughtful.

"How is Manuel treating you?"

Gabby's smile faded slightly.

"He's..."

She searched for the right word.

"Complicated."

Antonio smiled.

"That is also something I already know."

"He can be very difficult."

"Yes."

"Cold."

"Yes."

"Sometimes rude."

Antonio laughed.

"Definitely."

Gabby smiled.

"But he's not always like that."

Antonio looked at her carefully.

"No?"

She shook her head.

"Sometimes he surprises me."

Antonio leaned back.

"Perhaps you're beginning to see the parts of him that most people don't."

Gabby looked down at the book in her hands.

"I'm not sure what I'm seeing yet."

"You don't have to know."

His words were gentle.

"Just give him time."

Gabby nodded.

That afternoon, Manuel returned earlier than expected.

Gabby was in the sitting room when she heard the front door open.

She looked up as he walked inside.

His tie was loosened, and his expression was tired.

"You came home early."

He removed his jacket.

"I finished what I needed to finish."

"Everything?"

"Enough."

Gabby studied him.

"Are you hungry?"

"No."

"Of course."

He looked at her.

"What?"

"You never eat when you're stressed."

His expression hardened.

"I'm not stressed."

Gabby smiled.

"Right."

She stood.

"I'm going to have dinner."

"Good for you."

She walked past him.

Then stopped.

"Are you coming?"

Manuel looked at her.

"Where?"

"Dinner."

"I'm not hungry."

"You don't have to be hungry."

She continued walking.

"You just have to sit down."

Manuel stared after her.

For several seconds, he didn't move.

Then he followed.

Dinner was quieter than usual.

But it wasn't uncomfortable.

Gabby ate while Manuel barely touched his food.

Finally, she pushed her plate aside.

"How bad is it?"

He looked up.

"What?"

"The Henderson situation."

His eyes narrowed.

"Why are you asking?"

"Because you've been thinking about it since yesterday."

Manuel leaned back.

After much hesitation, he replied

"They changed their explanation."

"You told me."

"And?"

"And I don't understand why."

"Neither do I."

Gabby studied him.

"Maybe they're hiding something."

His gaze sharpened.

"That's what I'm beginning to think."

"Then find out."

He gave her a skeptical look.

"You're giving me business advice now?"

"No, I'm giving you common sense."

"You've become very confident."

"I blame you."

"How?"

"You've spent enough time arguing with me."

He shook his head.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other.

Then Manuel's phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

His expression changed and then he stood up immediately.

"I have to take this."

And then, he walked away.

Gabby watched him disappear into the hallway.

She didn't know who had called.

But she could tell from his face that it wasn't an ordinary call.

A few minutes later, Manuel returned.

He looked calmer.

But something in his eyes had changed.

"Everything okay?" Gabby asked.

"Yes."

She knew he was lying.

But she didn't push.

Instead, she quietly said,

"Whatever it is, you don't have to handle everything alone."

Manuel stopped.

His eyes met hers.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then he looked away.

"Goodnight, Gabby."

He walked upstairs.

Gabby remained at the table as she watched him disappear.

She didn't know what was happening inside his company.

She didn't know why Henderson had suddenly changed its explanation.

And she certainly didn't know what was happening inside Manuel's mind.

But one thing was becoming clear.

The man she had once believed was completely heartless was beginning to show her pieces of himself he rarely showed anyone.

And somehow, Gabby was becoming one of the few people he allowed close enough to see them.

Neither of them realized that the distance between them was already beginning to disappear, one quiet moment at a time.