the gazelle state

Chapter Four: The Dual Identity

​Rachel woke up late in the evening. The room was shrouded in darkness and silence, save for the screen of her phone, which flickered incessantly with a relentless stream of notifications.

​She sat up in her bathrobe, grabbing the phone with lethargic movements, but her expression shifted instantly as she saw the flood of messages and links. She opened one link to find a viral video... clear footage igniting social media, showing her—herself—beating Laila and tearing her dress with unmatched cruelty and boldness!

​Rachel’s eyes widened in genuine shock and horror, a stifled scream escaping her lips:

​"No... no! That’s impossible! That’s not me... how could I have done this?!"

​She clutched her head, trying to recall any detail of the fight, but her mind was a complete blank. "I must have been incredibly drunk... I don’t even remember having a drink! Oh... what am I going to do now?!"

​With trembling fingers, she scrolled to the comments section to gauge people's reactions, finding them sharply divided. One read: "My God, she’s so strong! How brave... she’s truly amazing!" While another, directly below it, stated: "What insolence! An ill-mannered girl who lacks any decorum; how could she act like this in public?"

​Rachel couldn’t bear to read more. Overwhelmed by a tidal wave of fear and profound embarrassment, she quickly shut the phone and tossed it aside. She buried her face deep into her pillow, breathing heavily, wishing the earth would split open and swallow her whole to escape this terrifying situation for which she had no explanation.

​On the other side of the city, in his luxury suite, Ethan sat in the dim light, holding his phone and replaying the same video clip for at least the tenth time, a joyful laugh never leaving his lips.

​He replayed the most intense moment of the clip, contemplating it with astonishment and deep admiration: Gazelle appeared in the video delivering a powerful slap to Laila that echoed through the room, then turning to everyone with pride, stating in a resonant, firm voice:

​"Damn you, and damn people like you, and your pathetic party!"

​As she tried to leave with her head held high, the long train of her dress snagged, hindering her swift movement. Instead of panicking, she performed a reckless move no one expected; she grabbed a knife from a nearby table, and with one swift, courageous stroke, she shredded her dress until it was short, granting her freedom of movement. She dropped the knife and continued her exit with total confidence.

​Ethan leaned back, breathing in admiration, that attractive side-smile never leaving his mouth. This madness tickled something deep inside him. He caressed the phone screen, contemplating her face, and whispered to himself in a tone of challenge and promise:

​"Whoever you are... Rachel or Gazelle, I will pull you to my side and discover everything... You won't escape me."

​In the morning, the soft ringing of the phone broke the room's stillness, waking Rachel from a deep sleep. She reached out sluggishly and answered with a sleepy tone, but the voice on the other end made her bolt upright:

​"Hello, Miss Rachel. This is Majeed from the Public Relations department at Green Arrow Company. I am requesting your presence at the company headquarters for your new job."

​Rachel sprang from her bed, her features a mix of joy and intense confusion. The words froze in her throat as she struggled to comprehend what she was hearing, stammering:

​"What? Me?! A job?!"

​Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Majeed wasn't speaking alone. The phone was on speakerphone on Ethan’s grand desk, while Majeed stood beside him, executing the instructions precisely.

​As soon as Ethan heard her spontaneous, confused reaction, he couldn't help himself; a soft, warm laugh escaped him. He looked at the phone, asking himself with amused wonder: "Is this truly the same flustered girl as that fierce, powerful one I saw yesterday?!"

​Rachel tried to pull herself together and asked quickly:

​"When should I come?"

​Majeed began, "You can come tomorrow..." but stopped abruptly when Ethan quickly raised his hand, gesturing firmly and urgently with his index fingers: Now... now!

​Majeed immediately adjusted his tone and said:

​"Actually, now... you can come now, if possible."

​Rachel’s confusion mounted, and she spoke quickly, her voice trembling with excitement:

​"Okay, Mr. Majed... no, wait, Majeed! Sorry, I’m so sorry... I’m coming right away, thank you again!"

​Before she could hear a reply, she hung up to prepare. In the office, Ethan’s side-smile widened as he stared at the empty seat before him, awaiting the arrival of "Rachel," who did not know that "Gazelle" had already lured him completely into her trap.

​Only an hour passed before Rachel arrived at the Green Arrow Company headquarters. She was wearing her usual modest attire—a long skirt and a simple jacket—and wearing her large medical glasses, hiding much behind them.

​Majeed welcomed her in the lobby with professional, quiet courtesy and showed her to her new desk in the Public Relations department. Rachel had barely sat down to catch her breath while gazing at the place in awe when a worker approached her carrying a luxurious leather file, saying urgently:

​"Miss Rachel, please... take this file urgently to the General Manager’s office on the floor above."

​She took the file with trembling fingers and climbed the stairs, visible signs of confusion and shyness on her face. She stood before the grand office door, gathered her courage, knocked, and entered.

​Inside, Ethan sat behind his imposing desk. As soon as he saw her enter with that familiar, shy appearance, he decided to ignore her completely; he pretended to be preoccupied with papers, maintaining a cold expression to see how the fierce and rebellious Gazelle would act with him in his own den.

​But the surprise shook him!

​Rachel approached with cautious steps, placed the file on the edge of the desk with extreme calm, and without uttering a single word, without raising her eyes to look him in the face, or acting with the recklessness and boldness he had come to expect, she immediately turned to leave, heading toward the door to exit in peace.

​Ethan froze in place, thoughts igniting in his mind like a storm. His coldness vanished, replaced by a lethal bewilderment: Why is she acting like this? Is she afraid of him now, avoiding him just because he is her boss? Or was everything that happened at the restaurant and the gala just an act and clever manipulation to gain his attention and secure the job?

​With this final thought, a massive surge of anger and provocation washed over Ethan. He stood up from behind his desk slowly and approached the office's large glass facade, watching her retreating back with sharp, fiery eyes like a hawk, swearing to himself that he would not let her slip away so easily.