DELIVERED TO MY HEART

ONE LAST DELIVERY

"Elsa! One last order before you go home!"

Elsa had just taken off her helmet when her manager's voice echoed across the restaurant. She closed her eyes dramatically.

"Please tell me you're joking."

"I'm not," he replied with a grin. "It's the last one. I promise."

She sighed and looked at the clock 8:45 p.m. "I've been working since morning."

"And you're the fastest delivery rider I've got."

"That's because the others are busy flirting with customers." The kitchen burst into laughter. Her manager shook his head.

"Just deliver this order, and I'll personally pay for your lunch tomorrow." Elsa folded her arms.

"Spicy chicken and cold drink"

"Done" He pretended to cry. "You're making me go bankrupt."

She laughed. "Deal!"

A few minutes later, she collected the neatly packed order and placed it inside her delivery box.

Before starting her motorcycle, she whispered to herself, "One last delivery, Elsa. Then home, shower, food, and sleep." Little did she know that this delivery was about to change her life forever.

...

Across the city, Gabriel Kingston adjusted his tie as another board meeting finally came to an end. The directors kept congratulating him on closing the biggest business deal of the year, but Gabriel barely smiled. His assistant followed closely behind.

"Sir, your dinner has arrived."

"I don't have an appetite."

"You skipped lunch too." Gabriel sighed. "Fine. Bring it to the penthouse."

Outside, his driver opened the car door. As they drove through the busy streets, Gabriel stared out of the window, unaware that destiny was only a few minutes away.

...

Elsa checked the address again. "Kingston Towers?" She blinked. "The richest company in the city?"

Her eyes widened. "So rich people eat from our restaurant too?"

She laughed at herself and rode toward the building. After handing the food to the receptionist, she happily turned around.

"Mission accomplished!" Just as she stepped onto the road, a black luxury car suddenly turned into the driveway.The driver slammed on the brakes.

Screech! Elsa froze.

The motorcycle slipped and she lost control.

"Ah!" She landed on the ground with a loud thud. Her helmet rolled away. The entire entrance became silent. Gabriel quickly stepped out of the car.

"Is she okay?" The driver looked terrified.

"I'm so sorry, sir. She came out of nowhere." Elsa slowly sat up, rubbing her elbow.

"My bike..." She ignored everyone else. "My poor bike."

Gabriel walked closer. "Are you injured?"

She looked up at the tall, well-dressed stranger. Instead of thanking him, she frowned.

"You almost killed me!" The security guards gasped. Nobody had ever spoken to Gabriel Kingston like that.

Gabriel blinked. "I'm sorry."

She stood up, dusting her clothes. "Sorry won't repair my bike."

"I'll pay for everything he said,"

She folded her arms. "There! Rich people always think money solves everything."

Gabriel stared at her, completely speechless. Then, for the first time in years... He laughed. Not because she was hurt. But because she was the first person brave enough to argue with him without knowing or caring who he was.

Elsa picked up her helmet, glared at him one last time, and muttered, "I hope I never see you again."

Gabriel watched her disappear into the night. Something told him that this wasn't the last time fate would bring the stubborn delivery girl back into his life.

The cool night breeze brushed against Elsa's face as she slowly pushed her damaged motorcycle along the empty road. Every few seconds, the front wheel scraped against the ground, producing a painful screech that echoed through the quiet street.

She sighed for what felt like the hundredth time.

"My poor bike," she murmured, gently patting the handlebar. "We've survived potholes, heavy rain, and reckless buses... only to be defeated by one billionaire's driver."

Despite the situation, she chuckled at her own joke. A passing cyclist looked at her strangely. Elsa smiled sheepishly.

"Don't mind me. I'm talking to my bike" The cyclist shook his head and rode away.

"You see?" Elsa whispered to the motorcycle. "Now people think we're both crazy." Her phone vibrated inside her jacket pocket. The screen displayed Mia Calling.

Elsa answered immediately. "Please tell me you've reached home" Mia said without greeting. "I'm still on the road."

"What? Why?"

"My bike's front wheel is bent."

"Oh no..."

"It's fine."

"No, it's not! Were you badly hurt?" Elsa looked down at the small bruise on her left arm.

"I'll survive." There was silence before Mia spoke again. "Jake told us the man who came out of the car was Gabriel Kingston."

"I heard."

"You don't sound surprised."

"I didn't know who he was."

"You argued with the most powerful CEO in the city!"

Elsa laughed. "Was I supposed to bow because he's rich?"

"No... but maybe not call him arrogant."

"He was arrogant but he apologized.."

"So?"

"He offered to pay and I refused."

Mia groaned dramatically. "You are impossible."

Elsa smiled. "I just don't like people who think money fixes everything."

After hanging up, she continued walking. Twenty minutes later, she finally reached the small compound where she lived. The lights in the sitting room were still on, Elsa quietly opened the gate, hoping to sneak inside unnoticed.

Unfortunately... "Look who finally remembered she has a home."

Patricia Williams folded her arms at the front door. Elsa forced a smile.

"Good evening."

"Do you know what time it is?"

"I had an accident."

Patricia rolled her eyes. "There is always an excuse."

Before Elsa could reply, another voice interrupted. "Big Sis!" Lily ran outside and hugged Elsa tightly.

"I was so worried!"

Elsa smiled warmly. "I'm okay."

Lily noticed the scratches on Elsa's arm. "You said you were okay!"

"I've had worse." Patricia frowned. "Lily, leave her alone."

"But Mom"

"I said leave her." Lily reluctantly stepped back. Patricia looked Elsa up and down. "If you're done creating drama, go inside."

Elsa quietly walked past her without saying a word. She had learned long ago that arguing with Patricia only made things worse.

...

Later that night, Elsa sat on her bed applying ointment to her bruises. A soft knock came at the door.

"Come in." Lily entered carrying a tray.

"I brought you dinner."

Elsa smiled. "You'll get into trouble."

"I don't care." She placed the tray on the bed. "I heard Mom talking."

Elsa looked up. "Talking about what?"

"She said you're becoming a burden."

Elsa's smile faded. Lily quickly grabbed her hand. "I don't believe her."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not." Elsa gently squeezed her sister's hand. "Listen to me."

Lily nodded. "Your mother doesn't have to love me."

"But I do."

Elsa smiled again. "And that's enough."

The sisters hugged each other. Outside the room, Patricia watched them through the half open door. Her face hardened. She hated seeing them together. The more Lily loved Elsa, the less control Patricia felt she had over her own daughter.

"This has to stop," She muttered before walking away.

...

Across the city...Gabriel sat alone in his penthouse apartment. The untouched dinner remained on the dining table. His thoughts kept returning to the delivery girl with the fearless eyes. He couldn't remember the last time someone had refused his help.

Most people either feared him or tried to impress him. Elsa had done neither.

She simply treated him like an ordinary man. For some reason... He liked that.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in." David entered nervously. "Sir..."

Gabriel looked up. "How is she?"

David blinked. "You mean Miss Elsa?"

Gabriel nodded. "I couldn't stop thinking about the accident."

David lowered his head. "I've never been involved in one before."

"It wasn't entirely your fault."

"I still feel responsible." Gabriel stood and walked toward the window overlooking the city.

"The motorcycle was badly damaged." David sighed.

"I know."

"Tomorrow morning, find the best mechanic in town."

"Yes, sir."

"If it can't be repaired..." David waited.

"We'll buy her another one."

David smiled. "I knew you'd say that."

Gabriel looked at him. "She'll probably refuse."

David couldn't help laughing. "You're right."

For the first time in years, Gabriel found himself smiling because of someone who wasn't a business partner, employee, or investor. Someone who had no idea how much her courage had already begun to affect him.

...

The next morning, the delivery shop buzzed with activity. Jake clapped his hands loudly. "Everyone, today's orders are heavy, so no mistakes!"

"Yes, Boss!" The staff answered together. Mia walked over to Elsa. "How's the arm?"

"It still hurts."

"And your bike?"

Elsa sighed. "Let's not talk about it."

Just then, the sound of expensive car engines echoed outside the restaurant. Every employee stopped what they were doing. Three sleek black luxury vehicles pulled up in front of the entrance.

Jake blinked. "Oh... my..."

Mia grabbed Elsa's arm. "Don't tell me..."

Elsa slowly turned toward the entrance. Standing beside the first car, dressed in a charcoal grey suit, was Gabriel Kingston.

And this time...He wasn't alone.