DELIVERED TO MY HEART

THE GIRL WHO WASN'T IMPRESSED

Gabriel Kingston stepped out of the car, followed by David and another man Elsa had never seen before. The stranger wore a relaxed smile, unlike Gabriel's usual serious expression.

Mia leaned closer to Elsa. "Who is that?"

Elsa shrugged. "I don't know."

"But the man looks important."

"Everyone around Gabriel looks important." Before Mia could reply, Gabriel walked toward the entrance of the restaurant. Every employee immediately stood straighter.

Jake quickly adjusted his shirt and stepped forward. "Mr. Kingston, welcome." Gabriel gave a polite nod. "Good morning."

His eyes moved past everyone until they landed on Elsa. She was standing there with a confused expression, clearly wondering why he had returned.

Elsa crossed her arms. "Let me guess." Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You came to tell me I should have accepted the money yesterday." A small smile appeared on his lips. "No."

"Then why are you here?"

David stepped forward. "Miss Elsa, we came to update you about your motorcycle."

Elsa's expression changed. "My motorcycle?" Gabriel nodded. "The damage is more serious than expected."

Elsa looked down. She had already suspected it, but hearing it confirmed still hurt.

"How much will it cost?" David opened his mouth, but Gabriel answered first. "Don't worry about the cost."

Elsa immediately looked up. "There it is again." Gabriel frowned. "What?"

"Money." He sighed. "Elsa..."

"No, seriously. Every time something happens, people like you think the answer is just paying for it." The restaurant became silent. Everyone waited for Gabriel's reaction. But instead of getting angry, he simply looked at her.

"You really don't know how to make things easy, do you?"

"No." For a moment, they stared at each other. Then Gabriel smiled slightly.

Noah, the man standing beside him, covered his mouth to hide his laughter.

Elsa looked at him. "Who is he?"

Gabriel answered. "My assistant, Noah Brooks." Noah extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Elsa."

She shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too." Noah smiled. "I've heard a lot about you."

Elsa looked surprised. "About me?" Gabriel immediately interrupted. "Noah."

"What? It's true." Elsa looked between them. What exactly did he hear?

Noah opened his mouth. Gabriel gave him a warning look. Noah quickly changed his answer. "That you're... very hardworking."

Elsa narrowed her eyes. She knew he was hiding something. But she decided not to push. Gabriel turned back to her. "The mechanic said your motorcycle can be repaired, but it will take some time."

Elsa nodded. "Okay."

"I'll cover the repair cost."

She opened her mouth to argue. Gabriel raised a hand. "Before you say no, listen." Elsa stopped.

"This isn't charity. It isn't pity. It's responsibility." His voice was calm and serious.

"My driver was responsible for the accident. I won't walk away and pretend nothing happened."

Elsa looked at him. For once, she didn't have a quick reply. Because she knew he was right. After a few seconds, she sighed "Fine."

Everyone looked shocked. Mia whispered, "She agreed?"

Jake looked equally surprised. Elsa pointed at Gabriel.

"But only because it's responsibility."

Gabriel nodded. "Fair enough."

"And don't think this means I suddenly like rich people." A small laugh escaped Noah. Gabriel shook his head. "I never assumed that."

"Good." Their conversation was interrupted when a woman entered the restaurant. She was elegant, perfectly dressed, and carried herself with confidence. Vanessa Cole.

Gabriel's secretary. She walked straight toward them. "Gabriel."

He turned. "Vanessa." She smiled warmly. "I've been looking for you. The meeting starts in thirty minutes."

"I know."

Her eyes moved to Elsa. A brief flash of irritation crossed her face before she hid it. "And who is this?"

Elsa answered before Gabriel could. "Elsa." Vanessa smiled. "Nice to meet you."

But something about her tone didn't feel genuine. "Nice to meet you too," Elsa replied politely.

Vanessa looked at Gabriel. "You didn't mention you would be stopping here."

"It wasn't planned."

"I see." Those two words carried more meaning than they should have. Elsa noticed the tension but ignored it. Gabriel checked his watch.

"I have to go." He looked at Elsa. "The mechanic will contact you."

"Okay."

"And Elsa?" She looked up. "Yes?"

"Take care of yourself." She smiled slightly. "You too. And eat breakfast."

Noah immediately looked away, trying not to laugh. Gabriel shook his head. "I'll try."

As he walked away, Elsa watched him leave. She didn't understand why a man she had only met twice felt strangely familiar. She didn't understand why his small acts of kindness surprised her. And she definitely didn't understand why seeing him leave made her feel a little disappointed.

...

Inside the car, Vanessa sat quietly beside Gabriel. She watched him through the corner of her eye. "She seems interesting."

Gabriel looked at her. "Who?"

"The delivery girl."

He looked away. "Her name is Elsa." Vanessa noticed the way he corrected her. A person's name wasn't something Gabriel usually cared enough to remember.

"You're interested in her?" Gabriel frowned. "She's just someone I met."

"Of course." Vanessa smiled.

But inside, she was already worried because for the first time, someone had entered Gabriel Kingston's world without trying to enter it. And somehow, that made her more dangerous than anyone else. Neither of them realized it yet, but fate had already begun weaving their lives together in ways they could never have imagined.

...

The following morning, Elsa woke before her alarm.

She stared at the ceiling for a few moments, replaying everything that had happened over the last two days. The accident. Meeting Gabriel. His unexpected kindness. Vanessa's suspicious stare.

She sighed and quickly sat up. "No," she whispered to herself. "You're not doing this."

She wasn't going to spend her morning thinking about a man she barely knew.

Especially not a billionaire CEO.

After taking a quick shower, she got dressed in her delivery uniform and tied her hair into a neat ponytail. As she stepped into the living room, the smell of fried eggs and toast bread filled the house.

Lily was already setting the table. "Good morning, Big Sis!" Lily greeted with a bright smile.

"Good morning."

"You actually woke up early today."

"I always wake up early."

Lily giggled. "Not this early."

Elsa laughed as she took a seat. Before she could pick up a slice of bread, Patricia entered the dining room. She glanced at Elsa before looking away. "So, the famous CEO hasn't bought you a new motorcycle yet?"

Elsa frowned. "I told you, he's only paying for the repairs." Patricia smiled sarcastically. "What a shame."

Lily looked confused. "What do you mean, Mom?"

"Oh, nothing." Patricia poured herself a cup of tea. "I just thought a smart girl would know how to make the most of an opportunity."

Elsa knew exactly what she meant. She calmly placed her cup on the table. "I don't take advantage of people."

Patricia laughed softly. "Suit yourself."

Just then, Richard Williams called from oversea. Elsa's face lit up as soon as she answered. "Dad!"

"My princess!" His cheerful voice instantly made her smile. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Lily tells me you've been working too hard." Elsa shot Lily a playful look. "You've been reporting me?"

Lily grinned proudly. "Someone has to." Richard laughed. "Take care of yourself, Elsa. Don't overwork."

"I won't." Patricia quietly left the room before the conversation ended. She hated seeing how much Richard adored Elsa.