Chapter 15
Chapter 15
It was Mason Reed, Drake’s friend–and the same one who’d expressed sympathy for Gabriella that night at the
party.
After knowing him for nearly three years, Gabriella had always found Mason to be one of the more decent ones in Drake’s circle.
“Just picking up some things,” she replied.
Mason glanced at the shopping bag in her hand. “A gift for Drake?”
Finding it easier than explaining, Gabriella simply nodded.
“That watch… even their basic models run like fifteen grand. You don’t need to spend that kind of money on him,
Drake is-”
He’s not worth it, Mason thought.
Drake had straight–up admitted he couldn’t get over Sienna, that Gabriella was just a replacement.
Last night, he’d humiGabbyted Gabriella by leaving the party with Sienna, right in front of everyone.
What Gabriella didn’t know–but Mason did–was that Drake and Sienna had spent the night together at the Four Seasons. Their social circle had a private WhatsApp group that Gabriella had never been invited to join in three years, yet Sienna was added the moment she got back to New York.
That afternoon, Sienna had “accidentally” posted a photo of them in bed, with some BS caption about keeping memories. She’d deleted it within a minute, but Mason had seen it.
He’d wanted to say something but held back. Best to stay out of that drama.
Mason almost told Gabriella the truth but changed his mind. “Look, Drake doesn’t need expensive gifts. You shouldn’t drop several months‘ salary on him.”
After all, Drake was his boy from college. Fifteen years of friendship meant something.
He’d wanted to add that Drake probably wouldn’t even appreciate a gift that cost Gabriella months of her salary
from her law firm.
But that was too harsh to say out loud.
Gabriella knew perfectly well Drake didn’t deserve it–the watch wasn’t for him anyway. She smiled politely. “You’re right. Won’t happen again.”
After some small talk, they parted ways.
Watching her leave, Mason sighed. “Damn, what a waste. Girl’s way too good for him.”
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He opened WhatsApp, unable to resist messaging Drake.
[Yo, you’re sleeping on a good one. Just saw her buying you some fancy–ass watch. Must’ve dropped like 15K on it. That’s months of her salary, man. Don’t mess this up.]
Drake read the message while having dinner with Sienna.
His earlier anger dissipated instantly.
So Gabriella felt guilty about today and was buying him a peace offering. Fine, he could play nice.
He’d accept the gift, apologize for being harsh, tell her not to take it personally, throw in some sweet talk–Gabriella always fell for that.
“Drake? Who’s texting?” Sienna asked from across the table.
“Nobody important,” he replied smoothly.
Sienna didn’t push it.
When Drake hit the restroom, Sienna grabbed his phone. She’d seen him enter his passcode before–his birthday,
how basic.
She quickly checked his chat with Gabriella. The last exchange was from a week ago: Gabriella asking about taking a
trip together during the fall break, sending links to places she wanted to visit.
Drake had replied five hours later: “Everything’s packed during holidays. What’s the point?”
Gabriella hadn’t messaged since.
Sienna smirked at the suggested destinations. Their three–year relationship couldn’t be that serious if Drake
wouldn’t even vacation with her.
Finding nothing interesting in Gabriella’s chat, she browsed further and found Mason’s message.
Sienna scoffed, remembering Gabriella’s apparent indifference earlier. She’d thought Little Miss Perfect was finally backing off, but here she was buying gifts, trying to make things right.
She closed WhatsApp, locked the phone, and placed it back. Then she pulled out her own phone to call Caroline
Ashcroft.
“Caroline? You won’t believe what happened. Drake and I were at Chaumet, and his girlfriend was there trying on rings, practically begging for marriage…”
Back at the penthouse, Gabriella continued packing, placing Asher’s gift in her suitcase. As she packed, her mind drifted to his striking features.
She’d known Asher since childhood. Their family estates were in the same exclusive neighborhood in Kensington, barely a quarter–mile apart. They’d often crossed paths growing up.
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Chapter 15
Asher was four years her senior. She first met him at Blackwood Manor when she was ten, during a dinner party. While she was still an awkward child, Asher already looked like he’d stepped out of a British period drama.
She remembered being stunned by his appearance–aristocratic features but eyes cold as a winter morning.
When her mother prompted her to greet him, she’d politely said, “Hello, Asher.”
He’d responded with a cool, detached “Hello,” making her think he must be difficult to know.
That misconception lasted years.
When she was sixteen, struggling with advanced mathematics, Lady Blackwood suggested to her father: “Asher could help Gabriella with her maths. He earned top marks at Eton, nearly perfect scores!”
By then, Gabriella’s mother had passed away, and Gabriella had changed from a carefree child into a withdrawn, rebellious teenager.
“I don’t need your help,” she’d told Asher when he arrived.
At twenty–one, Asher cut an impressive figure–well over six feet, wearing a simple white shirt and grey jeans, his carefully styled hair softening his severe features.
“Too bad. You’re getting it anyway,” he’d replied, his voice carrying an unexpected warmth.
She’d expected him to be stern and demanding.
Instead, after reviewing her practice exams, he’d simply raised an eyebrow and began patiently explaining
concepts.
His deep voice made even calculus sound interesting, and he never showed a hint of frustration.
For problems with multiple approaches, he’d explain each method thoroughly.
Gabriella’s initial resistance turned to admiration.
“How do you remember all this? It’s been years since you took these courses.”
“I reviewed the textbooks before coming,” he admitted, then gently tapped her head with his pen. “And it’s ‘Asher‘ to you, remember?”
That summer before her A–levels, Asher spent two months tutoring her.
He was at Cambridge then but dedicated his entire break to helping her–explaining concepts, checking her work, marking practice papers.
Even after her term started while he was still on break, she’d come home to find him waiting in her family’s sitting room, ready to help.
Thanks to Asher, her mathematics improved dramatically, from failing grades to near–perfect scores.
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She’d always excelled in other subjects, and with mathematics no longer holding her back, she earned a place at Cambridge herself, following in Asher’s footsteps.
Back then, Gabriella saw Asher as the perfect older brother figure.
She respected him, admired him, but never thought of him romantically.
So when her father proposed the arranged marriage with Asher, she’d balked.
How could she marry someone she saw as a brother?
Her reminiscing was interrupted by Drake entering the bedroom. He leaned against the doorframe, looking down at her. “All packed?”
“Almost.”
“Gabriella… isn’t there something you want to tell me?”
