Chapter 22 - The Quiet Evening
That evening, the estate was blissfully quiet. The heavy iron gates kept the noisy chaos of the metropolis at bay, leaving only the gentle rustle of wind through the courtyard olive trees.
Gabriel and Tessa sat together on the stone veranda, watching the orange hues of the sunset paint the distant city skyline. There were no encrypted phones buzzing, no threat assessments to review, and no emergency calls from the docks.
Gabriel poured two glasses of aged wine, handing one to Tessa. He looked over at her, his expression turning deeply reflective.
“Do you ever miss it?” he asked softly. “The anonymity? Just being an ordinary person walking down the street without a dozen bodyguards watching your every move?”
Tessa took a slow sip of her wine, smiling as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “I spent years trying to be invisible, Gabriel. I thought hiding from the world was the only way to survive. But being invisible means no one really sees you at all.” She turned her dark eyes up to meet his. “I don't want to be a ghost anymore. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
May you like
Gabriel smiled, sliding his hand into hers, their fingers intertwining naturally. “Neither do I.”
---
