Chapter 83

Chapter83 Could You Sing Something For Me

Even after Brenden's figure vanished from sight,Gabriela remained frozen in place, her mind reeling.

She had suspected that "NotASaunders" wasn't Brenden at all, but judging by his reaction moments ago, was she wrong in her speculation?

And what had Brenden meant when he claimed he couldn't give her what she wanted? Was he planning to keep whatever she'd left in that hotel room?

Fury blazed through Gabriela's chest.

Brenden showered other women with generosity,yet treated her with such calculated cruelty. He kept stalling,refusing to return what belonged to her.

What an absolute bastard!

Gabriela drew a shuddering breath, forcing her rage into submission.

When she considered it rationally, this outcome worked in her favor. Brenden had suggested cutting contact himself, whch meant no future scandals to worry about.

Besides, she couldn't even recall what she'd abandoned in that hotel room-she probably didn't need it anyway.

Her thoughts churned through a dozen emotions,and gradually, satisfaction replaced her anger.

The crushing weight that had pressed against her ribs finally lifted.

She inhaled deeply, transforming back into the carefree woman she'd always been.

"Gabriela."

Wesley's frigid voice cut through her reverie like a blade.

Her euphoria had made her forget Wesley still lingered in the living room.

Thank God she hadn't been too explicit while testing Brenden earlier-Wesley probably hadn't deciphered their cryptic exchange.

She flashed him a brilliant smile. "Mr. Moss,getting some water? I won't keep you."

Gabriela finished speaking and bolted toward her room.

She indulged in a scalding shower, so blissful she nearly burst into song.

After toweling off, Gabriela scrolled through her phone until 11:30 PM crept up on her.

She'd planned to stay awake another half hour, but tomorrow's responsibilities crashed back into her consciousness-Loretta needed help decorating the house and trimming the garden's overgrown trees and flowers. She'd have to rise at dawn.

Gabriela powered down her phone, burrowed into her blankets, and set her alarm. Just as sleep began to claim her, WhatsApp's distinctive chime pierced the silence.

It rang several times in succession.

Gabriela cracked open her phone to discover a message from "NotASaunders."

"Are you sleeping? I can't rest. Could you sing something for me?"

Gabriela stared at the screen in disbelief.

Brenden had just declared he wouldn't return her belongings or contact her again, and now he already changed his mind?

What an asshole!

Having already confronted Brenden directly, Gabriela felt no need for diplomacy. Her reply dripped with venom.

"Brenden Saunders, do you possess the memory span of a goldfish? What is it- three seconds before everything evaporates? You explicitly said never to contact me again, so why are you messaging me now?"

Wesley had been battling insomnia for days.

Gabriela's rejection had wounded him, though he convinced himself he wasn't particularly attached to her.

Since she possessed such abysmal taste as to criticize his physique, he certainly wouldn't waste another moment's consideration on her.

He'd assumed he would get over her quickly.

But recently, she haunted his vision constantly.

He learned that she had endured absolute darkness in the past while still maintaining such radiant optimism.

Rather than moving on from her, his fascination intensified.

Tonight, he'd tossed restlessly, his mind replaying the scene of Gabriela standing before Brenden. He was quite frustrated.

Damn! What was so special about Brenden that had drawn her to him?

Irritation drove Wesley to message Gabriela,requesting a song.

He hadn't anticipated provoking such fierce indignation.

Reading her message, in which she furiously berated Brenden, somehow lifted Wesley's spirits considerably.Her fiery temperament amused him.

He responded cheerfully, "Oh, it's Gabriela?thought this was girlfriend number forty-three. Sorry,wrong recipient."

Finding that insufficient, Wesley added, "My forty-third girlfriend happens to bea little singer. If you can outperform her, I'll return your possessions immediately."

Gabriela's blood boiled. Why was he tormenting her in the dead of night?

She needed to wake early tomorrow to assist Loretta with decorating!

Gabriela marshaled her fury, prepared a verbal assault, and readied a voice message bombardment when "NotASaunders" sent another text.

"I'm a free spirit; naturally, I change my mind constantly Forget what I said earlier. Tonight, you wil sing for me."

Gabriela was about to detonate.

But what choice did she have? Her own reckless behavior had created this mess-getting drunk over trivial matters, which had attracted this relentless pest.

Terrified that Brenden might broadcast their one-night stand, Gabriela swallowed her rage.

She clenched her jaw and typed, "What song do you want?"The response materialized instantly. "Something romantic."

Gabriela's blood chilled.

What kind of delusional romantic was Brenden,demanding love songs in the dead of night?

Even if she knew a hundred romantic ballads,she wouldn't feed his twisted fantasies.

"I don't know any romantic songs," Gabriela shot back.

"Then find one. Sing something sweet once you've chosen.I have all night-I'll wait."

Gabriela drew a savage breath, mentally executing Brenden a dozen different ways before hitting record.Her voice emerged barely above a whisper.

"If I could do just one thing for you..."

This marked the first time she'd ever performed for someone through her phone. Shyness scorched her cheeks. Initially, her voice trembled with embarrassment.

The recording automatically transmitted when it reached the sixty-second limit.

Gabriela's voice wasn't classically beautiful,but her tender singing caressed the listener like whispered secrets.

Wesley had initially found it enchanting, even losing himself in her melody as he contemplated which song to request next.

But as the lyrics unfolded, his smile withered.

"Love you so deeply, so I'll set you free..."

Wesley's expression turned thunderous.

Loving someone so profoundly, yet releasing them?Encouraging them to choose another?

Shouldn't loving someone mean clutching them desperately and never letting go?

These lyrics were absolute poison! Wesley fired back immediately, "Awful. Choose something else."

Gabriela, who had been pleased with her performance, recoiled at his brutal dismissal.