Lorraine stood in front of her mirror, a look of uncertainty clouding her face as she adjusted the straps of her dress. It was an elegant piece, a flowing midnight blue gown that hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her grace and poise. She sighed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, trying to focus on the evening ahead.
Her mother, Krystal Soo, had invited her and Gabriel to one of her exclusive, high-profile parties—a world that Lorraine had deliberately distanced herself from. The dazzling lights, fake smiles, and shallow conversations were not her scene, and every time she thought about stepping back into that world, memories of her controlling childhood and her parents' toxic marriage resurfaced. But Krystal had been persistent, calling her repeatedly over the week, insisting it was just a simple dinner, nothing more.
Yet Lorraine knew better. Nothing with Krystal was ever simple.
From the other side of the room, Gabriel stood watching Lorraine silently. His sharp gaze softened as he took in her troubled expression.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle as he walked over to her side.
Lorraine turned to face him, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "I don't know. It's just… my mother's parties always come with strings attached. I don't know what to expect tonight."
Gabriel reached out, placing his hands on her shoulders and meeting her gaze in the mirror. "You don't have to go if you don't want to. We can stay in. Order some food, watch a movie… whatever you want."
Lorraine hesitated, appreciating his offer but knowing deep down she couldn't avoid this forever. Krystal would only become more persistent. "I need to go, Gabriel. She's my mother, and it's just a party, right?" Her voice wavered slightly at the last part, trying to convince herself more than him.
Gabriel gently squeezed her shoulders and kissed her temple. "I'll be with you the whole time."
She nodded, grateful for his support, but still, a part of her felt uneasy.
---
The evening air was crisp as they arrived at Krystal's sprawling mansion. The driveway was lined with sleek black cars, their owners part of an exclusive circle of elites, celebrities, and business moguls. The grand entrance was flanked by towering marble pillars, and soft, golden lights spilled out onto the neatly manicured lawn. From inside, the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and muted chatter filled the air.
Lorraine inhaled deeply, bracing herself as they approached the entrance. Gabriel's hand found hers, offering her silent strength as they stepped through the threshold.
Krystal Soo was already waiting inside, her figure immaculate in a stunning white gown that shimmered under the chandeliers. Her presence was as commanding as ever, and the moment she spotted Lorraine and Gabriel, a dazzling smile spread across her face—a smile Lorraine had learned to be wary of.
"Lorraine, darling!" Krystal's voice was sweet but edged with the sharpness Lorraine knew all too well. She glided over to them, arms open wide. Lorraine stepped into the embrace, the scent of her mother's expensive perfume enveloping her.
"Mother," Lorraine greeted, her voice steady, though her body remained tense.
"And Gabriel," Krystal said with a graceful turn, her eyes briefly scanning him before offering a polite nod. "I'm glad you could join us tonight."
"Thank you for inviting me," Gabriel replied, his tone formal yet respectful. He was always cautious around Krystal, knowing her approval of him was fragile at best.
Krystal smiled, but there was an undercurrent in her eyes that Gabriel couldn't quite decipher. "Of course," she replied, her voice laced with a subtle note of superiority. "Lorraine's happiness is my priority."
Lorraine swallowed, biting back the urge to correct her mother. Krystal's idea of happiness had always been conditional, tied to status and power. But before she could dwell on it, Krystal was already leading them further into the party.
The room was filled with an array of glamorous faces, each person more impeccably dressed than the last. As Krystal mingled with her guests, introducing Lorraine to a few people here and there, Gabriel stayed by her side, his hand firmly in hers.
It wasn't long before Krystal's true intentions began to surface.
"Lorraine," Krystal called smoothly from across the room, her eyes gleaming with a certain mischief as she waved someone over. "I want you to meet Jerome."
A tall, sharply dressed man in a tailored suit approached, his smile wide and confident. His presence commanded attention, with neatly styled dark hair and a chiseled jawline. He exuded the kind of charm and affluence that Krystal adored.
"This is Jerome," Krystal continued, her eyes flickering briefly to Gabriel. "He's a rising star in the business world—already a CEO at thirty-two. Isn't that impressive?"
Lorraine's eyes flickered in surprise, but she kept her expression neutral. "Nice to meet you, Jerome," she said, offering a polite smile.
Jerome took her hand, holding it a second too long. "The pleasure is all mine, Lorraine. I've heard a lot about you."
Gabriel stood stiffly beside Lorraine, his grip tightening on her hand. He didn't like the way Jerome was looking at her, the way Krystal was all but parading Lorraine in front of him. His jaw clenched, but he forced a polite smile. "Gabriel," he introduced himself, extending a hand.
Jerome's eyes flicked to Gabriel, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Ah, Gabriel, right? Lorraine's… friend?"
Lorraine's eyes narrowed slightly at the condescending tone, but before she could say anything, Krystal cut in with a laugh.
"Gabriel is Lorraine's colleague," Krystal said smoothly, her voice laced with an undertone that set Gabriel on edge. "They've been working together for a while now."
Lorraine felt a wave of frustration rising inside her. She opened her mouth to correct her mother, to tell her that Gabriel was far more than just a colleague, but Krystal was already turning her attention back to Jerome.
"You two should spend some time together, get to know each other," Krystal suggested, her tone as innocent as ever but with a clear agenda. "Jerome has been looking for someone to partner with on some exciting projects, and Lorraine, I think you'd be perfect for it."
Lorraine's lips pressed together tightly, and she glanced at Gabriel, who stood tense beside her. His expression was polite, but she could see the strain in his eyes.
"Mother," Lorraine said, her voice firm as she tried to steer the conversation away, "I'm already involved in a lot of projects at work. I'm not looking for more right now."
Krystal waved a hand dismissively. "Nonsense, darling. You're more than capable of handling a few extra things. Besides, Jerome is a catch." She flashed another perfect smile. "Don't you think, Gabriel?"
Gabriel forced a smile, though his patience was thinning by the second. "I'm sure Jerome's very accomplished," he said, his voice calm but with an edge. "But Lorraine's got her own ambitions."
Jerome chuckled, clearly enjoying the tension. "I'm sure she does," he said smoothly, his eyes still lingering on Lorraine. "But there's always room for growth, right?"
Gabriel's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Lorraine stepped forward, her tone now sharper than before. "I appreciate the introduction, Jerome, but I don't think this is the right time for a business talk."
Krystal's smile faltered slightly, and for a moment, the tension hung heavy in the air.
"You're right, Lorraine," Krystal said, recovering quickly. "I didn't mean to overwhelm you. But Jerome will be around all night if you change your mind."
Lorraine nodded stiffly, turning to Gabriel. "Shall we get a drink?"
Gabriel smiled tightly, grateful for the escape. "Absolutely."
---
As they moved through the crowded room toward the bar, Gabriel couldn't shake the feeling of jealousy and frustration gnawing at him. Krystal had made it clear, yet again, that she didn't approve of him. She saw him as a mere colleague, someone beneath Lorraine's station, and now she was parading Jerome in front of her like a better option.
"Are you okay?" Lorraine asked, her voice soft as they reached the bar. She could sense Gabriel's frustration, the tension in his shoulders, and the way his hand hadn't let go of hers.
Gabriel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just… your mother," he said, his voice tight. "She doesn't hide the fact that she doesn't think I'm good enough for you."
Lorraine frowned, placing a hand on his arm. "Gabriel, that's not true. She's just—"
"She's trying to set you up with Jerome," Gabriel cut in, his eyes dark with emotion. "Right in front of me. Like I'm invisible."
Lorraine's heart ached at the frustration in his voice, and she reached out to take his hands in hers, pulling him closer. "Gabriel, you are more than enough for me," she said firmly, her eyes searching his. "My mother… she's always been like this. She tries to control everything in my life, and I've spent years trying to break free of it."
Gabriel looked at her, his expression softening slightly. "But it bothers me, Lorraine. She treats me like I'm nothing. Like I don't matter."
Lorraine stepped closer, her
voice gentle but resolute. "You matter to me, Gabriel. You're the most important person in my life right now, and nothing my mother says or does will change that."
Gabriel's gaze softened as he looked into her eyes, the weight of her words sinking in. He leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice quieter now. "I just… I don't want to lose you."
"You won't," Lorraine whispered, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm not going anywhere."
---
The rest of the night passed in a blur. Gabriel and Lorraine stayed close, keeping their distance from Krystal and Jerome. They mingled with a few other guests, but neither of them could fully shake the earlier tension. Every time Jerome passed by, Gabriel's jaw would clench, and Lorraine would feel a spike of annoyance rise within her.
As the evening came to a close, they made their polite goodbyes to Krystal, who smiled and kissed Lorraine's cheek, her eyes lingering on Gabriel with the faintest hint of disapproval.
"It was lovely seeing you both," Krystal said, her voice as sweet as honey, though Lorraine knew better than to trust it. "Do come by more often, Lorraine. And Gabriel…" Krystal's eyes flicked to him, her smile thin. "Take care."
Gabriel nodded curtly, but said nothing. Lorraine squeezed his hand and led him out of the mansion, her heart heavy with the weight of the evening's events.
---
In the car ride back to Lorraine's apartment, the silence between them was thick but comfortable. Lorraine stared out the window, lost in thought, while Gabriel kept his eyes on the road, his mind still replaying the interactions of the evening.
As they pulled up to her building, Gabriel turned to her, his voice soft. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Lorraine sighed, resting her head back against the seat. "There's nothing to say that hasn't already been said a thousand times before. My mother… she'll never change."
Gabriel reached over, taking her hand in his. "But we can change how we deal with her."
Lorraine looked at him, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah. I think we can."
As they stepped out of the car and into the night, Gabriel wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. And for the first time that evening, the weight of Krystal's manipulations began to lift, replaced by the warmth of Gabriel's unwavering support.
"Thank you," Lorraine whispered as they entered the building, her heart full despite the lingering shadows of the evening. "For being there for me."
Gabriel smiled down at her, his eyes softening. "Always."
---
### Chapter: Finding Strength in Love
As they entered Lorraine's apartment, the tension from the party still clung to them like a lingering shadow. The soft click of the door closing behind them seemed to seal away the outside world, but not the thoughts that swirled in their minds. Lorraine slipped off her heels and let out a long, exhausted sigh, sinking onto the couch. Gabriel followed, sitting beside her, his arm draped protectively around her shoulders.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Gabriel said quietly, his fingers lightly stroking her arm. He hadn't stopped thinking about Krystal's veiled insults, the way she'd tried to downplay his presence and push Jerome forward. It was clear Krystal had an agenda, one that had nothing to do with Lorraine's happiness and everything to do with control.
Lorraine leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes. "It's not your fault. My mother has always been like this, Gabriel. Ever since I was a child, she's always tried to shape my life to fit her version of success. My father left because of it—he couldn't stand the way she treated him. Sometimes, I wonder why she even keeps trying with me."
Gabriel frowned, his heart aching at the hurt in her voice. "You're her daughter, Lorraine. As much as she wants to control you, she still cares about you in her own twisted way. But that doesn't mean she has the right to make you feel like this."
Lorraine sat up, turning to face him. "It's more than just control, Gabriel. My mother… she has this image in her head of what she thinks I should be. I was never allowed to have dreams of my own, or make choices for myself. She dictated everything—from the clothes I wore to the friends I had." Her voice broke slightly, and she paused, collecting herself. "When I finally started to push back, it became a constant battle. And now, with you… it's just one more thing she can't control."
Gabriel's hand found hers, squeezing gently. "I don't want to be another source of stress in your life, Lorraine. I love you, and I'll always support you, but if this—" He gestured toward the door, indicating Krystal and the world she represented, "—is too much, we can figure out another way."
"No," Lorraine shook her head firmly, her voice filled with conviction. "You're not the problem, Gabriel. I won't let her manipulate me like that. I'm tired of playing by her rules. Tonight, seeing the way she tried to pit Jerome against you—it just made me realize how much I've let her control affect me, even after all these years."
Gabriel nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "So what are we going to do?"
Lorraine smiled softly, a spark of determination igniting in her eyes. "We keep being us. I won't let her drive a wedge between us, no matter how hard she tries. She's been controlling my life for too long, and it's time I set boundaries."
Gabriel felt a surge of pride at her words, seeing the strength she was drawing from within. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'm with you, Lorraine. Always."
The warmth of his words wrapped around her like a blanket, giving her a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. She leaned into his embrace, taking comfort in his presence, her head resting against his chest. They sat like that for a while, letting the silence between them speak the words they didn't need to say.
---
A few days later, Lorraine was back at work, feeling more settled after the unsettling events of Krystal's party. Her relationship with Gabriel had only strengthened in the aftermath, and they'd spent the past few days avoiding any mention of her mother. It was a fragile peace, one that Lorraine knew wouldn't last forever, but for now, it was enough.
As she sat at her desk, typing away on her laptop, her phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she saw a message from Krystal.
**"Dinner at the mansion tonight. 7 PM sharp. Bring Gabriel."**
Lorraine stared at the message, a familiar tension creeping into her chest. Another dinner. Another attempt to assert control, no doubt. She debated ignoring it, but she knew her mother wouldn't let it go. Sighing, she texted Gabriel.
**"My mother wants us for dinner tonight. Are you okay with that?"**
Within seconds, Gabriel replied.
**"Of course. I'll be there for you."**
Lorraine smiled at the text, her heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering support. No matter what Krystal threw their way, she knew they could face it together.
---
That evening, they arrived at Krystal's mansion once again. The familiar grandeur greeted them, with perfectly manicured lawns and glowing chandeliers visible through the massive windows. Lorraine took a deep breath, bracing herself for whatever was to come.
Krystal greeted them at the door, dressed impeccably as always, her smile wide but her eyes as calculating as ever. "Lorraine, Gabriel," she said smoothly. "I'm so glad you could make it."
"Thank you for inviting us," Gabriel said politely, though Lorraine could feel the tension in his grip as they stepped inside.
The dining room was as opulent as Lorraine remembered, the table set with fine china and crystal glasses, everything perfectly in place. As they took their seats, Lorraine noticed someone else was already seated at the table—Jerome. His presence immediately set her on edge, and she exchanged a quick glance with Gabriel, who remained composed but clearly displeased.
"Jerome happened to be in the area," Krystal explained with a casual wave of her hand. "I thought it would be nice for him to join us."
Lorraine's jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. "How convenient," she said, her tone flat.
Gabriel gave Jerome a polite nod, but there was an undercurrent of tension between the two men. Jerome smiled as if nothing was amiss, though Lorraine could sense the smugness in his demeanor.
As the dinner progressed, Krystal steered the conversation toward business—her favorite topic. She praised Jerome's recent success, weaving in comments that subtly undermined Gabriel's achievements, as if he were somehow lacking in comparison. Lorraine could see Gabriel's restraint, the way he kept his responses measured and polite, even as Krystal continued her thinly veiled jabs.
"So, Gabriel," Krystal said at one point, her voice deceptively light. "Tell me, where do you see yourself in five years? I imagine it must be difficult to keep up in such a competitive field, especially with someone as ambitious as Jerome around."
Lorraine bristled at her mother's tone, but Gabriel remained calm, meeting Krystal's gaze without flinching. "I'm focused on growing alongside Lorraine," he said evenly. "We've been working on several projects together that have a lot of potential."
Krystal raised an eyebrow, her smile thin. "Ah, yes. But surely you must have your own aspirations, Gabriel. After all, a man should have his own path, don't you think?"
Lorraine had had enough. "Mother," she said, her voice firm, "Gabriel and I are a team. We support each other's goals, and that's what matters."
Krystal's eyes flicked to her daughter, a hint of irritation flashing in them before she quickly masked it with another smile. "Of course, darling," she said smoothly. "I only want what's best for you."
"And what's best for me," Lorraine continued, her voice strong, "is someone who respects me, not someone who views me as a stepping stone."
The tension at the table was palpable, but Lorraine didn't care. She was done playing her mother's games.
Jerome cleared his throat, attempting to break the silence. "Well, I think it's admirable, Lorraine, that you've found someone who values partnership. Not everyone is lucky enough to have that."
Gabriel's gaze hardened, and before he could respond, Lorraine cut in. "We don't need luck, Jerome. We've worked hard for what we have."
Jerome chuckled lightly, raising his glass in mock acknowledgment. "Touché."
Krystal's eyes flicked between the three of them, her smile tight but unwavering. "Well, it's clear you're both very… committed."
Lorraine leaned back in her chair, her hand finding Gabriel's under the table. "We are," she said firmly.
The rest of the dinner passed in strained politeness, with Krystal continuing her subtle digs and Jerome trying to charm his way through the evening. But Lorraine had already made up her mind—she wasn't going to let her mother dictate her life anymore. Not with Gabriel by her side.
---
As they left the mansion that night, the cool evening air felt like a relief. Lorraine turned to Gabriel, her hand still in his, and smiled softly.
"I'm proud of you," Gabriel said, his voice filled with admiration.
Lorraine's smile widened. "I'm proud of us."
They stood there for a moment, basking in the quiet victory of the night. Krystal might have tried to undermine them, but together, they had stood strong.
And as they walked away from the mansion, hand in hand, Lorraine knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.