It was an unusually cold evening in Seoul, and Gabriel found himself standing in front of his apartment window, staring out at the city lights. The wind outside howled, as though echoing the unsettled thoughts that had been swirling in his mind. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something had been nagging at him for weeks.
The recent shifts in his life had been dizzying—his relationship with Lorraine had deepened, and for the first time in years, he felt a sense of belonging. Yet, there was an undercurrent of tension, an emotional pull that had become harder to ignore.
The ring of his doorbell jarred him from his thoughts. He wasn't expecting anyone, so with a slight frown, Gabriel made his way to the door and swung it open.
"Karina?" he said, startled to see his ex-girlfriend standing there.
Karina, as always, looked effortlessly stunning. Her long, dark hair was perfectly styled, her makeup flawless. She wore a fitted black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, and her lips curled into a sultry smile as she stepped closer, her eyes glimmering with something unreadable.
"Gabriel," she purred, her voice low and inviting. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Gabriel stood frozen for a moment, the unexpectedness of her visit throwing him off guard. He hadn't seen Karina in months, not since they had ended their relationship. It had been a difficult breakup—complicated by history and emotions that hadn't been easy to untangle. But seeing her now, he felt the same familiar tug, the magnetic pull that had always drawn them back together.
"What are you doing here?" Gabriel asked, stepping aside to let her in, though he wasn't sure why.
Karina walked into the apartment with the confidence of someone who knew she still held a place in Gabriel's life. Her eyes roamed the room as if assessing how much had changed since she'd last been there.
"I was in the neighborhood," she said casually, though Gabriel knew better. Karina was never casual about anything. "I thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing."
Gabriel folded his arms across his chest, watching her closely. "I'm fine. You could've called."
Karina laughed softly, a sound that used to make his heart race but now felt out of place. "You know me, Gabe. I'm not one for formality. Besides, we go way back, don't we? I figured it wouldn't hurt to see an old friend."
She moved closer to him, her fingers brushing lightly against his arm as she spoke. Gabriel stiffened, the gesture far too familiar for his liking, especially now that he was with Lorraine.
"What do you want, Karina?" he asked, his voice firm but not unkind.
Karina's eyes flickered with something—disappointment, perhaps—but she quickly masked it with a smile. "Can't a girl just miss someone?"
Gabriel sighed, stepping back to put some distance between them. "It's not that simple, Karina. You know that."
She moved forward again, this time more boldly, placing a hand on his chest. "Why does it have to be complicated, Gabe? We had something good once. Don't tell me you've forgotten."
Gabriel's jaw tightened. He hadn't forgotten. Their relationship had been passionate, electric even, but it had also been tumultuous, filled with arguments and misunderstandings. It had taken him a long time to move on from Karina, to realize that what they had wasn't healthy. And now, with Lorraine in his life, he wasn't about to go back to the chaos.
"I'm with Lorraine now," Gabriel said, his voice steady. "I've moved on."
Karina's smile faltered, and for a moment, vulnerability flashed in her eyes. But then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the confident, seductive persona she always wore like armor.
"Lorraine's sweet," Karina said, her tone condescending. "But she's not us, Gabe. She doesn't know you the way I do. She doesn't understand what we had."
Gabriel shook his head, stepping back again. "That's the thing, Karina. What we had... it wasn't good for either of us. We weren't happy."
Karina's eyes hardened. "You weren't happy. Don't pretend like I wasn't enough."
Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and Gabriel felt the weight of them pressing down on him. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "It's not about you being enough, Karina. It's about what's right for me. Lorraine is what's right for me."
For the first time, Karina looked genuinely hurt. She blinked, her eyes shining with unshed tears, but she quickly turned away, walking toward the window as if to compose herself.
"You really love her, don't you?" she asked softly, her back still turned to him.
Gabriel didn't hesitate. "I do."
There was a long pause before Karina turned back around, her expression unreadable. She nodded slowly, as if finally accepting the truth. "I see."
For a moment, Gabriel thought that might be the end of it—that she would leave and they could both move on. But Karina wasn't one to give up easily.
"I'll always be here, Gabe," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "If things ever change."
Gabriel didn't respond, watching as she walked out of the apartment, the door clicking shut behind her. The tension in the room lingered, and Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with the way Karina had managed to stir up old feelings he thought he had buried.
He loved Lorraine. That was undeniable. But Karina had always had a way of getting under his skin, making him question things he thought were certain. Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it any longer.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Jerome was pacing his office, a mischievous grin on his face as he glanced down at his phone. He had finally managed to secure a dinner with Lorraine—something he had been trying to do ever since they had met through work.
Lorraine had been polite but distant toward him, and he knew part of that was because of her relationship with Gabriel. But Jerome was persistent, and he had a way of getting what he wanted.
He picked up his phone and sent a message to Lorraine, confirming their dinner plans for that evening. He had framed it as a work-related meeting—something that Lorraine couldn't easily turn down. After all, they worked at the same company, and business was business.
As expected, Lorraine had agreed, though she had been reluctant at first. Jerome knew he would have to tread carefully—Lorraine wasn't the type to be easily won over. But he was confident that once she spent more time with him, she would see that he could offer her more than Gabriel ever could.
Later that evening, Lorraine arrived at the restaurant where Jerome had arranged their dinner. She had been hesitant about accepting his invitation, but Jerome had framed it as a work meeting, and she couldn't afford to be rude. Plus, she trusted herself to keep things professional.
As she stepped inside the dimly lit, upscale restaurant, Lorraine's eyes scanned the room for Jerome. She found him sitting at a table near the back, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his posture relaxed as he sipped a glass of wine.
"Lorraine," he said, standing up to greet her with a charming smile. "I'm glad you could make it."
Lorraine gave him a polite nod, offering a tight-lipped smile in return. "Of course. You said it was important."
Jerome gestured to the seat across from him, and Lorraine sat down, her hands resting in her lap as she tried to ignore the nervous energy building inside her. Something about this dinner felt off, though she couldn't quite place it yet.
"I hope you don't mind the location," Jerome said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. "I thought we could have a more relaxed conversation here, away from the office."
Lorraine's brows furrowed slightly. "It's fine. But what was it you wanted to discuss?"
Jerome waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, we'll get to that. But first, let's enjoy the evening. You've been working hard, Lorraine. You deserve a break."
She felt a slight unease creep up her spine. Jerome's tone was too casual for her liking, and she wasn't sure if this was about work at all. But she kept her composure, determined to remain professional.
"I appreciate the gesture, but I'd prefer to get straight to business," Lorraine said, her voice firm.
Jerome chuckled, clearly amused by her serious demeanor. "All right, all right. No need to be so tense. But before we dive into work, can I at least offer a toast?"
He raised his glass of wine, waiting for Lorraine to join him. Reluctantly, she picked up her glass, clinking it against his.
"To new possibilities," Jerome said, his eyes gleaming as he took a sip.
Lorraine narrowed her eyes slightly but drank as well, feeling more uncomfortable by the minute.
"So, about the project—" she began, but Jerome cut her off.
"You know, Lorraine, I've been thinking," he said, leaning forward, his tone lowering to something more intimate. "You're an incredible woman. Smart, talented, driven. Gabriel is lucky to have you."
The mention of Gabriel made Lorraine tense. She wasn't sure where this was going, but she didn't like it.
"Thank you," she said cautiously. "But I don't see what that has to do with the project."
Jerome smirked, clearly enjoying the game he was playing. "You see, that's the thing. I can't help but wonder if Gabriel is really the right man for someone like you."
Lorraine's eyes widened, and she set her glass down, her patience wearing thin. "Jerome, if you invited me here to talk about my personal life, then this dinner is over."
She moved to stand, but Jerome quickly reached out, his hand gently grabbing her wrist. "Wait, Lorraine. That's not what I meant. I just—"
"Let go," Lorraine said sharply, pulling her hand away.
Jerome raised his hands in mock surrender, his expression softening. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
Lorraine's gaze hardened. "I came here for work, Jerome. If you're not going to respect that, then I'm leaving."
Jerome sighed, leaning back in his chair as if finally accepting defeat. "You're right. I crossed the line. Let's talk business."
Lorraine didn't relax, but she sat back down, keeping her posture rigid as they moved on to the actual work discussion. But throughout the rest of the dinner, she couldn't shake the feeling that Jerome had other intentions—and she made a mental note to be more cautious around him in the future.
As the night wore on, both Gabriel and Lorraine found themselves grappling with the complexities of their respective situations. Gabriel knew he had to confront the lingering emotions Karina had stirred up, while Lorraine couldn't ignore the growing unease she felt toward Jerome.
Their lives were becoming more tangled with every passing day, and neither of them knew just how deeply those threads would pull them into the web of their intertwined fates.
----
The chilly air of the Seoul night hung heavy around Gabriel as he made his way home after a long day at work. His conversation with Karina from the other night still lingered in his mind, no matter how much he tried to push it away. The evening with Lorraine had been wonderful—she made everything feel grounded, real. But Karina's sudden reappearance left him with a strange sense of unfinished business, even if he had firmly told her that he was with Lorraine now.
As Gabriel unlocked the door to his apartment, the quiet stillness inside didn't offer the comfort he'd expected. Instead, it amplified the chaotic thoughts swirling in his head. He tossed his keys on the table and ran a hand through his hair, letting out a slow breath.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his spiral. He fished it out, expecting a message from Lorraine, but it was Karina again.
Karina: I'm sorry about last time. I just miss talking to you. Can we meet for coffee?
Gabriel stared at the message for a long moment, feeling the familiar tug of history. He didn't want to hurt her, but the boundaries had to stay clear. He was with Lorraine now, and any attempt from Karina to rekindle something would only complicate things further. He typed a response quickly.
Gabriel: I don't think that's a good idea. Take care, Karina.
He hit send and put the phone down, hoping that would finally be the end of it.
Across town, Lorraine sat in front of her vanity, brushing out her hair before bed. Her dinner with Jerome had left her feeling uneasy. She didn't like the way he had spoken to her, how he had tried to weave personal insinuations into what should have been a straightforward work meeting.
Lorraine picked up her phone and typed a message to Gabriel, but then paused. She didn't want to add to his stress—he had been busy lately, and the last thing she wanted was to make him worry. Instead, she deleted the message and sighed, getting up to head to bed.
Just as she turned off the lights, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was Jerome.
Jerome: I hope I didn't offend you tonight. You know, I was just trying to make conversation. I respect you, Lorraine, and I value our partnership.
Lorraine's jaw clenched. The apology felt insincere, like Jerome was merely checking a box so he could continue his behavior in the future. She decided not to respond and turned the phone facedown, pulling the covers over herself.
The next morning, Gabriel and Lorraine had plans to meet for lunch. When Gabriel arrived at the café, Lorraine was already seated, sipping tea as she waited for him. She looked beautiful, as always, but there was a tension in her posture that Gabriel picked up on immediately.
He slid into the seat across from her, smiling softly. "Hey."
"Hey," Lorraine replied, her smile a bit tight as she stirred her tea.
Gabriel reached across the table and took her hand, rubbing his thumb gently over her skin. "You okay? You seem... distracted."
Lorraine hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, just a bit of a rough night. Work stuff."
She didn't want to burden him with the details of Jerome's behavior just yet, not when she wasn't even sure how to handle it herself. But Gabriel could sense something was off.
"You know you can talk to me, right?" he said gently.
Lorraine smiled, squeezing his hand. "I know. And I will. I just need to work through some things first."
Gabriel nodded, respecting her space. "Whenever you're ready."
They ate lunch together, the conversation light and warm as they shared stories from their week. For a while, Lorraine managed to forget the unease Jerome had stirred in her the night before, and Gabriel found some solace in the comfort of her company after the tension with Karina.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Jerome sat at his desk, tapping his fingers impatiently against the wood. Lorraine hadn't responded to his message from last night, and that bothered him more than he cared to admit.
He'd always been the type to get what he wanted, and Lorraine was no exception. There was something about her that intrigued him—her strength, her independence—and he wasn't going to let Gabriel stand in the way of his plans.
A knock on his office door broke his train of thought. One of his colleagues poked their head in, reminding him of a meeting he had that afternoon. Jerome waved them off, barely listening, as his mind continued to fixate on Lorraine.
He would just have to find another way to get her attention. Dinner hadn't worked, but maybe something more casual—something she couldn't refuse. A business trip, perhaps, or a project that required closer collaboration.
A smirk curled across his lips as he leaned back in his chair. He wasn't done yet.
A few days later, Lorraine was back at work, pouring over her latest project when an unexpected call came through.
"Lorraine Martino, this is Jerome. Do you have a moment?"
Her stomach dropped at the sound of his voice, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Sure, Jerome. What's up?"
"I just wanted to discuss a potential new project that I think you'd be perfect for," he said smoothly. "It's a major client, and it'll require some travel. We'd have to meet to go over the details."
Lorraine's mind raced. She wasn't keen on spending more time with Jerome, especially after their last dinner, but she couldn't exactly refuse a major project. She was a professional, after all.
"All right," she said, keeping her voice neutral. "Send me the details, and we can set up a time to meet."
"Great," Jerome said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I'll send everything over shortly."
Lorraine hung up the phone, feeling uneasy once again. She would have to be cautious—Jerome's intentions were becoming clearer with each interaction, and she didn't want to get caught in whatever game he was playing.
That evening, Gabriel and Lorraine met up for dinner, enjoying a quiet night in the city. Lorraine had been quieter than usual, and Gabriel couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering her. As they walked along the river, he finally decided to bring it up.
"Lorraine, is everything okay? You've seemed... distant lately."
Lorraine stopped walking and turned to face him, biting her lip. She had been trying to keep her work issues separate from her personal life, but Gabriel deserved to know what was going on. Especially since it involved someone he already seemed to have reservations about.
"I've been having some issues at work," Lorraine admitted, her eyes flickering with frustration. "With Jerome."
Gabriel's jaw tightened at the mention of Jerome's name. "What kind of issues?"
Lorraine sighed, running a hand through her hair. "He's been... persistent. He keeps trying to blur the line between work and personal. It's making me uncomfortable."
Gabriel's fists clenched at his sides, his protective instincts kicking in. "Has he done anything inappropriate?"
"Not physically," Lorraine said quickly, seeing the concern flash in Gabriel's eyes. "But he's been making insinuations, trying to push boundaries. I don't know if he's just trying to mess with my head or if he actually thinks there's something between us, but it's getting to be too much."
Gabriel's expression darkened, and Lorraine could see the anger building behind his eyes. "He needs to back off."
"I know," Lorraine said, placing a hand on Gabriel's arm to calm him. "I'm going to handle it. I just... I didn't want to worry you."
Gabriel took a deep breath, trying to reign in his emotions. "I don't like the idea of him messing with you, Lorraine. If he crosses the line again, you need to report him."
"I will," Lorraine promised. "I just didn't want to jump to conclusions without knowing for sure what his game is."
Gabriel nodded, though the tension in his body didn't ease. "You shouldn't have to deal with this."
"I won't," Lorraine said, her voice firm. "I'll take care of it."
They continued their walk, but the mood had shifted. Gabriel's mind was now racing with thoughts of how to protect Lorraine, and Lorraine was more determined than ever to keep her boundaries firm with Jerome.
The next few days passed with an uneasy sense of anticipation. Jerome continued to press Lorraine about the new project, though she kept their interactions strictly professional. She made sure never to be alone with him, always keeping a safe distance.
But just as things seemed to settle, another storm was brewing.
Karina hadn't taken Gabriel's rejection well, and despite his clear boundaries, she wasn't ready to let him go. She still saw Gabriel as hers—someone who had always come back to her, no matter what. And she wasn't about to let Lorraine take that away.
She began showing up more frequently, at places where Gabriel would be, always acting as though it was a coincidence. Each time, Gabriel made it clear that he wasn't interested, but Karina wasn't deterred.
One evening, Gabriel received yet another message from her.
Karina: Can we please just talk? One coffee. For old times' sake.
Gabriel deleted the message without responding. But even as he did, a sense of unease settled over him. He knew Karina well enough to know that she wasn't going to give up that easily. And with Jerome circling Lorraine at work, Gabriel felt like the walls were slowly closing in.
The games were just beginning, and Gabriel and Lorraine would soon find themselves caught in a tangled web of jealousy, ambition, and desire—one that could threaten everything they had worked so hard to build.