Luis knelt before me, a small box open, revealing the most exquisite engagement ring I'd ever seen. Cameras flashed, capturing the moment. Our families and friends awaited my response.
"Will you marry me, Aliyah Gómez?" Luis asked, his eyes sparkling with sincerity.
I glanced at my parents, who nodded in encouragement. I took a deep breath and accepted.
"Yes, Luis Moreno Salazar, I'll marry you."
The room erupted in applause. Meanwhile, Gabriel watched the news broadcast, his expression darkening.
"The news is spreading like wildfire," the anchor announced. "Colombian billionaire Luis Moreno is off the market, engaged to Aliyah Gómez on her birthday."
Gabriel's anger boiled over, and he hurled his bottle across the room. Sophie rushed to his side, concern etched on her face.
"What's wrong, Gabriel?"
He glared at the TV. "She's marrying him."
Sophie's expression softened. "Maybe this is a sign for you to move on, Gabriel. She's chosen her path."
Now, you can focus more on the mission.
Gabriel's response was icy. "Don't tell me what to do, Sophie. You're just a friend. Don't expect impossible things from me."
Sophie's eyes welled up with tears as she left Gabriel's side, hurt by his words.
Luis's uncle, Don Moreno, watched the news in his office, his son Antonio by his side.
"Father, Luis is getting married," Antonio said, his voice laced with concern.
Don Matteo's expression turned calculating. "Don't worry, son. I have everything under control."
"Leave my sight!" Don Matteo thundered, his face reddening.
Antonio's eyes blazed with anger. Whatever father I was already leaving.
"Even my own son turns against me. It's as if your legacy is cursed, brother."
Matteo's voice dripped with venom. "For now, I'll leave you, Luis. But when I strike, don't expect mercy. Your arrogance will be your downfall."
Gabriel's expression turned cold. "Oh Aliyah, you hurt me so bad. You claimed to hate him Aliyah, now you're settling with someone like Luis."
Meanwhile, Aliyah celebrated her engagement, surrounded by loved ones. But amidst the fake laughter and champagne, she felt a growing unease. Luis's eyes seemed to hold a secret, a hidden darkness that made her skin crawl.
As the night wore on, Aliyah's doubts intensified. Was she really ready to marry a man she barely knew? She already hates his guts. And what secrets was Luis hiding behind his charming smile?
The next morning, Aliyah received a mysterious text message: "Don't marry him, Aliyah. He's not what he seems." The message angered her to the core. She already knows who the sender is, won't he just go away. She said
Aliyah was in total annoyance as she stared at the mysterious text message. The words danced on her screen, taunting her: "Don't marry him, Aliyah. He's not what he seems."
This was really low of him, bad mouthing someone because of his selfish gains.
Determined to stop him from going further, Aliyah decided to meet up with Gabriel.
One night, Aliyah received another text message: "Meet me at the coffee shop on 5th street at midnight. Come alone."
Aliyah stormed into the coffee shop, her heart racing with determination. The dim lighting cast shadows on the walls, and the air was thick with tension. A figure emerged from the shadows, and Aliyah's eyes widened as she recognized Gabriel.
"I've been investigating Luis," Gabriel said, his voice low and urgent. "I have evidence that he's involved in some very shady dealings. You need to get out of this marriage, Aliyah, before it's too late."
Aliyah's expression turned resolute. "Gabriel, my mind is made up. I have a duty to my family and I won't break the contract. It hurts, but I think you should move on. Find someone without so much baggage. We can still be friends, nothing more. Goodbye, Gabriel."
Aliyah walked out of the café, leaving Gabriel stunned. He chased after her, his voice laced with desperation. "Aliyah, don't do this! We've always been meant to be together! You said you'd fight for us, didn't you?"
Aliyah spun around, her eyes flashing with determination. "I know what I said, Gabriel, but the odds aren't like before. I'm a Gómez, and I have responsibilities."
Just then, a sleek black car screeched to a halt beside them. Luis Moreno's eyes blazed with anger as he stepped out. "Aliyah, what's going on here?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Gabriel stood his ground, his eyes locked on Luis. "She's trying to leave you, Luis. She deserves better than a man like you."
Luis's face darkened, his fists clenched. "You have no right to interfere, Gabriel. Aliyah is mine."
Aliyah's eyes widened as Luis's words sent a shiver down her spine. "Let me go, Gabriel," she warned, her voice firm.
Luis's eyes narrowed. "Make him let you go, Aliyah. He's overstepping his bounds."
Gabriel's grip tightened, his eyes flashing with defiance. "I'll never let you go, Aly. You're mine."
The air was electric with tension as the three of them stood locked in a silent standoff. Suddenly, Luis's right-hand man whispered something in his ear, and Luis's expression turned icy.
"Take care of this," he growled, his eyes never leaving Gabriel's face.
The right-hand man nodded, his eyes glinting with a sinister intent. Gabriel's eyes flicked to him, and he knew he was in trouble.