Juan Carlos leaned against the window of his office, his mind wandering to Gabriella Santana. Despite the chaos from the previous week, their conversations had grown more frequent.
Her laugh was becoming his favorite sound, and the way she shared her little dreams made him realize just how different she was from anyone he'd ever known.
The buzz of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts. It was a text from Gabriella.
"Hey, I'm thinking of visiting your office this afternoon. Hope that's okay?"
Juan smiled at his phone. Gabriella had never been to The House of Carlos, and the idea of her stepping into his world filled him with a mix of excitement and nerves.
"It's more than okay. I'll be waiting."
By midday, the office was abuzz. Word had spread that Gabriella Santana, daughter of the powerful George Santana, was coming to visit.
Juan couldn't help but notice how everyone seemed to stand a little straighter, as if preparing for royalty.
When Gabriella walked in, she was a vision in a simple white blouse and beige trousers. Her confidence lit up the room, but she wasn't there to impress anyone except Juan.
"I hope I'm not interrupting your busy day," she said, a playful grin on her face.
"Not at all," Juan replied, guiding her toward his office. "You're a welcome distraction."
Inside, they talked about everything from work to their favorite childhood memories. Gabriella's curiosity about the fashion world amused him.
"So, how do you decide which design makes it to the runway?" she asked, genuinely intrigued.
"It's a mix of instinct and trusting my team. You'd be surprised how much arguing happens over a single fabric choice," Juan said with a chuckle.
Gabriella laughed, her eyes sparkling. "I'd love to see that one day. Maybe even model something?"
Juan raised an eyebrow. "You? On a runway? Behinton might just stop functioning for a day."
They both laughed, the easy chemistry between them growing stronger. But the moment was interrupted by a knock on the door.
It was Vina, holding a file with a serious expression. "Sorry to interrupt, but we need to discuss the damages from the factory raid. The insurance company is asking for more details."
Juan's face darkened. The raid orchestrated by Gentle King was a wound that hadn't yet healed. He gestured for Vina to wait outside, but Gabriella caught the tension in the air.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Juan hesitated before answering. "Just some business complications. Nothing to worry about."
Gabriella reached out, touching his hand lightly. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm here."
Her sincerity warmed him, but he couldn't bring himself to involve her in the darker side of his world. "Thank you, Gabriella. I'll be fine."
As she left his office later, Juan watched her go with a mix of admiration and protectiveness. He didn't want her to see the shadows he dealt with daily. But he also couldn't deny that she was becoming a light in his life.
Later that evening, Juan sat with Teeto in their shared apartment.
"You're smiling like an idiot," Teeto teased, tossing a cushion at him.
Juan dodged it, laughing. "Gabriella came to the office today."
Teeto smirked. "Ah, so that's why you look like you won the lottery."
Juan's expression turned serious. "She's special, Teeto. Different from anyone I've ever met. But..."
"But what?"
Juan hesitated. "The Gentle King situation. If he finds out about her, I don't even want to think about what could happen."
Teeto leaned forward. "Then we make sure he doesn't find out. Focus on her, Juan. Let me help with the other stuff."
The weight of Teeto's words settled in the room. Juan nodded, grateful for his friend's unwavering support.
As the night deepened, Juan found himself staring at his phone, debating whether to text Gabriella. He gave in.
"Thank you for coming today. It meant more to me than you know."
Her reply was instant.
"Always here for you, Juan. Goodnight." And just like that, she became his anchor in a storm he couldn't yet control.
After Gabriella's visit, the day felt lighter, even with the looming factory issues. By the time Juan returned home, Teeto was already sprawled out on the couch, flipping through channels.
"Rough day?" Teeto asked, glancing up as Juan kicked off his shoes and sank into the armchair.
"Not so rough. Gabriella came by the office," Juan said with a faint smile.
Teeto smirked. "I knew it. That's why you've got that dreamy look. Man, you've got it bad."
Juan laughed, throwing a cushion at him. "Says the guy who's been avoiding his feelings for years."
Teeto's grin faded, and he leaned back, a distant look crossing his face. Juan recognized the shift immediately. It was rare for Teeto to open up, but tonight felt different.
"You know, sometimes I think about how lucky I am to have you and your dad in my life," Teeto began, his voice softer than usual. "After my parents died, everything felt so... empty."
Juan leaned forward, giving his full attention.
"You remember how it happened, right?" Teeto asked, his eyes clouding with old pain.
Juan nodded. "Of course. The birthday party. The poisoning..."
Teeto's jaw tightened. "Yeah. My parents were everything to me. Hardworking, kind, just trying to give me a good life. Then, in one night, they were gone.
The police called it a freak accident, but I knew better. Someone wanted them out of the way. But I was just a kid, what could I do?"
Juan didn't interrupt, letting his friend process the memories.
"When I moved in with you and Uncle Sebastian, I didn't know what to expect," Teeto continued. "But you guys didn't just give me a roof over my head. You gave me a purpose. Your dad helped me set up the gym, and you... you gave me a reason to keep going. I owe you everything, Juan."
Juan shook his head. "You don't owe me anything. We're family, Teeto. Always have been."
Teeto smiled faintly, but then his expression turned thoughtful. "There's something else I need to get off my chest."
Juan raised an eyebrow. "What's on your mind?"
Teeto hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "It's Vina."
Juan smirked. "I knew it. I've been waiting for this."
"Don't start," Teeto warned, though his tone was more anxious than annoyed. "I've liked her for as long as I can remember, Juan. But every time I think about saying something, I freeze. What if it ruins everything? She's family to you, and if I mess up..."
Juan leaned back, studying his friend. "You're seriously overthinking this. Vina isn't just my cousin, she's one of the most understanding people I know. If you're honest with her, she'll respect that, even if she doesn't feel the same."
Teeto frowned. "But what if it makes things awkward? I can't lose what we already have."
"You'll never know unless you try," Juan said firmly. "Look, life's too short to play it safe all the time. If anyone deserves happiness, it's you. And Vina... she might just feel the same way."
Teeto let out a deep breath, as if a weight had been lifted. "Maybe. Maybe you're right."
Juan clapped him on the shoulder. "Of course I'm right. And when you finally tell her, you'll wonder why you waited so long."
Teeto chuckled, though his nerves were still evident. "You make it sound so easy."
"Nothing worth having is easy," Juan said with a knowing smile. "Trust me on that."
As the two friends sat in companionable silence, the bond between them felt stronger than ever.
They both had battles to fight, Teeto with his feelings for Vina, and Juan with the growing chaos surrounding Gentle King but at least they knew they had each other.
The next morning, Juan woke up to the sound of muffled laughter coming from the living room. He shuffled out of his room to find Vina seated on the couch with Teeto, both of them watching an old comedy.
Her eyes sparkled as she laughed, but when she caught sight of Juan, her expression quickly turned neutral.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Vina greeted, folding her arms.
Juan yawned and grinned. "Good morning, Your Highness. Didn't know you were coming over so early."
"Well, someone has to keep you boys in check," she teased, but her gaze flickered briefly to Teeto before she composed herself.
Juan chuckled as he grabbed a cup of coffee and joined them.
The three of them had grown up together, their bond forged through countless childhood adventures.
Vina, the natural leader, always had a sharp tongue and a quick mind.
Teeto, with his protective nature, had been the quiet strength of their trio.
And Juan? He was the troublemaker who somehow held it all together.
As they sat chatting, Juan couldn't help but notice the subtle tension between Vina and Teeto. He knew his cousin wasn't as indifferent to Teeto as she pretended to be. In fact, he'd known for years.
Later that afternoon, while Teeto was out running errands, Juan cornered Vina in the kitchen.
"Spill it," he said, leaning against the counter.
Vina looked up from slicing an apple, feigning ignorance. "Spill what?"
"Don't play dumb. Teeto. You like him, don't you?"
Her knife paused mid-slice, and she let out a scoff. "What are you talking about? Teeto's like a brother to me."
"Uh-huh, sure. That's why you always go out of your way to avoid being nice to him," Juan said, smirking. "You think I haven't noticed how you act around him?"
Vina sighed and set the knife down. "Okay, fine. Maybe I do like him. But what's the point? He probably doesn't even see me that way. And even if he did, it's... complicated."
"Complicated? Vina, you've been best friends for years. If anyone knows you inside out, it's Teeto."
She frowned, looking conflicted. "That's the problem. What if we ruin everything? I'd rather have him as my friend than lose him completely."
Juan softened, his voice gentler now. "Vina, you and Teeto are practically inseparable. You've been through everything together. Do you really think a little honesty would destroy that? If anything, it could make your bond stronger."
Vina leaned against the counter, her expression a mix of vulnerability and frustration. "You make it sound so easy."
"Because it is," Juan said with a grin. "You're both too stubborn for your own good. One of you just needs to take the first step."
Vina hesitated, her walls cracking ever so slightly. "I don't know, Juan. I'm not good at this... feelings stuff."
"Neither is Teeto, but he's trying," Juan said, giving her a pointed look.
Vina's eyes widened. "Wait, did he say something to you?"
Juan smirked. "Maybe. But I'm not playing messenger. If you want to know how he feels, talk to him yourself."
Vina glared at him but didn't argue further.
As the day went on, Juan observed his cousin and his best friend with a newfound hope. They were both so clearly drawn to each other, yet their fear of ruining their friendship held them back.
That evening, as they all sat on the porch watching the sunset, Vina glanced at Teeto, her heart pounding. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come.
Meanwhile, Teeto stole a glance at her, wondering if he'd ever find the courage to speak his truth.
Juan, sitting between them, couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "You two are hopeless," he muttered under his breath.
But even hopeless cases had a way of finding their path, given enough time. And Juan was determined to help his two best friends figure it out, whether they liked it or not.