Gabe spent the next few days trying to push Celeste's words from his mind. He wasn't someone who liked to dwell on things—especially not on the sharp, direct way she had spoken to him in the study. It was clear she was a woman who didn't let her emotions show, but Gabe couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than he had first thought.
In the back of his mind, he wondered what it was that made her so different from the rest of the Ortega family. Most of them were predictable. Esteban, the patriarch, was all about power and control, constantly looking for ways to expand his influence. But Celeste? She seemed more like a quiet storm—waiting, watching, and calculating her every move.
Still, Gabe didn't have time to think too much about it. His job was clear. The Ortega family was his responsibility, and as their consigliere, he had to make sure their business—both legal and illegal—ran smoothly. But lately, it felt like things were beginning to spiral out of control.
A new problem had come up.
Gabe sat in the office of the Ortega estate, going over reports and making phone calls. It had been a busy few days, and the pressure was starting to weigh on him. Just as he finished a call with a contact in the city, the door to his office opened. He looked up, expecting to see one of the Ortega men, but instead, it was Celeste.
Her presence was as striking as always, but there was something different in the way she stood now—more confident, more determined.
"I need to speak with you," she said, her voice soft but firm.
Gabe raised an eyebrow. "What's this about?"
Celeste closed the door behind her and took a few steps toward his desk, her eyes never leaving him. "I know you've been busy with the family's dealings, but there's something I need your help with."
He leaned back in his chair, studying her. "What do you need?"
She hesitated for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly against her side. "It's not just about business. It's personal. I need you to help me find someone."
Gabe's curiosity piqued, but he didn't let it show. "Who?"
"A man," she answered simply. "He's been involved in some of the Ortega family's dealings, but recently, he's gone missing. I need you to find him."
Gabe frowned. "I don't take on personal jobs for the family. You know that."
"I'm not asking for that," Celeste replied quickly, her eyes flashing with a sudden intensity. "I'm asking for your help. You're the best at what you do. I trust you."
The words hung in the air. Trust. Gabe hadn't heard that word in a long time, not from anyone outside his circle. And certainly not from someone like Celeste, who had always kept her distance. He could see the sincerity in her eyes, but he wasn't ready to let down his guard just yet.
"Why don't you just ask your father or one of your brothers?" Gabe asked, his voice calm but with a hint of skepticism. "They're the ones running the family."
"I need you, Gabe," Celeste said softly. "This is something only you can do."
Her words struck a chord. He didn't know why, but something about her request felt different from the usual jobs he took on for the family. It wasn't about money or power—it was personal, something that touched a deeper part of her.
Still, Gabe wasn't one to be easily swayed. "What's the real reason?" he asked, his tone sharp. "What are you not telling me?"
Celeste didn't flinch. "I told you. I trust you."
Gabe's eyes locked with hers for a moment longer than usual, and for the first time since meeting her, he felt a flicker of doubt in his own resolve. It was a dangerous feeling. But he couldn't ignore it. The fact that Celeste was asking for his help in this way made him question everything he thought he knew about her.
"Fine," he said finally, breaking the silence. "I'll help you. But if this turns out to be some kind of trap..."
"I'm not trying to trap you, Gabe," she interrupted quickly. "I just need answers."
"Then we'll get them," Gabe replied, his voice steady as ever. He leaned forward, pulling out a map of the city from one of his drawers and spreading it out on the desk. "Tell me everything you know about this man."
Celeste moved closer, and Gabe felt the tension in the room shift. She placed a small photo on the desk. It was an older picture of a man with dark hair and a rough, weathered look in his eyes. There was a familiarity to his face, though Gabe couldn't place it immediately.
"This is him," Celeste said. "His name is Rafael Morales. He used to work closely with my father. But now, he's gone. Vanished without a trace."
Gabe studied the photo carefully. "And you think he's still alive?"
"I don't know," Celeste said quietly. "But I need answers. I need to know what happened to him. And if he's still out there, I need to find him."
Gabe took a deep breath, trying to push the tension out of his mind. He wasn't sure where this would lead, but one thing was certain: Celeste wasn't asking for help in the usual way. She wasn't making demands like her family members often did. There was something more to this mission. And Gabe couldn't help but wonder what that was.
"Alright," Gabe said, rolling up the map and standing up from his chair. "We'll start looking for him. I'll make the necessary contacts."
Celeste nodded, her expression softening just a bit. "Thank you."
She turned to leave but paused at the door. "Gabe," she said, glancing back at him. "Be careful. This is bigger than you think."
Gabe watched her leave, the door clicking softly behind her. As he stood there, staring at the empty space where she had been, he couldn't shake the feeling that this search—this favor—was going to lead him down a path he wasn't prepared for.
And for the first time, he wasn't so sure he wanted to stay on the sidelines anymore.
To Be Continued...