Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

*

Maggie beamed a bright smile, "You got this!"

Sylvia's eyes crinkled with gratitude, "Thanks!"

In a quiet corner, Gabriel took the call, "What's going on?"

"Gab!" The voice on the line was serious, "We've hit a snag and had to let you know!"

Gabriel's voice remained steady, "Go ahead."

"Sean and one of Giles' men, Mario, got caught dealing arms on the side. Giles found out and nabbed both of them."

Gabriel frowned, "When did this happen?"

"Five days ago. We knew you were celebrating the New Year, so we held off telling you until now."

"What's the situation now?"

"Word is, Mario took a severe beating from Giles. Giles spared Sean because of you, but he's not releasing him or meeting with our people. He says he'll only talk to you in person." Gabriel's expression turned icy, "I'm heading back tonight."

"We'll be waiting for you!"

After hanging up, Gabriel found Estelle and said,

"There's been a bit of trouble. I'm leaving for Tripe tonight. I'll stop by to say goodbye to Grandpa first, but I won't disturb everyone else while they're having fun."

Estelle was taken aback, "Is it that urgent? What happened?"

"Sean's in Giles' hands. It doesn't look good," Gabriel replied.

Estelle frowned, "Sean?"

Gabriel's face was resolute, "Don't worry. I'll get him out. If my people betray me, I'm the one who deals with them, not anyone else."

Jonathan, having overheard part of the conversation, walked over, "Need a hand?"

"No need!" Gabriel responded.

"Leaving tonight?"

Gabriel nodded, "Yes."

Sylvia, catching just the last part, turned in surprise towards Gabriel.

Gabriel glanced back, intending to go over and speak with her, but his phone rang again, prompting him to leave.

Sylvia felt a sinking feeling and got up to follow him.

They reached the riverside, standing

arrangements to Tripe fo

Won'

in front of a wooden railing as Gabriel finalized the flight arrangements to Tripe for that evening.

The wind blowing over the river carried a biting chill, stirring up turmoil within.

Once he ended the call, Sylvia finally spoke, "I thought we were staying until after the 15th. What's the rush?"

Gabriel replied softly, "Ran into some trouble and had to cut the vacation short."

Sylvia asked, "Leaving tonight?"

"Yes," Gabriel confirmed.

Both stood in silence, as if the bustling night had suddenly fallen into stillness. The cold seeped in, chilling their warmth. After a moment, Sylvia, eyes downcast and voice hoarse, asked, "Does this mean you'll be gone for a year, maybe more?"

The dim riverside light hid his rugged features in shadow, his expression unreadable, and he gave no reply.

Sylvia stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him, "Can you not leave me behind this time? Or take me with you?"

He stiffened slightly at her embrace.

Sylvia, voice breaking, continued,

"The first time you pushed me away, I was lost and didn't know how to go on. I didn't travel the world; I obsessively tracked your

whereabouts, silently following net

wherever you went. At the slightest hint of your presence, I rushed over, only to hide myself, scared you'd

notice."

His dark eyes, deep as the night, were aware of this all along, having spotted her a few times but pretended not to see her.

"The second time, when you left J

City, I couldn't sleep for days.

Agreeing to come to C City with net

Maggie was solely because twanted to see you."

"This time, please don't leave me here alone!"

Sylvia looked up, clutching his shirt,

"Please, don't go. Don't give up on me again, okay?"