Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 2189

Like Xavier, who had retreated from a grueling battle, Gabriel found it hard to let go of the past. Perhaps he had never truly moved on.

Sylvia looked at him, "So, you're afraid to step back too, aren't you?"

Gabriel lowered his gaze, his voice a soft murmur, "Maybe."

She leaned forward, her eyes gentle and understanding, "It's not as scary as you think. I've made it through, and you can too!"

"Hmm," Gabriel murmured in agreement, "At least for now, boredom seems to be the only downside."

Sylvia laughed, "Wait till we get back to C City, you'll wish you had the time to be bored."

Gabriel's lips curved into a half-smile, noncommittal.

Sylvia inquired, "Are you staying in J City because of a girl named Evelyn?"

Gabriel nodded slightly, "Yeah, Evelyn might be Old Mr. Quintin's granddaughter, lost twenty years ago. Estelle brought her back from Citadel, waiting for Vivian to confirm her identity."

Sylvia realized, "No wonder Estelle is so protective of Evelyn. They have a connection."

"It's just a suspicion for now," Gabriel said cautiously.

Sylvia rested her chin on her hand, a mischievous glint in her eye, "Did Old Mr. Jarvis ever mention, if Evelyn's identity is confirmed, that you should marry her? Keep it all in the family?"

Gabriel looked up sharply, his gaze piercing.

Sylvia's lips pursed as she turned to gaze out the window. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"He didn't suggest it, but Old Mr. Quintin did," Gabriel admitted.

Sylvia glanced back at him, silent.

Gabriel spoke softly, "I haven't agreed to anything."

Raising an eyebrow, Sylvia continued to watch the twilight outside, tapping her cheek with her pale, delicate fingers.

The meal arrived, and they began to eat.

Sylvia carefully cooked a slice of meat and placed it in his bowl, slowly smiling, "There's a lot to learn about having a barbecue, like which sauce goes best with meat, and how long to cook each item. I'll teach you, so when you have a girlfriend, you can take care of her."

Gabriel gave her a sidelong glance, "You sure have a lot of concerns!"

"Of course, it's my duty to worry for you!" Sylvia nodded.

Gabriel's voice was light, "Are you going to teach her what I like in bed too?"

Sylvia's eyes widened, her cheeks puffed as she swallowed her orange juice, and she huffed, "If you dare me to teach her, I'll do it!"

The man's lips curved in an amused smile, "That's not teaching, that's sending her packing!"

Sylvia looked down and continued to cook, "Why would I send her packing?"

"Because she took your bodyguard!"

"Just a bodyguard," Sylvia started to say but stopped short, looking into his deep eyes, her heart skipping a beat, she quickly placed some lamb into his bowl, "Eat up, it won't taste good if it's overcooked."

Just like relationships, if you let them overcook, they can't be salvaged.

And if they can't be salvaged, neither can your heart!

They moved past the topic, and Sylvia kept explaining the nuances of a good barbecue.

As the meal progressed, the server brought over a pair of keychains for Sylvia, explaining, "Each pair of keychains we give out is a unique design. We hope you like it."

"Thank you!" Sylvia said, taking them.

She opened the box to find a pair of cartoon characters embracing. Separated, they were individual figurines, but together, they formed a hug—a clever design.