Chapter 11

Vien was about to enter the restroom when someone grabbed her arm, stopping her mid-step. Her brow arched sharply as she turned and recognized the man responsible. With a roll of her eyes, she shrugged his hand off, folding her arms across her chest.

"Don't touch me, Matthew," Vien said firmly, her voice cold. "What does the great Professor Ward need from the university owner?" Her gaze was piercing. "We just finished a meeting for your department, and now you're following me here?"

Matthew scoffed, flashing a confident smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Come on, Vien. Stop playing hard to get. What's so wrong with giving me another chance?"

Vien blinked, then let out a soft, incredulous laugh. "Another chance? Let me stop you right there," she said, holding up a hand to silence him. "From what I recall, Matthew, I never gave you a chance to begin with. I rejected you. Shall I remind you of that moment?" Her gaze swept over him dismissively.

Matthew smirked, his tone turning patronizing. "And what's wrong with a single mother letting a man like me court her? Come on, Vien. It's not like you don't need a man to take care of you and your daughter."

Vien's eyes darkened, her brows furrowing as she stepped closer, her presence commanding. She reached out and brushed an imaginary speck of dust off his shoulder with exaggerated care.

"Matthew," she said, her tone deceptively sweet, "I don't need a man in my life. Let me remind you of something. I'm a Briar. I have everything I need—success, security, and strength. I've built a life for myself and my daughter without anyone's help, least of all yours."

Her voice turned sharper as she continued, "And if you think for a second that I'd entertain you now, you're delusional. I don't eat what I've already spat out. So, no. My answer is still no, and it always will be. Honestly, Matthew, this is getting pathetic. Heal your bruised ego before embarrassing yourself further."

Vien's peripheral vision caught movement behind Matthew, and her heart sank slightly as she realized it was Gabriela. Keeping her composure, she cleared her throat, straightened her posture, and smiled tightly at Matthew.

"Let's keep things professional on university grounds, shall we, Professor Ward?" she said, her voice icy but calm. "I don't want you lurking around me or acting so bitter over a rejection that happened years ago. Clearly, you've learned nothing from it. You're still the same man, letting your wounded pride control you. Do better."

Without waiting for his response, she brushed past him and entered the restroom.

Inside, Vien placed her pouch on the counter and turned to the faucet. She was about to wash her hands when her phone rang, its sharp tone breaking the silence.

Startled, rushed out of the restroom; absentmindedly forgetting her pouch, not wanting to miss the call. As she opened the door, her gaze briefly met Gabriela's. For a moment, she hesitated, but she quickly masked her reaction and walked past her, pretending she hadn't seen her.

Vien rummaged through her bag as she returned to her office, her frown deepening with each passing second. "Where did I put it?" she muttered under her breath, frustration creeping into her tone.

A soft knock on the door pulled her attention momentarily, but she kept searching. "Come in," she called out, her focus still on her bag.

The door creaked open and shut quietly.

"Ms. Briar," a familiar voice said, making Vien freeze. She turned sharply, her back pressing against the edge of her desk.

"Gabi—Ms. Vaega," Vien corrected herself, straightening her posture. "What brings you here?" She glanced around, trying to mask her unease.

Gabriela rubbed the back of her neck, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. "Uh, is this yours?" she asked, holding up a pouch. "I found it in the third-floor restroom."

Vien blinked in surprise before snapping out of it. "Oh! Yes, that's what I was looking for." She stepped forward as Gabriela handed it to her. "Thank you."

Gabriela nodded. "I should go now—"

"Wait," Vien interrupted, grabbing Gabriela's wrist. She frowned as her gaze moved to Gabriela's face. "Are you feeling okay? You look pale."

Gabriela blinked. "What? No, I'm fine," she said, scoffing lightly, but her hand instinctively pulled her mask higher, covering the lower half of her face.

Vien tilted her head, her sharp eyes catching the faint bruising around Gabriela's eyebrow. "You're hurt," she said, stepping closer.

"It's nothing—"

"Stop," Vien cut her off, gently but firmly. Her fingers brushed the edge of Gabriela's mask before pulling it down, revealing a bandage across Gabriela's cheekbone.

"What happened to you?" Vien demanded, her voice softening but tinged with concern.

Gabriela hesitated, clearing her throat. "It's nothing serious. Just an accident at the site," she said, trying to look away.

Vien wasn't convinced. Straightening, she moved to her desk and opened a drawer, pulling out a first aid kit. "Did you clean this properly?"

Gabriela scratched her neck nervously. "The medics did. It's fine—"

"The medics?" Vien scoffed, already gathering antiseptic swabs. "That's just basic first aid. You need to have this checked thoroughly. Sit down."

"What?" Gabriela blinked in confusion.

"You heard me," Vien said, pointing to the couch in her office. "Sit."

Reluctantly, Gabriela complied, settling into the couch as Vien approached with the first aid kit. She knelt in front of Gabriela, her touch surprisingly gentle as she examined the wound.

"Where did you get this? A crime scene?" Vien asked, removing the old bandage with practiced precision.

Gabriela chuckled nervously. "Something like that."

Vien dabbed the wound with antiseptic, her focus unwavering. "You should have this looked at by a doctor, not just a medic."

Gabriela's lips curled into a soft smile. "Wow, the university owner fussing over me? I'm flattered."

Vien paused, pressing gently on the wound in response.

"Ow, ow—okay, that hurts!" Gabriela winced.

"Bold of you, Ms. Vaega, to think I care that much," Vien said, though a small smile played on her lips.

Gabriela grinned. "But you're smiling."

Vien quickly masked her expression, her face turning stoic. "I'm not. Stop imagining things."

"You are. I saw it."

Vien didn't respond, focusing instead on reapplying a fresh bandage. Why am I even doing this? she wondered silently.

"Vien," Gabriela said after a long pause, her tone soft but serious.

"What?" Vien asked, not looking up.

Gabriela hesitated before meeting Vien's gaze. "Can I... love you?"

Vien froze, her hands still on Gabriela's face. Slowly, she straightened, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"I asked if I can love you," Gabriela repeated, her voice steady but her expression vulnerable.

Vien scoffed, shaking her head as if trying to dispel the moment. Her face darkened. "Gabriela, do you even know me? What do you really know about me?" She laughed bitterly, stepping back. "I bet you don't even know half of what I've done."

"Vien—"

"No, listen," Vien snapped, her voice trembling. "You don't know my past. You don't know how I tried to ruin my twin sister's relationship with her wife. Or how I meddled with her best friend's life, too. You know nothing about the things I've done, the people I've hurt." She clenched her fists, her voice breaking. "That's why—"

Her words faltered, her chest heaving with suppressed emotion.

Gabriela stood, taking a step closer. "Vien."

"No, Gabi!" Vien hissed, turning to face her. "Don't. I'll just ruin things. I'll ruin you."

Tears welled in Vien's eyes as she wiped them harshly. "Why am I crying?" she muttered to herself.

Gabriela sighed deeply before pulling Vien into a tight embrace.

"Hey! What are you—" Vien protested, struggling to break free.

"Just let it out," Gabriela murmured, her voice calm and steady. "It's okay to cry."

Vien's resistance weakened, and she clung to Gabriela, her tears finally spilling over. "Don't love me," she whispered, her voice muffled against Gabriela's shoulder. "I'll ruin everything."

Gabriela held her tighter, resting her chin on Vien's head. "You won't," she said softly. "I'll take that chance."