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?"
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 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 Maggie was solely because I wanted 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?"

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
May we please have updates. Thank you...
I sincerely hope that Gonzalez finds the taped meeting of Hannah and Trevor to throw them under the bus....
How will Gonzalez get back at Hannah, Yvonne and Trevor for the setup and fall from grace....
Adrian needs to safe face and not do this. It will embarrass he and Norah and his family. Thank you for the updates....
This a HOT MESS for them both....
WOW! I didn't see that coming at all for Norah nor Gonzalez, the plot thickens. Thank you for the updates....
Xavier wants to get caught kissing Norah at this point. When will he ask her to call him Xavier and not Gonzalez. Maybe that would bring back her memories. Thank you for the updates....
So, Norah drew out the big guns with her call to Jonathan for a favor. Thank you for the updates....
Waiting patiently for your updates please....
Please give us more updates. Thank you....