He sneered, his face shadowed with menace. "Mind your own business. Crossing me won't end well for you."
Gabriel flicked his cigarette butt with a sharp gesture, sending it sailing flawlessly into a trash can. He followed up with a swift kick, his movement fierce and brutal, sending Timothy flying through the air.
With a loud "thud," Timothy hit the wall and then collapsed to the ground with a thump, his body convulsing in pain. Before he could even attempt to get up, another vicious kick from Gabriel sent him tumbling headfirst into the garbage bin.
Having dealt with Timothy, Gabriel cast a cold glance at Sylvia and turned to head back toward the private booth.
Sylvia hurried after him, tentatively grabbing the sleeve of his shirt. "Hey, hero, how about I show my gratitude with a little more... personal thanks?"
Gabriel paused mid-stride and looked back at her, his eyes gloomy and expression indifferent. "You're in the mood for jokes?"
"I'm deadly serious," Sylvia chuckled, her eyes glimmering mischievously.
As she spoke, she noticed a girl approaching and quickly pushed open the door to the nearby booth, pulling Gabriel inside with her.
With a sharp "bang," Sylvia closed the door and pressed Gabriel against the wall, her slim finger on his lips. "Shh."
Gabriel took a deep breath, removed her hand, and asked in a low voice, "What's the trouble now?"
"Evelyn's on her way. We can't let her catch us together, or it might tarnish your reputation," Sylvia said with a teasing smile.
The booth was empty, illuminated only by a dim wall lamp casting a warm, yellow glow. Under the soft light, Sylvia's beauty was enchanting, her every glance and smile captivating.
Gabriel frowned. "Aren't you a handful when you're being mischievous?"
Sylvia looked up at him, and suddenly leaned in close, her lips tantalizingly near his. She pouted with a hint of melancholy. "Why didn't you help me earlier? If I hadn't called out, would you have really left?"
"If I weren't there, I trust you would've kicked his ass yourself," Gabriel said.
Sylvia took a step back, biting her lip, and turned to pull open the door.
Suddenly, Gabriel's arm snaked around her waist, spinning her around to press her against the wall as he leaned in for a deep, intense kiss.
Sylvia held stiff, unresponsive, but it only lasted three seconds before she clung to his shoulders, kissing him back fervently.
They knew each other too well, every action, every look, revealing their likes and dislikes.
In the heat of their embrace, Sylvia's heart raced, pounding wildly as she lost herself in his passion. It felt as if, after all these years, they had both changed.
She had become more dependent on him, and he had started to respond with warmth and enthusiasm.
Suddenly, she felt a pang of fear.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Dear author Lucy, may we please have updates. Thank you....
There's a song currently playing via YouTube and TikToc by LowDii "Touch Me Softly" that makes me think of Norah and Xavier (Gonzalez). Please, I'm looking forward to updates. Thank you for your writing....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
As the plot thicken. Adrian is done for and he can't try to control Norah, so he'd probably tattle to Janice who's gone for two weeks. Thank you soooo much for the updates....
These updates were too funny. Thank you so much for the updates....
I forgot to add Amy to the group of pregnant women,since she was the first. Emily and Sylvia better be careful since pregnancy is in the air....
Wow! This is great, both Estelle and Magdalen are pregnant at the same time and I hope that Xavier is Norah neighbor. Thank you for the updates....
Author Lucy you're a blessing. Thank you so my for the updates. I hope that Norah's neighbor is Xavier she gets her memory back....
May we please have updates. Thank you....
Looking forward to reading your updates....