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)
Someone needs to send a new picture of Trevor to Oliver and Luke so that they will get their requested reports to Gonzalez asap. If they didn't know, now they know what awaits them if they continue to disrespect and NOT follow orders....
Well, well, well. I love how Gonzalez sent out the warning that he's the CEO and either they will acknowledge him as such or get their due diligence. I'm waiting to see how the Franco family will be walking on eggs and come into a new understanding of Gonzalez taking charge. Thank you so much for the five updates....
Adrian is hoping that he has a chance with Norah and will do everything and anything in his power to keep Norah and Xavier apart....
Thank you for the updates. I hope that Norah will remember Xavier and their relationship before the accident and that they will ever be to....
Thank you, thank you for the updates today, which is also my birthday. The saga continues. I really want Norah and Xavier to be together... but he has to want Norah....
May we have updates please. Thank you....
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...
Norah took Estelle to tutor her brother. Both of them are around the same age. So why is Janice and Xavier father feel that there's an age gap for Norah and Xavier. L I know they will be together....
Norah isn't a girl, but a twenty -five year old beautiful woman that loves Xavier Fleming/Gonzalez/Hanson....