The group had been playing until the early hours of the morning before finally saying their goodbyes and heading home to rest.
As they parted, Sylvia gave Estelle a gentle hug. "Happy New Year, Estelle!"
Estelle, not one to shy away from such affection, hugged her back. "Happy New Year to you too!"
Sylvia released her and handed her a beautifully crafted red envelope. "I've also prepared a little New Year's gift for you. Please, you must accept it."
Estelle smiled, "First, you have to tell me, in what capacity should I accept this? If we're friends, I believe I'm a year older than you, so I shouldn't accept your New Year's gift unless it's something else."
Sylvia chuckled lightly. "Regardless of what our relationship might become, being able to spend New Year's at the Jarvis family's celebration means I should give this to you."
They were both smart enough to read between the lines.
Estelle sensed that Sylvia understood the potential future between her and Sylvia's brother.
This realization weighed somewhat heavily on her.
She accepted the envelope, hugging Sylvia again. "Then I hope I can receive your New Year's gift next year too!"
Sylvia nodded gently. "Of course!"
"Goodnight!" Estelle released her.
"Goodnight!" Sylvia waved lightly, watching Estelle walk towards Jonathan. She then turned to join Gabriel, who was waiting for her.
Behind them, the fireworks had fizzled out, and the sky returned to its original state of darkness and silence.
This didn't mean that the excitement had faded or the stars had cooled; rather, the night sky was simply waiting for its dawn to arrive.
*
Back at Sunset Villa, Sylvia said to Gabriel, "Are you tired? I'm not sleepy at all. Could you stay up with me a little longer?"
She didn't want the night to end so soon, nor did she want to go to sleep.
"No need," Gabriel smiled.
Sylvia's voice was soft. "I haven't prepared a New Year's gift. Would you take me instead?"
A smirk appeared on Gabriel's lips. "Are you sure?"
Her gaze fluttered. "Yes."
Gabriel cupped her face gently, his eyes dark and intense. "Is this you giving me a New Year's gift, or are you asking for one?"
Their eyes locked, Sylvia whispered, "It's for you."
Gabriel's breath hitched, and he leaned down to press a fervent kiss to her lips.
Leaning against a pillar, Sylvia was engulfed by his towering presence. The overwhelming blackness, usually a calming color, now made her heart race more than any fireworks could.
She kissed him back with all the passion she could muster, wanting to give him every ounce of her warmth.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
May we please have more updates. Thank you...
May we have more updates please....
Thank you so much for the updates today. Now that Yvonne knows that Gonzalez has established who's really in charge of the Hansen house hold she and her mother are treading carefully. It will be interesting to see how Jenny will get the information to see if Adrian is paying for Norah....
With Adrian last comment, he's gonna get whipped and wonder what happened. Thank you so so much for the updates....
May we please have more updates. Thank you....
I would like for Norah to secretly have her memory restored and not tell anyone just to observe how everyone is trying to keep mess going....
Janice and Adrian don't want Norah to be with Xavier....
Thank you for the updates. You do keep us in suspense....
Curious as to how, what, when and where Norah will get her memory back of Xavier....
I'm so glad that Gonzalez was able to get Luke, Oliver and all others who wanted to challenge himas the CEO straight. Interesting how Xavier made reference to a girlfriend concerning his gift to Norah, but never did this before her accident. I'm grateful for the updates. Thank you...