Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2649

As she headed for the exit, the soft, low strains of music began to play, coming from the utility closet. She paused, realizing that Gabriel must have been in there the whole time. She started walking again, but an idle glance out the window made her stop once more.

Jonas and Jenny hadn't left. They were standing downstairs, leaning against the railing, lost in a passionate kiss, completely absorbed in their newly declared love.

Sylvia let out a quiet sigh. She couldn't bring herself to go down and interrupt them.

She turned and went back to the utility closet.

Gabriel was sitting on the floor again, this time repairing an old pocket watch. It looked like an antique, but its solid gold case still gleamed like new. Beside him, a record spun on a phonograph, filling the room with the elegant strains of a classical violin piece. Combined with the gentle patter of rain outside, any other sound felt intrusive.

He had the watch disassembled and was completely focused on his work, seemingly unaware that Sylvia had been standing behind him for some time.

She walked in and crouched down to look at the tiny, intricate parts. "You really can fix anything, can't you?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Gabriel’s lips were a thin line. "My father taught me when I was a boy. He was a very skilled man."

"You inherited all of his best qualities," Sylvia praised.

He glanced up at her. "Weren't you leaving?"

Sylvia shrugged. "Jonas and Jenny are still downstairs."

A hint of a smirk touched his lips. "Then you should go down right now and let them thank you properly for playing matchmaker."

She clutched the black jacket, and after a moment, draped it over her shoulders. "Thank you," she said with a faint smile.

He didn't reply.

Sylvia simply curved her lips into a small smile and returned to her book.

As darkness began to fall, Gabriel finished repairing the watch and placed it back in its box.

"Can I see it?" Sylvia asked, looking up.