Chapter 161
Chapter 161:
Only a few days remained before the New Year, and the streets were silent, almost abandoned.
Billy kept the car moving briskly, reaching the Midnight Oasis bar in just under thirty minutes. Its exterior leaned toward a gothic mood—murals of shadow-thick forests, inky vines, and watchful ravens stretched across the walls. By contrast, a patch of emerald-green plants formed a neat little garden near the entrance, a touch of life breaking the darkness. The mix of styles gave the place an odd yet memorable charm.
The midday hour left the bar nearly empty, its quiet settling like a soft echo in the air. Gabriela cast Billy a knowing glance. “That’s quite a drive, Mr. Clarke. Just give me a little time, and I’ll take you out for lunch,” she promised lightly.
Billy opened his mouth to decline, but Gabriela had already slipped out of the car. She had arranged everything beforehand with the bar’s owner, and before she even crossed the threshold, a tall, broad-shouldered man strode out, his deep voice carrying easily. “Gabriela! Finally, you’re here p>
Flashing him a warm, easy smile, she replied, “Hey, Tyler. It’s been a long time.” Tyler Jordan owned the place.
Years back, when Marie’s gambling habit had spiraled out of control, she’d racked up over three hundred thousand in debt. Tyler’s father had been among the creditors—holding an IOU from Marie for twenty thousand. With Gabriela’s mother’s help, Marie could have wiped out all her debts. Just a day before she secured the funds, Tyler’s father went to collect money from another debtor. The man, crushed under the pressure, jumped into the river, and the incident spiraled into tragedy.
The man’s death brought the police down on Tyler’s father, who was sentenced to twenty years in prison—and he had yet to see freedom.
𝘙𝖾сom𝗺𝖾𝗇𝘥 𝗴𝘢lո𝗈𝘷е𝘭𝘀.cоm 𝗍𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝗎𝗿 𝖿𝗋іеոd𝘴
Unlike his father, Tyler refused to walk the same ruinous path. He worked hard, saved every penny, and eventually opened his own bar, determined to live clean. Back in Gabriela’s high school days, she had worked as a bartender at Tyler’s bar. Her striking looks and natural charm drew customers in without her even trying, turning the bar into a livelier spot whenever she was around.
Tyler had always been the dependable sort—steadfast, straightforward, and protective. To him, Gabriela was just a poor girl trying to save up for tuition, and he quietly took it upon himself to look out for her.
Over time, their easy conversations turned into genuine friendship. It was during one of those talks that Gabriela learned about his father’s prison sentence and the old IOU. The detail stuck with her. Convinced the IOU might come in handy one day, she asked if she could keep it, promising she’d work hard until she could pay back the twenty thousand herself.
Being a decade older, Tyler treated her like his own sister—always looking out for her. When they finally crossed paths again after a long gap, he grinned, gave her hair a playful muss, and said with mock reproach, “Look at you—top university student now p>
Gabriela laughed and got straight to why she was there. When Tyler heard Gabriela was being slandered online, his expression darkened instantly. “Who’s got the nerve to mess with you? I’ll round up a whole crew and make them regret it p>
Back when he first learned about her suffering, Tyler had reacted the same way—threatening to rally his friends to grind Phyllis’s bones and win back Gabriela’s house. Years had passed, but his hot-headed streak was as fierce as ever.
Gabriela chuckled, shaking her head. “No need for an army this time, Tyler. Just help me record a quick video p>
“Name it and it’s done,” he said without hesitation. “What do you want me to say p>
Pulling out her phone, Gabriela adjusted the camera and hit record.
Once the matter was wrapped up, Tyler insisted she stay for lunch. “I’ve got a friend waiting outside,” Gabriela said with a quick smile. “I’ll bring him in to join us p>
She jogged out to the curb, waved Billy over, and ushered him inside before introducing him to Tyler. Tyler clasped Billy’s hand in a firm shake. “So, you’re Gabriela’s boss, huh? Quite the high achiever.” His grin widened as he added, “Gabriela is at a top university, and she’ll graduate with a master’s degree next year. She’s every bit as impressive. You make sure you take good care of her p>