He frowned. “Is that your final choice?”
She nodded, hopeful.
He grinned wide. “Then I love it,principessa.”
I almost rolled my eyes. Nonna pretended to gag. My parents hadn’t stopped behaving like teenagers in love. No matter how much we ribbed them, this was preferred over their headache-inducing arguing.
“Gabriela?”
I put my pen down. “Yes, Papà?”
“I want to show you something.” He hedged forward, slipping his hands in his pockets.
“What is it?”
“A surprise. Meet me outside and dress warm.”
I donned a wool coat over my loungewear attire and stuffed my feet into fur-lined boots.
The front door was already ajar. I stepped out onto the porch…and my jaw fell open.
Sitting on our driveway, gleaming under the morning sunlight, was a dark red convertible with a big white bow on top.
“Papà?” I advanced towards the car. “Is this mine?”
“It sure is.” He handed me the keys. “You said you wanted one, no?”
“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” I hugged him tight. He chuckled. “I love it!”
He chin-tipped towards my new car. “I bought it for you and would have had it delivered last week, but your boyfriend asked to add some modifications.”
Curiosity piqued, I moved around it to see these so-called modifications…and paused when I found them. Heart-shaped taillights and silver heart-shaped rims welcomed me.
Oh my God.
I was obsessed.
Dare I say in my totally biased opinion, this was the prettiest car I’d ever seen. I couldn’t wait to obtain my licence in a couple of months and drive her around the city.
I shot a selfie of myself posing with my car and sent it to Hunter.
Look what arrived today!! I adore the modifications you made. You know me so well. —Gabby
He replied within seconds.
You’re welcome, Gabby. —Hunter
Can’t wait to experience life as a passenger princess. —Hunter
I snickered.
I love you—Gabby
I love you too, doll. —Hunter
The rest of November trickled by within the blink of an eye. Little by little, life returned to normal. I regained my strength as the bruises, cuts, and scrapes on my body healed and the memories of that wretched day faded. Any spare time between work and school, I spent with my loved ones and doing things that brought me joy. Like bedazzling all the covers of my romance books. Taking long walks and watching scary movies with Hunter and Luna. Driving my new car with Hunter as the passenger princess and Luna our co-pilot. Trying new cat-friendly cafés in the city. Going out to bars and dinner dates.
I felt more like myself with every passing day, like a snake shedding its old skin and thriving in the new one. With everynew outfit and every new layer of makeup, the Gabby from the kidnapping was erased and in its stead was the version I always wanted to remain—the one that loved to don her best for every occasion and go out with her friends.
