3. Shattered

"Are you going to sign this letter or not?" Max asked while holding back the roar of his breath.

"What do you mean? I've signed the letter,” Gabriella said with furrowed brows. Her tone was no longer polite.

"Okay! Don't blame me if something bad happens to your house."

"Wait! I've signed the letter, okay? You can't intrude on this house anymore.”

"Good afternoon!"

Max left after expressing his frustration with words. It was unusual for the man to fail controlling his emotion.

"That girl isn't normal," said the CEO as soon as he got into the car. The man behind the steering wheel glanced at him.

"What's wrong?"

"She gave me spicy coffee and salt water, but not even a drop of water to wash my mouth,” Max said with disgust.

"Is it true? Then, what did you do to wash your mouth?"

The CEO's eyelids were suddenly frozen. The softness of the lips that he had kissed was lingering in his mind. After blinking vigorously, he handed the folder to the secretary.

"Never mind, don't talk about that again. The important thing is, we managed to get the girl's autograph."

"Is this a valid signature?" Sebastian brought the black ink streaks closer to his eyes.

"I told you, she's a strange woman. Now, let's go! My agenda got delayed because of that stubborn girl."

While holding back a smile, the secretary who is also the driver stepped on the gas. They left behind a girl who was peeking through the window.

"That's the consequence of messing with Gabriella," she muttered with pursed lips.

A second later, his fingers rose to touch the traces of a kiss that still felt warm. Without realizing it, her heart was beating faster again.

"Because of that guy, I lost my first kiss," she grumbled, looking down.

"Ah never mind! Why do I regret the past? I'd better get back to practice for tomorrow's competition."

The sound of piano could be heard again. Gabriella's focus was solely on the paper, which was filled with rows of notes.

“I have to make Mom's dream come true. Take the trophy home and display it in the living room!"

The next day, the girl came home with a cheerful face.

“Mom must be glad for I got through in the first round,” Gabriella mumbled along the way.

With light steps, she entered the alley leading to her house. The ruins on the right and left no longer bothered her mind since her heart had been dominated by happiness.

A few moments later, Gabriella's steps were stopped by surprise. The smile on her face immediately changed to a scream.

"Nooo!"

The girl ran without paying attention to her dress being caught in the wind. Every time her steps were blocked by the cloth, she's slowing down, but she was not allowed to stop.

"Please, don't!" Gabriella shouted as the excavator's arm smashed the roof of her house. Tears could no longer be contained.

“Stop it! Don't destroy my house!"

Heavy equipment kept breaking down the walls of her house. Half of the building was in ruins.

"No, no!" the girl who had almost arrived at the yard of the house shouted. But unfortunately, two workers intercepted her steps.

“Don't go there, Miss! It's dangerous!"

"But that's my house!"

"Sorry, Miss. We were ordered to destroy all the houses in this area."

“Not my house! I didn't even agree to sell it! Then, what are you doing now?"

"Sorry, Miss." Those workers dragged her away.

"No! Let me go! Stop!"

Gabriella continued to struggle, but she was still forced away from the yellow monster that was merciless.

"Please ..." she sighed desperately.

Unfortunately, the raker continued to work. The yellow monster didn't understand that every time it knocked down one wall, Gabriella's heart was scattered with it.

"My home ...."

Gabriella's voice faded with despair. The girl did not have strength to stand up anymore. Sitting on the side of the road, she watched her house be razed. Gabriella could only cry and cry.

---

"Excuse me, Sir." Sebastian stepped into Max's office.

"What's the matter, Bas? Why are you so serious?" the CEO asked while his gaze stuck to the documents on the table.

"I just got a report. The girl's house has been razed."

The pen in Max's hand spontaneously stifled. After straightening his head, the man blinked firmly. "What did you say?"

“Gabriella's house has just been razed. Someone has sent the wrong order using e-mail from our office."

Max pressed his temple with one hand. "Who is that? Who dares to send out that order?"

"Sorry, Sir. The order was sent via your e-mail. "

The CEO stared intently at his secretary. "My e-mail?"

“Yes, Sir,” Sebastian said, not daring to return his cousin's gaze.

Max leaned back in the seat. After thoroughly reviewing the information, his bland laugh sounded desperate.

“It turns out that my guess was right. There is something wrong with the house. Then, what about that girl? Any news about her?"

"Until now, there's no meaningful news. Gabriella continues to cry over the ruins of her house."

The CEO's forefinger began tapping on the table.

"What would that strange girl do? Will she go on a rampage in front of the media? Or sue us?"

"Sorry, Sir. I have to handle other things. We have to quickly find the person who sent the bogus order. Excuse me."

Sebastian gave a slight bow and walked away, leaving Max with dozens of scenarios in mind.

"What will that woman do?" the CEO muttered since he could not find a good guess. Everything about Gabriella was complicated and unpredictable.

"What should I do?" a girl sighed while teardrops ran down her cheeks. She's been around checking the debris, but not a single object could be saved.

Photos of her father and mother, the glasses she got for her 10th birthday, and even the polar bear that always accompanied her to sleep. Beautiful memories seemed to be destroyed with those items.

"What should I do?"

"Miss ...."

Gabriella turned to the side. A pair of shabby shoes entered the frame of view. With the remaining strength, she looked up at a man holding the project helmet with both hands.

"Sorry, Miss. It's almost dark. We have to go home. It's not good for a girl to be alone in a place like this."

Gabriella looked back. Tears slowly began to form once again. After swallowing hard, she sighed, "You still have a home to come to, but I ... I have nowhere else to stay."

The man standing next to the girl lowered his head. He had chosen a wrong word.

"Sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to offend. But, don't you have siblings? Or distant family? Stay in their house for a while."

Gabriella didn't reply. She was too sad to explain that she had no one to rely on.

“Or, what if you asked the chairman of the Quebracha company to take responsibility? I heard that he is a wise and friendly person. Maybe, you'll be able to receive appropriate compensation."

Gabriella's fists clenched tightly around her dress. An immense rage had just risen and was filling her self.

"It's useless to ask for accountability. My house will not be back."

"But, at least, you can get some money and maybe ... a place to make a living. That's much better than lamenting a fate like this."

Gabriella was stunned. The worker's advice had slapped her face. What the man said was true. Moving was much better than being still. The person who had destroyed her memories and hopes should not be allowed to win.

Slowly, the girl rose to her feet.

"Do you know the address of this heartless company leader?"

The worker nodded.