Gossip girl

"The past always finds a way to catch up with you... especially when you're not ready for it. But on the Upper East Side, no one ever is. XOXO, Gossip Girl."

A Storm Brewing

The morning air was crisp, but something in the atmosphere felt thick—foreboding. Even before I stepped out of the house, I could feel the tension thrumming beneath the surface of the city.

I arrived at the family office early, watching the markets shift, making small trades, moving money subtly. The Jain investment firm wasn't built overnight, and I intended to grow it quietly, under the radar, leveraging my knowledge of the future without raising suspicions.

But my mind wasn't fully on the stocks today. It was on Serena.

Gossip Girl (Text Blast):

"Looks like a certain golden girl's past is knocking on her door. Wonder if she'll answer... or if someone else will answer for her. Time to place your bets. XOXO, Gossip Girl."

I knew exactly who that was about. Gabriel was back. And if there was one thing I understood, it was that threats had to be handled decisively.

The Game Begins

I met Serena for coffee at Sant Ambroeus. She looked stunning, but there was a shadow in her eyes.

"I hate this," she whispered, stirring her cappuccino aggressively. "Gabriel just... appeared. He called me last night. He wants to meet."

"What does he want?" I asked, already planning.

"Money? Revenge? I don't know," she admitted, her voice shaking slightly.

"You're not meeting him alone," I stated flatly.

"Aryan—"

"No," I cut her off gently but firmly. "You're not. I'll handle him."

The way she looked at me then—a mix of fear, trust, and gratitude—told me everything I needed to know.

A Dangerous Investigation

That afternoon, I made a few calls. I had resources, connections beyond what most people could imagine. By the time I left the office, I knew where Gabriel was staying, who he was meeting, and what his financial situation looked like.

It wasn't good for him.

Me (Text to Private Investigator):

"Dig deeper. I want everything on Gabriel Edwards. Weaknesses. Skeletons. Make it fast."

If Gabriel thought he could stroll back into Serena's life and blackmail her, he was about to learn what happened when you played games with someone like me. I tried to be nice. I really did. But there was a line, and Gabriel was about to cross it.

Allies and Undercurrents

Later, I found Blair at The Palace, sipping a martini and plotting something, as usual.

"So," she said, giving me a sharp once-over. "Serena's in trouble, isn't she?"

"I've got it under control," I said smoothly.

Blair smirked, clearly skeptical. "Do you, though? Gabriel's charming, manipulative... and dangerous."

"So am I," I said softly, meeting her gaze.

That seemed to surprise her. Blair was used to people reassuring her, not challenging her.

"Just... don't let her get hurt," she murmured, finishing her drink.

"I won't," I promised.

The Calm Before the Storm

That night, Serena and I had dinner at my penthouse. The tension between us was thick—unspoken feelings lingering just below the surface.

"Thank you," she said quietly as we sat by the fire.

"For what?"

"For... being here. For not asking too many questions."

I reached out, brushing a strand of her golden hair behind her ear. "You don't have to thank me for that. I'm not going anywhere."

She leaned into me slightly, and for a moment, I thought she might kiss me. But she didn't. Not yet.

Gossip Girl (Text Blast):

"Spotted: S and A getting cozy by the fire. Is love in the air? Or is it just the calm before the storm? Stay tuned, Upper East Siders. XOXO, Gossip Girl."