His Destructive, Toxic Love

Gabe was clearly taken aback. "Half a colleague? Are you into exhibitions or the jewelry biz?"

Eliza gave a gentle smile. "I'm in the jewelry business. Our company, Crystal Clear, has just signed a few young guys as brand ambassadors. Next up, we're diving into exhibitions and promotions. Right now, we're all about high-end, bespoke services. Who knows, maybe we could team up in the future?"

Gabe looked at her, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. Here was a woman who seemed so delicate, yet she was at the helm of a high-end jewelry brand. He was genuinely impressed.

"You're the brains behind Crystal Clear? You guys really shone at the film festival and are a big deal in the industry. We chat about it all the time, but I never guessed you were the one in charge."

Eliza blushed at the praise. "We're all just doing our best; we've been a bit luckier with our breaks."

"When the time's right, we should definitely team up."

"I'd love that," she replied, genuinely eager.

Their shared professional interests helped break down the initial awkwardness, making Eliza warm up to Gabe a bit more. With common ground to cover, their hike felt less like a slog.

Gabe was brimming with ideas. His thoughts and analysis about the industry were both creative and insightful, providing Eliza with some valuable food for thought. She listened with interest, occasionally chiming in about the industry's current trends and future prospects.

As the snow got heavier and the climb steeper, Eliza decided it was time to head back. "The snow's getting worse, and the trail's getting tricky. Maybe we should turn around."

"Sure, I'm easy," Gabe agreed without fuss.

The descent was now a slippery mix of ice and mud. Eliza's shoes struggled to find grip, and she nearly took a tumble. Thankfully, Gabe was quick to catch her

arm.

"You okay?"

Eliza didn't fall but wobbled a bit before Gabe steadied her. A bit flustered, she muttered, "These shoes are really letting me down."

"Hop on, I'll give you a lift," Gabe offered.

"No need, I can manage slowly," she said, eyeing her scuffed-up shoes with some frustration.

"With those shoes, you'll end up with frozen feet if you keep going. Let me carry you. We'll get down faster, and your feet will thank you," Gabe insisted, crouching down in front of her. sŵnovel

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Eliza hesitated, not wanting to be at bother, even though Gabe was being persistent. They barely knew each other It just didn't seem right. "Why don't you go ahead? I can make it down slowly on my own."

"Oh, come on, don't be so formal. Let me do this for you, Ms. Eliza. Consider it

me trying to win over a future client," Gabe joked, breaking the tension.

After thanking him, Eliza climbed onto his back. "Thanks for this."

"Don't mention it," he said, standing up and carefully making his way down the snowy path.

The snow was thick, with bits of ice mixed in, making it tough to move quickly, especially downhill.

"When are you heading back to Falconridge?" Gabe asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Tomorrow, my husband's picking me up. What about you?"

"I might hang around a few more days. It's not often I get a break, so I want to make the most of it. Thought you might stick around a bit longer too," he said, with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. noveldrama