Chapter 317 I'm Changing Clothes, What Are You Doing?
Gabriel leaned in close, even though the room was empty, and whispered something in her ear.
She almost lost it, her mouth hanging open in shock.
She cast a quick glance at the bathroom before returning her gaze to him with a knowing expression.
No wonder he spent so long with her in the bathtub last night; he was making up for lost time.
Michael's words were all about Gabriel's girlfriend, Jessica. Imogen couldn't eat anymore, put down her knife and fork, and sat there quietly for a bit.
After a moment, Imogen said, "Dad, Kimberly will be in Xyleria for a year. I'll be heading back to Y Country in a few days. She's my only daughter and grew up with me. I do spoil her, but she's respectful and sensible. While she's with the Harriman family, I need you to take good care of her. The only person she knows there is Gabriel, and I hope he can look after her too."
"Since she's taken the Harriman name, it's only right to take care of her. But Kimberly's an adult now. Doesn't A University have dorms? Why doesn't she stay on campus?" Michael asked.
"Kimberly didn't stay on campus in Y Country, and I don't intend to have her stay on campus now. The Harriman family's driver will take her to and from school," Imogen said with a smile.
Michael raised an eyebrow, "Fine, then she can stay home and keep me company."
Nicholas jumped in, "Since you have a new granddaughter to keep you company, can I go back to medical school?"
"Shut up. Go to work at the company during the day and come home on time in the evening," Michael snapped.
Nicholas rolled his eyes at the ceiling in silent protest.
Imogen looked at her youngest son and asked with a smile, "Nicholas still hasn't given up on becoming a doctor?"
Nicholas had hardly interacted with Imogen since he was young, so they were distant. He just gave a nonchalant "Yeah" and showed no interest in continuing the conversation.
Imogen wasn't upset and turned to Kimberly, "You and Nicholas are the same age, and he's also your brother. If Gabriel is too busy, you can go to him. He may seem lazy, but he's actually quite reliable."
Kimberly nodded and formally greeted Nicholas, "Hello, second brother."
Nicholas felt a shiver run down his spine.
Calling Gabriel "brother" was intimate, but calling him "second brother" was purely familial. Her intentions were too obvious.
Nicholas acted like he hadn't heard, didn't respond, and just grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth, saying, "I'm finished. You all take your time."
With that, he got up and walked out without looking back.
Normally, Michael would have scolded him, but today he was uncharacteristically lenient and continued eating his breakfast slowly.
Imogen was visibly hurt by Nicholas's coldness, her face showing some displeasure. "Nicholas isn't close to me and always talks like that. Kimberly, you two are the same age. You'll get along better the more you interact."
Kimberly nodded and then looked at the two empty seats at the table that no one had occupied.
Jessica, despite drinking too much last night and having some memory gaps, was painfully reminded this morning of how long Gabriel had kept her up by her exhausted state.
After breakfast, she sprawled lazily on the bedroom sofa. The curtains were open, and sunlight streamed in, warm and comforting on her body.
Usually, because of her acting career, she was either with Danielle at home, busy reading scripts, reviewing business contracts, or studying acting books. Rarely did she have such a leisurely moment to bask in the sun in her bedroom.
Especially since this was the Harriman family, this kind of lazy feeling was even more precious.
She was nearly drifting off on the sofa when a knock at the door roused her.It was Sarah, who had washed and dried the clothes she wore yesterday and brought them back.
Jessica had been wearing Gabriel's clothes all morning and hadn't noticed when Sarah took her clothes to wash.
Gabriel placed the clothes Sarah brought on the sofa. Jessica picked them up and smelled the fresh scent of laundry detergent; the alcohol smell from last night was completely gone.
As she hid in the walk-in closet to change, she asked, "Grandpa Michael knows I'm here, right?"
"Yeah."
Suddenly hearing Gabriel's voice behind her, Jessica turned around abruptly, seeing Gabriel standing at the closet door, his tall frame almost filling the doorway.
Her face flushed, and she quickly zipped up her skirt and reached for her top.
Jessica was still wearing his shirt, and to put on her top, she had to take off the shirt. Holding the top, she said, "Don't look while I change."
"I've already seen." Gabriel had no intention of leaving.
Jessica glanced at him, about to urge him to go out, but Gabriel walked in at that moment.
No matter how big the Harriman family was, this was just a bedroom, and the walk-in closet wasn't very spacious. It was roomy enough for one person to change, but with two people, it felt cramped, especially with Gabriel's nearly six-foot-three frame. He not only blocked the light from outside but also dimmed the overhead light.
Instinctively, she took a step back, but Gabriel had already reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Jessica, feeling awkward, pressed against his chest. "I'm changing. What are you doing?"
Before she could finish, Gabriel had already unbuttoned one of the buttons on his shirt she was wearing.
Her mind buzzed, and she felt a surge of heat.
Although they had been intimate, changing clothes was still a personal act, especially since she was wearing his shirt.
Gabriel's long, slender fingers had already unbuttoned the second button. Jessica's heart raced uncontrollably. She grabbed the open shirt collar. "I'll do it myself. You go out, go out."
Gabriel held her waist, pressing her against him. Seeing Jessica's face quickly turn red, he kissed the corner of her lips and, holding her, lowered his head to touch her forehead. "I've seen every part of you. What's there to be shy about helping you change?"
Gabriel's words instantly filled the walk-in closet with tension. Jessica's ears were filled with Gabriel's voice, so much so that she didn't hear the knock on the door outside.
