Chapter 10 Can I Borrow $100?
Teresa had left her purse and phone at Teresa Pavilion, now she just looks like a homeless person, wandering on the street.
She couldn't recall how long she had been walking, as she stood at a crosswalk, it started to rain.
Everyone else was trying to find a place to hide, but Teresa remained still, allowing the rain to soak her completely.
On this October night in River North, when everyone else was feeling a bit cold, Teresa, however, seemed impervious to the cold.
Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the rain ceased to fall on her.
Coming to her senses, Teresa looked up to find a large black umbrella over her head.
She turned around to see who it was, but when she saw him, she got disappointed immediately. It wasn’t Liam.
Gabriel, close enough to touch her, couldn't suppress a smile. "It seems you were right; I only see you when you’re in trouble."
"What does it have to do with you?" Teresa snapped back and was about to step away, but then she felt a warm, firm grip on her arm.
"Did you and Liam have a fight? Is it about last night?"
"Gabriel, do we know each other that well?" Teresa shot back, she sounded offended.
Just then, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up. A man got out, deferentially opened the back door, and waited.
"We're not, but you're involved with my brother. Get in the car," Gabriel insisted, guiding her towards the vehicle.
Teresa's resistance seemed to melt, and she stumbled into the car, assisted by the man who had opened the door.
Realizing her legs were weak and shaking, Teresa no longer protested and settled into the car seat.
Gabriel joined her, and she immediately scooted as far as she could against the door, huddling there.
"Stop the car."
The rain continued unabated. After some time had passed, Teresa, who had been silent as a shadow, finally spoke up upon noticing a pharmacy that was still open.
The driver glanced at Gabriel in the rearview mirror, uncertain.
"Pull over."
Gabriel, who had been preoccupied with paperwork, looked up, intrigued by Teresa's sudden request.
With his nod, the driver pulled over.
"Gabriel, can I borrow $100?" Teresa asked and stuck out her hand.
In the dim light of the car, Gabriel observed the soaked woman beside him, her wet hair dripping, her eyes filled with sorrow, and her pale face almost translucent. In that moment, he felt something has changed inside him.
"Give her the money," Gabriel directed his assistant, who was seated up front.
Without delay, the assistant took a $100 bill from his wallet and handed it to Teresa with respect, "Teresa."
"Thank you." She took the money and was about to open the door.
It was clear she intended to leave.
"Where to?" But before she could open the door, Gabriel's firm grasp was on her arm again.
Teresa turned around and looked him, and said: “Im going to get a Plan-B.”
It was the first time that a woman told him these words directly.
Damn it.
It seemed the rain had gotten inside her brain.
