Chapter 102
"Gabriel, what a coincidence to run into you here!"
Gabriel came to a halt, his gaze leisurely drifting toward Dakota, who approached with a faint but elegant smile, her voice softly captivating.
"Indeed, it's a coincidence, one I hope not to repeat." Gabriel regarded Dakota coolly, his expression and eyes void of warmth.
With that, he strode on, his long legs taking him confidently forward.
Teresa caught on and glanced up at the man towering above her.
Could his tone and demeanor be any icier? Aaron was his childhood friend, and Dakota, Aaron's cousin, shouldn't he show some respect?
"Gab...!" Dakota called, rushing after them.
"By the way." Gabriel abruptly stopped, turned to face her with an even chillier look, and said, "Next time, don’t call out so affectionately. I wouldn't want the lady in my arms to get the wrong idea."
Teresa looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"Hmm..." Dakota's face initially froze at Gabriel's words and his tight embrace of Teresa, but in a flash, her smile returned, “Gabriel, aren’t you going to introduce us?"
Gabriel's cold gaze lingered on her without uttering another word, and then he continued forward, holding Teresa close.
Left standing there, Dakota watched as Gabriel walked away with Teresa in his embrace. The embarrassment swiftly morphed into anger and even resentment.
Never before had someone treated her, Dakota, with such disregard. And especially not Gabriel.
"Why put me on the spot if you don't like someone? You make me sound like a jealous woman."
Teresa finally vented, ensconced in Gabriel's embrace as they entered the elevator.
Gabriel, looking down at the feisty woman in his arms with a spark in his eyes, flashed a sly grin, “It doesn't bother me; I kind of like it when you're jealous."
Teresa glared at him, "Who wants to be jealous'?" she retorted, “I couldn't care less who you like or not."
Gabriel chuckled and planted a kiss on her forehead, “See? Your hubby here is quite the catch. Are you sure you don't want to keep an eye on me?"
"Shameless!" Teresa shot him a scornful look, “Isn't that Dakota over there? Aaron's cousin? Why'd you give her the cold shoulder as if she'd dumped you or something?"
"Dumped?" Gabriel rolled the word around with a meaningful air, “Dakota doesn’t even make the grade for that."
"Look at you, playing the betrayed lover," Teresa teased, her voice laced with a chuckle.
Gabriel gave her a serious look and then gave a lighthearted reprimand, "As long as my dear is by my side, the rest of the world can go hang." He said this while lightly tapping his chin against her forehead.
Silently, Teresa met his gaze.
Finley Sackler stood in the furthest corner of the elevator, head buried in an attempt to blend into the wallpaper.
The big boss was a complete flirt around Teresa, yet a starkly different man when he was with anyone else. Finley was getting used to the two sides of his boss; impressive, to say the least.
And Dakota? Well... he decided it was best to feign ignorance and keep what wasn't meant to be shared with himself.
"Ding..." The elevator announced their arrival at the intended floor. Gabriel carried Teresa and strode out toward the doctor's office, with Finley hurrying behind.
After an examination and an x-ray, the doctor confirmed Teresa hadn't fractured anything but had a strain. Some ointment and rest, with minimal movement in the coming days, were prescribed.
With the medicine in hand, Gabriel whisked Teresa away to the private lounge and got straight to work applying the ointment.
As Gabriel cradled her foot, perched on his thigh, his warm, strong hands skillfully massaged her injured ankle, his intense focus was utterly captivating.
If, from the get-go, it wasn't Liam who pursued her but Gabriel, Teresa mused, maybe, just maybe, she would've been a goner, swearing off all others for him alone!
It's possible that fate had a hand in everything, bringing her and Gabriel together and leading to the current situation in which he is cherishing her.
After applying the ointment, Gabriel slipped her shoes and socks back on and then moved to pick her up. Teresa snapped out of it and quickly protested, "I can walk on my own."
"Didn't you hear the doctor say you should walk as little as possible for the next few days?" Before she could object further, Gabriel scooped her up effortlessly into a bridal carry.
Instinctively, Teresa's hands clung to his neck, "......."
"Shall we visit your parents?" Gabriel asked as they left the private lounge and headed toward the elevator.
After a moment's consideration, Teresa shook her head, "Better not. If my parents see my ankle like this, they'll just worry. We'll visit them tomorrow."
Gabriel flashed a pleased smile, "Alright, then let's go have dinner."
"Where to?"
Gabriel glanced at the woman in his arms as they entered the elevator, "I've already made reservations."
"No, I want to go back and eat with Croissant," Teresa firmly declined.
How could she let Gabriel carry her in and out of a restaurant looking like this? It would blow their cover in no time.
"I can bring our son over," Gabriel offered as a compromise.
"No," Teresa was unwavering, "I want to go back now."
Gabriel gave her a look, "..."
"Please?" Teresa suddenly softened her tone, negotiating with him.
Watching the tenderness emerge from the little woman in his arms, who even sounded a bit coquettish and plaintive, only heaven knew how delighted Gabriel felt at that moment.
He couldn't help but smile, quickly dipping his head to plant a quick kiss on Teresa's lips, "Okay, as my queen wishes."
Teresa was at loss for words.
...
