Chapter 119 Gabriel showed up.
Back in the day, he would've disguised himself to avoid attention. But now, with nearly everyone in River North clued into his relationship with Teresa, he abandoned the charade and boldly attended her class, listening to her lecture as if he owned the place.
At first, everyone was buzzing about Teresa's class, but when Gabriel showed up, he seemed to steal the spotlight, especially among the predominantly female student body at the school. Even though he'd take his seat in the back row, it didn't stop the girls from sneakily glancing over their shoulders at him now and then.
Everybody knew Gabriel was off the market, ostensibly just there to flaunt his relationship status, but let's face it, who could resist sneaking a peek at something, or someone, so attractive? Hushed whispers rippled through pairs and small clusters of students.
"The gentleman in the back row, Mr. Garcia, if you're not a student from the college, kindly leave!" Teresa didn't mince words when class was disturbed. With an icy stare, she zeroed in on Gabriel and commanded his exit.
At Teresa's words, a sea of heads turned in unison towards Gabriel.
Gracefully accepting the barrage of stares, Gabriel knew he was a distraction. He met Teresa's gaze with his own intense, bright eyes, stood up, fastened a button on his suit jacket, and quipped with a smile, "Darling, I'll wait for you outside."
Teresa glared at him. What a smug!
Reading the clear subtext of her glare, Gabriel let out a low chuckle and, under the watchful eyes of all the students, strode out with his long legs.
"Teresa, you're such a boss. Teach us your ways of handling a man!" a bold and lively female student called out as Gabriel took his leave.
With a smile and a shake of her head, Teresa replied, "I don't have any secrets; it's all about mutual respect and equality. That's the key to a healthy relationship. Now, let's focus on the lesson. There's a quiz next week, remember?"
With that, she redirected everyone's attention back to the lecture.
Gabriel went downstairs to his car and busied himself with work and video conferences, as usual.
The two-hour class flew by, and Gabriel remained occupied with a virtual meeting in his car.
Timing it perfectly for Teresa's class to end, he wrapped up the meeting, gathered his documents, and stepped out of the car to wait for her.
Standing tall and majestic in front of his luxurious black Rolls-Royce, Gabriel drew curious glances from passersby. About ten minutes later, he spotted Teresa, phone to her ear, exiting the building.
His gaze was deep and gentle, admiring and adoring as he watched her unblinkingly. Teresa, on the other hand, deliberately kept her head down, pretending not to see him.
Gabriel tipped his head, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he unfolded his long legs and strode toward her with purposeful steps.
Just as Teresa emerged from the elevator, engrossed in a phone call, a woman dressed like a student silently followed her from behind. The woman had a bag slung over her shoulder, her hand concealed within, seemingly gripping something tightly.
From about thirty feet away, Gabriel's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of the woman tailing Teresa, who now seemed to be quickening her pace ominously. His brow furrowed in suspicion, and with a swift glance, he fixed his gaze on the stranger.
As he did, the woman, sensing she’d been spotted, picked up speed and lunged toward Teresa. From her purse, she drew a glass bottle filled with a clear liquid...
"Teresa, watch out!"
Sensing danger, Gabriel barked a warning and rushed toward Teresa like an arrow shot from a bow.
With the desperation in his shout, Teresa's attention quickly awoke, as her eyes locked onto the advancing figure of Gabriel.
Confusion emerged on her face and just as she turned...
"Teresa!"
...the woman uncorked the bottle and splashed the liquid onto Teresa.
With a cry, Gabriel lunged forward, sweeping Teresa into his arms, his large hand cradling the back of her head, settling her into his chest, shielding her with his broad shoulders and back from the assault.
The woman had launched what was now apparent as sulfuric acid without seeing where it landed. Dropping the bottle, she attempted to flee but was swiftly tackled down by a bodyguard's forceful kick.
"Ah!"
The powerful acid ate through Gabriel's suit jacket and shirt upon contact, scorching the skin beneath, and despite his control, a stifled groan of pain escaped him.
"Gabriel!" Realizing the situation, Teresa frantically tried to pull away and inspect his injuries.
"Sulfuric acid, don't touch!" However, before she could reach him, Gabriel's strong hand seized hers.
"Gabriel!" Teresa saw the blackened, corroded fabric on his shoulder and the blood seeping through the skin. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes as panic surged, "Quick, get your clothes off!"
As she tugged frantically at his clothing, she called out desperately, "We need water, get water now!"
The bodyguard and the driver, hearing the commotion, immediately dashed to fetch bottled water from the car.
Everyone on campus, even students who had just left class, was taken aback by what they saw and found themselves frozen in place, not knowing how to react.
As Gabriel, grimacing from the pain that seared through him like fire, he stared at the frantic woman before him, her eyes brimming with tears, and this made him felt as though the pain was subsiding, replaced by an indescribable sense of joy and contentment.
"Stay put and rinse it with water, hurry!" Teresa ordered as soon as the bodyguard and driver raced over with several bottles of water.
They nodded, quickly opening the bottles, and Gabriel obediently leaned forward, allowing them to wash away the acid from his burned shoulders and back.
