Chapter 126 Contentment Is Key
Right at that moment, Teresa's phone vibrated twice in her pocket. She fished it out to see a text from Diana.
[Teresa, just imagine- I've been at the assistant office for a week now and haven’t even caught a glimpse of the boss. Heck, I didn’t even see the so-called boss during the interview either. Am I being scammed, what do you think?]
Reading Diana's message furrowed Teresa's brow, prompting her to turn to the man nearby and ask, “Do you know who runs Prime Investment?”
“Why do you ask?” Gabriel's curiosity was piqued, and he slightly furrowed his lean brow.
Without hesitation, Teresa shared, “Diana started working there a week ago, her job title’s CEO's assistant, yet she’s never met her boss.”
Diana, much like Teresa, was gearing up to sit for the diplomat exam. With some time before the exam, and certainly not one to idle at home, she took a job as a stopgap and a fallback, should the diplomat dream fall through.
Hearing it was about Diana, Gabriel couldn't help but smirk, “Prime Investment is a joint venture among Liam, me, Aaron, and Kyle. Liam holds a 50% stake, I have 30%, and the other two have 10% each. Currently, Liam is wholly in charge.”
They were partners.
Teresa blinked in surprise, “So, Diana's boss is Liam?”
“Yep,” Gabriel nodded, adding, “Liam’s been abroad working on a deal, but he should be wrapping up soon. He'll probably be back in no time.”
"Okay," Teresa responded succinctly, then, without another word, she quickly replied to Diana's message: [Don't worry, Prime Investment is no sham. You might just meet your boss on Monday.]
“Why didn't you just tell her Liam is her boss?” Gabriel asked with a rich, deep voice just after Teresa hit send.
Her head whipped around, his chiseled features suddenly so close. Before she could gather her thoughts, Gabriel leaned in and pecked her lips.
"You're so annoying, why did you peer into my messages?" Teresa grumbled after the peck, playfully punching the man's chest.
"Ouch!" Gabriel winced as he grabbed her fist, furrowing his well-shaped brows.
"Pretending hurt?" Teresa teased him.
Gabriel just chuckled in response, wrapping his long arm around her, pulling her close, and planting a tender kiss on her forehead, "You're really getting a good read on me, darling."
Teresa rolled her eyes at him but didn't resist his embrace. Nestled in his arms, she casually played with her phone and gently reminded him, "Don't forget to change your bandage on time when you head to Chicago, okay?"
"If I get busy, it might slip my mind. Why don't you join me and make sure I do it?" Gabriel proposed with allure, resting his chin lightly on the crown of her hair, his voice laced with fondness.
Looking up at him, Teresa pondered for a moment before inquiring, "Finley is going with you, right?"
Gabriel nodded. "Yes."
"Give me Finley's number." Without hesitation, Teresa reached for Gabriel's pocket to fetch his phone.
Gabriel couldn't help but beam with satisfaction at her natural and intimate gesture. As she pulled out the phone, he whispered softly, "The password is your birthday."
Teresa glanced up at him, silent for a moment. Was he suggesting she unlock it herself to find Finley's number?
Without putting on airs, Teresa unlocked the phone screen and entered her six-digit birth-date. Sure enough, the phone unlocked. Then she searched the contacts for "Finley."
Nothing.
She looked up at him again, locking eyes with his sparkling, dark pools. Teresa tried typing just "Assistant" and searched again.
This time, twelve entries for “Assistant” popped up.
They weren't listed by name, but by number 1, 2, 3, 4...11, 12, and even by region.
"You have this many assistants?" Teresa asked, surprised.
"Hmm," Gabriel nodded, explaining, "Together, there are twelve assistants from Nebula and Capital Construction. Finley is the head of assistants."
"And secretaries? How many do you have?" Teresa continued to probe.
With an amused smile, Gabriel admitted, "Seven or eight, I think. I don't really keep track."
Teresa was momentarily at a loss for words. "So, Finley is the first one on the list?"
"Exactly, the first one," he confirmed.
Teresa shot him a glance and silently saved Finley's number in her phone.
She knew Finley's reliable nature meant that a simple reminder would suffice when it was time for Gabriel's dressing change.
"Why are you keeping Finley's number, honey?" Gabriel teased with a grin after she had saved the contact.
"Mind your own business." Teresa retorted with a scoff, then turned off his phone's screen and slipped it back into his pocket.
"My dear, if you want to keep tabs on me, I can always give you updates."
"Not necessary," Teresa's rejection was brisk.
"Then, how about you update me on your whereabouts?"
Teresa shook her head. "I'm not that idle."
"What if I start missing you?"
She put her hand over his mouth, giving him a sideways look, "You're so annoying; just let me have some peace."
"Heh..." Gabriel caught her hand and kissed it gently, then fell quiet.
For Gabriel, simply holding Teresa, and exchanging silly chatter was an immense gratification.
Gabriel was healing well; after getting his wounds treated at the hospital, they returned to the Bennett family home to join Patrick and Sophia for lunch. Their little kid had also been brought there.
Sophia herself had prepared a feast to welcome her daughter and son-in-law for lunch.
Not long after they'd eaten, Finley arrived.
Finley's arrival meant that it was time for Gabriel to head to the airport.
"Come, baby, say goodbye to Daddy," Teresa coaxed Croissant, escorting Gabriel to the car.
"Bye-bye, Daddy!" The little one waved a half-hearted paw and then scurried back to play.
"Remember to change your dressings in Chicago and take the meds the doctor prescribed today," Teresa reminded Gabriel as she handed his medication to Finley.
"You're not going to see me off?" Gabriel stood by the car door, hand casually in his pocket, his dark eyes locking onto Teresa, filled with reluctance.
