Chapter 127 Long-time lovers
"Why bother? You’ll be back in a few days!" Teresa replied with a sidelong glance and then, standing on tiptoes, quickly pressed a light kiss onto his lips.
After the peck, Teresa surprised even herself; she had not expected to be so bold, so spontaneously affectionate with Gabriel, especially with others watching.
It was as though they had been in love for ages, deeply familiar with one another, like lovers entwined by time itself.
The moment she began to pull away from the kiss, a strong hand grasped the back of her head, and Gabriel leaned in, capturing her lips and deepening the kiss with fierce intensity.
Finley stood aside silently, stepping back to render himself invisible.
When had it happened, this chemistry between them that now seemed as natural as any couple head over heels for each other?
Gabriel's lips were insatiable, his kisses had the ferocity of a conquering force, and Teresa offered no resistance, surrendering to his passionate claim.
Thankfully, the deep kiss was brief; after just twenty or thirty seconds, Gabriel released her. With a smirk and those eyes shining dark and bright, he huskily said, "Gotta go."
"Okay," Teresa nodded, her heartbeat and breath uncontrollably chaotic.
With a smile brimming with delight, Gabriel turned and got into the car.
Once Gabriel was in, Finley hurried to the passenger side and hopped in. The car then rolled out of the Bennett house at a leisurely pace.
As Teresa watched the car drive away, vanishing from sight, she lingered for a moment before deciding to head back inside.
Lifting her gaze, she spotted Sophia emerging from the house.
"Mom," With a beaming smile, Teresa walked over and linked arms with Sophia.
"It looks like things with Gabriel are going quite well," Sophia remarked affectionately, patting Teresa's hand, "Marrying Gabriel was the right decision. I can see he truly dotes on you."
Teresa's grin was wide and filled with sheer bliss, "It seems so, for now."
Only time would tell if it would last.
"Be content with what you have. A happy home is a prosperous home, right?"
"Don't worry, Mom, I know."
...
With Gabriel gone, Teresa found herself surprisingly missing him. Tossing and turning in bed, it took her ages to fall asleep.
The following morning, she awoke groggy from a restless night’s sleep. No sooner had she started her morning routine than Gabriel's video call invitation popped up. Without a second thought, she answered it immediately.
Gabriel was just wrapping up a social engagement, on his way back to his hotel.
Gabriel's weariness seemed to vanish into thin air, replaced by a tender adoration as he saw Teresa, her face covered in a froth of facial cleanser as she washed up.
"Miss me?" he drawled playfully.
Teresa positioned her phone on the washstand for a perfect shot and continued with her routine, "Did you have a drink?" she asked, seemingly out of the blue.
He was under strict doctor's orders to abstain from alcohol to aid the healing of his injuries.
"Yeah, had a little," Gabriel admitted with a nod.
Teresa pursed her lips, turned on the faucet, and grabbed a disposable face towel to wipe away the suds. Picking up her phone once more, she regarded the man in the video seriously. "Well, if you can’t escape from drinking, don't overdo it. And be careful not to get your wound wet when you shower later. Did you take your medication? Did Finley make sure the doctor changed your dressing?"
His lips curled into a smile at her concern, "Darling, how I wish you were here with me right now."
Teresa refused to engage in flirtatious banter, but seeing him gave her a profound sense of peace. The frustration from a restless night evaporated in an instant, "I have a seminar at the academy at nine. I'm going to get changed and then be on my way."
"Sweetheart, will you get so busy in the future that you won't have time for me and our son?" Gabriel asked abruptly, shifting the tone unexpectedly.
The thought of Teresa training to become a diplomat, potentially spending most of the year away, coupled with his frequent trips, meant even less time together. A subtle unease shadowed Gabriel's heart.
Teresa frowned in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Darling, it seems you haven't used the credit card I gave you," Gabriel said, deftly changing the subject as he picked up on her frown.
"Gabriel, what are you trying to say?" she asked, sensing his underlying anxiety.
"Listen," he almost pleaded, "I make enough to take care of you and our son. Even if we had a dozen more kids, we'd be fine. So, why not just stay home? Would that be okay?"
Despite his plea, Teresa shook her head resolutely, "What are you thinking, being male chauvinism? I'm going to change. Remember all my reminders," she said firmly before ending the video call.
After disconnecting, Teresa couldn't help but smile, hugging her phone close to her chest.
She could feel it more distinctly than ever before, the love and care Gabriel had for her.
But the idea of giving up her job, to join the league of high society housewives, to stay at home and nurture a family, was out of the question.
She was determined to be her own, never an “accessory” to someone else, no matter the circumstances.
...
