Chapter 142 Give her jewelry.
Before they knew it, the car glided to a halt in front of the imposing entrance of Capital Construction.
The skyscrapers of Capital Construction and Nebula were both situated near the city center, about a 20-minute drive apart. Capital Construction's edifice stood taller and more majestic than Nebula's, a landmark in River North that had reached its grand completion just five or six years prior.
As the car came to a stop at the entrance, their bodyguards stepped out to open the car doors for Teresa and Gabriel. Getting off on one side of the vehicle, Gabriel casually circled around to Teresa's side and, without a second thought, reached for and held her hand, which hung gracefully by her side.
This was Teresa's first visit to Capital Construction. She looked up at the nearly 600-meter-tall skyscraper, overwhelmed by the thought that she and Gabriel were now officially and legitimately husband and wife; her heart fluttered slightly with excitement.
"Let's go inside," Gabriel said softly, his words brushing her ear as he tugged at the corner of his mouth in a gentle smile.
“Okay,” Teresa nodded, giving him a quick glance before allowing him to lead her toward the entrance.
“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Garcia!” greeted the security and reception staff as they noticed Gabriel holding hands with Teresa. The striking couple, perfectly paired, seemed to shine as they walked through the lobby, their presence nearly dazzling enough to a super stardom proportion. The staff, both awestruck and respectful, rushed to greet them.
Nowadays, Teresa and Gabriel were internet sensations, the hottest topic online; who wouldn’t recognize them, especially the employees of Capital Construction?
Teresa acknowledged everyone with a polite nod and a subtle smile as her gaze swept across the room.
Gabriel felt a surge of happiness bringing his beloved to Capital Construction for the first time. Known for his usually stoic demeanor at the office, he broke the mold today by sharing a kind smile with his colleagues, one they'd never seen before, and greeted them warmly, “Good morning!”
Everyone was dumbstruck watching him with Teresa.
"Do you always treat them with such warmth?" Teresa teased with a smile while crossing the lobby and entering the private elevator. As soon as the doors closed, she turned to the man beside her.
Finley could only dream of receiving such kindness from Gabriel.
"Of course not," Gabriel laughed, pulling her closer into his embrace, "Today they're just basking in Mrs. Garcia's charm."
Teresa rolled her eyes at him, then asked, "What about Mason and Raymond? Are they here?"
Gabriel shook his head, "No idea."
"How can you not know that?"
His response was to gently kiss her forehead, "All I care about is where you are."
Teresa was at a loss for words.
"Hayden will be joining us soon, that's okay, right?"
"Absolutely." His arm wrapped around her waist, and he played with her hand affectionately. The private elevator ascended swiftly, leaving only their tightly embracing figures reflected on the polished walls, a silent alluring beauty.
"Capital Construction has dealings with the Bush Group. Part of Hayden's visit to River North is connected to that. When she arrives, take her to my office. I'll be discussing business with your brother and the others in the meeting room."
"Okay," Teresa nodded just as the elevator chimed, signaling they had reached the top floor.
"Boss, ma'am," Finley's respectful voice greeted them as soon as the elevator doors slid open.
As for the business at Chicago, thanks to Gabriel's impeccable groundwork, the signing ceremony went off without a hitch, even after his abrupt departure.
Having wrapped things up on that front, Finley had hurried back without pause.
Seeing Finley, Teresa flashed a bright smile and casually remarked, "Finley, you look thinner after your trip. What happened?"
"Heh... thanks for asking, ma'am. It must be the change of environment over there. I have indeed lost a bit..." He trailed off, his voice halting as he caught someone’s chilly gaze. The smile on Finley's face quickly faded away.
Teresa sensed something amiss with Finley and glanced at the man beside her with a frown, "What's the big idea? Since when does working with you mean Finley's lost his right to even speak up?"
Seeing Teresa actually chastising Gabriel on his behalf, Finley was on the verge of tears, cold sweat breaking out all over. He dreaded to think what kind of 'payback' he might face from Gabriel once Teresa wasn't around.
Gabriel just looked at Teresa. He was lost for words.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel," at that moment, the array of assistants and secretaries stationed outside of Gabriel's office all rose in unison, respectfully greeting them.
Teresa hadn't seen them around the corner until now. Catching sight of all these people, and thinking about her earlier words which they must have heard, she was lost for words.
Had she just stepped on Gabriel's pride with her comment?
"It seems everyone is well acquainted with my wife. From now on, her words are mine. She has free rein to come and go as she pleases at Capital Construction and Nebula, and no one is to stop her," Gabriel said, sweeping his gaze over everyone present with a commanding tone.
"Yes, Mr. Gabriel," came the immediate, unified response.
"Finley, got everything you went for?" Gabriel asked, his arm around Teresa, as they walked toward his office, with Finley following behind.
"Yes, it's all in the top drawer of your desk," Finley replied promptly.
"Alright, you can go now," Gabriel instructed.
Finley nodded, relieved at Gabriel's leniency, and hurried back to his own office.
Teresa couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Finley scurry away. Comfortably enveloped in Gabriel's embrace as they entered his spacious office, she was wowed by the almost half the size of a soccer field office. The office had distinct zones for work, relaxation, and meetings. She noticed a subtle door in the rest area, likely leading to an en-suite or private powder room.
Gabriel didn't bother closing the door behind them and let go of Teresa to stride over to his desk. He pulled open a drawer and took out several exquisitely crafted jewelry boxes of various sizes.
Still, by the entrance, Teresa took her time to absorb every detail of his office. It was large but decorated with understated elegance, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides that offered breathtaking views of half of River North below.
Knock, knock...
"Ma'am, can I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee, juice, or..." Gabriel's executive assistant, Skylar, knocked lightly on the door and inquired of Teresa who was standing at the entrance.
Knowing how much Gabriel cherished and adored Teresa, a fact she had learned from Finley, Skylar made sure to attend to her with the utmost respect.
"Some soda would be fine, thank you," Teresa responded, offering Skylar a courteous smile.
"Of course, ma'am. One moment, please," Skylar replied with a respectful nod before gracefully taking her leave.
"Darling, come here!" At that moment, Gabriel beckoned her over with a curl of his finger.
Teresa glanced at him and walked over.
As she approached, Gabriel extended his arms and enveloped her from behind, cradling her against his chest. He then leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her cheek and murmured, "Open it up, do you like it?"
Teresa turned to look at him, slightly surprised, "Jewelry?"
Gabriel chuckled, looking into her eyes. "When I was in Chicago, I accompanied a business associate to a jewelry exhibition. Saw a few pieces that seemed perfect for you and decided to get them."
Turning her head, Teresa pursed her lips and calmly took one of the exquisitely crafted medium-sized boxes. She opened it to find a diamond bracelet designed in the shape of a serpent, its scaly surface embedded with a mosaic of gems. At its head, two top-quality emeralds sparkled. The sight sent a shiver down Teresa's spine, reminding her of the dream she had just before waking up in the hospital yesterday morning.
Swiftly, she placed the bracelet back into the box.
"What's wrong?" Gabriel immediately sensed her discomfort and asked.
Teresa pivoted to face him, "It's beautiful, but I don't like it."
Gabriel raised his brows in confusion, "Why not?"
Without hiding her feelings, Teresa curled her lip and said, "Yesterday morning, right before you showed up, I was having a recurring nightmare, just before waking up."
"What kind of dream?" Gabriel asked, softly tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
She gazed into his eyes, her tone conveying a trace of vulnerability. "I dreamed I was being chased by a burly man, and then I fell into a pit, which turned out to be a nest of venomous snakes. Each one hissing and baring their fangs at me, staring at me fiercely..."
Gabriel leaned in and tenderly kissed her forehead, prompting gently, "And then?"
"Then you appeared above the pit, staring down at me, smirking coldly. I cried out for you to save me, but you just ignored me and walked away." As she spoke, Teresa's eyes weren't just filled with grievance anymore, but with deep reproach.
"So, what happens next?" Gabriel asked with a playful grin, clearly enjoying the moment.
"You jerk, are you laughing?" Teresa glared at him and punched his chest with force. "What's next? You want me to dream that I was bitten by a venomous snake, and then chopped up and eaten?"
"Ha..." Gabriel's affection for the petite woman pouting before him was beyond words. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, his voice low and husky, "Then, you woke up screaming, clinging to your mom. Even after seeing me, you were still furious, blaming me for not rescuing you from the nightmare, right?"
"Yeah, shouldn't I be mad at you? You jerk!" With feigned anger, Teresa’s eyes blazed as she raised her hand to strike him again.
But before her hand could land, Gabriel had already caught the back of her head and swiftly captured her lips with his own.
Seeing his stunning face so close, it took only a second for Teresa to involuntarily close her eyes, stand on her tiptoes, and wrap her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss.
"Knock, knock..."
At the peak of their heated kiss, there came a knocking at the door.
Jolted as if by an electric shock, Teresa released Gabriel's neck and pushed him away.
"I'm... I'm so sorry!" Skylar, who had come in to deliver water, caught sight of the inseparable pair and quickly lowered her head, stumbling over her words before unconsciously stepping back.
"Hold on a moment," Gabriel lifted his gaze and cast a casual glance at Skylar, his deep voice still colored with emotion, "Bring the water in."
"Yes, sir." Skylar, with her head bowed and heart pounding, made her way to the break area.
Teresa observed Skylar's demeanor, akin to having committed a grave sin, then shot a glare at the man beside her. It seemed that this man was only ever so kind and gentle to her; otherwise, his subordinates wouldn’t be scared to even serve him a drink as if they were undergoing punishment.
"Sir, ma'am, if there's nothing else, please excuse me." After setting down the soda Teresa had requested, Skylar’s voice slightly trembled.
"Go ahead."
"Yes," she responded and quickly made her exit.
"I guess I really shouldn't have come to your office," Teresa sighed deeply after Skylar had left, voicing her complaint.
"No, you should come over more often," Gabriel said with a chuckle, taking hold of the snake bracelet. He gently held Teresa's delicate hand, soft and supple, and deftly clasped the bracelet around her slender wrist, "Darling, don't worry. From now on, whenever, wherever you need me, I'll be there in no minute."
The bracelet looked stunning on Teresa's wrist.
Teresa lifted her wrist, examining the bracelet closely, and couldn’t help but smile, nodding in agreement, “Alright, for that promise, I guess I'll have to take the bracelet,” she teased.
Gabriel grinned and then reached for the largest box present, offering it to her, “Check this one out.”
Nodding, Teresa opened the box. Inside lay an emerald and diamond necklace, the emeralds about the size of a pinky nail, twenty-eight of them, each perfectly cut and encircled by dazzling diamonds, every facet gleaming blindingly in the sunlight streaming through the window.
"How do you like the necklace?" Gabriel asked, wrapping his arms around her.
Her approval would be his greatest satisfaction.
Pressing her lips together, Teresa nodded in affirmation. Her gaze briefly swept over the seven differently sized boxes around her, each undoubtedly filled with more exquisite jewelry, not surprising, since Gabriel wouldn’t entertain the thought of buying anything less for her.
"All of this jewelry, how much did it cost?" she asked, turning around in his embrace.
"Don't fret about the cost. Money's probably the only thing I'll never run out of in this lifetime," Gabriel replied with joyous laughter, hugging her tighter. "As long as you're happy, I'm more than willing to spend whatever it takes."
Teresa arched an eyebrow, "You buy me so many pieces of jewelry, but there's hardly an occasion for me to wear them to."
He smiled, "I enjoy buying them for you. Just catching your eye makes it all worthwhile."
Teresa looked at him, speechless.
