Chapter 166 I've Had Feelings for You for A Long Time
Fortunately, Gabriel still had a shred of decency and kept his word. He restrained himself from going any further than kisses and embraces over the next few days, without any excessive behavior.
But when the week was up, Teresa couldn't escape anymore. She was taken to bed after 10 p.m., and the two of them went at it until almost 3 in the morning. Gabriel's passion was unrelenting, and Teresa found herself overwhelmed by his intensity
Afterward, he wrapped his arms around her in bed. He felt remarkably satisfied and rejuvenated, yet sleep eluded him in the dead of night.
"Sweetheart, I've got to fly out of state tomorrow for about a week. How about going with me?" he whispered, kissing her forehead as he admired Teresa's beautiful, flushed face with her eyes closed in his arms.
Teresa felt sore and terribly sleepy, yawning as she snuggled into his embrace, shaking her head without uttering a word.
Gabriel knew she had her own commitments and couldn't just up and leave with him, so he didn't insist. Instead, he softly suggested, "How about next month, we go to the capital together? Your diplomatic service exam is around that time, too, right?"
Hearing that, Teresa lazily nodded in agreement, yawning again.
"When I'm away on this trip, make sure you're always with a bodyguard, even in school," he insisted with a firm kiss.
"Okay, got it!" Teresa nodded, murmured in agreement, then covered his mouth with her palm, "Gabriel, you're so annoying. I'm exhausted..."
Watching her, Gabriel chuckled, gave her another firm kiss, and then reached out to turn off the bedside lamp. "Alright, good night."
...
With Gabriel away on business, Teresa's days were fulfilling and pleasant, without the worry of sleepless nights.
Their Foxglove Fields villa was nearly finished decorating. All the furniture, appliances, and lighting fixtures, airlifted from abroad, were put in place. Teresa took a free Wednesday morning to inspect the villa and then, accompanied by the designer, went to select curtains.
After picking out the curtains, she glanced at the time and saw it was nearly noon. Since her curtain appointment was not far from Bennett Group's office tower, Teresa headed straight there to have lunch with Patrick and Sophia.
Teresa hadn't expected that as she pulled her car up in front of the Bennett Group's towering office building, stepping out, and looking ahead, she'd catch sight of Hayden and Michelle, visibly seething, locked in a tense standoff by the lobby elevators.
Both Hayden and Michelle were head-turners, striking with an aura that effortlessly commanded attention. Now here they were in the main lobby, becoming a spectacle of everyone's entertainment.
Just like Teresa, the entire lobby seemed to have their gaze on the pair.
Sensing trouble brewing, Teresa quickened her pace toward the lobby.
Out of the blue, Teresa saw Michelle lean in close to Hayden, a sly smile on her lips, whispering something into her ear.
Hayden's expression darkened in an instant. As Michelle retreated, Hayden's hand flew up, ready to deliver a slap...
Startled, Teresa sprinted forward to intervene.
But just as she did, the nearby elevator dinged, its doors sliding open to reveal a familiar, imposing figure. With lightning speed, the figure darted forward and caught Hayden's raised hand mid-air.
It was William. Teresa breathed a sigh of relief.
She definitely didn't want a scene in front of a crowd of onlookers, nor for Hayden to tarnish her reputation with a public meltdown.
"William," Michelle's voice was level, lacking any sign of surprise as she glanced at him, softly saying his name.
Gripping Hayden's hand firmly, their eyes locked. As Hayden's eyes began to redden with anger, William released her roughly, moving to shield Michelle behind him. His low voice, cold as ancient frost, commanded, "Hayden, enough is enough."
"Hayden!"
In her high heels, Hayden stumbled backward from William's forceful release. Teresa ran to her, reaching out just in time to steady her.
Catching the sudden appearance of Teresa, Hayden's heart surged with unexpected emotion. Her teary eyes, already red, began to fill with tears.
"Hayden, are you okay?" Teresa steadied Hayden, scanning her with her eyes up and down to make sure she was unharmed before glaring at William with a hint of anger, "William, that was way out of line. How could you lash out at Hayden without getting the full story?"
"Teresa, don't blame your brother, it was my..." Michelle started to say.
"Zip it!" Teresa snapped, her furious gaze suddenly shifting towards Michelle. She never particularly disliked Michelle, but after witnessing the altercation, she couldn't help but feel the woman’s motives were far from innocent. Cutting her off mid-sentence, Teresa continued, "Until you're officially part of the family, don't you dare take that tone with me like you're already my sister-in-law."
"Teresa!" William's face darkened as he glared at both Hayden and Teresa.
"Michelle, what exactly did you say to Hayden just now? Repeat it out loud to my brother and me, will you?" Teresa demanded, ignoring William's displeasure.
