Chapter 172
Teresa glanced at the devilishly handsome face so close to hers, and shoved him playfully, “Don't flatter yourself. I'm going since I promised."
"What about me?" Gabriel pouted playfully.
With an arch of her eyebrow, Teresa retorted, "Do whatever you like. I'm not stopping you."
"Really? Anything I like?" Suddenly, a sly gleam flashed in Gabriel's deep eyes.
Truth be told, to the outside world, Gabriel was the most cold and ruthless dominator, unapproachable and revered. But in Teresa's presence, he became like an innocent boy, his affection for her so intense he could barely contain it, wishing to express it all openly.
"Yeah, whatever you...” Before Teresa could finish, Gabriel leaned in abruptly, sealing her words with a kiss as he simultaneously pressed the control button on the car roof, raising the partition that separated the front and back of the cabin.
As she stared into his urgent and passionate face, Teresa couldn't restrain the turmoil inside her, and so she closed her eyes, engaging in their kiss without any pretense...
It was meant to be just a kiss, but the spark quickly spread throughout the confines of the car. Unexpectedly, Teresa entirely forgot herself and synchronized with Gabriel. As they entangled in passionate rhapsody, nothing disturbed their close intimacy, not even their movements or the car's stops and starts.
Yet, separated by a mere partition, were the driver and bodyguard. So, despite Gabriel's coaxing, she tried to restrain herself, while he, unabashedly, wished the whole world could admire Teresa's enchanting allure. It took a long while before the turmoil in Teresa's heart calmed.
Sensing Gabriel gearing up for another round, she quickly pushed him, hurriedly exclaiming, "Get up, we're almost home."
Gabriel lifted his head from her embrace, his gaze filled with pleasure and satisfaction as he proposed with a mischievous smile, "Sweetheart, let's take the long way around and do this all over again."
"You wouldn't dare!" Panic-stricken, Teresa nudged him with her foot, "Get off me, now!"
Watching the blush that crept up to the tips of her ears, Gabriel couldn't contain his satisfaction, "Stay put. I'll help you."
Teresa's sultry eyes, soft as silk, glared at him, and she turned away just as he stood up.
By the time they had straightened out their clothes, the car had rolled into the expansive driveway of the Garcia estate and came to a halt.
"Daddy! Mommy!" The sight of Gabriel and Teresa returning sent little Croissant scampering towards them with his short legs.
After two months in the care of the Garcias, Croissant had not only grown taller and stronger, but his speech was also clearer and more articulate.
Though Croissant was just over two years old, Katherine had already engaged him in lessons with numerous top-notch tutors, even more diligent and stricter than she had been with Gabriel when he was young.
"Son," Gabriel bent down to scoop up Croissant, planting a firm kiss on him, "Did you miss Daddy?"
The little guy shook his head resolutely while in his father's embrace, "Nope," he declared.
Gabriel's eyebrows instantly furrowed.
"When Daddy is out, Mommy is all mine. Now you are here trying to take her away. When are you going on another trip, Daddy?" As Croissant spoke, he reached for Teresa.
But Gabriel held on tight, "You don't like Daddy?"
Croissant shook his head swiftly, "I love Daddy, but I don't like the Daddy who takes Mommy away from me."
Watching the exchange between father and son, Teresa smirked at Gabriel and walked inside the house, leaving the two to their discussion.
"Mrs. Garcia, your gown has been delivered; we've sent it to your room," the housekeeper respectfully informed Teresa as she entered.
She was scheduled to attend a high-profile event with Hayden that evening and, perhaps due to a period of leisure and comfort, the gown was now a bit tight around the waist. She had sent it to be adjusted.
"Great, I'll try it on in a bit," Teresa replied, heading upstairs.
Once inside her room, she made her way to the walk-in closet, her gaze falling on the large box resting atop the jewelry cabinet, which held her altered gown.
However, Teresa wasn't in a hurry to inspect the dress. Instead, she changed into a comfortable set of loungewear before approaching the cabinet. When she got to the box, she untied the pale blue silk ribbon, lifted the lid...
“Ahh!” The moment Teresa popped the lid, her eyes locked onto the contents of the box, and a scream of terror ripped from her throat. Dropping the lid, she sprang back in horror.
Downstairs, Gabriel, who'd been amusing himself with the kid, heard Teresa's shriek and, without a moment's hesitation, he bolted up the stairs. The housekeepers, their eyes widening in shock, mirrored his alarm. With a jolt of realization, the butler hastened to follow Gabriel’s lead.
"Honey!" Gabriel raced upstairs and burst into the room, calling out to her in alarm.
Teresa cowered in front of the wardrobe, staring at the black, triangular head rising from the large box of the gown, its tongue flickering with a crimson menace. The venomous snake seemed poised to strike, sending shivers through her entire body.
"Darling!"
Hearing Gabriel’s voice, she let out another scream, this one tinged with the sound of tears.
Rushing to the source of the scream, Gabriel sprinted toward the walk-in closet.
As he entered, his pupils shrank at the sight of the snake, eyeing Teresa with predatory intent. He darted forward and scooped her into his arms, his protective instincts taking over.
