Chapter 180
The makeup artist, stylist, and housekeeper in the room caught the subtle flirtatiousness of his statement and quickly excused themselves, a slight twitch in their gaze. This couple was too much... heartlessly flaunting their love without any regard for others!
"Hungry? Want to grab something to eat?" As he spoke, Gabriel spun Teresa around and continued showering her with kisses.
Teresa, tickled and discomposed, tried to push him away, "Hey, are you trying to ruin my makeup and mess up my dress?"
Holding her tight, Gabriel pulled her into his arms, his eyes deep and shining as he looked at her and smiled, "That's not a bad idea. If your makeup's spoiled and your dress is wrinkled, you won't have to go down there..."
As he spoke, his fingers lifted her chin and he leaned in to kiss her lips, but Teresa quickly covered his mouth with her hand and slipped out of his embrace, "Nice try, Gabriel, but I'm going down."
With that, she picked up her dress and ran off with the lightness of air.
Gabriel stood there, watching her graceful silhouette disappear, everything about her as lovely as if captured in a painting.
"Mommy, you look like a beautiful fairy, I want a hug," a voice chimed in. Victoria was just coming upstairs with Croissant who spotted Teresa and immediately bounded over.
"My handsome, beautiful baby," as she spoke, Teresa scooped up the little bundle of joy, planting a big kiss on his cheek, "Mommy loves you so much," she chimed.
Giggling, the little one cupped Teresa's face and returned her kiss with gusto, "And I love Mommy the most."
"And what about daddy? Do I look handsome today?" The same man approached from behind, took the little guy from Teresa's arms, then with his free arm, pulled her close, feeling incredibly joyful as he asked.
Little Michael peered up at Gabriel and scrunched his nose, "Granny said I'm the most handsome one. Daddy's not as handsome as me."
"That's right, today you're the handsomest," Teresa nodded in agreement.
Gabriel chuckled and leaned down to whisper in her ear, sending a teasing warm breath as he asked huskily, "Then when, my dear, do I look most handsome? Is it perhaps in bed?"
Teresa shot him a sideways glance.
Meeting her protesting eyes, Gabriel's smile grew devilish as he continued to whisper, "Actually, I forgot to tell you... you're beautiful all the time!"
"......." Staring at him, Teresa showed no mercy and pinched him hard on the waist.
"Ouch!" he hissed.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" the innocent little cutie asked, "Did a bug bite you?" Seeing Gabriel's exaggerated expression, the child’s big, bright eyes gleamed with concern.
"Yes, a bug just bit me," Gabriel nodded earnestly, hugging Teresa tighter, "but no worries, the big bird will eat the bug tonight."
Teresa's lips twitched involuntarily.
This man is unbelievable!
Teresa was once as innocent as Michael, but recently... well, truly, she'd been completely led astray by Gabriel.
"Daddy, why does the big bird have to eat the bug at night? Can't it eat now?" the little guy continued, his face full of curiosity.
"We're keeping the big bird hungry now, so it can have a grand feast tonight," Gabriel answered with an innocent face.
Teresa glared at him.
.......
Before even seven in the evening, the Garcia mansion's exterior was bustling just like the red carpet at the Oscars. Luxury cars arrived one after another, high-society ladies in fine attire and influential figures from various circles coming in droves.
In River North, and indeed across the entire nation, the Garcias were among the elite of the elite. Especially Mason, who was held in high esteem, was respected by everyone from ordinary citizens to influential moguls.
Attendees of such an illustrious Garcia event had one common purpose, to make the acquaintance with the powerful and privileged.
Teresa and Gabriel, accompanied by Michael, didn't even need any introductions. Everyone naturally gravitated towards them, lavishing Teresa and Michael with a barrage of compliments.
And with grace and elegance, Teresa handled the mix of genuine and feigned compliments; neither discomfort nor awkwardness showing in her demeanor.
After marrying Gabriel, she had attended her fair share of dinner parties, all pretty much following the same script. Now, they had become familiar territory for her.
But what Teresa didn't expect was the sight of Brian at the family gathering, laughing and chatting with Katherine as if they'd known each other forever.
After exchanging a few words with Katherine, Brian, holding a glass of wine, made his way directly toward Teresa and Gabriel.
"Something wrong?" Gabriel noticed Teresa's stunned look and asked.
"That guy," Teresa regained her composure and glanced at Brian, who was approaching, "Do you know him?"
Following Teresa's gaze, Gabriel's eyes narrowed when he saw Brian's intense stare fixed on her, and he nodded, "Yeah, he's my aunt's son, Brian Hughes. Why, do you know him?"
Teresa nodded, "Yeah, I do know Brian. I met him back at the University of Jena. He was a grad there too."
Observing Teresa and listening to her, Gabriel's brow furrowed even more, "Did he ask you on a date back in Jena?"
Teresa met his gaze, speechless.
"Gabriel, long time no see!" Brian had come up to them and greeted Gabriel with a smile while they had been talking.
Finally shifting his attention from Teresa, Gabriel looked at Brian, a half-smile playing on his lips, "It has been a while. I had no idea my wife used to be your classmate."
Brian returned the smile and turned to Teresa, "Teresa, I honestly had no idea your husband was my cousin. You've kept it quite the secret."
"Now she is your cousin too," Gabriel's face turned cold as soon as Brian finished talking, reminding him firmly.
Meeting Gabriel's eyes, Brian didn't show a hint of embarrassment and chuckled, "That’s right." Raising his glass, he smiled at Teresa, "Cousin Teresa, cheers!"
Teresa smiled and raised her glass to clink against Brian's, "Cheers, Brian."
