Chapter 201
Her hand hadn't even touched Gabriel's skin when he suddenly opened his eyes—a deep and intense black, piercing through her with a startling chill as he let out a low chide.
Startled by his reaction, Skylar retracted her hand immediately, noticing his complexion grow even paler as she stammered, "Boss, are you sick? You seem like you might have a fever."
Gabriel cast a fleeting glance at her, aware of her good intentions. She'd been by his side for several years without overstepping once, so he chose not to be harsh with her. Straightening up in his chair, he grabbed a folder and began to flip through it as he said, "Go on, fetch me some fever-reducing pills."
"Yes, sir," Skylar nodded respectfully and left swiftly.
"What's up?"
Once she exited Gabriel's office, she bumped into Finley, who was carrying a stack of documents for Gabriel. Noticing Skylar's distressed expression, Finley quickly asked, "What's going on?"
"The Boss seems to have caught a cold; he's running a fever. I'm off to get his medicine," Skylar whispered to Finley. A thought struck her, and she softly inquired, "Didn't the Boss go to the capital with his wife yesterday? How come he's sick all of a sudden?"
Finley was well aware that Gabriel had spent several chilly hours outside the Bennett family estate last night, and he knew why too. But the affairs of their boss and his lady were not their business to discuss. Wisely, he advised, "Don't concern yourself with what's not your business. Better hurry up with that medicine."
"Okay."
"Oh, right, did you come up with that list of gift ideas to cheer up a lady?" Upon remembering, Finley asked as Skylar was about to leave.
With a shrug, Skylar replied, "Regular women are easy to please, but our boss's wife? She's no regular woman."
Finley groaned inwardly, "Keep thinking about it, please."
Skylar felt utterly perplexed. Teresa was already so blessed, having a devoted husband like Gabriel and everything she could want. Why the need for daily gifts to keep her happy?
...
Early in the morning, Teresa drove herself to the foreign school. She had been preparing for the diplomatic service exams and hadn't focused much on teaching or college affairs. With this year's exams now a lost cause, she redirected her energy toward her academic responsibilities.
Teresa had conceived an idea for a scholarly paper but had put it on hold due to other commitments. Now with time on her hands, it was an opportunity to get it done and boost her publications.
If a career in diplomacy was out of reach, she couldn't remain just a lecturer forever. She had to aim for a professorship!
So that morning, she spent hours in her office, engrossed in her writing.
Terry was truly taken aback to find Teresa at work at that time of the day. It was anticipated that she would return only in the afternoon, but there she was, completing paperwork at the crack of dawn.
"Why are you here so early? I thought you'd be back in the afternoon," Terry smiled as he walked in.
Teresa replied with a soft laugh, "I finished up early, so I came back."
Terry nodded, still smiling, "So, how did it go? Any issues with the grading?"
Just as Terry finished his question, Teresa's stomach growled audibly, betraying her hunger. "Sounds like someone skipped breakfast. How about we grab some lunch together? It's the perfect time," Terry suggested with a chuckle.
Teresa, who had only had an apple for breakfast, was starved. Nodding in agreement, she packed up her things and joined Terry for lunch.
Their lunch was at the campus cafeteria. Teresa ate heartily, her hunger making her less reserved than usual. With afternoon classes and academic papers to prepare, she had to return to her office after lunch. Terry, having no other pressing matters, accompanied her back.
But during their elevator trip together, Teresa felt a sudden warmth and a sheen of sweat appeared on her skin.
"It's so hot in here!" Not only did Teresa notice the heat, but Terry felt it too.
"I agree, it is really warm," Teresa said, furrowing her brow in discomfort as she turned to him.
"Teresa..." Terry, captivated by her radiant beauty, began to lose his composure and reached out to take her hand.
At that exact moment, the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival at Teresa's floor. Her reflexes kicked in, and she withdrew her hand quickly, stepping out of the elevator with haste.
"Teresa!" In a flush of heat and emotion, Terry called out after her and followed her determinedly.
Once in the office, Teresa rushed for a bottle of water and guzzled it down, but after only a couple of sips, the office door was slammed shut. Terry advanced, snatched the water bottle from her hands, discarded it, and then pulled her close for a passionate kiss.
"Mmm..."
Teresa tried to push him away, but her strength faltered, her body growing weak as her resistance faded.
"Teresa, don't... don't reject me," Terry eased his grip, still cradling her face, his forehead pressed against hers, "I've liked you since freshman year. Please, don't push me away..."
As he spoke, he leaned in for another kiss.
Teresa stared at the face just inches away from hers, but the vision dancing before her eyes and in her mind was of Gabriel, breathtakingly handsome to the point of being a curse. Slowly, she shut her eyes and began to respond to Terry's advances...
Knock, knock... Outside, the original plan had been to send Finley with some documents. Gabriel couldn't stand the wait, though, and decided to come over himself.
Now, not only did he feel physically unwell, but his heart also ached. He longed for Teresa's forgiveness, yearning for things to go back to how they were just yesterday afternoon.
Despite knocking for quite some time, there was no response from within the office.
He had confirmed with her bodyguard; Teresa was indeed in her office.
Knock, knock... Bang!
Just as the echo of Gabriel's second knock faded, a loud crash of something being shattered came from the office, startling him. He immediately pushed the door open...
