Chapter 24 Suits and Schemes
Gabriel Garcia's wardrobe was a testament to tailoring at its finest, far beyond the reach of any ordinary retail outlet.
Perched in his executive suite, he watched Teresa approach Nebula Consumer Products, her hands clutching a garment bag. A plan was brewing in his mind, one that promised to be as intriguing as it was impromptu.
Teresa, however, proved more exasperating than he had anticipated. During the drive to the mall, she kept a distance on purpose, choosing the back seat and fixating on the world outside the window, leaving Gabriel to a silence he hadn't expected.
They arrived at River North's most opulent shopping center, parked in the underground sanctuary. Teresa remained silent, she was only following Gabriel.
In the elevator, Gabriel's eyes flicked across the directory, selecting the sixth floor. It was a heaven for high-end menswear. He headed to Armani without hesitation, and Teresa was behind him.
Their presence turned heads. Gabriel, for his stature and mystery,; Teresa, for her grace and anonymity. The Bennett family had kept her out of the public's attention.
"Welcome, sir! How may I help?" greeted a sales associate. Her smile was warm and welcoming.
Gabriel didn’t care about the pleasantries, but made a beeline for the suits straight.
"This one?" he asked Teresa, it’s a navy jacket with a touch of British elegance.
"Anything's fine," she replied, her voice was tinged with disinterest.
Gabriel's smirk grew. "I assume Teresa Bennett isn't short on funds."
"You owe me for one outfit," she shot back, her annoyance clear.
He leaned in, and whispered, "That includes the shirt, pants, shoes...and the underwear."
Teresa stepped back and stared at him.
"Let's take this one, and a white shirt," Gabriel decided, his mood was undiminished by her glare, but charmed by her fiery spirit.
"Right away, sir," the salesperson replied, fetching the items with practiced charm.
As Gabriel disappeared into the fitting room, Teresa's frustration simmered.
He soon reappeared, the new attire drawing admiring looks and praise.
"Teresa, what do you think?" Gabriel called, catching her distracted by her phone.
"You're insufferable," she hissed, her disdain barely veiled.
"What’s that supposed to mean?" he pressed, pretending not to hear. "You don’t like it?"
