Chapter 351 Reunion and Reflections
Despite some of the secretaries being around Diana's age, they all addressed her as "Diana" out of respect for her senior position in the company.
Diana chuckled, "Company policy strictly prohibits gossiping about the boss. Let's get back to work."
With that, she turned on her heel and headed toward her own office.
Diana didn't mind how others talked or thought about her. What really concerned her was Liam's opinion.
Her relationship with Douglas was doomed from the start.
Now, she pondered, how could she make Douglas break up with her willingly?
...
Teresa and Gabriel had set their wedding date for February 18th, a date during the Lunar New Year celebrations.
As the days of the New Year passed, their wedding drew ever closer.
Due to final wedding prep and Teresa still not fully recovered, they spent the New Year quietly, only returning to the Bennetts for a brief visit with croissants in hand.
On the eighth day of the New Year, Diana unexpectedly called Teresa, suggesting they catch up over a meal and spend some time with her godson, Croissant.
Yesterday, Capital Construction and Prime Associates restarted operations after the holidays. With Mason and Raymond's encouragement, Teresa and Gabriel distributed bonuses to Capital Construction employees in the morning and to Prime Associates' employees in the afternoon.Yesterday, Capital Construction and Prime Associates officially resumed work after the holidays. Encouraged by Mason and Raymond, Teresa and Gabriel handed out bonuses to the employees at Capital Construction in the morning and at Prime Associates in the afternoon.
In the past, Teresa was used to receiving bonuses, but this year was the first time she gave them out, and it was a full day's work, literally until her hands were tired.
Each envelope contained two hundred dollars, and by the end of the day, they had given out millions in bonuses to the staff of both Capital Construction and Prime Associates.
In the past, Raymond and his son Gabriel would distribute the bonuses. However, this year, it was Gabriel and Teresa. This was a clear statement to everyone that Teresa was now officially part of the Garcia family, the future matriarch, and the lady overseeing both Capital Construction and Prime Associates.Historically, Raymond and his son Gabriel would distribute the bonuses. Still, this year, it was Gabriel and Teresa, an unmistakable declaration to the world that Teresa was now the rightful Mrs. Garcia of the Garcia family, the future matriarch, and the lady of both Capital Construction and Prime Associates.
Teresa had originally planned to stay at home today, but when Diana took the initiative to invite her out, how could she possibly decline?
Teresa was ready to bring Croissant along for brunch with her best friend, much to Gabriel's chagrin.
"Why bother going out? I can have someone pick up Diana and bring her here. Why drag our son out?" he grumbled.
In the walk-in closet, as Teresa helped Gabriel straighten his tie and mentioned her midday plan to dine with Diana and Croissant, he wrapped his arms around her, visibly annoyed.
Teresa chided him with playful annoyance, "Why is it that you get to go to all these social events, but I can't go out and see my friends?"
That evening, Gabriel and Raymond had an important dinner to attend. It was their first major social engagement after the New Year, bringing together influential figures whose presence alone could send ripples through River North.
"Then why don't you join me?" Gabriel wrapped his arms around her, his tone whining and childlike as he clung to her.
Teresa pouted, "A bunch of stuffy old men at dinner, and you're the only person there under sixty. Sounds utterly boring!"
Gabriel laughed and tenderly kissed her forehead, "Then just focus on me, and you'll be fine."
As Teresa neatly tied his tie and straightened his shirt, she gave him a mock glare, "No way. Diana and I haven't seen each other in almost two weeks. She might not call me, but I've been meaning to catch up with her."
Since Teresa was insistent, Gabriel had no choice but to concede, "Alright, when it's over on my end, I'll comeAll right, when it's over on my end, I'll come to pick you two up."
"Okay." Teresa nodded, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a kiss on his lips, "Now, you can go ahead and—" She was cut off mid-sentence as Gabriel cradled the back of her head and deepened their brief peck into a more lingering kiss.
Teresa found herself unable to resist Gabriel's advances as they grew more intense. Before long, she had her arms around his neck, returning his passion eagerly. After a prolonged, sensual kiss that lasted a few minutes, and as Teresa's breathing became labored, Gabriel pushed her against the clear glass of the closet door. His forehead touched hers, his dark eyes locked intensely onto hers as he whispered,Teresa found herself increasingly unable to resist Gabriel's advances.
Soon, her arms were wrapped around his neck, reciprocating his passion fervently.
Following a long, sensual kiss that lasted a couple of minutes, and once Teresa's breath became ragged, Gabriel pressed her against the clear glass of the closet door. His forehead rested against hers, his dark eyes intensely fixed on her as he rasped, "We've still got time. How about we make this quick and—"
"Shut up!" Teresa, a little breathless, scolded him and covered his mouth with her hand, cutting him off, "My dad might already be downstairs waiting for you. Hurry up and go."
The night before, she had mentioned being too tired, so Gabriel had refrained from touching her.
But now, the repressed hunger inside him was clawing its way out, and he felt like he was on the brink of combustion.
Looking at the petite woman in his arms, Gabriel's eyes were filled with a pitiful longing as he pleaded, "Sweetheart, do you see the state I'm in? How can I possibly go downstairs like this?"
"What do you mean 'how?' You just walk down the—Go!" But before she could finish her sentence, "Mmm!"
Once again, Gabriel didn't wait for her to finish. He dipped his head and captured her lips, and while kissing her, he bent down slightly, scooping her into his arms, murmuring vaguely, "Just ten minutes, only ten minutes..."
...
True to his word, Gabriel kept perfect track of time. After precisely ten minutes, the encounter concluded, and he left the house, looking thoroughly refreshed and invigorated.
Teresa tidied up, and half an hour later, she too was out the door with a croissant in hand.
She had a meeting with Diana at an upscale club owned by the Bennett Group. Upon her arrival, the staff, recognizing their esteemed Miss, greeted Teresa with sincere smiles and New Year's wishes.
Teresa was generous, giving large red envelopes to every employee she met. Delighted by Teresa's generosity, the staff eagerly followed her and the Croissant to their private room despite the distance they had to walk.Teresa was generous, handing out big red envelopes to each employee she encountered. Delighted by Teresa's gifts, the staff walked miles to follow her and the Croissant to their private room.
"Auntie, Auntie!" Diana was already there. The moment the Croissant—led by Teresa—spotted her, it scampered toward her with its stubby little legs.
"Croissant!" Diana stood up from the sofa, strode over to scoop up the little one, and planted a big kiss on him. "Auntie missed you so much, Croissant. Did you miss Auntie?"
"Yup, baby missed Auntie." The little one nodded emphatically, returning the kiss to Diana.
"That's my boy." Diana laughed, pulling out a big red envelope from her pocket and handing it to him. "Here's a little New Year's gift for you, Croissant. Use it to buy some sweets."
"Baby, you forgot to say something to Auntie," Teresa said, setting down her purse and hanging up her coat. She watched the joyful interaction and gently reminded the little one.
"Giggles... Happy New Year, Auntie, and may you be prosperous!" the little one immediately bowed to Diana in the traditional New Year's gesture.
Diana gave him another big kiss after handing over the envelope. "Our croissant is the best."
