Chapter 73
Taking a deep breath to calm his passionate urges, he approached Teresa cautiously, not daring to overwhelm her again. He reached out, tenderly smoothing back the hair by her temple, "Honey, I'm sorry. That night... I was drugged, out of my mind, and driven by primal instinct. I promise it'll never be like that again."
Just mentioning that night gave Teresa goose bumps, and with a forceful push, she shoved Gabriel away. "Gabriel, just how many women have you been with? And did Unity ever stay in this room?"
Gabriel staggered back but quickly steadied himself, leaning casually against the door frame, looking down with piercing eyes at the fiery woman just inches away. His lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Jealous, sweetheart?"
"Jealous, my foot! Get out of my way!" Teresa pushed against his firm chest once more, then slipped past him, her eyes scanning the room critically. "It's too dark in here with the way the furniture is arranged, and I hate the color of these curtains. They all need to go."
Gabriel's suite was expansive, with what Teresa estimated to be at least seven or eight hundred square feet of space, complete with a study, bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom.
Following her around the room, Gabriel nodded. "Alright, we'll change it."
"I don't like the carpet either."
" That'll change too."
"What's with that painting? It's awful," Teresa grimaced at a painting hanging above Gabriel's bed.
Without hesitation, he responded, "Consider it gone. We'll hang our wedding photo instead."
Teresa rolled her eyes and turned back to him. "And the wallpaper is awful."
"Got it. We’ll replace everything with what you like," Gabriel said, reaching out to wrap his arms around her from behind.
Upon his touching, Teresa felt like an electric shock and warned sternly, "Gabriel, keep your hands to yourself."
He looked at her with a wry smile. "Honey, you have no idea. I've been celibate for three years."
Teresa responded skeptically. "That's not my problem! And as if I'd believe you."
Frustration creased his brow, but then he couldn't help chuckling. "And during these past three years, have you been keeping yourself just for me?"
Keeping herself just for him? Ridiculous!
With a scoff of disbelief, Teresa turned on her heel and strode out the door.
"Honey!" Gabriel called out, but as she walked past him, he swept her into his arms, hugging her tightly and murmuring apologies. "I'm sorry, I was out of line — couldn't help it. Truth is, I've missed you so much, I just want you back."
Wrapped in his embrace, Teresa stood perfectly still, her face stern as she commanded, "Let go!"
"Honey..."
"Let go!"
Gabriel's grip finally loosened around the visibly irritated figure in his arms.
As soon as his hold eased, Teresa shot him a glare and strode away from him with determination.
With a helpless yet blissfully happy chuckle, Gabriel lowered his head and hurried to catch up.
Even though he couldn’t fully claim Teresa's heart and body just yet, simply holding her, stealing kisses, and playfully bantering with her were enough to fill him with contentment.
They hadn’t made it many steps out of the room when Teresa's dangling hand was enveloped by a large, warm one.
She threw a fierce look to the side at the man who’d caught up and tried to shake off his grasp. After several unsuccessful attempts, she resigned herself to his hold.
"Teresa, everyone's here. Come on," Mason called warmly, beckoning as soon as Teresa and Gabriel descended the stairs.
Downstairs, Raymond and Katherine were idly toying with Croissant. Catching sight of Gabriel, who was holding Teresa's hand so tightly it seemed he’d never let go, and the unmistakable joy and sweetness in his eyes that had never been there before Teresa, they were freshly reminded of Gabriel's deep affection and fondness for her.
Raymond, as a father, had no strange feeling about the sudden addition of Teresa as a daughter-in-law and was pleased to see the couple's strong relationship. Katherine, however, felt a small knot of discomfort take root inside her. It was as though her son, whom she had doted on for nearly three decades, had been swept away by another woman, leaving her with a sense of loss.
"Okay," Teresa nodded at Mason, giving her hand another try to withdraw it from Gabriel's.
This time, Gabriel let go, and together they approached Mason.
Mason was all smiles, leading Teresa, with Gabriel following close behind. Katherine, holding Croissant, and Raymond joined them as well.
Outside, a sea of figures had gathered on the grounds below the main house's steps. Taking in the sight, Teresa realized that between the housekeeper, bodyguards, and various staff, the number was easily upward of 300.
More than 300 people were in service of a family of four. Now it was a family of six, including her and Croissant.
No wonder Unity had once schemed and gone to such lengths, impersonating her just to marry into the Garcia family.
Not to mention, Gabriel was the epitome of elite — a rare breed with his combination of looks and competence that you couldn't easily find across the entire nation.
"Sir, we've arrived," the butler announced with a respectful smile, as he watched Mason lead Teresa and the rest of the group outside.
At the foot of the steps, the crowd of several hundred people gazed upon Teresa and the little munchkin, their faces strangers to most. Yet, the sharp ones in the crowd glimpsed at the little one and seemed to catch on to something.
With an authoritative nod, Mason acknowledged their arrival and swept his eagle-like gaze over everyone. "I've gathered you all here to properly introduce the newest members of the Garcia family. From this day forward, Teresa is my granddaughter-in-law, and little Michael is the fourth generation of our proud lineage. Keep them in mind."
"In the future, you should regard Teresa as you would me. Should anyone show her any disrespect, they can leave — and never work for any of our enterprises again!" Mason declared. At that moment, Gabriel wrapped his arms around Teresa, openly showing his support for his wife.
Teresa glanced at him, a touch speechless, but then turned her smile to the crowd, "Hello everyone, I'm Teresa. Today is my first time coming home to the Garcia family. It was a bit rushed, and I didn't prepare anything special. As a token of my appreciation for your welcome, I'd like to offer a month-salary bonus for everyone this month. I'm looking forward to a joyful future together."
A month-salary bonus as a welcome gift? There couldn't be a more tangible gesture, and upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy. They thanked Teresa profusely, praising her beauty, kindness, and generosity.
"If my wife is being so generous, I've got to step up as well," Gabriel said, arms still around her. "Let's double that." His gaze was so tender.
Mason, overhearing this, burst into hearty laughter. "Well, if my grandchildren are setting the bar that high, then as the senior, I'll add another month's salary for all. Enjoy yourselves and keep up the good work!"
"Well, you and Gabriel have already given out rewards, and in just one day, we have a daughter-in-law and a grandson as new family members — we definitely need to celebrate this. We've decided to give everyone an extra month's salary as a bonus." Stepping forward with Croissant in her arms, Katherine beamed and continued, "Pay close attention now, everyone. This is Michael, my grandson."
