CHAPTER 49. Surprise Visit
1486 Words
"Now, tell me. What is that woman doing inside your house?" Rachel asked, still with a grimacing face and crossed arms.
Gabriel sighed and sat on a single sofa in front of the lady.
"I met Crystal on an island when I had my escape a year back." He started.
"Island?" Rachel repeated while listening intently to him.
"Yes. I also met her parents there, but now they are missing. That's why I kept her here and promised to help her find them." He calmly explains while looking down at the floor, hoping that Layla convinces Crystal to eat her dinner.
"No! That is not happening because her parents are dead!" Unexpectedly Rachel cried, standing up from her seat, and that made Gabriel look up at her with furrowed eyebrows.
"What? How do you know that?" her sudden words confused him.
Rachel swallowed several times and slowly positioned herself back on the sofa.
"No. I mean, I only suppose because if her parents are still alive, they should have shown up already for sure and will not let their daughter work in a strip club, right?" She tried to reason, but it only brought Gabriel into more confusion.
"Wait, a minute." Gabriel stood up.
"How did you even know that Crystal came from that place? Did you and your father ask your goons to follow me?" He feels disturbed.
"You're unbelievable! Is that how desperate you are, Rachel?"
"Gab, no. It wasn't me, It's my dad! He has a connection with Margaux and that's how I knew about it." She said and about to embrace the man, but Gabriel did not let her touch him and shoved her both hands away.
"I can't believe how horrible this life is! I thought I could escape this engagement already but here I am, still stuck with you!" He dramatically said and abruptly kicked the sofa. His behavior startled Rachel but doesn't mind it, as she is already used to his annoyance with her
"Don't blame me, it was your father's fault. If only he manages your company well, he will not be indebted. And, might as well you can save your company and living, but that's life, sweetheart." Again, a wicked smile crept upon her face.
“Now, if you want to keep your company, and your other assets, you have no choice but to endure me for the rest of your life.” She added, fastening her arms around his neck.
“By the way, I’m here to continue our wild exploration. Are you ready?” she enticingly said as she caressed her body against his.
“Stop it, I’m not in the mood tonight.” Gabriel declined.
“Oh, don’t say that, darling. I know you and don't worry, because I know how to put you in the mood, come on.” The lady kisses his jaw and neck.
"I said stop it. Besides, I'm starving, I haven't eaten dinner yet. You want to join me?" Gabriel invited her just to divert her attention.
"Sure," Rachel answered, and suddenly noticed the cuts on his arm.
"Where did you get this from?" Rachel asked, raising his arm to have a better look at it.
"Don't mind about it, it's nothing." He answered, pulling his hand off her grip and proceeding to walk to the kitchen.
"Where is Layla, by the way? I haven't seen her since I arrived." Rachel notices as she strides, following Gabriel from behind.
"I sent her for an errand," he said shortly.
"And Crystal? You should demand her to do the housework as well, especially when Layla is not around." Rachel commented, pulling a seat for herself in front of the dining table.
"Could you please let go of Crystal?" Gabriel suddenly grumbled in a deep, calm tone, and that made Rachel huffed with so much irritation.
"What is wrong with you, Gab!?" Slamming her hands on the table, furious.
"Why do you keep on defending her? You know what? I don't want that woman to stay here anymore, kick her out or throw her back to where she came from, I don't care!" She demanded.
"Stop acting like a brat, Rachel. This is my house, and she is staying here if you like it or not." Gabriel faces her as he stops from serving the dinner.
"I'm not an acting brat, Gabriel. I just wanted to keep what is mine for myself only and I don't trust that woman roaming around my fiance's house!"
"Gabriel? Rachel? What is going on here?" Suddenly Camila interrupted as she entered the dining area. The two also turned to where the voice came from.
"Mom?" his mother's sudden arrival surprises Gabriel.
"Yes, it's me." She chuckles as she walks towards her son and gives her a warm, tight hug.
"Good to see you again, auntie." Rachel also came over to greet the middle-aged woman.
"So? What's the commotion between you two?" Camila asked, looking at them while Rachel rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Why don't you ask your son?" She bluntly speaks with no respect to her possible future mother-in-law.
Camila sighed with her attitude and just turn to look at her son, trying to find some hint.
"That was nothing, mom," Gabriel said and continued what he was doing, putting three plates on the table.
"Nothing!? You bought a woman from a strip club and you let her stay here!" Rachel doesn't care, even if Gabriel's mother is around.
"Can't you shut your mouth?" Gabriel countered with his sharp eyes towards the lady.
"You know what? I shouldn't have gone here."
"I always told you the same thing, to never show yourself, but it’s who you keep on bothering me," Gabriel retorted, and went back inside the kitchen.
"I better go." she turned to Camila.
"And please, talk to your son and tell him to get rid of that disgusting woman inside these premises, or else I'll make my move." She warned and proceeded to walk out of the dining room.
"Is she gone?" Gabriel asked when he peeks at his mother, who only shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm so tired of that Rachel and her father." She remarked as he strode back to the dining room with the food in his hand, grabbing himself a seat.
"Son, is it true that you bought a woman from a club?" Camila unbelievably asked standing across the rectangular table in front of Gabriel.
He sighed and crumpled his hair before he spoke.
"But I only do that to save her." He let out.
"Save her? What do you mean?" Camila inquired.
"Please, I'm so tired of explaining." Gabriel covers his face with his palms out of so much frustration.
"Fine, I want to meet this lady. Call her out." His mother demands.
Gabriel fumbles his phone inside his pocket and pulls it out, dialing Layla's number.
"Bring Crystal to the dining area now." He shortly orders when the lady picks up the call.
After a few minutes, Layla arrives with Crystal following her from behind with her head bent down and frowned face. Gabriel hurriedly stood up to attend to the lady.
"It's good to see you again, Ma'am Camila." Layla delightfully greeted the woman the moment she saw her, as she also bent her head slightly in respect.
"Hi, Layla." Camila greeted her back before she switches her attention back to her son and the other lady.
"Did you eat your dinner?" He tenderly asked, but the lady didn't answer and only kept on looking down. Gabriel turned to the servant instead.
"She did, sir," Layla told him with a wide smile.
"Come, I'll introduce you to someone." He tried holding her hand, but Crystal refused and shoved his hand. Gabriel sighed.
While from a bit of distance, Camila is watching her son and the lady he is talking with. But when she notices Crystal doesn't feel comfortable, she walks closer in their direction instead.
"Hi," she greeted her also, and that's when Crystal adjusted her head to look up at the owner of the voice.
"H-Hi." she timidly responded.
Camila pushes Gabriel aside to have a better look at the woman's face.
"My name is Camila, Gabriel's mother." She introduces herself with a smile glued to her face while extending her hand for a shake, which Crystal shyly accepted.
"What's your name?" She asked again.
"Cry-Crystal." She stuttered.
"Are you scared or shy? Come, I want to know more about you." Camila held the lady's arm and led her to the living area, leaving Gabriel behind.
"Mom, aren't you going to have dinner first?" Gabriel inquired.
"Thank you, but I had my dinner already, son," she informed him.
Gabriel jerked his head to the side to look at Layla.
"Layla, clean the table, please, and bring us some snacks,” he demanded and followed the ladies.
- Writer
