Chapter 150

Chapter 150:

He was certain he hadn’t done anything to warrant her displeasure.

What was she up to this time?

“Go on, try it,” Loretta said.

Catching the slight pause in Wesley’s movements and fully aware of his aversion to certain foods, Gabriela cut in, “Mr. Moss can’t stand onions. They make him queasy p>

Loretta’s brows lifted in genuine surprise. “Really? And how would you know that p>

“I occasionally take a part-time role at the company, making his lunch,” Gabriela replied evenly.

Rеa𝖽 𝘧𝘳𝗼𝘮 𝘺𝗼𝘂𝘳 𝗉𝗵оnе 𝗈n

Loretta shot Miriam a quick look, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them, before she said with a hint of reproach, “You’re coddling him too much. A man shouldn’t be spoiled. If spicy food is off the table because of his heart, then these are exactly what he should eat p>

Without giving Wesley a chance to object, she scooped a generous mound of onions and celery onto his plate. “I put a lot of effort into making this meal. You’re a grown man, still fussing like a child over vegetables. And you think you have the right to sulk p>

Her sharp tone was nothing he couldn’t ignore. But staring down a plate piled high with onions, celery, and cilantro? That was another matter entirely. His jaw tightened, and a storm settled in his eyes.

When Wesley made no move to eat, Loretta let out a sharp huff. “Eat them or don’t, but don’t expect me to whip up anything else p>

Wesley wasn’t about to spar with her over a single meal. Setting down his fork, he leaned back in his chair, meeting her gaze with quiet composure.

At the company, Gabriela had long been accustomed to smoothing over his moods. Catching the faint tension in his expression, she stepped in. “How about I make something else for Mr. Moss p>

Loretta’s mouth tightened, clearly unhappy with the offer, but she relented. “You’re a guest, but if you insist… Oh, and keep it mild. Wesley can’t have anything too salty p>

In no time, Gabriela prepared a fragrant borscht without onions and a perfectly braised carp.

It had been days since Wesley had tasted her cooking, and the moment he did, his mood lightened noticeably.

Loretta and Miriam each sampled the food and exchanged impressed looks, declaring it better than a professional chef’s.

Once Wesley’s plate was nearly empty, Loretta leaned forward. “Gabriela, since you’re free over the holidays, why not stay here and work part-time? You wouldn’t have to do anything except cook for Wesley p>

Gabriela froze, caught off guard. “But p>

She was supposed to be on vacation. The idea of spending it under her boss’s roof, constantly catering to his preferences, was hardly appealing.

Loretta said matter-of-factly, “He’s clearly used to your cooking. Look how much he enjoyed it today. You should stay p>

Wesley’s brows arched ever so slightly.

This time, Loretta had a point.

Having Gabriela’s cooking every day through the holidays would be a luxury worth keeping.

Sensing Gabriela’s reluctance, Loretta asked, “How much do you make per day cooking for Wesley at the company p>

Gabriela faltered.

The truth was, she’d never been paid for it. She’d only taken on the role to repay that outrageously expensive women’s suit, and along the way had become his unpaid taste tester and grocery runner.

For all her twenty-eight-thousand-dollar monthly salary, it wasn’t exactly easy money.

“Well,” Loretta said, “I suppose we should give you more than your usual rate. I’ll offer three thousand a day. How about that?” She had no idea what white-collar wages looked like these days, but figured a graduate student shouldn’t be offered too little.

Gabriela had been rehearsing her polite refusal—until that number hit her.

Three thousand. A day. Oh, she could live with that.

At that rate, she might just sign up to be Wesley’s personal chef until the end of time.

Her eyes lit despite her best efforts to stay composed. Leaning toward him, she asked, voice tinged with anticipation, “Mr. Moss, do you think your grandmother’s offer is workable p>

Wesley, catching every flicker of calculation behind her gaze, found her enthusiasm faintly entertaining. With the kind of smooth ease that came naturally to him, he replied, “Of course p>