Chapter 338
Chapter 338:
What made her think he’d give her the project?
Was it because he had confessed his feelings more than once?
Or because, back when she worked in sales here, she’d helped him seal that nearly impossible deal with Mason?
She drew in a slow breath, steeling herself. If this meeting went south, she would leave without another word.
Then the door opened, and there he was. Wesley’s gaze found her instantly.
It was late October, the air just starting to sharpen with the bite of autumn. Gabriela stood in the room in a pale pink suit and short skirt, layered with a light gray trench coat, looking radiant and composed.
Wesley couldn’t ignore it. After six months away, Gabriela carried herself with a quiet maturity that made his pulse spike if he let his gaze linger too long. He forced himself to look away, his tone cool and detached. “Miss Haynes, what brings you here p>
His voice wasn’t as sharp as she’d feared. Gabriela drew in a steadying breath to compose herself. “Mr. Moss, I came to ask if you’d consider letting me handle the GD Fashion Week project. I can trade it for another deal if you’d like p>
A low, amused sound slipped from Wesley. “And what project does the Haynes Group have that could possibly interest me p>
His words were sharp, but Gabriela held her ground, her voice calm, almost pleading. “That project is nothing to Apex p>
Y𝗼𝗎r 𝗻𝖾𝗑𝘵 𝖿𝘢𝗏o𝗿𝗶𝘵𝖾 r𝗲𝗮𝗱 і𝗌 𝗼𝘯
“You want it that badly?” Wesley cut in, his voice dropping, steady and deep.
Gabriela nodded firmly. “Yes p>
“Unfortunately, I’m not interested in any of your company’s projects.” With unhurried movements, Wesley lowered himself onto the sofa, crossing one leg over the other with casual authority. “But you can offer me something else p>
Her brows knit slightly. “Then, what do you want, Mr. Moss p>
His eyes swept over her, his tone deceptively relaxed. “You p>
Gabriela froze, clutching her coat tighter around her as though it could shield her from his gaze. “Mr. Moss, you know I don’t have romantic feelings for you. You can’t force me to p>
“That’s not what I had in mind.” A dry scoff escaped him. “I just want you to come work for me. Be my personal secretary, and the project is yours p>
Her mind stalled, shock rendering her momentarily speechless. “But why?” Wesley had no shortage of capable staff. Tessa alone was among the sharpest in the industry. Why her?
His lips curved, calm but deliberate. “I’m very satisfied with your cooking p>
Gabriela blinked, momentarily thrown, unable to mask her surprise.
Was that all she was to him? A cook?
She was completely fine with cooking for him, but balancing her company duties with a child at home made the prospect daunting. It would be asking too much of her.
After a pause, she finally spoke. “Mr. Moss, I can take the role, but only part-time. As the CEO of my own company, I must maintain some dignity amongst my employees p>
Wesley arched an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
“I can assist you as a personal secretary, but only after work hours. Would that be acceptable to you?” she added carefully.
He considered her for a moment, then nodded. “Very well p>
He extended his hand, enveloping hers in a firm, warm grip. “Welcome aboard p>
Gabriela forced a tight, polite smile, her hand stiff in his.
“Perfect timing,” he said with a mischievous grin. “I’m about to head out for dinner. Join me p>
Reluctantly, Gabriela followed him to a restaurant.
This time, Wesley hadn’t reserved a private room. He had chosen the main hall instead.
Whether by design or sheer mischief, nearly every dish he ordered was packed with celery and onions.
Even the fish soup came with a generous sprinkle of cilantro.
Gabriela had to remove the ingredients he didn’t like for him.
Her worry for her baby at home made her speed up.
She quickly stripped every stalk of celery from the beef.
Wesley, seemingly satisfied, lifted his fork, ready to eat.
Out of nowhere, a young woman appeared beside their table. “Miss Haynes? What a coincidence running into you here p>
Gabriela froze mid-motion.
Of all days, on her very first stint as Wesley’s part-time secretary, she had been caught red-handed by her own employee.