Chapter 172
Chapter 172:
At that precise moment, Brenden lifted a crisp celery stalk and bit down, his expression radiating pure satisfaction. Gabriela’s brow furrowed with growing suspicion.
A preposterous theory invaded her thoughts. Could the man sitting before her be an entirely different person from “NotASaunders” on WhatsApp?
Loretta’s heart twisted at the sight of Gabriela’s dejected posture. She yearned to confront every soul who had ever tormented this girl, forcing them to crawl back with groveling apologies.
Dinner hour arrived with merciless punctuality. Gabriela had crafted a dish and presented it before Wesley like an offering.
They all settled into their seats as the evening meal commenced.
“Mr. Moss, I prepared this barbecue pork belly specifically for you,” Gabriela announced, her voice bright with forced enthusiasm. “No artificial seasonings. It’s wholesome and captures the pork’s pure, rich essence. Please, taste it p>
Wesley found her earnest pride thoroughly entertaining. With elegant precision, he selected a generous piece and deposited it onto her plate. “Thank you for your kitchen efforts. You should sample it first,” he declared.
Gabriela stared at the glistening ivory chunk of fat-marbled meat occupying her plate, and her stomach revolted.
Loretta, thrilled to see Wesley showing concern for Gabriela, chimed in enthusiastically, “Gabriela, please eat up. You’re far too slender p>
Gabriela longed to protest, but under Loretta’s nurturing gaze she could only force down the fatty pork. The moment she swallowed the last morsel, she wanted nothing more than to flee to the opposite end of the continent from Wesley.
𝘋o𝘄𝗇𝗹𝗼𝘢𝘥ab𝗹e рD𝘍𝘀 𝗈n
As Gabriela discreetly shifted her chair away, her attention snagged on Brenden, who sat across from her, methodically devouring his fish with singular focus. The longer she observed him, the more confusion prickled at her consciousness.
During their WhatsApp exchanges about meal preferences, Brenden had explicitly rejected numerous dishes; his dietary restrictions had mirrored Wesley’s with uncanny precision. Yet the Brenden before her possessed an adventurous palate that defied all logic. He not only ate bland fish daily but devoured onions, celery, and even cilantro with apparent relish. At that precise moment, Brenden lifted a crisp celery stalk and bit down, his expression radiating pure satisfaction. Gabriela’s brow furrowed with growing suspicion.
A preposterous theory invaded her thoughts. Could the man sitting before her be an entirely different person from “NotASaunders” on WhatsApp?
While Gabriela wrestled with this absurd possibility, Wesley’s voice materialized beside her ear, low and honeyed. “What captivates your attention so completely? Focus on your meal p>
Reality crashed back. She glanced down and nearly choked on her dismay. An even larger, more grotesquely fatty piece of pork now dominated her plate.
She regretted making this dish for Wesley. Never again would she dare attempt such “revenge” against him.
Look on the bright side—that ten-year advance had catapulted her bank balance into seven glorious figures. Surely that would sweeten even the chore of cooking for Wesley during her precious leave.
She gnawed through the greasy meat while silently swearing this cursed dish would never contaminate Wesley’s table again.
Wesley observed her tortured expression and felt an unexpected pang of sympathy. But when his gaze drifted to Brenden, his features hardened with renewed irritation. His displeasure ran bone-deep.