Chapter 196
Chapter 196:
The more Gabriela replayed it, the more her frustration simmered. She kicked off the covers and sat up. Wesley was truly uninterested in women. Somehow, she felt an inexplicable sense of dismay about that.
She grabbed her water glass and drained it, but her throat still felt parched. Sleep was a lost cause. She padded to the full-length mirror, studying her reflection. She wasn’t plain. Actually, far from it. Her figure was decent, her face more than passable. And yet, when their bodies pressed together, Wesley hadn’t shown so much as an inkling of desire for her. Infuriating.
But then, the instant his striking features flashed in her mind, her irritation faded into a hollow ache. He was tall, impossibly handsome, wealthy, and carried himself with an elegance that could slice the air. Of course he wouldn’t look twice at her.
Gabriela let out a bitter laugh. Back in college, she had only dated Dustin, a despicable man who cheated on her. Then she entered the workforce and quickly fell for her boss—the unforgivable workplace taboo. And Wesley wasn’t interested in women at all. She’d even once convinced herself he was pretending to be Brenden. The shame was unbearable. She couldn’t face him again, especially after all this. Tomorrow, she’d make her farewells and disappear from this whole mess.
The next morning, Gabriela stepped into the living room and froze. The space, normally serene and quiet, was bustling with people. Even the chef, who had already left for the holidays, had returned. For a house this size, a large staff was expected, but Wesley liked things calm. Usually, the servants kept to the far wings, well out of his way. Seeing them all gathered together, she realized for the first time just how many people it took to run the estate.
It didn’t take long to piece together that Wesley was handing out the New Year’s gifts. Every year, the tradition was the same: the staff got their presents early, so they could go home and celebrate properly.
Gabriela’s planned farewell caught in her throat. She had helped wrap these very boxes, each packed with something extravagant. And, well… it would be a shame to leave without one. So she sidled into the line of servants, aiming to walk away with her own generous parting gift.
As the minutes passed, she listened to the young servants, their cheeks pink, their voices pitched high with excitement.
“Mr. Moss is just as generous as he is handsome p>
𝖱e𝖺𝗱 t𝘩е 𝘭a𝘁еst 𝘵𝘳е𝘯𝗱ѕ 𝘰𝗻
“I know! Usually Miriam’s the one who hands them out. I can’t believe he’s doing it himself this year p>
“I’m keeping that gift forever p>
Gabriela couldn’t help but sigh. Poor things. They could moon over him all they wanted, but Wesley wouldn’t even give them a second glance.
He moved through the line briskly, each gift handed off with practiced efficiency. Then, at last, it was Gabriela’s turn. A sidelong glance, and then, without a word, the box slid right past her hands and into the next person’s waiting arms. It was as if she were invisible to him.
Soon enough, the last box was handed over.
Gabriela blinked in disbelief. “Don’t I get one, Mr. Moss p>
The expectant glint in her eyes made Wesley’s mouth twitch, half in irritation, half in reluctant amusement. After everything that had gone down last night, she still had the gall to stand in line with a composed expression as if nothing had occurred.
His answer was merciless. “The gifts are prepared for the household staff. And technically…” His gaze lingered on her just long enough to sting. “You’re just a temp. Not an official employee p>
The warmth drained from Gabriela’s expression, her smile freezing in place. Wesley, of course, enjoyed every second of it—watching her seethe behind a composed mask, knowing she couldn’t lash out.
Leaning in just enough to make sure she caught the words, he added, his tone all stern authority with a spark of mischief underneath, “Which means—you get nothing p>