Chapter 219
Chapter 219:
“No, thanks,” he replied, voice flat. “I don’t want coffee. Sit there, and don’t hover in front of me unless absolutely necessary p>
“Understood,” she said cautiously, trying to measure every word. “Then I’ll stay out of your way. If you need anything, just say the word. I’ll be right here p>
Wesley turned toward her, eyes lingering a beat too long before a cold laugh escaped. “That face of yours… it’s clearly earned you a lot of secret admirers. One of them was even eager enough to send flowers first thing in the morning p>
Gabriela froze.
𝗙o𝘭l𝗼w us 𝗈n.со𝗺
What was going on with him today?
His temper was unusually sharp, his words cutting in a way that set her nerves on edge. Since their night run yesterday, he had been in a foul mood.
Could Fiona’s unexpected visit be the source of his sour mood? Gabriela wondered. Well, it would be better not to think too much of it. In the office, the cardinal rule was clear: never presume to read the boss’s mind.
Wesley’s scornful laugh broke through her thoughts as he noticed her standing quietly to the side. He had to give her credit—she was a master at feigning ignorance. He dismissed her entirely, turning back to his computer as if she were already invisible.
All day, Gabriela kept herself taut, every task executed with precision and speed. At two-thirty in the afternoon, Wesley convened a meeting with his team to review the investment plan for the first half of the year.
After updating his schedule, Gabriela made her way to the break room.
A short while later, Tessa entered and noticed Gabriela in a daze. “Ms. Haynes, why are you standing here p>
“Ah, nothing,” Gabriela replied, glancing up, then blurted out, “Ms. Ortiz, is it alright if I take the rest of the day off p>
“Is everything okay?” Tessa asked, concern knitting her brow.
Gabriela explained, “There’s an urgent family matter I need to handle p>
Tessa, aware of Gabriela’s complicated family matters, pressed gently. “Do you need any help p>
“No, I can manage,” Gabriela said firmly. “Mr. Moss has been in a foul mood all day, so I didn’t have a chance to ask him for leave p>
“It’s fine. Just go ahead and leave,” Tessa said with a reassuring smile. “You can file the leave request tomorrow. With Billy in that meeting, nothing’s likely to go wrong p>
The meeting was expected to stretch until nearly the end of the workday.
“I appreciate it,” Gabriela said, her relief palpable.
She swiftly packed up her things and slipped out of the office before anyone could notice.
Throughout the meeting, Wesley’s sour mood was impossible to ignore. His stern expression and sharp, piercing gaze swept the room intermittently, each glance sending a chill through the senior executives.
Even Billy, usually unshakable, felt the weight of it. The source of Wesley’s displeasure was obvious to him: it had to be that bouquet of roses.
He sighed inwardly. Why would Gabriela, who was clearly with Wesley, still bother messing around with other men?
Billy made a mental note to straighten her out when he got the chance.
The meeting dragged on for over two hours. When Wesley finally returned to his office, Gabriela was nowhere in sight. After asking around, he discovered she had taken leave.
A flicker of irritation surged through him. Tugging at his tie, he tried calling her. Yet the line went straight to voicemail.