Bridgette came to wee Gabriel and Ba and she saw them hugging and kissing.


    She smiled and took a few steps back. Bridgette was d that they didn''t notice her because she didn''t want to interrupt the moment.


    Gabriel ended the long kiss with a few short ones and leaned his forehead on Ba''s.


    "My sweet Ba…", he murmured. "Don''t be nervous because no matter what anyone says, you are my girl, and I am yours. Is that clear?"


    "Yes…", Ba whispered, slightly out of breath.


    "Good. I want you to keep that in mind. No onepares to you. No one."


    Ba smiled in response as her heart swelled.


    Bridgette cleared her throat and walked toward Gabriel and Ba. "Sorry to interrupt, but I thought this is a good time to let you know I am here before you start making out again." Bridgette saw that Ba was shocked and red like a ripe tomato. "Aww… look who is shy. Gabe, if you don''t want to risk someone seeing you kissing, you can go to your room. It''s just how you left it, and..." She leaned closer and said in a whisper: "...it''s soundproof."


    Ba was not sure where to look and she was d that Gabriel hugged her protectively so that she can hide her face in his chest.


    "Biddy, you are making it worse.", Gabriel tried to sound like he is reprimanding Bridgette, but his smile said otherwise.


    Bridgetteughed. "Worse? You are the one kissing her here for everyone to see. I only called you out on it, and don''t forget that I offered you a room for privacy." Bridgette winked yfully. "Wee home, Gabe. I am d that you finally brought Ba here."


    Ba looked at Bridgette and rxed. Bridgette''s bubbly personality rubs off on people.


    "Come… everything is ready.", Bridgette said mysteriously and led the way opposite from the main entry.


    Ba and Gabriel held each other around the waist and followed after Bridgette.


    They exited through the massive double ss door into the garden and Ba''s legs refused to move from shock.


    The garden was dominated by roses and neatly trimmed topiaries between which were elegantly set tables for lunch, chairs, there was soft music, and… people. A lot of people. They were chatting and (so far) no one noticed them.


    "I didn''t know there was a party.", Ba said to Gabriel in an urgent whisper. "Did you know?"


    "I''m guilty of charges.", Gabriel admitted. "Instead of meeting my family one-by-one and letting them spread the rumors, we thought it will be better for you to meet them all at the same time."


    Ba''s brows furrowed. "Why didn''t you tell me?"


    "Because you would freak out.", Gabriel said matter-of-factly.


    Ba nced at her light summer dress and t shoes. "I''m not dressed for this."


    Gabriel leaned closer and spoke only for Ba to hear: "You are fine, even though I prefer you naked."


    Ba''s eyes widened. How can he be so shameless and flirt in this dire situation?


    "Are your parents here?"


    "If they are not, they will be. All Longs are here."


    Ba looked straight into Gabriel''s eyes, not daring to look away out of fear that she will meet someone else''s gaze. "All of them?"


    "Mhm… and some friends as well. I want everyone to know that we are a couple. Come. There is no point in standing here, and I am hungry."


    Ba felt her bile rising and she was quite confident that she will not be able to eat anything, but she liked the idea of everyone knowing about them, and Gabriel''s imposing mien told her that he is serious about this.


    Gabriel tugged her to move down the stairs into the garden and Ba realized that some of the people are looking their way.


    "Gabriel, good to see you…", an older man greeted him.


    "Uncle Joseph, it''s nice to see you too."


    Gabriel''s Uncle Joseph didn''t try to hide his curiosity. "And who is this youngdy?"


    Ba felt Gabriel''s hold on her tightening at the man''s question. Gabriel was silently telling her not to worry and that he will handle everything.


    "This is Reba Casano, my girlfriend."


    Joseph''s eyebrows shoot up and he eyed Ba for a second before nodding in greeting. "Nice to meet you, Miss Casano."


    Ba was happy that the man seemed polite, even though his smile fell when Gabriel said that she is his girlfriend.


    "Gabe, I personally came to greet you and show you to your seats. Don''t make me wait…", Bridgette said from the side.


    "I apologize. We will talk moreter.", Gabriel said to his Uncle Joseph and he and Ba moved after Bridgette.


    Bridgette took them toward the table where Steve was. He was chatting with Jeff, and Ba was surprised to see that JoAnna, Charlie, Emma, Corey, and Merve are at the same table as well. So many familiar (and friendly) faces!


    "Here, here…", Bridgette gestured toward two chairs, between Steve and Merve. They sat so that Gabriel was next to Steve, and Ba found herself between Gabriel and Merve.


    "So, when did you find out about this party?", Ba asked Merve.


    "Last night Sarah told us toe here."


    "Last night?", Ba was confused. She assumed that the party was something previously arranged and that Gabriel and she got an impromptu invitation only because Ba told Bridgette yesterday that they will be visiting. Or was Gabriel invited earlier, but he didn''t tell Ba?


    "Mhm…", Merve confirmed. "Bridgette decided to have this lunch gathering on short notice, and she invited Sarah and Aiden, but they already had ns and they made sure that wee." Merve leaned closer to Ba. "Don''t worry, Ba, I know exactly how you feel. This setting can be intimidating, but I''ve got your back. We all do."


    Ba noticed that Merve made eye-signals toward the neighboring table, and she saw that seated there are Ade, Hande, Allen, Julius, Michael, Oni, Haru, N, Ron, and Z.


    Ba exhaled in relief when she met their friendly gazes directed her way. She was so nervous that she didn''t pay attention to the people, assuming that she will be surrounded by strangers but this… she will need to say her thanks to Sarah and Aiden.


    Ba knows Sarah and Aiden because her father works at the White corp. with them, and Penny is a good friend with Sarah and that is how Ba ended up going a few times to the Cliffside vi, but she never dreamed that Sarah and Aiden will care so much that they would send all these people to attend the party just so that Ba is not ufortable.


    The part that made it better was that Gabriel was holding onto her hand under the table and his thumb rubbed the back of her palm.


    Ba smiled and nced around.


    "See? It''s not so bad.", Gabriel said.


    Ba had to admit that he was right. "Are your parents here?"


    "Mhm…", Gabriel hummed in confirmation. "They are three tables on your left."


    "Why are they so far away?", Ba asked, assuming that close family members should sit together.


    "People are seated based on ranking."


    Ba didn''t understand. "Ranking?"


    Gabriel nced at Steve. "The patriarches first, and people who are high in the hierarchy are seated close to him. The further people are seated from the patriarch, the less important they are."


    "Oh…", a sound escaped Ba''s lips, and her eyes widened when she realized that they are sitting at the same table with Steve. That means they are important, like super-important.


    ---


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