"Do you want to chat more with the girls, or do you want to do something else?", Gabriel asked Ba.


    Ba had no intention to stay longer with girls who want to know details about the intimacy between her and Gabriel. If it''s a girl-only party where they fool around, it''s one thing, but this is a ssy event at the Long family, and the elders are watching them. Ba couldn''t shake off the feeling that most of the people have their eyes on her, and she was not wrong about that.


    She clung onto Gabriel''s hand. "I would love to see inside if you are willing to give me a tour. And you should also introduce me to… your… parents…", she ended in a small voice.


    Gabriel let out a long breath. "OK. Let''s go." In his mind, he added: <em>''…and be done with it.''</em>


    Gabriel was looking where his parents were when Bridgette approached them. "Gabe, do you mind if I steal Ba for a moment?"


    "Uhm… sure.", Gabriel responded when he saw that Ba nodded in agreement.


    Bridgette hooked her arm with Ba''s and led the way further into the garden, away from the crowd.


    "How are you doing?", Bridgette asked.


    "Fine…", Ba trailed. "I assume there is a reason you stole me from Gabriel and asked me that."


    Bridgette smiled. "It''s not a secret that everyone''s eyes are on you and I know from my experience that it can be nerve-racking. When I came here with Steve, it was bad. And when he became the patriarch, it was much worse."


    Bridgette''s words reminded Ba that it''s not just Merve who experienced bad treatment from the people who looked down on her. Ba thought how it''s sad that people who should be a supportive family, turned into backstabbers due to petty reasons.


    "How did you deal with them?"


    "I didn''t.", Bridgette''s response confused Ba and Bridgette rified: "No matter what I do, it won''t change the fact that they despise me. Steve is a Long and I am not and in their eyes, I am not worthy. At the same time, no matter what they do, it won''t change the fact that I am Steve''s wife, and the Madam of the Long family."


    "I don''t understand.", Ba admitted.


    "You will, in time. But right now, you need to focus only on one thing: Gabriel loves you and he wants to build a future with you. That is why he brought you here. People might re at you or smile while plotting how to trip you and some might be openly hostile, but as long as you and Gabriel stick together and believe in what the two of you have, it will be alright."


    Ba''s lips lifted into a smile. That was simple to understand. "Thank you, Biddy."


    "You are wee, sweetie. I''ve never seen Gabriel so happy and I know that it''s because of you. The two of you have something amazing going on and I hope that you won''t allow anyone to spoil it, because other than you and him, no one else matters. Also, I am a bit selfish..."


    "Howe?"


    Bridgette gave Ba a knowing look. "If things between you and Gabriel go well and you marry him, I hope that you will help me out. It''s tiring to organize these events on my own and I have so many other headache-inducing duties. I wouldn''t mind sharing some of these responsibilities, and having a friendly face nearby sometimes means a ton..."


    Ba listened to Bridgette with her eyes open wide. Did Bridgette mention marriage? Oh, Gosh! Just thinking about being Gabriel''s wife made Ba all tingly on the inside. Ba really-really liked that Bridgette epted her and is treating her warmly. It confirmed to Ba that she does not need everyone to like her. Gabriel is enough. And the fact that Bridgette and Steve are supportive is a bonus.


    When Ba and Bridgette returned, they saw that Gabriel didn''t move much from the spot where they left him. He was talking with a few people, and the moment he saw Ba, he excused himself and made his way toward her.


    "I''m ready to meet your parents.", Ba announced to Gabriel with newly found confidence.


    Gabriel noticed that Ba is in a good mood and he hoped that it will stay that way.


    Gabriel saw that his parents are talking to his Uncle Joseph and Uncle Anthony, and he ushered Ba that way.


    Ba and Gabriel held hands, and with every step they took, Gabriel hoped that his parents don''tplicate things. He already assessed that they will not make a scene because they would not want to risk tainting their reputation as ex-Patriarch and his Madam, but that does not mean that they will not make things difficult for Ba.


    They were about ten steps away when Uncle Anthony tilted his head, making the other three turn and look at Gabriel and Ba… well, mostly at Ba.


    Uncle Joseph murmured something and made his leave from the group.


    Seeing their stern expressions, Gabriel regretted his decision ofing here and for agreeing to make this a party for the whole family. He wanted to scoop Ba in his arms and flee this ce but he knew that Ba was insecure and that she wanted everyone to be aware of how she and Gabriel are dating, and they were already here, and it would be ridiculous just to give up at this point.


    Gabriel tightened his hold on Ba''s hand with the hope she understood that no matter what his parents say, it will not change how he feels about her and he was relieved that she held onto him firmly as well.


    "Mother, father… Uncle Anthony…", Gabriel greeted them. "I want to personally introduce to you Reba Casano, my girlfriend… Ba, this is my mother Delh, and my father Richard, and the man with them is my Uncle Anthony."


    "Nice to meet you." Ba showed them a sweet smile even though three seniors in front of her had cold expressions.


    "Casano…", Richard (aka Gabriel''s father) murmured. "I don''t think I heard of your family."


    Ba shook her head and her smile didn''t falter. "Unless you are intoputer security, Mr. Long, you probably didn''t. My father is managing the department of software security at the White corp. Other than that, we are not important enough to be known in a high-end circle like this one. At the same time, we don''t cause trouble to be in the episode of Law and Order."


    Uncle Anthony chuckled and his cold facade cracked. He liked Ba''s humor, even though Gabriel''s parents were not impressed.


    "As long as you are not an inspiration for a crime drama, you are fine. After all, Gabriel here has more than enough money and status for himself and his partner. And to be honest, the value of our social circle is exaggerated.", Uncle Anthony said, making Ba''s smile warmer.


    "Gabby, son…", Delh (aka Gabriel''s mother) called. "I don''t have anything against Miss Casano, but don''t you think that it''s too soon for a rtionship? Only two months ago Victoria shared a room with you in this vi..."


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