Gabriel frowned at his mother. He suspected that she might not approve of Ba but talking about Victoria in such a way and making Ba feel like a rebound or a cheap recement was a low blow he didn''t expect.


    He wished that there is a way for him to open up his heart and to show his parents that his feelings for Ba are real, but then… even if he could do that, he does not think that they would care about the truth. For them, it was always about reputation and image, and… no one ever cared about his happiness. No one, other than Ba. And that makes her so special.


    Gabriel thought of just leaving the party right there. He didn''t want to risk Ba being insulted more than she already is. What if Ba leaves him? He would never forgive himself.


    Before he could move, Gabriel felt that Ba gave his hand a squeeze and he met her eyes full of warmth. She was calm andposed, and it took only a second for Gabriel to calm down as well.


    "I appreciate your concern, mother.", Gabriel said. "However, my experience with Victoria showed that it does not matter if the rtionshipsts days or years. If the partner is not right, and she does not try to make it right, the rtionship will only grow sour over time. And Ba taught me that when you find the right person who is willing to make it work, you know it in an instant and every future interaction only confirms that."


    "You are not concerned that she is with you for money?", Richard asked bluntly.


    Gabriel shook his head in disbelief. He knew that this ising, yet now that he heard his father ask this question in front of Ba, Gabriel was profusely disappointed in his parents. It''s not that they don''t care about his feelings or Ba, but they are set on sabotaging him.


    "The one who was with me for money was Victoria, father. When I told Mr. and Mrs. Jost that I''m divorcing their daughter, they didn''t ask about feelings ormitment, they only wanted to discuss assets and money that I''m willing to part with in exchange for them signing the divorce papers. And if you want to know the financial details of my current rtionship, I am leeching off of Ba because I am living in her apartment rent-free."


    Ba giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. "It''s not free, my darling. You cook."


    Gabriel liked this endearment. He knew that Ba is putting up a show for his parents, but he hoped that his new nickname will stick.


    "Mhm… I do. And I will do for you much more than cooking.", Gabriel confirmed with a smile. "Come, sweets. You wanted to meet my parents and we did that. Now that was done, so let''s find something fun to do…"


    Gabriel led Ba away from his parents and Uncle Anthony, without sparing them a nce.


    Uncle Anthony didn''t berate Ba, and Gabriel was grateful, but Gabriel knew that his Uncle has a hidden agenda. After all, in the Long family, it was always about trading favors. If his Uncle wanted to do the right thing, he should have done it a long time ago. Now it''s toote.


    Gabriel''s full attention was on the girl who was holding onto him because she was the only one worthy of his time.


    "You didn''t need to encourage them.", Richard said to Anthony.


    "Why are you grumpy?", Anthony snapped at his cousin. "Does it matter who she is? Who cares about her background? Or are you only not pleased that the girl is not Victoria? Victoria spent ten years by Gabriel''s side and other than her parents siphoning our money and leveraging our contacts, what did she contribute? Oh, she was the mole who nearly cost us hundreds of millions. Will you deny that Gabriel is happy?"


    Richard frowned at this barrage of questions.


    "He is defiant.", Delh said through her teeth.


    "The fact that he is defiant because of that girl should tell you that she has the power to influence him. You want Gabriel to listen to you? The way to get to him is through that girl. If he had such a backbone a few years back, he would still be the patriarch. Why don''t you think about that instead of feeling sorry that Josts took advantage of you?" Anthony left without waiting for Gabriel''s parents to respond.


    Delh and Richard had matching sour expressions. It is difficult for them to ept that Gabriel''s rtionship with Victoria was a failure and that Victoria used him because that also means they need to ept that Mr. and Mrs. Jost used them.


    Delh remembers how Mrs. Jost approached her when Gabriel and Victoria were toddlers, and she was sure that she found a good friend. And Mr. Jost was getting along with Richard as well. What could be better than to solidify their friendship through the marriage of their kids?


    Gabriel is angry that Victoria deceived him for ten years, but what about Delh and Richard? They are struggling to ept the reality that Mr. and Mrs. Jost used them for more than two decades and they did it wlessly. Does that mean that Mr. and Mrs. Jost were such good actors and so calctive, or that Delh and Richard were so na?ve? Probably both.


    …


    As they walked away from Gabriel''s parents, Gabriel felt like some weight was lifted off his chest.


    "You did great, sweets. Thank you.", Gabriel spoke in a low voice, only for Ba to hear.


    She smiled brightly. "To be honest, I was super nervous, but then Biddy told me that the only thing I should focus on is our rtionship and that if we are getting along well, no one can mess with us. That opened my eyes to the reality that as long as you are holding onto my hand, we will get through whatever life throws our way. Together."


    Gabriel felt his heart swelling from emotions.


    He could not help butpare this with Victoria who would push him to do things. At that time, he was alone, fighting battles for both him and Victoria. Victoria was not his support, she was not his cheerer, she was the one bossing him around and expecting him to deliver what she asked for without care what price he has to pay.


    Ba, on the other side, is the pr opposite of Victoria.


    Ba is Gabriel''s support, and she cheers him on, and she has no demands other than for Gabriel to hold her hand. It maybe sounds silly, but with Ba by his side, Gabriel was confident that anything is possible.


    Ba makes him happy, and that is something Victoria never did.


    Gabriel wondered if that is the effect of being in love, when you think that the other person is perfect in every way possible… because that is how he feels about Ba. It''s not that he thinks that Ba is perfect. God is his witness that Ba is stubborn and full of quirks, but Gabriel believes that she is made for him, and theyplement each other wlessly. The two of them are perfectly imperfect. Together.


    He took a mental note to buy something for Bridgette as a thank you. Something big. But that will happenter. At this point, he wanted to have some privacy with Ba so that he can smother her in his hug and maybe enjoy a few kisses.


    Gabriel guided Ba inside the mansion. "You wanted to see the inside. Let me give you a private tour…"


    ---


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