Chapter 299 Can’t Sleep?

Chapter 299 Can’t Sleep?

The more Arabella thought about it, the angrier she got. She glared at Gabriel accusingly. "You have the nerve to lose your temper? This is all your fault! Mark's gone, so the studio has no photographer. I can't go to work, so our short videos have no main talent. At this rate, the studio's headed for closure!"

More importantly, if it were just a simple shutdown, that would merely mean starting over from scratch.

But the real problem was that the studio had a contract with Starsea Media. They'd invested a substantial sum, and the studio owed them results in return—if they went under, they'd still owe Starsea Media five million dollars.

Even if she and Ella pooled everything they owned, it wouldn't be enough.

She couldn't very well ask Ella to sell her house!

Taking it even further, Arabella could sell her own place—after all, she was alone and could live anywhere.

But Ella was a single mother with a daughter. If she lost her home, life would become impossibly difficult.

Arabella felt terribly guilty, convinced she'd dragged Ella down with her.

Seeing how agitated she was, her chest rising and falling rapidly, Gabriel's earlier irritation and resentment mysteriously evaporated.

"It's just a photographer. I told you before—I'll find you someone more professional, more skilled." His expression and tone had both softened considerably as he made the swift promise.

"Then do it! Are you waiting until after the studio shuts down?" Arabella snapped.

"Fine. I'll find one. I'll make the call right now!" Gabriel set down his utensils, picked up his phone, considered who to contact, then stood and left the dining area.

Arabella didn't understand why he needed to step away.

But it didn't matter as long as he handled it.

She messaged Ella on Facebook, letting her know Gabriel would help find a reliable photographer.

The moment Ella heard Gabriel was taking action, a weight lifted from her chest.

In the study, Gabriel scrolled through his contacts. Without hesitating over anyone else, he called Raymond, the head of Starsea Media.

This was the first time he'd personally reached out to Raymond, which terrified the man.

When he heard it was about a photographer, Raymond readily agreed. "Absolutely. I'll have one of our company photographers report for duty tomorrow."

"No. Not someone from your company. Find me two new candidates."

"Oh... I understand, I get what you mean. Don't worry—I know plenty of photographers in the industry. But... they're all top-tier professionals, so in terms of compensation..."

"Find the candidates and give me their contact information. I'll negotiate."

"Got it. Rest assured, Mr. Sterling, I'll have potential candidates lined up for you tonight."

After hanging up, Gabriel's lips curved slightly. A hint of tenderness flickered across his stern features, and he thought to himself that he really was pathetic.

On the drive over, she'd infuriated him. He'd sworn to himself he'd give her the cold shoulder for at least a week, make her deeply recognize her mistakes, and come apologize to him on her own.

Yet here he was, softening after just one meal together.

Returning to the table, he found her watching him expectantly. He tossed his phone down and said gruffly, "Relax. The new photographer will start tomorrow."

Arabella's eyes widened, bright and gleaming. "Who is it?"

"What do you care who it is, as long as it doesn't delay your work?"

Arabella pressed her lips together and said nothing more.

After they finished eating, Arabella proactively stood to clear the table. As she picked up the containers in front of him, she mumbled quietly, "Thank you."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow in surprise, glancing at her awkward expression. He deliberately asked, "What was that?"

"Never mind if you didn't hear."

"That's not a very sincere thank you."

"Then why'd you ask if you heard me?"

She shot him an eye roll. Gabriel didn't respond, but his sensual lips curved into a wicked, alluring smirk.

Arabella's cheeks warmed, but she turned away under the pretense of clearing the dishes.

The unpleasantness between them was thus set aside.

While showering, Arabella marveled at when Gabriel had become so easygoing. It seemed incredible.

During their marriage, he'd often come home in the middle of the night. Though they lived under the same roof, they sometimes went a week without exchanging three sentences.

Later, when she accidentally got pregnant and Gabriel assumed she'd schemed to secure her position through motherhood, their relationship had deteriorated even further—they'd see each other and act as if the other didn't exist, their cold indifference cutting through the air like knives.

But now, he'd suddenly become so reasonable.

When he got angry and no one appeased him, his anger would mysteriously dissipate on its own.

How strange.

After her shower, she naturally headed for a guest room.

But when she pushed open the door, she froze—the room was completely empty. Not only was there no bed, there wasn't even a cabinet or chair!

Arabella was stunned.

She stood there wide-eyed for several seconds, then refused to give up and checked the remaining two guest rooms.

Without exception, they were all bare.

Though this sprawling apartment was 3,000 square feet, aside from the gym, media room, and study, there was only one master bedroom and three guest rooms.

Clearly, Gabriel had only furnished the master bedroom.

His intention was obvious.

Arabella stood at the door of the last guest room, pondering whether she had any other options.

Gabriel leaned lazily against the master bedroom doorway, his expression seemingly indifferent though his eyes held a hint of mockery. He asked unhurriedly, "I don't think you have time to order a bed now, do you?"

She turned to look at him. "You did this on purpose."

He straightened from the doorway and walked slowly toward her with his long, straight legs. "That's not fair. I originally planned to bring you back to Parkside Estate. You're the one who said you wanted to come here."

Arabella had no words.

She'd dug her own trap.

Gabriel reached her side and bent down slightly, taking her cool hand into his palm. "Come on, time for bed. I haven't slept well these past few nights. I'm exhausted."

These past nights, the children had probably missed their mother and kept crying.

As their father, he naturally had to take responsibility and get up to soothe them.

Arabella said nothing, resignedly letting him hold her hand and lead her step by step toward the master bedroom.

"Don't worry, it's not time to fulfill our arrangement yet. We're just sleeping." Leading her to the edge of the massive bed, Gabriel turned slightly, placing both hands on her shoulders and gently forcing her to sit down as he reassured her in a low voice.

Arabella's heart skipped. Her beautiful eyes lifted, regarding him skeptically.

Could such good fortune be real?

It didn't seem like his style at all.

"That reaction makes it seem like you're disappointed?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No, no, not at all." Arabella quickly denied it, then efficiently slipped off her shoes, climbed into bed, and burrowed under the covers.

Gabriel smiled with satisfaction and followed her into bed.

They both lay down.

The whole world went quiet.

Perhaps because of the high altitude, Arabella felt the wind outside was particularly fierce. Spring had arrived, yet she couldn't feel any hint of it.

Life kept throwing obstacles and pitfalls in her path—nothing like what she'd imagined.

After a long silence, Gabriel rolled over. One arm seemed to move of its own accord, draping across her waist and startling her so much her whole body tensed.

"Can't sleep?" His low, gentle voice sounded near her ear.