Chapter 301 Coming Over Every Night!

Chapter 301 Coming Over Every Night!

Gabriel didn't get angry—instead, he smiled.

The reason he'd asked was because he didn't believe Arabella would actually cook for him.

This was a wish he'd harbored for so long, and he never expected it to come true so easily.

"Alright, I'll have the chef from my estate do the shopping," Gabriel replied, clearly pleased.

After Arabella had somewhat relieved the discomfort in her chest, breakfast and groceries arrived right on cue.

The two sat down to eat in an awkward, quiet atmosphere. After finishing her porridge, Arabella looked at the silent man across from her, thought for a moment, then spoke softly: "Gabriel, let's talk seriously."

Gabriel suddenly looked up at her. Reading something in her earnest expression, he smirked. "Talk about what? Sleep with me and then pretend nothing happened?"

"No!" His blunt words made Arabella's face flush red, making her want to hit him.

After taking a breath to calm herself, she continued slowly: "I mean, since I can't escape you no matter what, I might as well accept it. You're so domineering—even if I don't want your help, you won't listen anyway. So... do whatever you want."

Gabriel listened to her speech, unable to tell if she was complimenting or criticizing him, his expression blank.

"But if I'm getting benefits, I can't keep acting high and mighty. Thing is, I have nothing to give you except this face and this body that still catch your eye. So until you find someone new or get married, do as you please. We can maintain this... bed companion arrangement until you get bored."

Having said this, Arabella looked at him steadily, her expression calm and gentle, though her heart was pounding nervously.

She wasn't naturally open or carefree—in fact, she was rather conservative.

So saying something so shameless didn't come easily.

But one had to be practical. She couldn't keep enjoying all his help while acting prudish and pretentious—she'd despise herself for it.

Taking what each needed without owing favors—that was the way forward.

Surprisingly, hearing her generous offer, Gabriel didn't look pleased at all. Instead, his expression darkened.

Arabella felt the air around them drop several degrees. She looked at him, puzzled. "What, you're unhappy with this arrangement? Or... are you already bored?"

Gabriel clenched his jaw, taking a breath to suppress his anger before asking coldly: "When did you become so liberal? If Manuel had helped you instead, would you offer yourself to him the same way?"

"I—"

"You certainly know yourself well—knowing this face and body can seduce men. You're quite good at using them!" He didn't wait for her answer, his words growing sharper.

"Gabriel!" Arabella flared up, her delicate face filled with anger.

But her exquisite features, thoroughly satisfied by the man last night, were rosy beneath their fairness. Even glaring coldly, she looked enchanting.

"Is that what you think of me? That I'm that casual?" she demanded furiously.

Gabriel countered: "Weren't your words just now casual enough?"

"That's only because—this person is you!" she shot back in frustration.

The moment she said it, she realized her mistake and wanted to take it back, but the man's expression had already changed, a starlight gleam appearing in his dark eyes.

"What did you say? Because this person is me? What does that mean? I'm different to you after all, aren't I?" Gabriel's face still looked grim, but his tone had clearly shifted.

She lowered her eyes without answering and stood to leave.

But how could Gabriel let her retreat into her shell again?

He quickly grabbed her arm, yanked her hard, and pulled her straight into his lap, arms locking around her.

Seeing herself trapped in his embrace, Arabella felt embarrassed, awkward, and angry all at once. "Let me go! I don't want to talk to you!"

Smiling, the man stared at her porcelain-smooth face up close. "Arabella, deep down... you still like me, don't you?"

He drew his conclusion softly.

"No, I don't..." she denied, eyes still averted, biting her lip as she said quietly, "What's there to like about you men? All unreliable, every one of you... I just think that since we were married and have two children together, of course you're different from other men to me."

That's why she was willing to repay him this way.

With anyone else, she wouldn't—she wouldn't even accept their kindness.

Hearing her serious explanation, Gabriel suddenly lost his temper, though he didn't feel particularly happy either.

He was greedy now. The difference he wanted wasn't because they'd been married or because they had children.

He wanted Arabella to see how he'd changed, to come back to him, to willingly marry him again.

Everyone said he was lovesick.

He used to scoff at that. Now he believed it completely.

He didn't understand it himself—at thirty, he should be a composed, successful man, yet here he was obsessing like a seventeen-year-old over whether a woman loved him.

If this wasn't being lovesick, what was?

But so what if it was?

What was most precious in this world?

To many, it would be money, wealth, status, power.

But he'd had all those things since birth. After years of accumulation and expansion, his wealth and power had only grown.

He didn't care about them.

In his world, the most precious things were happiness and true love.

Pursuing happiness and true love—how could that be called lovesick?

Silence fell between them. Arabella didn't understand what he was thinking, only sensing he seemed suddenly hurt.

"You..." she began hesitantly, but saw him come back to himself, taking a breath and saying flatly, "Forget it. At least you're not pushing me away anymore. That's progress."

Arabella felt uneasy.

This was Gabriel!

Yet he looked so... humble.

Not knowing how to respond, she lowered her eyes to his handsome, stern features and said carefully: "If you don't agree, just pretend I didn't say anything..."

She wondered if she was being too presumptuous.

Maybe he didn't care about her face and body at all?

After all, he was Gabriel—how could he lack sexy, beautiful women?

Before she finished speaking, the arms around her waist tightened. His handsome face buried in her neck, he ground out: "Nice try! A promise is a promise. Starting today, you're coming over every night."

Arabella pressed her lips together without answering, thinking this man had serious issues.

Just moments ago he'd been angry and disdainful.

"Did you hear me?" Seeing her silence, the man tightened his arms and growled.

"I heard!" Arabella jumped, immediately responding.

After speaking, she turned to look at him, blinking her large eyes in confusion. "Every night? That's no different from living together, is it?"

"What, not okay? If not, why did you make such a bold promise just now? You said—I could do as I please." He repeated her words, sounding thoroughly awkward.

Arabella felt some regret.

When she'd said that, she'd meant she could satisfy him when he had needs—not that they'd live together.

If she backed out now, he'd definitely explode.

So after a quiet moment, she mumbled almost inaudibly: "I'm just worried... your body can't handle it."

"Thanks!"

"You're welcome."

The meal ended in a strangely ambiguous atmosphere. Gabriel held her, his emotions too complex to describe, wanting only to tighten his arms and strangle her.

She was just too infuriating!