Chapter 11 The Infamous Shrimp Peeling Incident
"We've exhausted every possible option." Gabriel continued walking without slowing his pace, turning to look at her with a serious expression. "Grandfather doesn't want us to know about this, so pretend you don't. When you visit tomorrow, don't wear that worried, heartbroken expression."
Arabella unconsciously followed alongside him, saying nothing.
She doubted she could fake it that well.
"If you have time these coming days, visit Grandfather more often. Occasionally, bring the children along to play—seeing them lifts his spirits tremendously, and it might ease his pain somewhat."
Arabella nodded repeatedly, "Alright, I understand. I'll bring the babies tomorrow."
Gabriel reached his vehicle, where his bodyguard and driver, Samuel Harris, was already standing beside the car, holding the rear door open. "Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling."
Gabriel stopped and looked at Arabella, who had followed him all the way to the car, his gaze unreadable. "Care to grab lunch together?"
Arabella was startled, only then realizing she'd followed him to his car.
Having come this far, refusing now would seem rather disrespectful to Gabriel.
Moreover, his mention of Grandfather had clearly dampened his mood. Having experienced the pain of losing loved ones herself, she felt a surge of sympathy.
"I... I already ate at home, but I could keep you company while you eat." Her eyes were clear and calm as she looked at Gabriel, accepting his suggestion.
The two got into the car together, and Samuel drove them to a nearby restaurant.
During the drive, Gabriel remained silent. Arabella stole a glance at him, words of comfort hovering on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't bring herself to speak them.
She felt frustrated and conflicted by her own emotional inconsistency.
One moment she thought he was devoted, the next moment she thought he was a scoundrel. Sometimes she found him filial, other times calculating and scheming—and now, she felt sorry for him.
God, what a tangled mess her thoughts had become.
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At the restaurant, they found a table with a good view and sat down.
Gabriel studied the menu, flipping through pages before asking, "What would you like to eat?"
Arabella was taken aback.
They'd been married two years, yet they'd eaten out alone together fewer than three times.
Each time, they'd ordered separately—he'd never asked what she preferred.
"I... I'm not hungry."
"I'll order you some soup. This restaurant makes excellent soup." Perfect, since she was breastfeeding and needed the extra nutrition anyway.
"Alright, thank you."
"Don't mention it."
The sudden civility between two people who'd been giving each other the cold shoulder made Arabella feel nervous and constrained.
She was more accustomed to the Gabriel who ignored her, who wouldn't even deign to look at her properly.
Just as Gabriel handed the menu back to the server after ordering, a voice suddenly called from behind, "Gabriel! It really is you—I thought I was seeing things!"
Both turned at the sound and were surprised.
Emily.
They hadn't expected to run into her here.
Emily approached, and when she spotted Arabella, her smile noticeably dimmed.
"It's nearly one o'clock, and you still haven't eaten?" she asked with concerned surprise.
"We were visiting Grandfather at the hospital and just left," Gabriel replied, then looked at her with confusion. "Are you dining alone?"
"No, Dominic's behind me. He just got back from a business trip today—I picked him up from the airport. He's outside taking a call, but he'll be in soon." Just as she finished speaking, Dominic's figure appeared at the restaurant entrance.
Emily raised her hand. "Honey, over here!"
Dominic walked over, equally surprised to see Gabriel.
"What a coincidence! I was planning to stop by your office later, and here we run into each other." The impeccably dressed Dominic looked travel-worn, clearly having had an exhausting few days on his business trip.
Noticing Arabella seated across from Gabriel, Dominic nodded politely, "Mrs. Sterling."
Arabella had met him several times and responded courteously, "Mr. Kingsley."
Emily linked her arm through Dominic's and suggested, "Honey, let's sit here and eat together."
Dominic happened to have work matters to discuss with Gabriel, so he didn't mind sharing a meal. He looked at Arabella inquiringly, "Would you mind if we joined you, Mrs. Sterling?"
Arabella shook her head repeatedly, "Of course not, the more the merrier."
Dominic gestured to the seat beside Arabella, "Then you can sit here, darling."
Emily pouted, whispering, "No, I want to sit with you. You've barely spent any time with me lately."
Her coquettish complaint was pitiful enough to melt any man's heart.
Arabella clearly saw Gabriel avert his gaze.
She sighed inwardly for Gabriel. How awful this must be for him, watching Emily flirt with his best friend right in front of him.
Dominic looked at Arabella apologetically, but before he could speak, she immediately stood up, "You two sit here then, I'll..."
She looked at Gabriel, her eyes questioning and tentative.
Fortunately, Gabriel wasn't completely oblivious and promptly stood as well, making room, "You sit on the inside—I'll take the outside seat for when they serve the food."
"Thank you." She was extremely polite, slipping past Gabriel to take the inner seat.
Dominic observed their interaction and teased, "You two really are the epitome of mutual respect."
Arabella lowered her eyes bashfully, a trace of shy sweetness crossing her features.
Gabriel remained composed, not responding to the comment.
Emily watched their interaction, stealing another glance at Arabella's expression, and suddenly understood.
Could it be true that love really could grow over time?
Emily's intuition told her that sparks were about to fly between these two.
When the food arrived, everyone except Arabella began eating.
Emily noticed she was only drinking soup and not touching anything else, and couldn't help asking curiously, "Don't you like any of these dishes?"
Arabella looked up at her, seemingly surprised she was making conversation, and continued sipping her soup as she replied, "I already had lunch at home before coming out. Gabriel hadn't eaten yet, so I came to keep him company."
She was simply stating a fact.
But to Emily's ears, it sounded like showing off—flaunting their marital harmony.
Emily's expression soured, and she turned to her husband, "Honey, I want some shrimp. Could you peel a few for me?"
Dominic was deep in conversation with Gabriel about business matters and murmured, "In a minute."
His response clearly didn't satisfy her, making her expression even more displeased.
She felt like outsiders were bullying her, and even her own husband wasn't giving her face.
Tears nearly welled up in her eyes.
Gabriel glanced at her, then casually picked up a salt-baked shrimp, expertly peeled it in a few quick motions, and reached across the table to place it in her bowl.
"Thank you, Gabriel!" Emily immediately beamed with delight, her mood lifting considerably.
In the past, Dominic wouldn't have thought twice about this scene.
The three of them had grown up together—they were practically family. For all these years, both men had doted on Emily this way.
But today, with Arabella present, such behavior inevitably created an awkward situation.
As Gabriel withdrew his hand, he caught Dominic's gaze and suddenly realized the impropriety of his actions.