Chapter 339: Blush
“Hop on,” Gabriel ordered, swinging onto the motorcycle.
The children, their new helmets gleaming, bounced with excitement.
As they sped through the bustling, festive streets, Alison suddenly realised Christmas was just around the corner.
Rounding a corner, they spotted a shopping mall, its swimwear section glittering with colourful displays.
As the four of them stepped inside, a salesperson greeted them with a bright smile. “Looking for swimwear?”
“Yes. Four sets,” Gabriel replied without hesitation.
“For you, your wife, and the two children?” the salesperson asked.
“Yes,” he said smoothly, not missing a beat.
Alison stayed silent, just wanting to finish and get out of there.
“Alison, what about this one?” Gabriel asked, holding up a suit.
“The colour’s too bright,” she said quietly.
“Madam, perhaps this light pink one? Elegant and lovely,” the assistant suggested, gesturing toward a swimsuit with a hefty price tag.
Gabriel glanced at it.
“That one,” he said simply, brushing past Alison.
“Gabriel…” Alison began, wanting to protest—the price was outrageous.
“Wrap it up,” he cut her off, handing over his credit card.
“No, Gabriel, I’ll pay. Besides, it might not even fit,” Alison said quickly.
Gabriel realised she hadn’t even tried it on.
“Alison, go try it on. If it fits, we’ll head straight to the pool,” he insisted.
“Gabriel, I really don’t like this one,” she objected.
“Try it first,” he said firmly, steering her toward the fitting room.
Alison had no choice but to take the swimsuit inside. She undressed and slipped it on, only to find the back zipper stuck fast.
“Mommy, hurry!” Sophia called from outside.
“Alison, ready yet?” Gabriel’s voice carried from beyond the curtain.
“I… I can’t zip it up. Could you call a staff member?” she asked, cheeks flushing.
“Mommy, that lady went somewhere—I don’t know where!” Ethan said anxiously.
Just then, the fitting-room door creaked open.
Alison, facing away from the door, was bent over, tugging helplessly at the zipper.
Thinking it was the attendant, she said quickly, “Could you help me? Is the zipper broken?”
Behind her, someone approached silently. Fingers brushed the zipper at her back, tugging gently—it still wouldn’t move.
“Oh no, it’s broken. Could you exchange it for a cheaper one, please?” Alison said, seizing the moment.
But there was no reply. The person behind her kept working at the zipper.
A moment later, it zipped smoothly into place.
“It wasn’t broken—just a loose thread caught in it. No need to exchange it.”
“Gabriel, you—” She froze at the sound of his voice.
Ignoring her protests, he slipped an arm around her waist.
In the mirror, she caught the reflection of herself in the pale pink suit—his gaze lingering, dark and possessive.
His hand rested low on her stomach. Even through the thin fabric, she felt the heat of his palm.
“Gabriel, get out. I need to change,” she whispered, her face burning.
“Alison, marry me,” he murmured, lowering his head to kiss her cheek.
His words made her heart jolt violently.
Jack… no… Gabriel.
Feeling something hard press against her hip, she reached back and felt cold metal—a set of keys.
Her heart pounded as she lifted them.
“Where did you get these?” she demanded.
“I had them made myself,” he said, smiling.
“With my key? When?” she pressed.
“Yeah, with yours. I made a copy a few days ago,” he said casually.
“Gabriel, who told you you could do that?” Alison snapped, furious that he’d acted without asking.
“Alison, I warned you—once you provoke me, there’s no going back.”