Chapter 66

The servants carried the two bulging bags into the backyard.

At the far edge, a wide stretch of square-brick paving caught the sunlight.

After instructing them to return to their duties,Loretta crouched beside the bags and unfastened them.

The tops fell open to reveal a heap of fresh scallions,their green stalks still glistening faintly from the previous day's rain.

When Gabriela stepped closer, Loretta bent to lift a handful, her hands moving briskly as she said,"These are from our own garden, not dried yet.Yesterday's rain left them damp, so they'll need a few more days in the sun." She shot Gabriela a brief look as she went on, "While there's still light, come help me."

Gabriela agreed and mirrored her movements, laying the scallions out in an even layer.

The ache in her injured foot made each bend forward a slow, careful effort.

Noticing her sluggish pace, Loretta's brow furrowed."In my day, we had to work hard just to keep food on the table."

Gabriela's cheeks warmed with shame.

She hadn't always been so delicate.

Memories surfaced of the night before the college entrance exams, when Phyllis had deliberately poured scalding water on her arm in the dead of night. Even with a fever the next morning, Gabriela had sat through every test, gritting her teeth against the throbbing pain until the final paper was done.

She'd earned her place at the university she'd dreamed of, slowly clawing her way out from und Phyllis's shadow.

So how had she grown fragile over something as minor as a sprained ankle?

Maybe it was because Wesley himself had applied the ointment, or because Miriam kept fussing over her, letting her slip into the unfamiliar luxury of being cared for.

Determined to shake it off, she picked up her pace, a thin sheen of sweat glistening at the tip of her nose.

"What are you two doing out here?" Wesley's voice came from nearby, deep and steady.

He crossed the short distance in a few long strides,his expression calm, yet edged with a concern so faint it was almost hidden.

Loretta cast him a brief look before answering in an unhurried tone, "Can't you tell we're laying scallions out to dry?"

"Why didn't you give me a heads-up before coming?" Wesley, ever patient with her, pressed."I could've at least sent someone to pick you up."

She dismissed the offer without hesitation. "I can make my own way here. No point wasting time and gas driving back and forth."

While she went on grumbling, Wesley's gaze drifted to Gabriela, noting the fine sheen of sweat clinging to her nose. "Gabriela, go take a seat over there," he urged.

At his cue, Miriam promptly guided Gabriela to perch on the low flower bed nearby.

Loretta's expression tightened with irritation. She jabbed a finger toward Wesley and snapped, "I only asked your secretary to help with a few scallions, and now you're upset about it?"

Fiona had even helped her earlier, pulling out a bunch together.

Wesley let out a weary sigh as he clarified, "Her foot's injured-getting around isn't easy for her right now. Whatever needs to be done, someone else can handle it just as well."

Loretta shot back, planting her hands on her hips,"Do you keep useless people here for decoration?Everyone in this estate has their duties. She's sitting there knitting something as if she's on vacation."

A hot flush of embarrassment crept over Gabriela's cheeks.

Miriam's kindness had lulled her into forgetting her place.

A secretary spending her day knitting in her boss's home-it did look improper.

"Please be reasonable, Grandma," Wesley responded evenly. "She's injured-she can't stand for long stretches."

Loretta's expression darkened as she continued,you saying I'm being unreasonable? Fine then, I'll go.I won't bother coming here again."

She had never been fond of lingering at the estate,and even during New Year celebrations, her visits were scarce. This time, Miriam's casual mention that Wesley had brought home a girlfriend piqued her curiosity enough to come and see for herself.

She intended to gauge Gabriela's grit-yet the girl hadn't even broken a sweat before Wesley began hovering protectively over her.

Loretta began bundling the scallions, acting as if she were on her way out.

Wesley,well-versed in her little performances, let out a quiet sigh but still stepped forward. "Here, let me give you a hand."

"How could I trouble a big shot like you?" she muttered, arching a brow at him.

"I'm just sittingin the study reading," he replied mildly. "Not exactly swamped with work."

Scooping up a small bundle, Loretta peeled away a few wilted yellow leaves with deft fingers. "Even the finest things need a bit of trimming now and then.Don't you think?" she remarked. Wesley caught the implication in her words and answered in a flat tone, "You're right."

Gabriela stayed silent. The sight of Loretta chiding Wesley while he responded with the calm indulgence one might show a stubborn child was startling.

For the first time, the man she'd always known as cool and distant seemed warmer-human, even-someone she could almost imagine speaking to without feeling intimidated.

Loretta remarked sharply, "I'm just helping you put your secretary to thetest."

Wesley pressed his fingers to his brow with a muted sigh before turning to Miriam. "Miriam, would you bring me some dried scallions?"

Loretta had always sent her home-grown ones to the estate, carefully cured in the sun until they were ready.

Miriam returned in moments, a small handful resting in her palm. Wesley plucked one and held it out for Loretta to see."Notice how this one's wrapped in more withered leaves, the outer layers tinged red? Sometimes even the loveliest things need layers that seem needless,just to keep them safe."

With deliberate care, he peeled the skins away, one after another, until the tender white heart was revealed.

"If not for those red layers, the fresh core wouldn't stay crisp for months-sometimes even half a year,"he added lightly.

Loretta knew he was making a point, but still muttered under her breath, "You're shielding her like this...do you have feelings for her?"

A quiet sigh escaped Wesley as he responded,"She's just a guest, for now."

Loretta's frown deepened. "I just think it's inappropriate-she hasn't even married you, yet here she is at your home..." Wesley cut in gently, guiding her a few steps aside,"Gabriela's an orphan. Her cousin got married yesterday and locked her out late at night, leaving her nowhere to stay. She was going to check into a hotel, but she twisted her ankle last night and couldn't walk, so I brought her back here. She works for my company, after all. I couldn't just abandon her to handle things alone."

At that, a glimmer of sympathy softened Loretta's expression. "She's such a bright, lively girl. How could she..."

Her voice trailed off, the unspoken misfortune hanging between them.

"She's upbeat, compassionate, and competent at her work," Wesley stated, his tone calm but resolute."That's why I respect her-and why I chose her as my secretary."

Though unwilling to admit she'd been too harsh,Loretta knew she'd crossed the line.

She kept up her gruff act, but her stance had eased. "Fine. I won't make her dry scallions.Happy now?"

Though Gabriela couldn't make out their words, she caught the flicker of irritation clouding Loretta's face and, in a quiet voice, offered, "Mr. Moss, my ankle's feeling much better. I can help out."

Loretta shot Gabriela a sharp glare, masking her embarrassment over the false accusation. "Why are you meddling? Just stick to knitting that scarf," she snapped.

Gabriela stared at her, momentarily at a loss.

Wesley closed the gap between them in a few swift strides, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "ls your ankle in pain? Can you move on it?"

His eyes held hers, dark and unreadable, his tone deep and controlled.

Unsure what emotion lingered there, Gabriela answered swiftly, "It aches a bit, but it should be fine tomorrow."

"Make sure you rest it." His hand lifted as if to ruffle her hair but hesitated in midair before he let it fall, turning away instead.

The whole squabble over drying scallions ended under Wesley's firm handling, y/et Miriam still looked uneasy.

She ushered Gabriela back toward the living room,then tugged Loretta into a quiet corner. Leaning close, she murmured, "Why didn't you tell me you'd be dropping by?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Loretta said with a knowing lift of her chin. "And I need to see for myself what kind of woman has caught Wesley's eye and became his girlfriend."

"She's not his girlfriend-nowhere close," Miriam replied with a rueful sigh. "Last night, I even arranged for Gabriela to stay in Mr. Moss's room..."

She quickly recounted the events of the previouS evening,ending with a weary shake of her head. "He is over thirty, and he still doesn't have a woman by his side. Do you have any idea what people are saying behind his back?"

Loretta pressed."Spit it out."

"They think he's into men, not women," Miriam said,lowering her voice to an even more hushed whisper.

She cast a quick glance around before adding, "I never dared tell you before, afraid you'd be upset about it."

Loretta's expression hardened as she countered,"Don't be silly. How could he not like women? These rumors are nothing but nonsense."

Loretta frowned. No wonder Wesley hadn't even glanced Fiona's way when she tried to introduce them.

The grandson she'd raised with such care was attracted to men? That was utterly unthinkable.

Miriam pressed on. "Last night, he brought Gabriela home, and for a moment I thought that he'd finally found a woman he truly cared about. But when a lovely girl like her appeared in his room wearing a slip dress, he didn't so much as reach for her, barely even looked at her. I called you here so we could figure out how to push things along between them.But instead, you showed up and played the villain."

Loretta was left staring at Miriam in stunned silence.

"And now," Miriam went on with a sigh. "Gabriela probably thinks less of him than before. At this rate,he'll end up alone for the rest of his life."

"That's bullshit!" Loretta shot back, her worry flaring."Wesley's an exceptional man-what woman wouldn't be drawn to him?"

In her mind, Wesley was flawless, the one who did the choosing, not the other way around. The idea of a woman not liking him was outrageous.

Miriam's voice dropped to a near whisper. "But maybe...Wesley's gay."