"Karmen, you are my beta, but that doesn’t give you the freedom to spew nonsense," Gabriel said with a stern tone and a disappointed gaze.
Turning to Amelie, he said, "Forgive me that you’ve to hear such words."
"Don’t apologize," Amelie said. "Karmen’s question may sound harsh, but I think it’s not a wrong question."
Taking a deep breath, she lowered her eyes while fiddling with her fingers. "I got pregnant because of Alex, but the pup is in my womb. I will nourish it for months, making it mine alone. The first time when the doctor told me about my pup, I formed an instant connection with them. Both my pup and I didn’t know if we were rejected. And my weak omega status shouldn’t affect this pup. It’s not the pup’s fault. That’s why I decided to save it. I think if not for this pup, I would have never met wonderful people like you."
A smile formed on Amelie’s lips as she gazed at Gabriel, then Karmen.
"Please forgive me, Amelie. I didn’t mean to hurt you," Karmen apologized in a humble tone.
"It’s alright. I don’t mind," Amelie replied.
Meanwhile, Gabriel fell into a deep contemplation. Did mothers save their babies like this? Did his mother had the same thoughts when she had Gabriel?
’I don’t think so. Every time I meet my mom, she speaks how pathetic she feels to have me,’ Gabriel thought and suddenly, he was boiling with anger.
Amelie’s touch on his hand brought him to reality, the anger developed inside him had disappeared too. He met her gaze and held it for a moment.
"Where are you lost?" Amelie pulled her hand back while realizing something bothered Gabriel. She didn’t wish to see him punishing or fighting with his own beta. "Don’t be upset with Karmen," she whispered, leaning close to his ear.
Gabriel mused at her request and hummed in agreement.
Finally, the journey ended and they exited the car. Amelie stood a little behind Gabriel while holding the office bag and tablet in her hands.
As they walked in, Gabriel spoke in a hushed tone with Karmen.
"I may disown you if you hurt Amelie," Gabriel said.
"Forgive me," Karmen apologized in guilt.
"I won’t," Gabriel said and stepped into the elevator. "Take the elevator after us," he told Karmen, who nodded as he saw Amelie stepping into it. He understood Gabriel’s nature well. He had built a fondness toward Amelie, thus deciding that he would respect his Alpha’s choice.
Meanwhile, as the elevator closed, Amelie said, "There was enough space here. You should have let Karmen step in, Sir." The formality in her tone remained with the use of an obligatory title.
"Amelie, you are going to be a great mother," Gabriel remarked. She got flustered with such a sudden compliment. "When your pup will grow up, they will be proud of you. You tackled Karmen’s question really well. He loves to judge people since he’s my beta and remains on alert more than me. I am glad we met, Amelie."
She looked at him in bewilderment. "Even I feel fortunate to meet you," Amelie replied and tucked the loose strands behind her ear. "You gave a new meaning to my life."
Gabriel turned fully to her, closing the small distance between them. Amelie instinctively stepped back, but he matched her movements, stalking forward until her back pressed against the cold elevator wall.
And her breath hitched.
He caged her in, one arm on either side of her, his towering frame enveloping her space. Lowering his head slightly, his violet eyes danced with amusement.
"Amelie," he began, "you did flirt with me just now, didn’t you?"
Her lips parted in shock, and an immediate response came, "No!" She blinked her eyes rapidly, looking at the display. It was on the 20th floor and 10 more floors needed to be climbed.
Gabriel pulled her chin up, thus making her look at him. "Amelie, I’ve already begun liking you. It’s too fast, isn’t it?"
She stopped blinking, staring at him in disbelief. "Yes," Amelie replied.
"Today you’ll meet the company’s executives. I want them to know my wonderful secretary," Gabriel lowered his hand and took a step away.
"Sir, but you have many meetings to attend," Amelie said.
"But I can cancel them on my leisure," Gabriel remarked.
"That would be unprofessional. You are supposed to finish the work within a day," Amelie murmured.
"You talk like my mentor," Gabriel said.
Amelie pursed her lips together when the elevator doors finally opened.
Gabriel matched her steps and exited it at the same time. As they headed toward Gabriel’s office, where Amelie hadn’t stepped foot yet.
The executive staff stood up to greet Gabriel, but he didn’t returned their greetings.
The large glass doors to his office opened automatically, but Gabriel stopped.
"What happened?" Amelie stopped abruptly too.
"You should go to your office cabinet," Gabriel told her.
Amelie nodded and without questioning him, she changed her path.
Gabriel then went inside and saw Casaio on the office couch with a magazine in his hands.
"Good morning, Brother," Casaio said as Gabriel finally was in the office.
"You didn’t go back!?" Gabriel asked and walked to his desk.
"No," Casaio replied and put the magazine on the table and turned his head to look at Gabriel.
"You are quite serious about Amelie, aren’t you? Taking her to a secret, sacred garden was a romantic move," Casaio said. "The palace won’t accept her. You better let her go before our dear mother will make her move."
"Thank you for your advice. Now, you can leave," Gabriel said, ignoring what Casaio just said.
Karmen walked into the office and greeted Casaio. He was surprised seeing the eldest prince hadn’t left San Ravendale.
"Dear brother, don’t yell at me later for not warning you," Casaio stated and finally stood up.
"That won’t happen, Casaio," Gabriel met his gaze. "I am quite busy. So, please leave before I kick you out," he muttered.