Chapter 22
Gabriel made his way downstairs and immediately spotted his parents already seated in the living room. The familiar sight stirred something within him — a mix of comfort and unease. It had been a while since he last saw them, and the timing of their arrival caught him off guard.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad,” he greeted as he walked fully into the room.
“Hi, son,” his father replied calmly, his tone warm but reserved as always.
“Oh honey, how are you?” his mother exclaimed, rising quickly from her seat. Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, concern quickly replacing excitement. “My God, Gabriel, you’ve lost weight!”
“Mom, I’m fine,” Gabriel replied, stepping closer and pulling her into a hug. She held him tightly, her hands resting on his back as if she could still protect him from the world. And he held her a little longer than usual, letting her fuss over him the way she always did.
She pulled back slightly, still holding onto him. “Why didn’t you tell me about Nicole? I felt hurt finding out from Charles,” she scolded, her voice carrying a mix of disappointment and curiosity.
Wow, she already remembers her first name — that’s fast! Gabriel thought to himself, momentarily surprised.
“I planned on bringing her over,” he said smoothly, even though it was a lie. “But I was too busy, and I couldn’t make time for that. I’m sorry.”
“You’re always busy,” his mom replied with a sigh, shaking her head slightly. “Don’t you get tired?”
Before he could answer, her gaze drifted around the room, her curiosity returning.
“So, where is she?” she asked, already eager to meet the woman who had clearly captured her son’s attention.
“She’s out in the garden,” Gabriel replied. “She should be here soon.”
They settled back into their seats and continued talking about different things — light conversations, updates, and casual remarks — until light footsteps announced Nicole’s presence.
Nicole walked into the living room, quietly, unaware that all eyes had instantly turned toward her.
“Oh my God! Is that her?” Mrs. Harrison asked excitedly, standing up almost instantly and walking toward Nicole.
“Yes, Mom,” Gabriel replied, watching closely.
“She is beautiful,” Helen said with genuine admiration, her smile bright and warm. “And quite young.”
Nicole felt her cheeks heat up under the attention.
“How did you do it, Gabe?” Helen asked, turning to her son with a teasing look.
Before Gabriel could respond, she waved it off. “Never mind,” she said, dismissing the question as quickly as she’d asked it. Her attention returned to Nicole.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,” Nicole greeted shyly, her voice soft and polite.
“Aww, don’t be shy with me,” Helen said affectionately. “And I don’t want you addressing me in that manner. I’m Helen to you, okay?”
“Okay,” Nicole replied, a small smile forming on her lips.
Helen gently guided Nicole toward the couch where she and her husband were seated, pulling her along as if she already belonged there.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” Helen asked her husband proudly.
“She is really beautiful,” Gabriel’s dad agreed. “Congratulations, son.”
Helen couldn’t hide her excitement. She felt an overwhelming sense of joy seeing her son with someone after all these years.
She had waited so long for this moment. For years, she had feared that Gabriel would never truly move on after his breakup with Ashley.
Seeing him now — engaged, settled — filled her with relief.
“So, how did you two meet?” she asked excitedly turning her attention back to Nicole, her curiosity impossible to hide.
“Mom,” Gabriel interjected quickly, “you’re already throwing questions at her. I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“What?” Helen replied, clearly unconvinced. “I think I have the right to know that information, don’t you think?”
“No, it’s fine,” Nicole said quickly before Gabriel could protest further, offering a reassuring smile. “We met at a bar.”
Gabriel glanced at her briefly.
“We chatted for a while and became friends afterward,” Nicole continued carefully. “Then… one thing led to another, and we ended up dating.”
Nicole felt a pang of guilt. Saying it out loud made her chest tighten. She hated lying, especially to people this kind. But she had no choice.
“Really?” Helen said, clearly intrigued. “But my son here is a hard nut to crack. How did you do it? I mean, how did you both get to this point?”
Nicole took a breath, choosing her words carefully.
“Yeah, he is quite a case,” she said with a light laugh. “A special one at that. I must be honest with you — it wasn’t easy. His walls were too thick to break through. I had to open up first, about myself and my feelings — before anything started.”
She hoped she was convincing enough. The last thing she wanted was to ruin everything.
“Oh honey,” Helen said sympathetically. “That must have been tough for you.”
She glanced at Gabriel.
“I apologize on his behalf. He was like that because of his ex, Ashley. I’m sure he has told you about her.”
“Yes,” Nicole replied softly. “He has.”
“But…” Helen continued, leaning forward slightly, her tone firm. “I’m not going to excuse him only with that. I’m his mother, and I’ll be honest with you. He can be quite boring to be with. He’s always busy and doesn’t make time for anyone — even his own mother.”
“Mom, I’m right here,” Gabriel said, drawing laughter from everyone in the room.
“Oh honey, I’m only telling the truth,” Helen replied, still smiling.
“I understand what you mean,” Nicole said gently. “But I kind of like that. I feel safe knowing that he only cheats on me with his work and not a person. That way, I don’t worry too much about his late nights… even though I still worry about his safety.”
She looked at Gabriel as she spoke, silently hoping he could feel the sincerity behind her words, as she meant every word.
Gabriel was stunned by her response. He hadn’t expected that. Helen stared at Nicole as well, clearly taken aback.
“Wow,” Helen said. “You are different.”
Nicole’s heart raced. She immediately grew nervous. She worried she might have said the wrong thing.
“I’m glad you think like me,” Helen continued warmly. “Gabriel has indeed found the right one.”
She leaned forward and placed a kiss on Nicole’s forehead.
Nicole felt her throat tighten. Helen’s gesture touched her deeply.
For a moment, she wished with all her heart that everything was real — that this wasn’t built on a contract and lies.
Gabriel’s parents were wonderful. In just half an hour, she already felt accepted, welcomed, and genuinely cared for.
Looking at Gabriel’s father, she could see exactly where Gabriel got his good looks from.
The brown eyes and hair, however, definitely came from his mother.
Gabriel mouthed a silent thank you to Nicole when his parents weren’t looking. She smiled back.
After chatting for a while longer in the living room, Helen excused herself along with Nicole, leaving Gabriel alone with his dad in the living room. She led Nicole upstairs to the bedroom she and her husband would be staying in during their visit.
Helen spoke fondly of how she had fallen in love with the room the very first time she visited Gabriel after he bought the house. The room was beautiful — similar to Gabriel and Nicole’s, though decorated mainly in red, cream, and bronze. It suited his parents perfectly.
While Gabriel and his dad were likely discussing business downstairs, Helen shared stories about her life with Nicole. She talked about their journey, how she had insisted her husband come along so he could take a break from work as well.
“You know,” Helen began thoughtfully, “Gabriel is a lot like his father.”
Nicole listened quietly.
“They care in their own way, even though they may seem tough and all. ” Helen continued, “And I’m happy he is with a girl like you.”
She wiped a tear from her eye.
“I don’t know why I’m so emotional right now,” she said softly. “ I’m just so excited about this. I’ve waited five years to see my baby happy again.”
The conversation made Nicole uncomfortable.
Not because of Helen, but the guilt that pressed heavily against her chest. Why hadn’t things happened differently between her and Gabriel?
If only his parents knew this was all a sham.
If only Helen knew the truth — that this relationship was built on a contract.
Helen took Nicole’s hands in hers, and Nicole found it hard to meet her eyes.
She didn’t deserve this kindness. Helen was a really sweet woman.
“Nicole,” Helen said earnestly, “please promise me that no matter how cold Gabriel may act toward you, you’ll always stay with him. Please don’t leave him like Ashley did.”
Nicole’s chest tightened . What could she say? This wasn’t a real relationship — yet her feelings for Gabriel were very real. And she couldn’t bring herself to disappoint Helen.
“I promise,” Nicole replied softly, her smile sincere despite the ache in her heart.
Helen’s face lit up. She clapped her hands together excitedly and turned back to the luggage resting on the bed.
“I got these for you,” she said, showing Nicole the clothes and jewelry she had bought.
“Here,” she added warmly, “try them on.”
She gently shooed Nicole toward the bathroom.