My emotions are mixed up right now. Anger, hatred, irritation, and jealousy. How could he kiss his mistress in front of me?! If I could take that scene back then, I won't back down now that we are in a different situation. He already knows the truth!
"I love the smell of you on my clothes..." Ellwood whispered loud enough to be heard, wanting to be sweeter than the two in front of us.
I gulped and glanced at Gabriel. He remained stoic, but he suddenly looked away as I heard a clenching jaw over the table.
I was relieved when the food arrived. Ellwood and Alessandra kept their conversation intact. She showed a polite interest in Ellwood's life. He was proud to talk about how successful he was in the fields of Freight and Cargo Shipping. As well as being the CEO of Rising Stone which is supposedly my position.
"Rising Stone? I heard a few things about them. Are they the owners of the biggest mining company in Queensland?" Alessandra talks inquisitively.
Ellwood stole a glance at me before answering.
"Yeah, they also have the largest numbers of jewelry shops around the country. They're also known as one of the biggest distributors of fabrics that was imported from here to other countries," Ellwood well stated.
A wide smile appeared on her face. She even nodded affirmatively. You can see how interested she was.
"Meredith is really lucky to have you, then?" Alessandra turned her gaze at me. Her tone was teasing.
I just rolled up my eyes. If you only knew... I whispered subconsciously.
"How about the inherits of Cervantes? Shouldn't she be the one managing their family's compant?"Gabriel asked him seriously.
His eyes turned to me. He glared at me with hatred in his cruel dull eyes.
I shifted on my seat and grabbed the glass of wine and took a gulp hurriedly to calm myself.
Ellwood shook his head and glanced down at me for a moment. He then held his own glass of wine and swirled it around before sipping.
"I don't know what's really going on in her mind. Maybe she had a lot more important things to do than taking her throne. But if I were to be asked, she's just wasting her time doing what she's doing," Ellwood said it clearly.
I gulped. His words had a huge impact in me. Suddenly, I want to speak and defend for myself. How dare he say that in front of me?!
"Maybe she was just following her heart. I didn't see anything wrong with it," Grabriel said in a humorless tone.
I saw the shock displayed on Alessandra's face at Gabriel's remark. She looked at him with disbelief. Even I was baffled, I tilted my head back and pursed my lips tightly.
Ellwood smirked a little, "Or maybe that man took his girl for granted because he knows she will always take him back whatever happens? Or maybe he was just a fucking opportunist. But the truth is, that boy is a poor, dirty gold digger," he articulated in a serious tone.
He turned to me after. HHis eyes looked dark. I swallowed hard and pulled the hem of his shirt. "What the hell are you talking about, Ellwood?!" I whispered sharply.
"Relax, I'm just stating a fact, sweetheart..." he mumbled under his breath. He smiled at me before bringing his gaze back to Gabriel and Alessandra.
"So shall we continue eating?"
Alessandra agreed while Gabriel didn't pick his spoon and fork again.
"No, thanks. I lost my appetite!" he shot back. He wiped his lips clean and placed the napkin on the table rather loudly.L
"What's wrong, love? Don't you like the food?" Alessandra asked him worriedly.
"Mr. Magnus, I don't want to spoil your night. I'm sorry, did it hit you somewhere?" Ellwood said bluntly, lips curled up into a mocking smirk.
Gabriel shook his head and shot him a deviltry look. "I'm not that close-minded. There's no use in arguing the point, Mr. Echeverrii."
"It's good that you know that what I said isn't meant for you." He leans back, looking arrogantly on his seat.
I know the old Gabriel. He has a long string of patience. He doesn't get angry without any basis. But the way his jaw clenched and his brows shot up hardly, I know that he's angry. He's slowly emitting a dangerous air that left me trembling.
I cleared my throat and turned to Ellwood beside me. I held his arm. "Please, Ellwood, stop it!"
His eyes dropped at his arm I was holding before a playful smile floated on his lips. He caught my hand and brought it to the table, caressing it lightly while holding it tight.
I hesistantly looked up to Gabriel. He was just looking darkly at me. His gaze went to my hand Ellwood was holding. His jaw clenched as he averted his eyes.
I was about to pull it from Ellwood's grasp, but he didn't let me. Instead, he covered it more using his other hand.
"If you don't like the food, I could order something different. Name it, I'll give it to you," he said in a serious tone.
Gabriel shook his head, a bitter smile appeared on his face. Instead of responding, he just picked his spoon up and started eating.
There was silence between us. I tossed the food in my plate quietly but my attention wasn't really on the food.
I was still affected by their argument earlier. Ellwood was too eager to point out everything what is inside him and what he really aims. I can't blame his hatred towards Hezekiah, but it's not right to act on it carelessly just to make the latter to feel his anger.
I also noticed Alessandra's silence. She didn't open another conversation with Ellwood. I think she's thinking deeply while her attention's on the food.
After a few bites, Gabriel raised his head and looked at me with my red face. I fixed myself in my seat. My heart beat speed up, I'm simply vulnerable to withstand his heat.
I can feel my knees wobbling even when I'm sitting. He knew where my weak spots are, he can melt me with just his stare.
"Love, can you please pour me another wine?" Alessandra spoke in a soft tone.
"Yes, sure..." he answered in a low soft voice.
My eyes quickly drooped to my plate. It lingered there.
"How was the food?" Ellwood asked.
"Great! Thanks for having a romantic dinner with you guys! I hope we can do this again. We'll visit you someday in Queensland, is that fine?" Alessandra smiled widely as she turned her gaze at me.
My appetite had dwindled to nothing. I leaned back to my seat and pursed my lips a little.
"Sure, no problem. We also want you to invite to our engagement party next month," Ellwood delivered confidently.
"Oh, sure. We'll come, right, love? Make sure that all your schedules and meetings are cleared by that time, okay? I want to be there for Meredith's special day!" Her tone was lighter.
I heaved a deep sigh, not minding if someone would notice it.
"Uh, I'll just go to the washroom," Alessandra informed and stood up.
"Should I go with you?" Gabriel offered.
"No need, love. I can manage. Mom's been calling me, I had to answer this."
The room sunk into silence after Alessandra excused herself. I'm sure she'll take long before she can come back because the hotel's a few meters from here.