Page 43 of Ruthless Rival

“You have a girlfriend?” Giulia asked as she stared at me. She almost seemed suspicious.

“I’m so happy for you, Papà!” Alessia exclaimed as she smiled up at me.

I cupped her cheek and gave her a grateful smile. I wouldn’t expect any other reaction from my youngest daughter but pure joy.

“Yeah, that’s great,” Lorenzo added with a happy nod. “I’m glad you found someone. Happy for you Papà.”

“Took you long enough,” Marco joked, earning a few laughs.

Adriano stayed silent and sipped on his wine.

Before I could prod him, a chime sounded from the doorbell that echoed throughout the whole house. I excused myself and headed to the foyer, waving off Iso from answering. I knew exactly who it was, my heart already starting to race. I opened the door to see Gabriela standing outside in a yellow dress. It flowed down to her ankles, held up by thin straps on her shoulders. She looked even more radiant than the sun itself.

“You look wonderful,” I told her as I took her hand and led her inside. I pressed a gentle kiss against her lips.

“Thank you,” Gabriela whispered as she brushed her hand along my dark blue suit jacket. “I need to see you in jeans again.”

I chuckled, thinking back to our first ‘date’ and my introduction to casual wear. If she wanted to see me in jeans, she would see me in jeans. I didn’t think it would ever be possible after Sienna, but she had stolen my heart, and I wanted to put a smile on her face as much as I could.

“We’ll have to pay Por Qué No a visit,” I suggested. It would be nice to go back to where things first kicked off, to relive that passionate night, and see how far we had come.

“What a romantic,” Gabriela teased me as she leaned against my chest.

I caressed her back, wanting to run my fingers through her hair and squeeze her perfect curves. That would be for later, though. Right now, she had an extensive meet and greet to attend.

“Are you ready?” I asked her, wanting to move at her pace.

Gabriela drew in a deep breath and nodded. She flashed me an excited smile. “I’m ready,” she stated, sharing a determined nod with me. That was all she needed to say.

She had no idea what to expect tonight. Neither did I.

I led her to the dining room, watching everyone’s expression shift at the sight of her. Some were surprised. Some were in awe. One was cold and distant.

“Everyone, this is Gabriela. Gabriela, these are my lovely daughters, Alessia and Giulia. These are my sons, Lorenzo, Marco, and Adriano. I’m sure you recognize Adriano,” I told her.

“Of course. Your wedding was beautiful,” Gabriela told Adriano with a polite smile on her face.

Adriano seemed to scoff under his breath. “Thanks.”

I paused at this and gave him a warning type look. I wanted to drag Adriano out of here by his ear, but I controlled myself. I refused to let his odd attitude ruin this special dinner. “Their spouses are with the babies. But I will be introducing them at a later time.”

Gabriela gave them a nod then turned her head and smiled up at me.

A magnetic force drew me down to her, my lips pressing to hers in a gentle kiss. I felt glad she was here, and I couldn’t wait to see her at my table from now on. “Please, have a seat,” I told her as I gestured for her to sit next to me and across from Alessia. I had kept that seat empty for years, but it felt right to have her seated next to me.

All of my children’s eyes shot to the seat they had expected to always stay empty. Eyebrows lifted in surprise, while one set narrowed. Adriano tightened his hand resting on the table into a fist as he watched Gabriela take a seat.

“You’re so pretty. I love your dress!” Alessia easily chatted with Gabriela.

“Yeah, it looks pretty expensive,” Giulia commented while studying Gabriela. “Do you work? Or got a rich family?”

Gabriela cast a quick glance over at me before coaxing herself to relax. “I do some business here and there. I actually studied it,” she explained.

“How’d you guys meet?” Lorenzo asked, dragging the conversation away from being an interrogation.

“At the wedding,” I answered, not wanting them to know that we ran into each other at the hospital. I didn’t need them putting two and two together. They were already acting too suspicious for my liking.

“How funny.” Marco chuckled. “A lot of people meet their partners at weddings and funerals.”

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