Chapter 33: Invitation
"Haaaa." Gabriel let out a long sigh before inhaling deeply, his chest rising with a contented breath. A soft flush bloomed on his cheeks as he stretched his arms above his head. "God, what an amazing morning! I can’t remember the last time April greeted us with such perfect weather."
Anna offered a quiet smile, the gentle curve of her lips tinged with warmth.
She hadn’t expected Gabriel to join her for a walk—she had secretly hoped Madame Anaïs would accompany her instead. But when Mrs. Garrel was suddenly struck by a migraine, it was Gabriel who stepped in, and now the two of them strolled through the estate gardens alone.
She didn’t really mind. Even after all this time, there was still an underlying awkwardness in Gabriel’s presence, but she had come to appreciate his companionship. He had proven himself to be a loyal and steadfast friend, and there was something comforting about having someone so effortlessly reliable by her side.
Since Gabriel was still finishing his studies, he often found himself with an abundance of free time—though, in truth, most of it was spent scheming ways to avoid more lessons and business training. Spending time with Anna had become a welcome distraction for him, and, in a way, for her as well.
"Do you think your grandmother will be all right?" Anna asked, her gaze drifting over the vibrant spring garden that framed the Garrel estate in a lush embrace. "Spring is always a difficult season for her. The constant shifts in weather seem to toy with her blood pressure, too."
Gabriel chuckled, running a hand through his unruly mass of heavy curls. "You sure care about my grandma a lot. It’s... kind of adorable."
Anna shot him a pointed look. "Of course, I care about her! After everything she’s done for me, how could I not? It’s only natural."
Gabriel laughed again, the rich timbre of his voice carrying through the crisp morning air. "You know, I think it’d look a lot more natural if my family had just gone ahead and adopted you. Grandma already treats you like one of her own, so..."