Chapter 2186


    As soon as Sylvia spoke up, the onlookers scattered like leaves in the wind, with Eunice and Lydia


    making a beeline for the exit when they saw their boss''s temper ring.


    Sylvia marched up to Gabriel, grabbing his wrist and steering him towards her office.


    Once inside, with the door shut and the prying eyes of office gossip cut off, Sylvia''s lips curled into a


    smile. "They can be such a riot," she said, gesturing around her office. "Take a seat anywhere you


    like, make yourselffortable."


    Gabriel surveyed the room before settling onto a sofa by the window. "Don''t mind me," he said, his


    voice even. "Carry on with your work."


    Sylvia poured him a cup of coffee. "Won''t you get bored?"


    Taking a sip, Gabriel replied in his calm tone, "I''m on holiday, boredom is my constantpanion."


    With a nomittal shrug, Sylvia offered, "Well, if you need anything, just holler."


    Gabriel nodded in acknowledgment.


    The morning passed quickly with both of them immersed in their own tasks.


    Come noon, they ventured across the street to a restaurant for lunch. It was impossible not to notice


    the curious and excited nces from colleagues, their whispers wafting over like the aroma of fresh


    pie.


    "Looks like Eugene''s out of the running, huh?"


    "But her boyfriend''s got that cool, rugged thing going on. They''re like a match made in heaven!"


    "Do you get the feeling they''re more than friends, yet not quite lovebirds?"


    "I''m calling it – they''re totally dating. And that''s that!"


    Gabriel remained unfazed by the scrutiny, and Sylvia only shot her assistant a warning re, letting


    the others specte to their hearts'' content.


    After lunch, they returned to the office to continue with the afternoon''s workload.


    Sylvia was indeed busy – phone calls, scheduling, contract reviews.


    After a couple of hours, her assistant popped in with a selection of paper bags, grinning. "Director''s


    treat for afternoon tea. These are for you and Mr. Carnes. Enjoy, I''ll leave you to it!"


    Mnda sneaked a nce at Gabriel and giggled on her way out. Her morning of sleuthing had paid


    off; she''d not only discovered Gabriel''sst name but also earned the office an afternoon treat.


    Sylvia unpacked the bags,ying out pastries and drinks on the coffee table, handing Gabriel his


    coffee.


    She sat opposite him, nibbling on a cake, her gaze drifting out the floor-to-ceiling window, reflecting


    his tall, handsome silhouette. Her eyes softened, marveling at the unexpected warmth of the winter


    sun.


    After finishing her cake and popping a piece of peppermint candy in her mouth, Sylvia stood and


    straddled Gabriel''sp, leaning in for a kiss.


    Gabriel set down his coffee, his hands encircling her waist, perfectly epassing her. The rich


    scent of coffee mingled with the freshness of mint as Sylvia yfully swirled the candy in her mouth.


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    Bathed in sunlight, her skin glowed like fresh snow, her expression one of indulgence, effortlessly


    seductive.


    It wasn''t until the peppermint dissolvedpletely, savored by them both, that Gabriel halted their


    embrace. "Back to work," he said firmly, his voice deep. "Don''t get distracted."


    Sylvia, feelingnguid, leaned into his embrace for a moment longer before Gabriel''s arms


    unwound, allowing her to stand.


    After a while, the persistent buzz of Sylvia''s phone on the desk pulled her attention away. She


    nced at the caller ID and, without a second thought, her brows knitted together in annoyance.