THE INVINCIBLE TOP G

Chapter 4

Fighting back the tears that were threatening to spill out from her filled eyelids, Camella turned her back to him, whimpering.

“Just get lost. At least, it's a little relief that I won't have to look at your face."

With a heavy sigh, Gabriel relented, his obstinacy momentarily overshadowed by the urgency of the situation.

"Fine, I will go," he conceded, his voice weary with defeat as he turned to leave. He held the door handle, glancing at her for the last time.

“Don't worry, Camella. It all ends soon. I'm going to be the husband you always wanted to be proud of," he silently swore, his jaw bones clenching as he walked out. 

As he disappeared down the hallway, Camella's phone beeped, drawing her attention away from their quarrel. She glanced at the message silently, her heart heavy with worry for her daughter's uncertain future.

“Maybe this is the best way because I can't just…” her voice trailed, overwhelmed by her emotions. Returning her gaze to the peaceful face of her sleeping daughter, she prayed silently for a solution to their troubles, hoping against hope that Gabriel's actions would bring the help they so desperately needed.

**** ***** ****

 In the luxuriant foyer of the grand Wellington Group establishment, Nora McConnell and her daughter Aliyah paced nervously, their minds consumed with worry. Joining them was Fredrick, Aliyah's classmate, who offered words of reassurance.

"Aunt Nora, you don't need to worry. Your company will secure this contract," Fredrick insisted, his voice filled with confidence.

Nora, though grateful for the support, couldn't shake off the disappointment of their recent rejection by the Wellington Group. She had pinned her hopes on this opportunity, buoyed by Fredrick's assurances that his father's connections with some people of Wellington Group would open doors.

"We were rejected. Are we going to get another chance?" Aliyah grumbled, her frustration evident.

Fredrick fell silent, unsure of how to provide comfort in the face of their dashed hopes.

Nora nodded resolutely, clinging to a glimmer of optimism. "Let's wait a little longer. Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to speak with the president of Wellington Group."

Aliyah couldn't contain a scoff. "Mother, we haven't even been granted an audience with his assistant, and you're holding out hope of meeting the president? Do you realize who he is?" Her tone conveyed the impossibility of her mother's optimism.

Nora was rendered speechless. She had heard a lot about the president of Wellington Group. He was no free man. Always hard to see him and it almost felt as if was the president of the country or the prime minister. But she couldn't just leave like that. She had been assigned the daunting task of securing a deal with Wellington Group by her company and her position or even her job was at stake. 

Nora's hopes dwindled with each passing moment until her gaze fell upon Gabriel striding into the foyer, filling them with astonishment.

"What is he doing here?" Aliyah scoffed, her disbelief evident.

As Fredrick caught sight of Gabriel approaching, disbelief colored his words. "That really can't be Gabriel, right?"

Nora's face darkened with disdain at the sight of him. "It's my worthless son-in-law," she seethed, her tone dripping with contempt as he drew nearer.

"Good day, mother-in-law..." Gabriel began, only to be cut off by Nora's sharp retort.

"Don't call me that again, and let's keep our relationship under wraps, you fool," she sneered, prompting a mocking laugh from Aliyah.

"What are you doing here?" Fredrick interjected, his astonishment evident.

Before Gabriel could respond, Aliyah dismissed him with a disdainful tone. "You shouldn't be here. You should be at the hospital."

"Absolutely. Your place is at the hospital, tending to my granddaughter," Nora concurred, her voice filled with resentment. "How dare you shirk your responsibilities? Leave now and return to the hospital," she scolded, her words laced with bitterness.

"I'm here to see Mr. Moore for something important," Gabriel stated flatly, attempting to assert himself.

Aliyah exchanged a look with Fredrick before they both burst into mocking laughter.

“Tell me, brother-in-law, has having been in the hospital for a while made you lose your sanity causing this delusion?" Aliyah sneered. "If so, you should check yourself into a psychiatric hospital immediately."

"You're dumb if you think you have any business meeting Mr. Moore," Fredrick added, his tone incredulous.

"I'm not being delusional,” Gabriel asserted, calmly. 

"However, I believe the sun has truly fried your brain resulting in your delusions," Aliyah concluded, chuckling at the absurdity of Gabriel's claim.