THE INVINCIBLE TOP G

Chapter 5

Not taking their words to heart, Gabriel stood his ground. “Well, I'm not really here for a business meeting but I certainly am going to see Mr. Moore."

The confidence that oozed from him left them momentarily stunned. Until Nora blurted.

“I see you have grown to be more foolish."

As Gabriel stood before them, his attempt to assert himself met with derision and scorn from Nora, Aliyah, and Fredrick.

"Do you think you're someone important enough to see Mr. Moore?" Aliyah scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're more than a fool if you think he would spare a moment for the likes of you."

"Exactly," Fredrick chimed in, his tone laced with disbelief. "You're nothing but a lowly security guard with no firm background in this city. What makes you think you have any business with the city's richest man?"

Nora's disdain was palpable as she added, "You should be grateful if you even get a chance to speak with his assistant, let alone Mr. Moore himself. Know your place, idiot liar!”

"Mother-in-law, I am not lying. Why would I come here if I don't have a purpose for being here?” Gabriel asked, defending himself.

“Well, you really don't even have a strong purpose in life so I guess you dumbly walked in here," Fredrick chirped, ridiculing him further. 

"Exactly, Fredrick. He's so dumb and I hate to admit that he's Camella's husband,” Aliyah spat.

Nora, giving him an awful look added, "Your sister went for the worst man on this planet Earth and she's facing the consequences.” She scoffed. “Gabriel, you better leave before the security guards take a huge notice of you and throw you away in the most shameful manner.”

As they continued to belittle him, a petite, elegantly dressed woman approached, catching their attention. She exuded an air of authority, and her striking appearance left them momentarily speechless.

As the secretary reached them, Nora's heart raced with anticipation, hoping for a change of heart regarding her company’s business proposal. However, her hopes were quickly dashed as the secretary's attention turned to Gabriel, bypassing her completely with a polite smile.

"Excuse me," the secretary addressed Gabriel, her tone respectful. "I couldn't help but overhear. Are you here to see Mr. Moore?"

Gabriel nodded tentatively, still reeling from the earlier ridicule he endured.

With a warm smile, the secretary extended her hand. "I'm Mr. Moore's secretary. It's a pleasure to see you, sir. You're highly welcome." To their surprise, she bowed gracefully. "Please follow me. He's been expecting you."

As Gabriel and the secretary made their way toward the private elevator, Aliyah and Nora stood frozen in disbelief, their mouths agape. Fredrick could only watch in astonishment as Gabriel disappeared from view.

"I must be hallucinating," Aliyah muttered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Someone, please pinch me.” Her disbelief turned into desperation. 

Fredrick, sensing her distress, reached out and pinched Aliyah's arm, causing her to cry out in pain before slapping Fredrick's arm in disbelief.

"I can't believe this," Aliyah exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief. "How could Gabriel, of all people, charm his way into seeing Mr. Moore?"

Fredrick shook his head in disbelief. "It must have been some kind of uh, juju or trickery," he suggested, trying to rationalize the situation. "He couldn't possibly have impressed Mr. Moore's secretary on his own merits."

Aliyah scoffed, her frustration evident. "He's not even as good-looking as she made him out to be. He must have resorted to black magic or something."

Meanwhile, Nora stood apart from them, her embarrassment palpable. "I can't believe this," she muttered, her voice filled with frustration. "I feel utterly embarrassed that my lowly son-in-law was given more value than me."

"This is highly unacceptable,” Aliyah stated.

Fredrick nodded. "I agree…"

“That is enough." Shunning her daughter and Fredrick, Nora turned away, unable to bear the humiliation of Gabriel's unexpected achievement. 

Fredrick quickly stepped forward as Nora moved to leave. "Aunt Nora, I think we should exercise a bit more patience. Please, don't leave just yet..."

Aliyah scoffed in frustration. "Who is the 'we' here? We're the ones facing embarrassment. You were just giving us false hope, Fred. I can't take this anymore."