Lock You In My Heart

Video call?

It was not something that Gabrielle would want to do—to have a video call with Austin. She still had the hideous scar on her face. She didn’t want him to see it.

But if she wouldn’t do the video call, Austin would be more worried about her. If he’d come to Bangkok, things might only get worse.

“Please let me have a look at you. Let me see you.” There was a long pause. Austin felt sad that Gabrielle was taking the time to respond to him.

Gabrielle finally spoke. “Look, Austin. I just got up. I haven’t even washed my face and combed my hair. I can’t let you see me like this. You’d be horrified.” She thought that this would be an acceptable reason for her to refuse Austin’s request.

And it was. Austin stopped insisting on a video call.

He also thought of what Westley had said about what happened the previous night. They were exhausted, Westley told him. That was the reason that Gabrielle woke up late.

Of course, this only made Austin feel more miserable.

“Okay, we can have the video call when it’s convenient for you,” Austin said resignedly. He had acquiesced to Gabrielle’s argument.

Maybe he should wait for another day. Maybe then, Gabrielle would be willing to do the video call. She was in Bangkok at that moment; he was in Antawood. The distance between them was tens of thousands of miles across the seas. It was impossible for him to see her even if he wanted to.

If it were up to him, he wouldn’t give up so easily.

“Austin, I sent a parcel to Grandma. See to it that she gets it soon after you receive it. Also, tell her that we are okay here. Thank you, Austin,” Gabrielle said. Her tone was happy and light.

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s not really an inconvenience to give the parcel to Grandma,” said Austin.

Gabrielle was glad to hear that. “Just the same, I’ll have to thank you. Listen, I have to go now. I have to go downstairs now to look for Westley.”

“Gabrielle, you really have to take good care of yourself. You should also have a real good time,” said Austin, still not wanting to hang up the phone.

do that, Austin.

“Bye.”

and

entered the room carrying a tray of

little late for breakfast. Nonetheless, it was the first

phone call?”

answered Gabrielle. “You shouldn’t have brought the breakfast here. I was about to go downstairs to have it.” One look at Westley and she could recognize jealousy on his

thoughtful of you! Caring husbands are a rarity and I am so blessed to have you.” Westley put the tray on the small table. He then looked at

awful it was for him that his jealousy was gnawing at his

here,” Gabrielle said quizzically as she looked at the food that Westley brought

and pickles, soup and bread—all nicely set on the tray

was wafting through the air. She wanted to dig in and take every morsel of

dumplings be brought in here for you.” Westley thought

like vinegar. I sure

right hand on his forehead. Was she saying

ng jealous?

You have been talking on the phone with my rival. Yes, I’m jealous!” Westley looked at

feel that way. Austin is not your rival for my love. He never will be. He’s just a friend, nothing more,” Gabrielle assured him. She then took the spoon, dipped it in

had always been jealous of Austin to a point that he would believe that there was more than friendship

is my cousin. Yours, too. Despite that,

trust me when I tell you that Austin is just a friend. Anyhow, you can’t forbid me to have

that she couldn’t give up friendships because

from her past. This was the last thing

sheepishly. He couldn’t help it. She said the very words he wanted to hear. It was him—only him—that she liked

words that always smoothened Westley’s ruffled