Is this destiny?

Bridgette came to welcome Gabriel and Becca and she saw them hugging and kissing.

She smiled and took a few steps back. Bridgette was glad that they didn\'t notice her because she didn\'t want to interrupt the moment.

Gabriel ended the long kiss with a few short ones and leaned his forehead on Becca\'s.

"My sweet Becca…", he murmured. "Don\'t be nervous because no matter what anyone says, you are my girl, and I am yours. Is that clear?"

"Yes…", Becca whispered, slightly out of breath.

"Good. I want you to keep that in mind. No one compares to you. No one."

Becca smiled in response as her heart swelled.

Bridgette cleared her throat and walked toward Gabriel and Becca. "Sorry to interrupt, but I thought this is a good time to let you know I am here before you start making out again." Bridgette saw that Becca was shocked and red like a ripe tomato. "Aww… look who is shy. Gabe, if you don\'t want to risk someone seeing you kissing, you can go to your room. It\'s just how you left it, and..." She leaned closer and said in a whisper: "...it\'s soundproof."

Becca was not sure where to look and she was glad that Gabriel hugged her protectively so that she can hide her face in his chest.

"Biddy, you are making it worse.", Gabriel tried to sound like he is reprimanding Bridgette, but his smile said otherwise.

Bridgette laughed. "Worse? You are the one kissing her here for everyone to see. I only called you out on it, and don\'t forget that I offered you a room for privacy." Bridgette winked playfully. "Welcome home, Gabe. I am glad that you finally brought Becca here."

Becca looked at Bridgette and relaxed. Bridgette\'s bubbly personality rubs off on people.

"Come… everything is ready.", Bridgette said mysteriously and led the way opposite from the main entry.

Becca and Gabriel held each other around the waist and followed after Bridgette.

They exited through the massive double glass door into the garden and Becca\'s legs refused to move from shock.

The garden was dominated by roses and neatly trimmed topiaries between which were elegantly set tables for lunch, chairs, there was soft music, and… people. A lot of people. They were chatting and (so far) no one noticed them.

"I didn\'t know there was a party.", Becca said to Gabriel in an urgent whisper. "Did you know?"

"I\'m guilty of charges.", Gabriel admitted. "Instead of meeting my family one-by-one and letting them spread the rumors, we thought it will be better for you to meet them all at the same time."

Becca\'s brows furrowed. "Why didn\'t you tell me?"

"Because you would freak out.", Gabriel said matter-of-factly.

Becca glanced at her light summer dress and flat shoes. "I\'m not dressed for this."

Gabriel leaned closer and spoke only for Becca to hear: "You are fine, even though I prefer you naked."

Becca\'s eyes widened. How can he be so shameless and flirt in this dire situation?

"Are your parents here?"

"If they are not, they will be. All Longs are here."

Becca looked straight into Gabriel\'s eyes, not daring to look away out of fear that she will meet someone else\'s gaze. "All of them?"

"Mhm… and some friends as well. I want everyone to know that we are a couple. Come. There is no point in standing here, and I am hungry."

Becca felt her bile rising and she was quite confident that she will not be able to eat anything, but she liked the idea of everyone knowing about them, and Gabriel\'s imposing mien told her that he is serious about this.

Gabriel tugged her to move down the stairs into the garden and Becca realized that some of the people are looking their way.

"Gabriel, good to see you…", an older man greeted him.

"Uncle Joseph, it\'s nice to see you too."

Gabriel\'s Uncle Joseph didn\'t try to hide his curiosity. "And who is this young lady?"

Becca felt Gabriel\'s hold on her tightening at the man\'s question. Gabriel was silently telling her not to worry and that he will handle everything.

"This is Rebecca Casano, my girlfriend."

Joseph\'s eyebrows shoot up and he eyed Becca for a second before nodding in greeting. "Nice to meet you, Miss Casano."

Becca was happy that the man seemed polite, even though his smile fell when Gabriel said that she is his girlfriend.

"Gabe, I personally came to greet you and show you to your seats. Don\'t make me wait…", Bridgette said from the side.

"I apologize. We will talk more later.", Gabriel said to his Uncle Joseph and he and Becca moved after Bridgette.

Bridgette took them toward the table where Steve was. He was chatting with Jeff, and Becca was surprised to see that JoAnna, Charlie, Emma, Corey, and Merve are at the same table as well. So many familiar (and friendly) faces!

"Here, here…", Bridgette gestured toward two chairs, between Steve and Merve. They sat so that Gabriel was next to Steve, and Becca found herself between Gabriel and Merve.

"So, when did you find out about this party?", Becca asked Merve.

"Last night Sarah told us to come here."

"Last night?", Becca was confused. She assumed that the party was something previously arranged and that Gabriel and she got an impromptu invitation only because Becca told Bridgette yesterday that they will be visiting. Or was Gabriel invited earlier, but he didn\'t tell Becca?

"Mhm…", Merve confirmed. "Bridgette decided to have this lunch gathering on short notice, and she invited Sarah and Aiden, but they already had plans and they made sure that we come." Merve leaned closer to Becca. "Don\'t worry, Becca, I know exactly how you feel. This setting can be intimidating, but I\'ve got your back. We all do."

Becca noticed that Merve made eye-signals toward the neighboring table, and she saw that seated there are Ade, Hande, Allen, Julius, Michael, Oni, Haru, Nala, Ron, and Zula.

Becca exhaled in relief when she met their friendly gazes directed her way. She was so nervous that she didn\'t pay attention to the people, assuming that she will be surrounded by strangers but this… she will need to say her thanks to Sarah and Aiden.

Becca knows Sarah and Aiden because her father works at the White corp. with them, and Penny is a good friend with Sarah and that is how Becca ended up going a few times to the Cliffside villa, but she never dreamed that Sarah and Aiden will care so much that they would send all these people to attend the party just so that Becca is not uncomfortable.

The part that made it better was that Gabriel was holding onto her hand under the table and his thumb rubbed the back of her palm.

Becca smiled and glanced around.

"See? It\'s not so bad.", Gabriel said.

Becca had to admit that he was right. "Are your parents here?"

"Mhm…", Gabriel hummed in confirmation. "They are three tables on your left."

"Why are they so far away?", Becca asked, assuming that close family members should sit together.

"People are seated based on ranking."

Becca didn\'t understand. "Ranking?"

Gabriel glanced at Steve. "The patriarch comes first, and people who are high in the hierarchy are seated close to him. The further people are seated from the patriarch, the less important they are."

"Oh…", a sound escaped Becca\'s lips, and her eyes widened when she realized that they are sitting at the same table with Steve. That means they are important, like super-important. 

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