Is this destiny?

As the servants arranged food in front of guests, everyone waited for Steve to start eating. It\'s the custom that no one eats before the patriarch.

Instead of starting with his soup, Steve stood up and hit his glass with a fork a few times, making it clink to get people to stop talking.

"If I can have your attention…", Steve spoke loudly for everyone to hear. It took a few seconds for the chatter to stop, and Steve continued: "I want to thank everyone for gathering here on such short notice. As per Long family traditions, when an impactful change in the family occurs, we officially share that information with everyone in order to avoid distortion spreading through the family and beyond. With that, I will hand it to my right-hand man, Gabriel, to share with you why we all gathered here today."

Gabriel gave a small nod to Steve and stood up.

Becca tried discretely to pry her hand out of Gabriel\'s hold, but he didn\'t let her. She blushed. Holding hands under the table is one thing, but now he is standing and their hands are above the table and everyone is looking his way. How embarrassing.

She admired that Gabriel looks cool as a cucumber, and she hoped that one day she can hold herself with such confidence.

Gabriel\'s stoic expression reminded Becca of the incident at the riding club when he shooed those pesky women away, and she wondered if that is how he sees his family members… like pesky people who are not worthy to see his warm and caring side.

"I believe that most of you are aware that Victoria is no part of the Long family anymore…", Gabriel started talking. "I know that many of you don\'t approve of me distancing myself from her, but that is only because you don\'t know the background."

Gabriel gave Becca\'s hand a reassuring squeeze. He noticed she is not comfortable that he is talking about victoria, but this is a necessary step if he wants to clear up the air with everyone. He hoped that she will understand. 

"Two months ago, the Long family suffered a crisis where confidential information about our business was leaked and our competitors took advantage of that. We didn\'t encounter massive losses only thanks to the prompt assistance from the Smith and the White family", Gabriel paused and glanced at Charlie and Jeff. "For that, the Longs will be always grateful, and ready to return the favor."

Gabriel turned to look at the crowd seated at many tables through the garden. "What only a few of you know is that Victoria was behind that leak of that information. She used my laptop to copy data and give it to the enemy."

Gasps filled the space and many faces carried frowns at this news.

"Victoria is labeled as a traitor of the Long family and anyone who is caught trying to help her or her family should be prepared to suffer consequences of those actions." Gabriel paused, allowing that information to sink in.

"Another thing that you should be aware of, is that I am officially divorced from Victoria. Her parents assumed that we will be afraid of the scandal, and they tried to blackmail us by requesting stocks of Long industries and assets that belong to the Longs. I will thank our patriarch, Stephen, for his assistance in dealing with this matter. As for everyone present here, if you see Victoria or other members of the Jost family at any of the properties which belong to the Longs, you should assume that they are hostile, and notify our security."

Gabriel was pleased that everyone listened attentively without causing a scene. They understood that talking for the Jost family is the same as siding against the Longs. It\'s just as he predicted.

When Bridgette suggested yesterday during brunch at the Cliffside Villa that instead of coming just to meet with them and Gabriel\'s parents they should expand the audience, Gabriel thought how that is a great opportunity to make sure no one talks about Victoria like she is a victim. He does not want anyone to think about Victoria in a positive light because that will give them a reason to berate Becca. 

Since the point about Victoria being a bad person was made, there was one more thing Gabriel wanted to bring up.

"Now that the unpleasant parts are done, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Rebecca Casano…"

Becca paled and she could not believe that Gabriel is looking at her. To make things worse, he pulled her hand, making her stand up.

Gabriel\'s expression softened visibly, and his free hand landed on Becca\'s waist as he continued talking.

"Miss Casano was by my side and believed in me when others didn\'t. She gave me motivation and strength to do the right thing and next to her I found myself."

Gabriel looked away from Becca and over the crowd until his eyes met his father\'s glare. Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "I hope that you will welcome Miss Casano, or at least not give her a hard time because I went through a lot of trouble to woo her until she accepted to be my girlfriend. That\'s all I have to say on this topic."

Gabriel turned to Becca and mouthed to her \'thank you\' before they sat back on their respective chairs.

Becca felt lightheaded from all the adrenaline, and the only thing preventing her from falling was that Gabriel\'s hand was on her shoulder.

Her mind was working a thousand thoughts a second. Was this lunch with the family set up only so that Gabriel can announce that he has no more ties with Victoria and that Becca is his girlfriend? She remembered her chat with Bridgette from yesterday and she took a mental note to clarify this with Bridgette later. 

Steve started eating, and so did others, in silence. It took some time for people to resume their chatter and Becca was confident that they were discussing Victoria and her. Are they comparing them? Probably.

"Have some of this…", Gabriel said while offering Becca a glass of chilled lemon water which she gladly accepted.

"Better?", Gabriel asked when Becca gulped the water to which she nodded. "I\'m sorry for not telling you about this earlier, sweets. If I did, nothing would change other than you stressing in advance. But it\'s over now." He caressed her cheek with his thumb and smiled. "You did great."

"I still didn\'t meet your parents.", Becca reminded Gabriel.

"I will introduce you after lunch."

Gabriel hoped that the next hour (or so) how much the lunch will last, will be enough for his parents to school their features (and attitude) and at least be polite with Becca and not make her uncomfortable.

Gabriel is aware that his parents liked Victoria and they were close to the Jost family; that is why they paired them up when they were teenagers. He still remembers how his parents threw a fit when they found out that Gabriel divorced Victoria and that Steve cut off the Jost family from their support. Gabriel was not sure what to think about his parents supporting those leeches even after finding out that Victoria betrayed Longs and that Josts requested boatloads of assets as part of the divorce.

Becca relaxed next to Merve and while they chatted, Becca realized that other than both going to UCLA in September, they also have in common a backstory about their dating partners. Just like Gabriel who is from the Long family, Corey is coming from a well-to-do Smith family.

Becca wanted to ask Merve about any unpleasant experiences Merve had because she is dating Corey, but this was not the place because others could eavesdrop. Becca hoped to get a chance to talk to Merve later in private because she could use some tips.

Merve and Becca are on good terms, but they were not exactly close. Becca had a feeling that after this, the two of them will be good friends.

On the far right corner compared to the main table where Steve and Bridgette are, Samantha Long was eating with her parents Travis and Rachel.

Through the foliage, Samantha got a straight view of Merve and Samantha used it to glare at the unsuspecting girl.

Ever since the incident during prom, four months ago, her father lost his standing and because of that the three of them had to move to a smaller mansion which is at the far end of the property that belongs to the Longs. On top of that, other Longs are staying away from them because no one wants to be implicated with someone who crossed White and Smith families, and embarrassed Longs in the process.

Samantha\'s cousin Chloe said to Samantha how she should feel lucky that they still get to stay here with other Longs, but Samantha does not see it that way. Samantha was humiliated at the prom, and then in her own family, she lost her friends, reputation, and money is tight. What is left? Nothing.

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