Chapter 617
Carlos and Amelie stood by the glass partitions of the terminal, waving until Mona’s figure finally vanished into the crowd of travelers. Even little Noah, perched in his stroller, mimicked his mother’s gesture, his tiny hand flapping enthusiastically in the air.
As they turned to exit the airport, and there, leaning against a black vehicle, stood Gabriel. He looked every bit the royal in a long, wine-colored wool coat and dark shades that masked his expression.
“Weren’t you at Juniper’s house?” Amelie asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Yeah, I was,” Gabriel replied, pushing his shades up as he walked toward them. “Then I returned to the palace quickly, changed, and decided to teleport here. I figured you shouldn’t have to drive back alone because it is supposed to be an outing for us p>
“Da! Da!” Noah chimed in, his face lighting up as he recognized his father. His small hands reached out, grabbing at the air in Gabriel’s direction.
Carlos looked between the two of them, catching the subtle air Gabriel was radiating. A sly smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I think I have to leave both of you alone,” he stated, stepping back.
“What? No!” Amelie refused immediately, looking at her friend. “Stay. We were going to grab lunch. I wanted you to enjoy the day with us p>
However, Gabriel remained silent, his gaze shifting to Carlos with an intensity that clearly signaled he wanted some private time with Amelie and the baby. Carlos, ever the perceptive one, caught the hint loud and clear.
“Amelie, I actually just remembered I promised Karmen we’d have drinks,” Carlos lied smoothly, waving a hand dismissively. “So, I’ll head to his place. Bye!” He gave Gabriel a knowing wink, blew a kiss to Noah, and quickly flagged down a passing taxi before Amelie could protest further.
“Now, let’s get into the car,” Gabriel stated, his voice dropping to a protective register as he took hold of the stroller. He steered Noah toward the curb where a crowd had already begun to swell.
There was a sea of flashing phones and eager faces. Some shouted for autographs, while others simply stood on their tiptoes to catch a glimpse of the woman who had become the unexpected heart of the Sinclair family.
The bodyguards moved in a synchronized wall of black suits, clearing a path and gently but firmly holding back the fans. Gabriel placed his hand on the small of Amelie’s back, guiding her into the backseat after Noah’s stroller was secured, then he climbed in beside her.
“You have made fans,” Gabriel noted, his reflection shimmering in the tinted black glass as he watched the crowd recede into the distance.
The car pulled away smoothly, the interior suddenly quiet and insulated from the chaotic energy of the airport. One bodyguard sat stoically in the passenger seat, his eyes scanning the mirrors.
Amelie let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “I never wanted to make fans, Gabriel. I mean… It feels weird. All those eyes on me, waiting for me to do or say something p>
“They admire you,” Gabriel chuckled softly, looking down as Noah grasped his index finger, tugging on it with surprising strength. “You’re a symbol of change to them. What’s weird about being loved by the people p>
“And who brought that change in me?” Amelie arched her eyebrow. “It was you. My mate p>
Gabriel’s expression softened as he watched her. “That’s exactly why they like you. You don’t have the royal mask yet. You don’t carry the pride of being the daughter-in-law of the Sinclair Family p>
“Where are we heading? Initially I thought to take Noah to a kid’s shopping center, but he’s too small to even understand many things,” Amelie stated.
“We are heading to a picnic spot,” Gabriel opined. “And everything is ready. Noah is going to enjoy a lot!” His eyes fixed on his son as he touched his cheek gently.
Amelie smiled, realizing their good days returned to them. She thanked the Moon Goddess because of whom it was possible.
“What? Do I have to take these to the palace?” Jeniva asked as she stared at the thick manila folder her senior had just shoved into her hands.
“Of course! Prince Dominick is currently at the palace, and since you accomplished the mission in his presence, he specifically requested the final report from the field officer in charge. That’s you,” Senior Sentinel Cooper said, not even looking up from his own desk. “Now move. Royalty doesn’t like to be kept waiting p>
Jeniva bit her bottom lip, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. She offered a curt bow and marched out of the office.
“The Prince doesn’t like me. I still remember how he told me to leave back at the site. It was so incredibly rude,” Jeniva muttered to herself as she navigated the long corridor. “Are all princes this arrogant? Ugh p>
She reached the parking lot, the midday sun reflecting off the rows of vehicles. Sliding into the driver’s seat of her car, she tossed the file onto the passenger side and grabbed her phone. She scrolled quickly through her contacts until she found Evan.
Her thumb hovered over the call button. Evan was Dominick’s beta. If she called him, maybe she could drop the file with him and avoid the Prince entirely. But she paused, her brow furrowing.
“What if he tells Prince Dominick I was trying to dodge the assignment? That’ll just make me look incompetent,” she murmured. “Fine. It’s better to just give this file myself and get it over with p>
She threw the car into gear and pulled out of the lot, heading toward the towering the Royal Palace.
An hour later, she arrived and get her ID checked at the main gates. Once cleared, she drove the car inside before pulling into the driveway. Stepping out and holding the file in her hands, she looked at the large palace structure.
“Jeniva, just stay calm and don’t be angry. Okay? He’s the prince and you’ve to listen to him,” she told herself before stepping inside.