The next morning, inside the office.
Gabriel smiled as Meridia stepped in.
"Welcome to our company, Miss Meridia."
"Thank you so much," she replied warmly.
He chuckled. "I can't be formal anymore."
Both of them laughed.
Meridia folded her arms playfully.
"Alright then, Mr. CEO Gabriel. Now teach me how to work."
Just then, Briar walked in.
Gabriel's expression hardened.
"What are you doing here?"
Briar, his ex, replied calmly, "I came to give this contract. My boyfriend wants to share some designs with your company."
Gabriel didn't even look at her.
"Then give it to my assistant. Leave it on that table."
Meridia tugged at his sleeve, her eyes shining.
"Come on, I'm really excited. Teach me."
Laughing, Gabriel suddenly lifted her into his arms.
"Come, love. I'll teach you everything."
"Gabriel! What are you doing? Put me down," she protested, laughing.
Ignoring Briar completely, the two walked away together, still smiling, ready to work.
Soon after, Gabriel and Meridia reached the mansion.
Rafaella smiled knowingly.
"It seems you learned the work quite well in just one day."
"Yes, you can definitely say that, Mom,"
Meridia replied sweetly.
Rafaella looked at them both.
"So tell me, how was your day?"
"Mom, let us freshen up first. We'll talk after that," Gabriel said quickly.
Saying this, he gently pushed Meridia and hurried up the stairs with her toward their room.
"You both must meet me downstairs in five minutes," Rafaella called out.
After five minutes, Gabriel came downstairs and sat on the sofa.
"Yes, Mom. What did you want to say?"
"Wait for Meridia," Rafaella replied.
As Meridia came down the stairs, she said softly,
"Sorry, Mom. I'm one minute late."
"Sit together," Rafaella said.
Gabriel suddenly became nervous.
"Is something serious?"
"Yes," Rafaella replied calmly.
Gabriel and Meridia were sitting side by side. Hearing that one word, they looked at each other and shouted together,
"What?!"
"Shush," Rafaella warned. "Your dad is sleeping."
Instantly, both of them covered each other's mouths.
Rafaella smiled and said,
"I've fixed your wedding date."
Once again, they looked at each other and shouted in excitement,
"Yesss!"
"Shush," Rafaella said again. "Your wedding will be in December."
Gabriel started counting on his fingers.
"It's October now… then November… December. That means we only have two months."
"Yes, just two months," Meridia said excitedly.
"I have so much to do, Gabriel. You'll have to teach me everything."
"I'll start the wedding shopping from tomorrow, Gabriel," Rafaella said.
"Yes, Mom."
"Show me some good branded bridal dresses," Rafaella added.
"But when our company designs dresses," Meridia said confidently,
"why do we need other brands?"
Gabriel smiled.
"She does have a point."
Rafaella nodded thoughtfully.
"I'll think about it and tell you tomorrow."