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.
"I'll do that, Austin. Bye."
"Bye."
Gabrielle hurriedly hung up the phone and let out a sigh of relief.
The door opened. Westley entered the room carrying a tray of breakfast food.
It was a little late for breakfast. Nonetheless, it was the first real meal for Gabrielle.
"Are you done with your phone call?" Westley asked in a sullen tone.
"Oh yes," 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 countenance. To allay this feeling, she thought of something nice to say to him.
"So you thought that I was still on the phone. You brought me breakfast so I won't get hungry. How 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 her, appreciating her sensitiveness to his feelings.
She knew how awful it was for him that his jealousy was gnawing at his heart.
"Westley, there aren't dumplings here," Gabrielle said quizzically as she looked at the food that Westley brought her.
Porridge and pickles, soup and bread—all nicely set on the tray and enticing to eat.
The aroma of the food was wafting through the air. She wanted to dig in and take every morsel of the breakfast.
"Dumplings? You'd like to eat dumplings, Gabrielle? I'll have some dumplings be brought in here for you." Westley thought that she really wanted to eat dumplings. He didn't quickly get what she was implying.
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