Substitute? I'm a Superstar

Chapter 5 My Place

"Let go of me!" Giselle struggled fiercely.

Herbert held her firmly, his gaze fixed on her as he took in her appearance. Her golden waves bounced with each movement, framing a face made more striking by the deep red silk of her dress and the bold contrast of her ruby lips. Her emerald-green eyes glared at him with fiery disdain, vibrant yet defiant.

It was his first time seeing her dress up like this. For a moment, Herbert was stunned, the sheer beauty of her leaving him frozen in place. His grip loosened slightly.

"You're insane, Herbert!" Giselle snapped as she wrenched herself free from his loathsome grasp. "Everything about you is filthy—inside and out."

She straightened her dress and glared at him with contempt. "We've broken up. Who I talk to or even date is none of your business. Take your perverted fantasies of threesomes and get out of my sight!"

"So that's it—you're upset because you didn't want to share me. I knew it. You've always put me first. It's sweet, really."

Herbert smoothed the lapels of his navy suit, regaining his composure. A smirk played on his lips as he added, "Fine, I'll accept your terms. We'll keep it exclusive. Just you and me, as before."

Giselle stared at him, momentarily speechless, before responding with a forceful stomp onto his polished black shoe.

"God, just take a good look at yourself!" she spat. "You really think I want you back? You're delusional, narcissistic, and downright ridiculous. I said it's over. We're done!"

Herbert winced from the pain. "Five years, Giselle. I know you. This breakup is just a game, a ploy to make me want you more. You can't live without me, so let's stop pretending and go home."

"Delusional much?" Giselle shot back. "The one who can't let go is you, not me!"

She adjusted the ring on her finger, turning the sharp gemstone inward, before slapping his hand away with enough force to make him recoil.

"You—!" Herbert hissed, clutching his stinging hand.

*****

The sudden roar of a motorcycle engine interrupted their tense exchange.

"Giselle, who is this?" Roger asked.

Herbert turned to see the young man, sharp and athletic, standing confidently next to his bike. The simplicity of the question felt like a blow to Herbert's pride.

Determined to restore his confidence, he turned back to Giselle. "Go on, Gigi. Tell him who I am."

*****

Giselle didn't even glance at Herbert. "Just a pathetic beggar for love."

Herbert froze, unable to process her words.

Roger, catching her cue, added with a smirk, "Ah, so just another unworthy admirer. Giselle is brilliant, beautiful, and talented. Naturally, she'd have plenty of admirers. But now that she's free of her garbage ex, she's got no time for scraps."

His sharp blue eyes raked over Herbert disdainfully. "And you? Definitely not her type. Give it up, old man."

"We're done. Let's go," Giselle said decisively.

Roger offered his hand, helping her onto the back of his motorcycle.

*****

Herbert stood motionless, watching as the bike roared to life and carried Giselle away into the night. His grip tightened around his phone as he dialed a number.

Fenn's voice answered with a chuckle. "Still out there? Haven't wrapped up your reunion with the old flame? Speaking of which, do you want me to keep Gisela waiting?"

Herbert's voice was cold and firm. "Help me investigate someone. I want to know who thinks they can steal what's mine."

*****

Roger pulled up outside Elaine's building.

Before Giselle could speak, Roger waved off her thanks.

Years of observing and admiring her had taught him enough to guess what had happened. There was only one man who could make the always-gentle Giselle so irritated.

"Giselle, I know who that guy is," Roger said softly, his tone protective. "I also know how wonderful you are. Anyone who could make someone like you this upset must be horrible. But I knew you once loved him deeply. Is it really that easy to let go of a five-year relationship?"

Giselle nodded firmly. "Yes, and I'll never look back."

*****

Giselle knocked a few times but received no response.

Frowning, she entered the passcode and stepped inside.

The apartment was pitch dark, but strange sounds emanated from the living room.

Alarmed, Giselle quickly turned on the lights—and froze in place. On the couch were two people tangled together in an intimate embrace.

Elaine glanced up and nonchalantly pushed the man away. She stood and cheerfully introduced them. "Gigi! This is Steve, my boyfriend."

Giselle nodded and whispered, "Steve? Didn't you just switch boyfriends last week? How often are you changing them these days?"

Elaine smirked and whispered back, "Men are like shoes, Gigi—switching them often keeps things fresh. Oh, and by the way, Steve's family is known for their... let's say, impressive size. Big, thick, and powerful."

Turning to Steve, Elaine teased, "Hey, Steve, any single brothers in your family? My gorgeous best friend here might be interested."

"No, no, no!" Giselle quickly waved her hands, cutting her off. For now, romance was the last thing on her mind.

*****

The next morning, Giselle arrived at one of her properties—a spacious apartment in a prime city-center location.

Although technically a single unit, the place was large, stylishly furnished, and had plenty of potential.

Elaine had been nothing but kind, but after last night's awkward encounter, Giselle realized it was time to move out of her friend's place. She needed her own space.

She planned to renovate the apartment and make it her new home.

For convenience, she dressed in a beige utility jumpsuit, tying her golden hair back with a claw clip.

While she was in the middle of clearing out some furniture, a message from Roger popped up on her phone, inviting her to practice dancing.

Giselle briefly explained her current project, and Roger immediately insisted on helping.

After some thought, Giselle decided having someone with a dance background around while setting up her new studio could be useful, so she sent him the address.

Instead of hiring movers, Giselle rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

Years of dance training had made her strong and resilient, more than capable of hauling furniture on her own.

*****

When Roger arrived, he stared at the nearly empty study in shock.

"Giselle, wasn't this room full of big, heavy furniture? There was a globe, solid wood shelves, and a giant desk. Did you move all of it yourself?"

"Yes. Why? Is that a problem?"

"Not at all!" Roger's blue eyes sparkled with awe. "You're amazing, Giselle."

She chuckled as she looked him over. Roger, though young, had a solid, athletic build. His sleeveless black shirt revealed toned muscles, and his dark curls framed a face alive with enthusiasm. His eyes, deep blue and almost perpetually bright, shone with a vibrant energy entirely unlike Herbert's.

"I'm turning this room into a dance studio," Giselle explained. "It still needs mirrors, curtains, and a few finishing touches. Since you're here, what do you think?"

"That's fantastic! Let's pick everything out together!" Roger replied eagerly.

Watching his enthusiasm, Giselle found herself smiling without realizing it.

*****

By the time they finished setting up, the night sky had darkened completely.

Standing at the door, Giselle checked the time on her phone and muttered to herself, "It's so late. By the time I get back to Elaine's, it'll probably be past midnight."

Roger's eyes gleamed as he offered a suggestion. "Well... in that case, why don't you stay at my place tonight?"