Chapter Five Pt II
1416 Words
Gia stood on the balcony, eyes tracing the glittering city lights below. Then her phone buzzed—she answered silently.
“Good. Keep watching her. Update me later.”
She ended the call just as Michael appeared, offering her a glass of wine.
“You again,” she said, accepting it.
He draped his jacket over her shoulders.
“Being a gentleman won’t win my heart.”
“I’m not trying to.” Michael gazed out at the skyline. “I feel like I already have a place there.”
“We only just met.”
“What if we met a long time ago?”
Gia laughed.
“Smooth talker. I bet women fall at your feet.”
“I’ve always been this way.”
“Liar,” she smirked.
“You don’t believe me?”
Gia laughed.
“Why?”
“Your lines are painfully cliché.”
Micheal laughed. “You remind me of someone.”
“Your ex?”
“My sister.”
Gia blinked, then chuckled.
“You’re cheesier than I thought. I’m leaving now.”
“Can I see you again?”
“Any friend of Ebert’s is a friend of mine,” she replied, leaving him behind.
Michael watched her fade into the party crowd.
Gia found her grandfather and wrapped him in a warm hug. Dylan, Shawn, and their wives stood nearby.
“Gia, darling,” Keith said, kissing her forehead.
“Enjoying the party?”
“Thank you for your kind hospitality,” Dylan said. The others nodded in agreement.
“My pleasure,” Gia replied.Then turned to Keith. “I’m exhausted.”
“Go and rest. I’ll join you later.”
Gia nodded.
“Gilbert escort Gia home,” Dylan said as Gilbert and Alika approached.
The room tensed—Shawn and Gleyn, exchanged uneasy glances.
“I have a driver,” Gia replied firmly. “Good night, everyone.”
As Gia reached her car, she made a quick call.
“Print out Gilbert Monroe’s schedule and deliver it to my house,” she said, then hung up.
She reached for the door when Penny appeared, stopping her.
Gia looked up, annoyed.
“Kimora was right,” Penny gasped.
Gia’s voice turned sharp.
“Who are you?”
“It’s me—Penny. From high school.”
“I don’t know you,” Gia snapped, trying to open her car door.
Penny slammed it shut.
“I know it’s you—Maria. Stop pretending!”
Gia shoved her back.
“Either you’re drunk or delusional. Sadly, insanity comes well dressed these days.”
She slid into her car and shut the door. Penny started banging wildly.
“Maria! Maria, open the door!”
Gia started the engine, speeding off. Penny staggered backward, stunned.
Then Kimora appeared out of nowhere, infuriated.
“What are you doing?”
“I did what you asked.”
“I didn’t ask for hysterics,” Kimora hissed. “Just a subtle push to see if she’d crack.”
“I tried!”
“Well, now it’s ruined,” Kimora grumbled, dragging her away.
Two days after meeting Gia, Michael couldn’t shake the feeling. If she was Maria, he needed answers.
He was deep in Maria’s file when Ebert walked into his office.
“Still chasing this?”
Michael didn’t look up. “Yes.”
“Gilbert has amnesia. How do you expect to get answers?”
Michael was silent.
“His memories were obviously medically wiped,” Ebert added. “ What if you never find closure? This will break you, Michael.”
“I’m not chasing closure. I need truth.”
Ebert saw it—that slow-burning grief threatening to consume him. He placed a hand on Michael’s shoulder when a knock came at the door.
“Come in,”
Gia stepped in dramatically, arms spread across the frame.
“Surprise!”
Both men sprang up. Michael instinctively reached for her hand, but Ebert intercepted his hand.
“What brings you here?” they asked asked.
“To see you,” Gia replied, eyes locked on Michael.
“Me or him?” Ebert asked.
> “Both,”
Michael looked away, visibly rattled.
Gia leaned toward Ebert and whispered.
“Is he okay? He looks… off.”
Ebert chuckled as her breath tickled his ear.
“He’s having a moment.” Ebert said. “His sister died. He’s chasing her ghost.”
“Let’s cheer him up.”
Gia walked up to Michael. He flinched slightly.
“Afraid of me?”
“You just look like…”
“Your sister?” she finished for him.
“Yes.”
Ebert's mouth dropped.
Gia placed her hands gently on Michael’s shoulders.
“Then I'll be her. Just for today.”
“Keith won’t like that,” Ebert warned.
“Why?”
“At the party… he told me to stay away from you. Said you were dangerous.”
Gia raised a brow. “You know Grandpa,” she said lightly. “He was probably just teasing.”
Gia placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“How could I be dangerous?”
“He just wants me to stay away from his granddaughter.” Ebert said.
Gia laughed and turned to Michael.
“I’ll wait for your answer. Hopefully it’s yes.”
Michael nodded, his voice barely audible.
With a playful smile, Gia began to leave. The two men flanked her.
“You’re heading out already?”
“Work calls,” she said, gently nudging them aside. “Goodbye… for now.”
“Bye,” they said in unison.
Ebert glanced at Michael.
“Does she really look like your sister? Or are you just… drawn to her?”
“Let’s grab lunch,” Michael replied. “I’ll tell you everything.”
At a quiet café by the street, they sat by the window—watching passersby move through the city, faces full of life, minds weighed down by unspoken burdens.
“We didn’t come here to people-watch,” Ebert said.
“No,” Michael replied, placing his worn wallet on the table.
For the first time, he allowed someone to see Maria’s photo. Ebert examined the teenage girl in the picture—his eyes widening in disbelief.
“She looks…not exactly, but like Gia…”
Michael nodded.
“The resemblance isn’t a coincidence.”
Ebert leaned back, trying to collect himself.
“How long have you known Gia?” Micheal pressed.
“We met five years ago. Tennis tournament. She was shy and frail. Keith introduced us.”
“She’s changed a lot?”
“Completely. Back then she looked sickly, withdrawn. Now she’s radiant… but something’s off. Like she’s hiding part of herself.”
“I can't ignore this, Ebert. Even if she isn’t Maria, she can help me uncover what happened by motivating me to investigate …..”
Ebert frowned.
“You’re walking into fire. The Monroes are powerful. You dig too deep… they’ll come for you.”
“Let them. Gia’s just as powerful—maybe more.”
Ebert’s voice dropped.
“She’s my best friend. The only woman I’ve ever loved. I won’t let you use her.”
“You’re married, Ebert.”
I won’t betray Priscilla. Gia wouldn’t let me. But I’ll protect her at all costs.”
“Just ask her to help me. Once.”
“No.”
Michael’s eyes darkened.
“My life ended when Maria died. My father had a heart attack. My mother lost her sanity. Our family broke apart, while the Monroes stayed untouched.” Micheal said. “I need justice “
Ebert tried to interject, but Michael cut him off.
“Maria was brilliant. She dreamed of curing rare diseases. She wanted to lift our family better. And her life was stolen.”
Silence fell. Ebert’s voice cracked.
“If Gia helps you… she’s in danger. She just asked you to be her brother. What if you end up losing her too?”
Michael shook his head.
“I’m not asking her to play Maria. I just want her help restoring Gilbert’s memories. She’ll be close to him—she might trigger something.”
“That’s nearly the same thing,” Ebert said. “The Monroes won’t tolerate it. And Keith? He’s already watching her every move.”
“Then I’ll talk to Gia myself,” Michael said.
Ebert didn’t protest. It was too late—Michael had made up his mind.
And now, he could only hope Gia wouldn't agree.
- Writer
