Chapter Three
1998 Words
Ebert stepped into Michael’s office, expecting a quick exchange, but instead found him completely lost in the past, his fingers tracing the edges of old case files; his sister’s case. The world around Michael had dissolved into paper trails and unanswered questions, so much so that he hadn’t even noticed Ebert walk in The sight stirred a flicker of irritation in Ebert.
“Michael, it’s time for lunch,” he said, feigning impatience.
“Oh, I completely forgot.” Michael barely glanced up, eyes still scanning the faded reports. “Go ahead without me.”
Ebert folded his arms. “You promised.”
Michael sighed, finally meeting his friend’s gaze. “I know. I’m sorry, Ebert. But I can’t shake the feeling that if I comb through these files again, I might find something the police missed.”
“I told you to let it go.”
“That’s the problem.” A shadow crossed Michael’s face. “I can’t.”
Ebert studied him for a moment, concern threading through his irritation. “You’re obsessed,” he said quietly.
Before Michael could respond, a voice, smooth as silk, laced with elegance, cut through the room like the opening notes of a forgotten melody.
“Ebert! Ebert, darling!”
Michael smirked, echoing the voice in mock theatrics. “Who is that? Ebert, are you dating? Your wife is going to kill you.”
“Snap out of it.” Ebert rolled his eyes. “She’s just a friend.”
With that, he exited Michael’s office and stepped into his own, where a whirlwind of floral scent and boundless energy awaited him.
“Ebert!”
“Gia!” He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. Without a second thought, he pulled her into his arms and twirled her, laughter escaping him before he could stop it.
“Surprise, surprise!” Gia sang.
“It is indeed a surprise,” Ebert chuckled, setting her down, “but maybe keep it down? This is my place of work, after all.”
Gia dismissed him with a wave. “Oh please, I doubt your boss would dare scold me.”
“Are you bragging now?”
“If he fires you, I’ll find you a better job with better pay,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I have no doubt about that.” He stepped back, taking her in properly. She wore a strapless flared floral dress that framed her collarbones perfectly, paired with sleek heeled ankle boots that clicked against the floor as she shifted weight from one foot to the other.
“You look different,” he mused.
“I hope by ‘different,’ you mean stunning, gorgeous, and utterly breathtaking?” Gia teased, spinning on her heel with a dancer’s grace.
“Yes, you look stunning,” he admitted.
“You should’ve said it that way from the start.”
Ebert chuckled. “One thing about you hasn’t changed.”
“Oh? And what’s that?”
“You’re still as immature and playful as ever.”
Gia gasped in mock offense. “That is not a flattering thing to say!”
“But—”
“But?” She c****d her head, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“You still make my heart skip…”
Gia let out a dramatic sigh and smacked his back. “Oh gosh, Ebert! You’re a married man.”
“I can’t help it,” he murmured, shrugging.
“Well, deal with it. You chose Priscilla,” she said, plopping into a chair. “Anyway, I stopped by to invite you to my welcome party. Grandpa is throwing it, and he’d love for you and Priscilla to come.”
“Just him? Is he the only one who wants me there?” Ebert teased.
Gia rolled her eyes. “Fine, I want you there too, happy now? It’s been ages since we spent time together. I’ve missed you.”
Ebert exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I’m married now, Gia. You know how Priscilla is. I can’t joke around like I used to.”
“I know, Ebert. I can’t either.” A wistful note entered her voice. “I came back to run the family business. After the party, I’ll be drowning in office work.”
“So, you’ve finally accepted your inheritance,” Ebert said, his tone gentler now. “For the first time, I really feel like we’re worlds apart.”
Gia gave a small, sad smile. “Oh, Ebert. It’s just a company.”
“A multi-billion-dollar company.” He tried to keep his voice light but failed. “You’re its heir. From now on, I’ll probably have to book an appointment just to see you.”
Gia sighed and closed the space between them, wrapping him in a quiet embrace. “You and I will always be friends,” she whispered before pulling back and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I have to go. Grandpa’s waiting for me at the hotel.”
“For what?”
“Dinner meetings with potential business allies have already started,” she said, sending him a playful wink before disappearing through the door.
Michael entered moments later, catching the shift in Ebert’s mood instantly.
“Your friend is gone?” he asked.
“Yeah…” Ebert muttered, staring at the empty space where she’d stood.
Michael smirked knowingly. “Trouble in paradise?”
“She’s way out of my league,” Ebert murmured. “That’s why I’ve never told her how I really feel.”
Michael leaned against the desk. “Priscilla is pretty great, too.”
“I know. That’s why I married her.”
Michael clapped Ebert’s shoulder. “Alright, let’s grab that lunch. You’ll feel better after eating.”
Ebert chuckled, shaking off the melancholy. “I can’t wait.”
Gia’s yellow Bentley Bacalar sliced through the underground parking lot like a comet, leaving chaos in its wake. Tires screeched, echoes bouncing off concrete walls as startled pedestrians scrambled to safety, dodging what seemed to be an imminent disaster. She let out a wild, carefree scream, the sound mixing with the roar of her engine as she drifted effortlessly around a sharp bend, momentum carrying her up to the rooftop lot.
With a final reckless flourish, she slammed on the brakes, coming to a dramatic halt inches away from a sleek red Pagani Huayra. The impact never came, but it had been close enough to make her laugh.
Unbuckling with practiced ease, she stepped out, flipping her long black hair back with a casual toss. Her fringe framed her sharp features, elegance wrapped in chaos.
Before she could savor her moment, the Huayra’s driver burst out of her car, radiating fury.
Alika.
Gia smirked as she caught sight of the woman’s expression—pure, undiluted outrage.
“What the hell are you doing?” Alika shouted, her voice slicing through the parking lot like a blade.
Gia barely spared her a glance, adjusting her handbag as though Alika were little more than a minor inconvenience. “Parking, obviously. What do you think I’m doing?” she asked with mock innocence.
“You almost crashed into my car with your ridiculous driving! Do you even know how much it costs?”
Gia let out a soft chuckle, eyes glinting with amusement. “Over a million dollars?” she mused. “Pretty cheap compared to my Bacalar. I own several of these, actually.”
Alika’s furious glare flicked from Gia to the Bentley, then back to its owner—a calculated shift. Gia stood effortlessly poised in her tailored suit, heels clicking against the pavement, an ensemble that looked like it had never seen a price tag.
Alika folded her arms. “Are you bragging right now?” she asked, her tone tinged with disbelief.
Gia’s lips curled into an irreverent smile. “Think whatever you want,” she said lightly. “Anyway, I didn’t hit your car, did I? But if you feel there’s been some ‘damage,’ name your price. I’ll pay.”
Alika was seconds away from snapping back when a voice interrupted them.
It was Luam, Gia’s personal butler.
“Ms. Gia, your grandfather is growing concerned about your delay,” he said, his tone smooth and measured.
Gia gave Alika one last flicker of amusement before tossing her hair back with a dismissive scoff. “I would have been with him sooner had I not been interrupted.” With that, she turned on her heel and strode away.
Alika clenched her fists, watching her retreat. “Who the hell is she?” she muttered, looking to Lucas, her own butler, a stout, perpetually grumpy man.
Lucas cleared his throat. “Ms. Gia Zande, granddaughter of Mr. Keith Zande.”
Alika snapped. “I know who Keith Zande is. No wonder his granddaughter is so insufferable.”
“I would advise treating her well, Ms. Alika. Your family needs it.”
Alika scoffed, shooting him a sharp look. “Stay out of my family’s business, Lucas.”
Lucas merely bowed his head. “Pardon my manners, Ms. Alika. Let’s not keep your father waiting.”
Alika exhaled through her teeth. “And I bet we’re about to see that snobby woman and her family.”
“The Monroes are here too, Ms. Alika.” Lucas announced, and that caught her attention.
“That means Gilbert is here too!” she chirped. “Dinner was great last night. I can’t wait to see him again.”
Just as she moved toward the entrance, another interruption came. This time, a bodyguard—Gia’s bodyguard.
“Excuse me, ma’am.”
Alika turned with a glare. “Ma’am?” she echoed, incredulous.
“Kindly move your car. You’re blocking my boss’s vehicle.”
Alika scoffed. “She found me here!”
Quickly, Lucas leaned in, whispering something in her ear.
Then Alika clenched her jaw. “Fine. Move my car somewhere else.” she said and marched inside.
Keith was surrounded by a cluster of guests when Gia spotted him. Toadies, obviously waiting for her, she thought, rolling her eyes.
“Grandpa!” she called, rushing forward.
Keith turned, his face lighting up with unmistakable delight.
“My buttercup!” he bellowed, pulling her into a tight hug.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Gia said, planting a kiss on his cheek. “I met with a friend.”
Keith gestured toward the gathered families. “Apologize to our hosts as well.”
Gia turned, facing the Monroes and the Santanders. “My apologies. Please forgive me,” she said, her voice effortlessly smooth.
Dylan and Zain exchanged startled glances, their reactions unguarded.
“Is something wrong?” Gia frowned. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No, dear,” Dylan’s wife assured her, though Zain continued, unable to mask her intrigue.
“It’s just… you slightly resemble someone we knew. She passed away years ago,” she said carefully.
Gia narrowed her eyes. “Are you seriously comparing me to someone who died years ago? That’s offensive.”
“Gia…” Keith warned.
Gia pouted. “Grandpa…”
“I’m sorry, dear,” Zain said quickly.
“You better be.”
Gilbert stepped forward, his gaze sharp. “You can’t talk to my mother like that.”
Zain sighed. “Gilbert, I provoked her. It’s my fault.”
Keith intervened smoothly. “Please forgive my granddaughter, Dylan. it’s my fault. I spoiled her too much.”
Dylan gave a polite smile, though his clenched jaw betrayed his irritation. “I can see that.”
“Gilbert, why don’t you show Gia around the hotel?” Gleyn, Alika’s mother, suggested. “Alika will join you both later. She’s running behind.”
Gilbert barely hesitated. “Yes, ma'am.”
He turned to Gia, motioning for her to follow.
Then Shawn Santander cleared his throat. “Shall we head into the boardroom for a brief business meeting?”
- Writer
