The Secret Contender

Chapter Seven

 Keith beamed with prided as he walked into his granddaughter’s office with arms widespread. Gia understood and dashed into his arms, embracing him affectionately.

“Well done, buttercup!” Keith commented merrily, patting Gia’s back fondly.

“Are you happy, Grandpa?” Gia asked him.

“Yes, my dear. You handled the matter maturely.” Keith told her and planted a kiss on her forehead.

“You trained me well.”

“I can see you learnt well too.” Keith chortled and hugged Gia once more. “This calls for a celebration.”

“Not now, Grandpa. We haven’t won the battle yet.” Gia said and went back to her seat. “Never count your chicks before the eggs hatch. Haven’t you heard of that saying?”

“I have my dear, but it has been long since I got delighted about anything.”

“don’t I delight you?”

“Of course you do. You are sweet in my bitter life.”

“Oh grandpa, you are so cheesy. I bet the ladies used to fall for your sweet talk when you were a young man.” Gia said and laughed.

“Oh, I was a sweet-talker.” Keith said as he recalled his youthful days. “The girl couldn’t resist my charm.”

“You have reminded me of someone.” Gia said but her face turned pale and sad.

“Who is it?” Keith asked, presuming he was talking about Ebert.

“Oh nothing. He is not important.” Gia said.

“Ebert…?”

“Ebert was cute too, right?”

“But he ended up marrying someone else.”

“Look who is talking…you pretty much scared the guy off.” Gia said and cackled. “One man army…my grandpa!”

“Oh stop it. I am old now.” Keith retorted and laughed.

“You should go home first. I have somewhere to go after work.”

“Alright then.” Keith said. “But, I wanted to ask. Have the chemical ingredients for our newest facial cream arrived? I am anxious about seeing the product.”

“Yes, they arrived two days ago. The dermatologists and lab researchers are working on it as we speak.”

“What about our apparel center. Has it received the latest trending fabric for our apparel?”

“Of course, Grandpa. You know I am all work and no play. All the departments of PROFOUND are functioning well. The medical department just received its new technology for the diagnosis and cure of rare diseases and the bay store has received new stocks of toys and dolls for children.”

“My buttercup works so hard on her own.” Keith said, looking sad. He could not help but feel he was overworking his only granddaughter.

“Grandpa, who will do the work if I don’t?” Gia asked smilingly.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Grandpa.” Gia said and squeezed Keith’s hand fondly.

“Oh, lest I forget…” Gia said as something slipped into her mind. She went to her drawer and took out a file.

“This is the file containing all the information about the Santander’s property. Most of it has already been seized except for the hotel. I want you to have a look at it and select the properties you would want me to purchase.”

“I see you are ahead of them in everything.”

“I always do my best. This is business after all. One has to be smart or they will lose everything.”

“I want to be the only billionaire in Zambie.”

“That is impossible but, making you the richest among all billionaires is possible.” Gia smirked mischievously,

“Make sure you win over gilbert’s love too.”

“Why Gilbert?” Gia snorted.

“To strengthen our dominance.”

“Grandpa, that man is not worthy of me.” Gia sneered.

“Why do you say that?” Keith asked, looking nervous. In his seat, he wondered whether Gia had recollected everything that happened to her.

“I just think so.” Gia said, avoiding her grandfather’s gaze. “He may be rich and powerful but he is still not as good as I am.”

“Sweetheart, don’t be too picky. There is no man as good as you are in Zambie.”

“There is one. I just haven’t found him yet.”

“You speak with preciseness.”

“Grandpa, please trust me.”

“But, you know that if we do not get you married to him, you have to be his business rival.”

“I don’t care. Besides, we can just launch a partnership with them if you want.”

“Alright. Let us do this…I will give you time to think about it.” Keith said, cradling his daughter’s face.

“Alright Grandpa….” Gia agreed reluctantly.

“I will leave now.”

“See you at home.” Gia chortled merrily as she watched Keith leave.

***

Gilbert and Alika sat in opposite seats, facing each other in the Sun restaurant. Alika was still sobbing, attracting the attention of other customers in the restaurant. Most of them knew who Gilbert and Alika were so other began secretly filming them.

“You shouldn’t be crying in public, Alika. You are not a child anymore.” Gilbert commented but this sparked more tears from Alika.

“Alika…please stop crying…let’s talk about this and find a solution.” Gilbert said. “Unless…”

“Unless what…?” Alika raised her voice.

“Unless you want people to think that I am the one who is making you cry.” gilbert finished the sentence.

“Why didn’t you oppose Gia’s decision?”

“She is right, Alika. We all know you are not capable of heading marketing department.”

“Then let me head another department.”

“Don’t be greedy.” Gilbert chewed the rug on her. “You are not being kicked out of the Hotel Swan. Gia actually put under Kimora Delano to learn. Kimora is one of the best strategists we have. Learning from her will definitely give you a experience to head the Marketing department later.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Trust me.” Gilbert said, squeezing her hand. Alika was flustered. Gilbert was so nice to her for the first time.

“Why are you helping me suddenly?”

“You and I will be married soon. I have to support you.”

“I thought business matters the most to you. You can do what Gia wants and leave me.”

“Yes…I actually contemplated on the offer. It is a good offer by the way, but I don’t trust Gia.” Gilbert said. It was true. Gilbert did not trust that Gia’s decisions were made purely out of business. Rather, she appeared like someone who wanted to snatch everything from the Santanders deliberately. Gilbert was not sure about the motive behind Gia and Keith’s actions, but he was sure about one thing. He was also eyeing Hotel Swan and he had to stop Gia’s plans at all cost.

“Why?” Alika asked him curiously.

“Intuition…Talking to you has made me hungry.” Gilbert said and summoned the waiter and ordered some food. Alika also ordered her food and what was to be a pet talk session turned into a dinner date.

After Dinner, Gilbert drove Alika to her house. He got out of the car and went to Alikas side, opening the door for her. Alika blushed as she got off the car. Gilbert walked her to the front porch and stopped there.

“Won’t you come in? Even for a glass of water at least.” Alika asked him.

“Maybe next time.” Gilbert told her smilingly. His tone was soft and calm. “Your parents are still upset with me and my parents. I want you to talk to them about what we talked about.”

“I will surely convince them about it.”

“Goodnight then.” Gilbert said and tried to leave, but Alika grabbed his hand. Gilbert turned to her with a smile and she hugged him passionately, her head resting comfortably on his chest.

“Goodnight…Gilbert.” she muttered, but he heard her clearly.

“Go inside now.” He said as he freed himself from her embrace. Alika nodded and started walking to the entrance of her house. Reaching the door, she stopped and turned back. Gilbert was still standing where she had left him, waiting for her to go into her house. Alika smiled merrily and waved him goodbye. Gilbert waved back and when she entered the house, he also turned, went back into his car and speedily drove off. He had to attend a private auction in the outskirts of the city.

Alika walked into the lounge and found her parents at the window. It looked like they had been peeping outside, spying on Gilbert and her. Gleyn rushed to her daughter and hugged her. Her father, Shawn was also chortling merrily.

 “What happened?” Alika exclaimed in surprise.

‘We can see that your relationship with Gilbert has improved.” Shawn retorted.

“I am glad that Gia pulled that stunt with us. Otherwise, Gilbert would not have started treating you like his fiancée.” Gleyn added.

“All things happen for a purpose I suppose.” Alika replied with a hearty chortle. She was blushing profusely. “At first, I just wanted to marry Gilbert for his money and to save our hotel, but now I love him. He makes me feel happy. He is the one I want beside me all the time.”

“Is that so?” Gleyn chirped.

“Yes, mum. I want to start working hard at the Hotel. I want to make him proud. Therefore, I have no opposition to work under Kimora Delano. She is a good strategist and I will definitely learn a lot from her. Her expertise will equip me with the knowledge and experience I need to run our hotel when dad retires.”

“Wow, our daughter is finally thinking straight.” Shawn said and hugged his daughter too.

“I will make you proud just like Bill has.” Alika chortled merrily and they all basked in a group hug.

***

Just when he was pulling up in the parking lot of the Lotus Manor where the auction was taking place, Gilbert saw Gia getting out of her car. She looked gorgeous in her black and White Tunic dress and a pair of silver heeled ankle boots but he wondered what she was doing at the manor. She smilingly greeted the security man at the entrance and he handed her a small gift back which she took with her inside. Gilbert hurriedly got out of his car and dashed after her. He did not even bother to get his own gift bag from the security man, prompting his driver who had been following his car behind to get it for him. the gift bag was essential for this auction. It contained a costume face mask and an identity number for the bidder.

Gia went into the rest room and put on her mask. It was a glittery blue butterfly masquerade mask and it complimented her outfit very well. Coming out of the restroom, she and Gilbert almost clashed as he was in a hurry to find her.

“Gilbert…?” Gia chortled merrily and took of the mask.

“I did not know you were also interested in Artifacts and gems.” Gilbert remarked suspiciously.

“I can say the say about you.” Gia said and put on her mask again. Gilbert’s driver came and handed him his bag.

“Thank you, Ken.” Gilbert said and wore his mask as well. It was a gold smiley mask that covered his whole face, a sign that he never wanted anyone to spot him at the auction.

“Wait for me in the car.” Gilbert told his driver. Ken agreed and left immediately.

“Why are you covering your entire face?” Gia asked Gilbert.

“Privacy purposes.” Gilbert answered and started walking away. Gia shrugged and followed him behind.

“So why are you here?” Gilbert asked Gia curiously.

“Gilbert…” Gia started but Gilbert cut in hastily.

“It is hard to trust you now.”

“I don’t expect you to.” Gia answered and tried to leave, but Gilbert held her back.

“Are you following me?”

“I arrived here before you so who is following the other?” Gia replied and shoved his hand away. “….and do not touch me without my permission.”

“Why are you allergic to men?”

“I don’t like it when someone touches me without my permission.” Gia sneered and walked away. Gilbert followed into the auction room and took a seat at her table. A man came to him and asked him to stand up and go to his table but he refused.

“Your number is seventeen by one.”

“So what?” Gilbert asked impudently.

“Stopped causing trouble.” Gia whispered, but the dispute went on. Soon some attendants came to settle the matter and gilbert ended getting what he wanted because of his status.

“You must be proud of yourself.” Gia told him.

“I am a king. I should always get what I want.” Gilbert replied proudly.

“Too bad, you can’t have everything you want.”

“That goes to you as well.”

“What do you mean?” Gia asked but Gilbert did not answer her. The MC of the show took to the stage and began addressing them. The lights were switched off, making Gia flinch in seat, seemingly afraid of the dark. Gilbert placed his hand on hers and she relaxed.

“It looks like this is your first time here. Perhaps I am right about you following me.” Gilbert remarked in a whisper.

“It’s my first time, but i didn’t follow you.” Gia replied hastily.

“What are looking for?”

“It will grandfather’s birthday soon. He love archaic artifacts. I want to get something for him.”

“Oh I see.” Gilbert replied. He had an option to keep quiet but he was not done taunting Gia.

“By the way, I touched you without permission. I thought you would withdraw your hand or shove mine away.”

“Gilbert…” Gia gritted her teeth.

“Instead of getting angry, you should say thank you.” Gilbert cut in.

“Let go!” Gia muttered angrily.

“Just relax. You need my hand.” Gilbert said and tightened his grip on her. the auction began and people were bidding but Gilbert and Gia still did not find what they like until a Jade pendant was introduced.

“This jade pendant is believed to have been found in the inner chambers of Queen Cleopatra VII Philopator of Egypt……..” the MC explained. As soon as she was done. Bidders began bidding for it up to a total of twelve thousand, but Gia stopped all the bidders with her price

“ZMK100, 000.” Gia shouted. Gilbert looked at Gia and decided to taunt her more. He did not really like the pendant but he bid more money than she did for it.

“ZMK220, 0000…going once….” the MC shouted.

“ZMK300, 000!” Gia shouted.

“ZMK400, 000!” Gilbert countered her.

“ZMK400, 000! Going once…” The MC shouted. Gia was about to counter gilbert’s price when he abruptly and deliberately let go of her hand, startling her.

“….going twice…and sold.” the MC continued. Gia glared at Gilbert.

“You shouldn’t have done this.” Gia hissed.

“I just want you to have a test of what it feels like for someone to come and take something that you like.”

“You are one to preach to me. Is this about the Santanders?” Gia remarked furiously.

“No, darling. This is purely business.” Gilbert said and chortled merrily. Gia stood up in frustration and tried to leave but she tripped in the darkness, falling into Gilbert’s hands.

“Are you okay?” He asked her.

“Let go of me!” Gia shouted. Gilbert looked around him and noticed the other bidder staring at them.

“You are creating a scene.” He whispered.

“You started this!” Gia hissed. Gilbert gritted his teeth and lifted her off the floor and out they went.

“Put me down!” Gia shrieked as she hit Gilbert’s back with her fists until Gilbert do as he was told. He started laughing afterwards.

“Why…you!” Gia tried to slap him but he caught her hand and shoved it away. Gia screamed with frustration.

“Put yourself together Princess. This is not your palace.” Gilbert taunted her more and laughed.

“My grandfather will hear about this!”

“You are a tattle-tale.” Gilbert said and smirked mischievously. “I have never seen a grown woman act like this before. Should we settle this on our own?”

“You're right.” Gia sneered. “We will definitely settle this on our own. I will deal with you for hijacking my pendant.”

Gilbert chortled merrily. For some reason he found Gia’s tantrums and blabbering amusing. Suddenly, a man came out of the inner room and handed Gilbert the purchase agreement. He read though, signed the agreement and filled a blank cheque and gave it back to the man. The man thanked him, gave him the pendant and left.