Chapter Five
1651 Words
Ebert led Michael into the crowd and approached Gia. When Gia and Michael’s eyes met, Micheal froze, his eyes fixed on Gia. Flustered, she stepped back, unsettled.
But he stepped forward, hand rising to her touch face.
Then, a hand slapped it down.
“Micheal,” came Ebert's reprimanding voice
“Ebert,” Gia smiled sheepishly. “Is he a friend of yours?”
“Gia, meet Michael Roldan, a colleague at work but a brother at heart.”
Gia warmly extended her hand.
“Pleasure, Mr. Roldan.” she said, heart wrenching. This was not the reunion she'd imagined. But it was better than nothing
Micheal shook her hand. “My pleasure too,”
“Detective?” came Gilbert's voice. Micheal turned, and they glared at each other. Micheal felt enraged. Gilbert had moved on so well—as if nothing had happened, as if nothing haunted him.
“Still working the hit-and-run case?” Gilbert added.
“Hit-and-run?” Gia echoed nervously.
“Micheal reopened a cold case from eight years ago,” Ebert chimed in.”It concerns his sister.”
Gia winced.
Micheal noticed. Just then, Luam approached them. Gia was wanted on stage. She quickly glanced at Michael, then left.
Micheal watched her leave, his gut feeling settling his familiarity with her. Gilbert briefly watched him, then walked away.
“You’re staring too hard.” Ebert whispered
“She’s stunningly beautiful,” Michael replied softly.
“Keep off her,” Ebert warned.
“You worried Keith might claw my eyes out?”
Ebert scoffed. “I don’t want trouble. That’s why I left Priscilla behind,”
“Smart move.” Micheal chuckled, amused.
Gia's speech was short yet captivating. She left for the restroom afterwards, leaving a round of applause behind.
Fate or design led Kimora out of a stall just as Gia stood in front of the mirror, and she froze, eyes widening. Gia turned and met her gaze calmly.
“Are you alright?” she asked and applied lipgloss.
“I—”
“Relax. You look like you’ve seen a ghost,”
“I'm sorry, do I know…you?”
“Gia Zande,” Gia extended her hand.
Kimora shook it with a nervous smile. “You’re PROFOUND's heiress.”
“Guilty as charged,” Gia replied, flashing a mischievous smile. “And you are?”
“Kimora Delano. I work at Eye Inc—marketing.”
Gia smiled, “Impressive.”
She turned to leave, then paused.
“Your perfume is good. I like it.” She said and walked on.
Kimora smiled, unable to control her emotions. She'd just been praised by Gia Zande.
Gia ran into Michael again. He was clearly there for her. She froze as he approached, unsure what to say..
Michael’s voice cracked. “Ms. Zande…”
“Were you following me?”
Michael said nothing. Just stared.
Gia smirked.
“Is this a staring contest?”
Michael gave a weak smile, still silent. Gia studied him—head to toe—and gave a quiet smile.
Michael… had grown up.
Gia stepped closer to Michael, brushing down his collar with a playful smirk.
“Now you look perfect.”
Michael swallowed hard, the tension in his throat slowly easing.
“Thank you,” he murmured, eyes lingering on her face.
Gia tilted her head, voice soft but distant.
“Don’t fall for me, Mr. Roldan.”
Michael chuckled— he saw something familiar in her. Someone lost.
“Why not?”
Gia was blunt. “I don’t do meaningless relationships.”
“Is that what you tell all your admirers?”
“Am I a challenge?”
Micheal laughed. It was his turn to be blunt. “Your words don’t scare me. You… feel familiar.”
Gia’s expression shifted, then placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Familiar is a deep word,” she said. “Be careful, detective. Don't just trust anyone.”
“Right, anyone is bad and shouldn't be trusted,” he said, smiling. “I'll trust you instead.”
Gia laughed. “Your sense of humour is good.” she said. “ But I'm serious. Not even me. Good. Bad. Complicated. There's a thin line.”
“I think I'm lost. What were we talking about?”
Gia laughed lightly, her tone dancing between truth and performance.
“Goodbye,”
“You’re hard to read.”
“Then stop trying,” she said, already turning away.
Michael watched her. Then she stopped, looking back, sadness etched in her eyes.
“Don’t drink too much in places like these,” she warned and disappeared down the corridor.
Micheal froze. Gia’s last words sounded like criticism. He wanted to go after her, but a voice stopped him.
He turned.
“Kimora?”
She grinned. “Long time no see…Micheal.”
Michael didn’t respond. His gaze remained fixed where Gia had gone.
“You look good,” Kimora tried to break through his trance.
“Gia,” he said, his voice low.
Kimora's eyes narrowed. “I guess you noticed her slight resemblance with Maria too.” She said, “but don’t get carried away—she’s Keith Zande’s granddaughter.”
“You sound certain.”
“Maria is gone,” Kimora snapped. “You might’ve forgotten, but I haven’t. It's all Gilbert's fault.”
“He was rescued too,”
“It's still his fault. He took her there that night—why?”
“Why? You hated my sister.”
“I—I'm sympathising….”
“By feeding my pain?” Michael asked and walked away.
Kimora’s smile faded into something darker as she watched him go. No matter how he ran, she would reignite his rage—Michael was her card. He would help her bring Gilbert back… to her side.
Back inside, Gia studied the glowing crowd. Music pulsed, people danced, laughter echoed, but despite the festivity, a quiet ache tugged at her. She longed to slip away and find solitude where her thoughts wouldn’t echo so loudly.
Ebert looked for her. He wanted to dance. But just as he spotted her, Gilbert reached out, asking to dance.
“I’m exhausted,” Gia replied, turning to leave. But Gilbert pulled her. She softly gasped in the collision.
Gilbert slipped a hand around her waist, slightly lifting her, and then brushed her hair back gently.
Their eyes met, and he smiled. “You won't have to lift a finger,” he said, placed her hand on his shoulder, and stepped back rhythmically.
Gia followed—step by step—until the waltz overtook them. They moved in perfect harmony, eyes locked, as if time itself leaned in to watch.
“So persistent?” Gia murmured.
"This isn't for me,” Gilbert replied. “It's for the business world to see.”
Gia scoffed, and he laughed. He loved getting under her skin.
The music swelled. They twirled elegantly, drawing admiration and envy alike.
Alika froze. The sight of her fiancé dancing intimately with another woman infuriated her. She took a step forward —but her mother intercepted.
“Not now, not here,” Gleyn whispered.
“She’s stealing him.”
“Remember what I taught you—strike only when calm. Control wins the war.”
“Will you help me?”
“Gilbert Monroe is our lifeline, Alika. We won’t lose him.”
Alika smiled. “We finally agree on something.”
“Still, don’t forget your business proposal. You need to impress him…and her.”
Alija sneered. “Fine. I'll work on it,” Alika said and wandered off to find Kimora.
Ebert approached GiaandGilbert. Keith watched from a distance, scoffing. Gilbert furrowed his brow and stepped away—letting Gia go.
Gia smiled at Ebert as they began to dance. “Thanks for the rescue,”
“Didn’t look like you needed it,” he replied, jealousy ripping through him.
“I haven’t seen your wife.” Gia countered
He laughed. “I see what you did there,” he said. “Priscilla is not fond of you.”
“Can’t blame her.” Gia spun elegantly, the crowd erupting in applause. “You keep hovering around me like a bee.”
They both laughed.
“You are like honey,” Ebert said after. “You attract people. Look around here.”
“Hypocrites,” she muttered. “They wouldn’t show up if I had nothing to offer.”
“Heney is sweet. Honey has value,”
Gia laughed heartily. “Look at you battering me up today,”
“This is your world, Gia. Own it,” Ebert said, pulling her gently closer.
“I'm done,” Gia replied. She twirled again, separating from him as cheers followed their exit.
From across the room, Keith gestured sharply. Ebert caught the signal—and knew he was about to be summoned.
Kimora winced before turning with a tight smile—Alika was heading her way.
“Ms. Santander,” Kimora said. Alika greeted her, planting a cheek kiss. Kimora faked a smile, sensing the performance.
“Can you assist me with drafting a business plan for Hotel Swan?” Alika went straight to the point
“Work hours are over,” Kimora replied, trying to leave.
“Gilbert recommended you.”
That stopped her.
Gilbert… recommended me?”
Alika nodded with a triumphant grin.
“In that case, I’d be glad to assist,” Kimora said sweetly. “I hear he’s taking over Hotel Swan. He’s my boss, it’s only right.”
“So, when can we begin?”
“Just send me the theme—I’ll have it ready by next week.”
“You’re amazing,” Alika said, hugging her. Kimora stood stiffly, arms unmoving.
“It’s settled,” Kimora said, walking off.
“I loathe grovelling to people like her.” Alika muttered under her breath
- Writer
