[9]
“Brina said someone was meeting you?” asked Justin as the Jaguar he was driving pulled out of the main lobby of the banquet hall. As usual, there was nothing special. It was just a gathering of the elite who wrapped their conversations in business. There was also a lot of cooperation that benefited them or a few people.
“Yes.” Giselle sighed softly. Her eyes were fixed on the road where not too many vehicles were passing by. She could not get rid of the thought and figure of Andrew who approached her earlier.
“What did he say?” Justin tried to be as calm as possible. Ever since Giselle asked permission to pull over, Justin hadn’t let his guard down. Although Justin had many discussions with his colleagues regarding his business; including the property that could be used as a place to open a new branch of his boutique. Justin’s tail never let go of Giselle.
Especially when Giselle was enjoying wine taken from one of the waiters, the model chose to isolate herself, indicating that she did not want any disturbances. Then the man came over. It made Justin want to get closer and make sure Giselle was comfortable talking. Because the news he got from his trusted informant was not just a figment of his imagination.
Andrew Kingston arrived with Jilly Adams. Not only does Andrew have an important role to play when it comes to raising a name, but he can also be the sharpest knife in the hand and the highest pit to bring Giselle down. Although Justin can silence him, it’s not easy considering the name Kingston that the man bears.
The most dangerous is Jilly Adams. Little did Justin know that the beautiful woman often violated what he had stipulated. Including meeting Giselle without her knowledge and imposing her will on several requests which she thought could be considered as blackmail.
“He knew who I was before.” Giselle coughed softly. She took a deep breath, filling every cavity of her chest with oxygen. It gave her peace of mind even though it was not that easy to realize. Her hands began to squeeze the hem of her dress. Her eyes closed, which became more and more submissive.
Then without realizing it, her shoulders shook softly. Sobbing. The more it was heard, the more pain greeted the ears, especially for Justin.
“Hey, why are you crying?” asked Justin as he gently stroked Giselle’s flowing hair. Occasionally rubbing the back of her shoulders to calm her down.
Justin let Giselle let her emotions out for a while. Usually, Giselle was always talking, whether she was annoyed, upset, angry, sad, or happy. In fact, if Justin is to be honest, Giselle is not someone who can hide something behind her smile. Maybe Giselle is used to the mastery of expression by now. But in Justin’s eyes, the man knows when Giselle changes her mood.
And now, Giselle’s choice was to remain silent while shedding tears. This meant that not only was she worried, but fear was starting to creep up on her, and that alone made Justin unhappy.
“Are you scared?” Justin asked cautiously.
Slowly, Giselle nodded.
“You don’t need to worry about unnecessary things. I’m sure you can still control it, Giselle. Just focus on your accumulated work. The busier you keep yourself, and the more activities you have to do, the triviality of such cheap threats won’t stay in your brain for long.”
Giselle was silent.
“Although Andrew didn’t use his family’s power to build The Collage, Kingston is still Kingston. I can’t deny that his influence is considerable.”
The girl turned her head and looked at Justin for a long time. She was even more burdened by the fact that Justin could talk like that so lightly. While she?
“I haven’t forgotten what Jilly said with that sly smile when I said goodbye for the last time at the club,” Giselle said softly. Her eyes felt hot and ready to burst into tears but she tried to hold them back as best she could. She let out a long sigh when she felt she could control herself. “He told me that when I’m at my highest point I can fall over without getting up because of my dark past. So I was told not to dream too high.”
The remark was clearly laughed off by Justin. It was as if the woman who told Giselle was right in front of him. Complete with her speaking style – hands crossed, cigarette between her fingers, and a condescending and cynical look in her eyes. But only when looking at Giselle. Everything else? That’s normal.
“And you’re afraid of what he said happening?”
Giselle bit her lower lip. Her emotions were running high. She squeezed the hem of her dress even harder. Her palms even felt wet.
“Don’t be weak just because the drizzle is starting to beat you down, Giselle. You’ve been through more storms than this, right? If you’re used to facing storms, the drizzle won’t be able to knock you down.”
The girl turned to the man sitting quietly beside her. His hands, which were free to control the steering wheel, were placed on the lip of the window. Letting the night breeze into the cabin and worse, it looked like Justin had deliberately opened the hood of his luxury car.
The incoming wind was quite large. It made Giselle close her eyes immediately in order to adjust to the gusts that soon hit her.
“I also have my own concerns with their closeness. I can do whatever it takes to protect the people under my influence. But in a moment of weakness? They can take advantage of it very well and you are… very vulnerable to being weakened.”
Giselle, who was still staring at Justin, could only frown. “Are you doubting my determination?”
“Yes,” Justin replied briefly.
“You’re too much.” She huffed as she pursed her lips. “Can’t be too honest?”
At least tonight, Giselle’s smile returned. At the very least, what Justin saw was an unmasked smile and laughter. At the very least, Justin could rest easy tonight. He could think of ways to keep Giselle and her past life at bay.
For now Giselle is an important asset to SEO. No. She’s one of the founders who successfully brought what Justin wanted to the public. His goal is that there will be four people who are the main pillars to keep SEO moving forward. Being a trensetter in the country, getting more famous year after year and being trusted by several production houses to work together.
Before they knew it, the car Justin was driving had arrived at the basement of the apartment where Giselle lived. Before she could leave him alone in the car, Justin said. “Sleep well, you’re going to have a long day tomorrow, right? I told Irena your latest schedule. It’s not far from the city center, but you still need to be prepared.”
Nothing pleases Giselle more than when Justin seems like the most important person in her life. Don’t blame Giselle if she gets comfortable and used to Justin’s attitude towards her. It’s too sweet and too good to miss.
God, is it okay if I fall in love with him?
***
“Morning, Giselle,” Brina greeted her kindly. Too friendly, in fact.
Giselle, who had just opened the bedroom door, still wearing her knee-length sleeping pajamas, only frowned. She gently rubbed her eyes that still felt sticky. And her body that still felt stiff to move. She should still be curled up under the blanket, right?
What time is it? Isn’t he there… Morning flight!!!
“You didn’t wake me up?!” screeched Giselle in a panic. She hurriedly went back into the room. Preparing herself without caring if Brina looked at her quizzically. Even the bouquet of red roses in her assistant’s hand.
“Giselle!” called Brina once she realized that the stupid girl had forgotten that her flight was in the afternoon. She had come this morning to accompany Giselle-forcing her to exercise, of course. At least around the apartment’s garden twenty times.
Brina hurried over to the girl who seemed to be grumbling at her stupidity for waking up late. At the doorway, all Brina could do was shake her head in surprise. “You’re really forgetful or careless, huh?”
Giselle’s movement to pick up one of the shirts she was going to wear to her next appointment stopped. Her eyes blinked in surprise but then, back to grumbling. “If you don’t want to help me, I can prepare myself. My suitcase is ready!”
“Your flight is scheduled for this afternoon.”
Giselle was stunned, and then as if she had been shocked by several volts of electricity, she came to her senses. “Oh my!” she tapped her forehead rather roughly. “It’s you!” Giselle immediately changed her course. Attacking Brina of course!
Which made Brina glare in disbelief. “Don’t do that to me, Giselle!”
But Giselle would not stop. She chased after Brina, who ran away. Her screams soon filled the spacious apartment. Even Giselle laughed as she continued to grab Brina to get within her reach. Until the assistant was cornered on the sofa, shielding herself from Giselle’s tickling attacks.
Giselle is still the nosy Giselle.
“GISELLE!!!” Brina shouted with laughter.
“You should be punished! You’re too much!” Giselle giggled but continued to attack Brina with her hands aimed at the spots that made Brina squeal with delight.
Satisfied, with a gasp and a sweaty forehead, Giselle unleashed her punishment. The victim; Brina, glared fiercely at her but with a big smile. Feeling grateful, Giselle was able to cheer up again.
“I’ll get a drink first,” Giselle said as she got up from her seat. She felt like she needed a drink to quench her thirst after playing a prank on Brina. As she walked towards the kitchen, a bouquet of flowers placed on the table caught her eye.
“How thoughtful of you to bring me flowers, Brina,” Giselle said with a chuckle.
“It’s delicious.” Brina chuckled. “I also wondered who that jobless guy was who sent you flowers so early.”
Giselle’s brow furrowed deeply. If it wasn’t Brina who gave it to her, then who?
“There’s a card tucked in there. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.” Brina got up from her seat. She walked over to Giselle who looked transfixed after seeing the card she had mentioned earlier.
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