Chapter 1 CRAZY LITTLE SECRET

"I want to thank my management, my agent, and all my great staff. Without their hard work, I would never have stood in this place to receive the most prestigious award in art. Oh and one more thing, I would like to say a very big thank you to my beloved husband, Gabrielle Rolland, who is definitely watching me right now from our favorite sitting room. It's a shame that my husband couldn't come to accompany me here."

"Bullshit!"

Gabrielle turned off the television and threw the black remote on the floor. A loud sound echoed throughout the quiet living room. And then silence.

Gabrielle hated all that fakeness. Fleura acted as if she was a beautiful wife who really cared for and loved her husband. In fact, Fleura only made him as a trophy to show off to everyone who adored her. Her fans.

All of Gabrielle's annoyance with his wife was diverted when his phone rang loudly. Gabrielle was too lazy to take his phone from the bar table. But he finally answered the call after the ringing had almost stopped.

"Piston? Why did you call me?"

"Oh, Gabe! What's with that bitter voice of yours? Abandoned again by your beautiful wife, huh?"

"Dammit! Stop mocking me and tell me what's in your interests. I don't want to make small talk."

Piston's laughter could be heard howling through the phone, mingling with the loud music that shook Gabrielle's frayed nerves.

"Come and join us. You are still a member. Even though you're married."

"Where are you?"

"We are in our usual place and table. Come here. Mark Jacob is celebrating his anniversary with his new girlfriend. There are several single women here," Piston whispered seductively.

"I'm in, but I'm not coming for the single women you mentioned. You know that I'm loyal."

"Oh man, you sound like a lousy sissy."

"You damn bastard. I'm a man of principle."

"Whatever. Just drag your ass over here and have fun. You don't have to be a bitter man tonight."

Ten minutes later Gabrielle came out of his room wearing an expensive outfit that was specially made for him. His appearance wasn't over the top, but he definitely looked expensive. Women usually had sharp instincts about men like him. And the scent of the perfume he wore tonight would attract more women to sniff it.

"Sir?"

"Martha. I'm going to meet my friends. No need to wait for me to come home. Just lock the door."

"Yes, sir."

"Good night, Martha."

After closing the garage door with the remote, Gabrielle drove his car out of the Bel Air area which was quiet, but offered a high level of comfort and security. His car stopped at the intersection because the traffic light suddenly turned red. Gabrielle had to be patient. He groaned in annoyance when he found a large billboard with a picture of his wife displayed at the corner of the intersection.

He really wanted to tear up the billboard showing the faces of his wife and Diego Mitchell looking at each other intimately. The picture was taken from one of the scenes in their drama series. And even though Gabrielle had never watched it, he already suspected that some of the scenes in the drama contained very strong sexual elements.

"Good evening, sir."

"Hey Jake. My regular parking space."

Gabrielle threw his car keys and Jake quickly caught it. The African-American man saluted Gabrielle before he took over his black Jag and drove it to Gabrielle's special parking slot.

"Dude, welcome!"

"You're purposely waiting for me at the entrance, huh?"

They exchanged man-to-man hugs and patted each other on the back. Piston dragged Gabrielle into the club which was getting busier and hotter.

"They are waiting for you. I was just walking someone to the car."

"A woman?"

"One of Mark's girlfriend's friends. Mark's girlfriend is a doctor."

"Wow, what's with his taste now? After dating a hot playboy model, Mark decides to date a genius doctor?"

"I think Mark has given up on dating a hot model. The woman was too exposed, and Mark always has to share her with other men."

Gabrielle silently agreed. Marrying an actress like Fleura was not as beautiful as it seemed on the outside. He harbored too much annoyance, disappointment, and jealousy towards Fleura whenever she had projects with handsome men.

"How long has Mark been dating this woman?"

"He said it was their three month anniversary."

"Wow, I hope they last longer than his exes."

Gabrielle and Piston walked through the crowd of people who were swaying on the dance floor. Several sexy women threw lewd looks at Gabrielle. One of them touched his arm, but Gabrielle brushed it off. Gabrielle wasn't interested in any of them. He loved Fleura too much and had no interest in cheating behind her back.

"Mark. Hi, buddy."

"Gabrielle! Glad you came."

Mark stood up from his chair and welcomed Gabrielle with open arms. Gabrielle glanced at the people sitting around Mark's table. A woman in a tight white dress, but quite polite, sat next to Mark. Gabrielle assumed the woman was Mark's new girlfriend.

"Congratulations to you, bro. You got a better woman."

"Very much. This woman is the most beautiful gift. I think I plan to take our relationship to a more serious level."

"You finally plan to get married?" Gabrielle chuckled softly as she punched Mark in the shoulder.

"I guess so. I should learn more matrimony tricks from you. You're the only guy from our gang who's married."

Gabrielle only responded by shrugging his shoulders briefly. Most of his friends never knew what happened to his household.

"Who is her name?"

"Miranda Stanley. You should get to know her."

Mark turned to Miranda and called her, "Honey, this is Gabrielle."

The woman in the white dress stood up. She looked just as Gabrielle had imagined, a classy woman who was elegant and refined. Miranda really showed her qualities as a doctor. She didn't look cheap like Mark's exes.

"Hi, nice to meet you."

"Yeah, nice to meet you too. This is my first time meeting Mark's friends."

Miranda shook his hand and Gabrielle squeezed it gently. For a doctor, Miranda has small and delicate palms.

"You are a doctor, right? Do you have a speciality?"

"She's an obstetrician," Mark answered quickly while elbowing Gabrielle in the ribs.

"Honey, Gabrielle has been married for three years. He wants to have a baby. You might be able to give him some suggestions on how to make a baby quickly."

Miranda blushed when she got a naughty wink from her lover. Gabrielle only responded with a flat smile. He hated bringing up the topic in front of someone he had just met. Even though that person was his best friend's girlfriend.

"I'm very open to giving you some advice from a medical standpoint."

"Okay, thank you. I will take my wife for a consultation."

"His wife is a famous actress. Fleura Delacour."

Once again, Mark's leaking mouth spat out words that made Gabrielle's mood fall to rock bottom. He did not like his private life being discussed in public.

"Really? I'm a big fan of Fleura. She is a great actress."

"Thank You."

"Maybe next time you can take your wife. I really want to meet her."

Gabrielle smiled faintly and nodded slowly. Although he wasn't sure if Fleura would be willing to come and meet his friends. Fleura was very picky in choosing friends. Piston was one of his friends who Fleura didn't like. Gabrielle was sure she wasn't interested in his other friends either.

"Enjoy the party, man. You can order whatever you want."

"Thanks, buddy. I won't stay all night. I have an important meeting tomorrow morning."

"Damn. I know you're busy, but try to enjoy the party. Some of Fleura's friends came. At least, they are available to accompany you tonight."

Gabrielle growled at the whisper. He chose to ignore Mark's teasing, and walked towards the empty seat next to Jerome. But just as he turned around, someone suddenly came running into him and spilled punch on his expensive shirt.

"Omegosh! I'm sorry."