*Oh my gosh. He called for a meeting to access the people he would be working with. I can only imagine the look on Damons's face when he was scolded with that intimidating tone.*

"I guess your only problem is keeping your mind in the room"

*Huh???*

"What?" She breathed and met eyes with the unfamiliar cold stare.

"Keep your mind in the room, Ms. Brown."

"Of course. I'm sorry, sir"

*Hold on.*

*what the hell am I doing?*

*I'm standing across from my ex husband who left without an explanation three years ago, and is back now; acting like he doesn't know me!*

"I'm especially interested in AURA. So I have to admit, it's quite a relief to have someone as competent as you incharge of the brand. We'll be working closely together from now on. I hope there are no major disappointments in the future"

"Oh. Um, yes sir. I look forward to working with you, too"

"Good. You may leave"

Riele froze up and watched as he tore his attention from her; placing them on the computer before him.

*Is that....all?*

He paused, then looked back at her.

"Is there anything else Ms. Brown?"

*What is this? Why does he look at me like that?*

*It's scary. Everything about this new Gilbert is scary.*

"Are you always so absent minded, Ms. Brown?"

"Are you...." she trailed off, ignoring his statement and earning an arched brow from him. "...being serious right now?"

"I beg your pardon?"

*I can't find a single hint of familiarity in his gaze. It's almost as if, all memories of me has been wiped out.*

"You don't remember me?"

"Have we met before?" He paused a bit, then leaned back on his swivel chair. "Oh, this morning at the cafe? What about it?"

*This isn't how it's supposed to go.*

He arched a brow at her silence, then let out a sigh.

"If that is all you have to say, please leave. I don't appreciate your company" He said rather coldly, then got back to work on his computer.

*This isn't how it's supposed to go!*

"Stop with the act, Gilbert" she blurted, almost in a plea and cursed at her heart for ignoring her brain. She wanted to express anger, but her lips quivered, and her heart ached.

"Stop, already"

His eyes widened for a split second, then narrowed down at the woman who's small frame trembled before him.

"What did you just call me?"

"Is this your way of getting rid of me? Playing pretend?"

"What?" He questioned with furrowed brows.

"After the way you left things..." she mumbled and clenched her fists, "After the way you left me, you chose to come back this way?"

The Director stared at her, the wrinkles between his brows growing further as he tried to understand her statement.

He let out a deep sigh, then pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

*I thought she was one of the smart ones. How dissapointing*

"You have the wrong person" He said firmly, tearing his eyes from hers and refocusing them on the desktop once again.

"Gilbert-!"

"Leave my office, Ms. Brown." He warned, then glared up at her. "Now."

She could hear it In his tone; the threat it held. He didn't plan on repeating himself again, and it didn't look like he was ready to admit to anything. Infact, he looked uninterested in the conversation to begin with.

Riele clutched her hands together and bit down on her tongue as she shot him one last glance.

"Yes, sir" She muttered, then walked out of his office.

Her eyes stung as she blinked the tears away, and she felt a sob rising to her throat.

She was sure she spent all those years getting over him. The hurt she felt grew into frustration, and eventually, anger.

She felt nothing but anger towards him. So, why?

Why did she feel like some abandoned puppy?

☆

"Big news!!" Monica ran into the office; startling Riele and calling to the attention of the other team members.

"Are you being loud because the Director is out right now?This is still an office" Natalie cautioned and Monica brushed her warning off with a slight wave of her hand.

"This involves the Director!" She added, and the rest of the teams filed into their office with curious and listening ears.

"This department and gossip" Riele muttered with a sigh and leaned her cheek on her palm.

"You guys wouldn't believe this! I'm just coming from the cafeteria, and I heard something from Grace in the planning department. "

"I really hate your devotion to unnecessary suspense " Natalie muttered. "Just spit it out already"

"The New Director is Nicholas Kanes adopted son; Enzo Wilde!"

Riele's eyes widened a fraction.

"Wait, what did you call the Director?"

"Enzo Wilde." Monica repeated. " Isn't his name kind of unique? It suits his pretty face-"

"It's not Gilbert Wilde?" Riele interrupted, and Monica's brows scrunched as she shook her head a 'no'.

*....what's this...?*

"But why is his last name different? Shouldn't it be Kane?"

Monica's lips curved up in a wide grin.

"That's the best part" she continued, "He's Serenity Wilde's son"

Their mouths dropped to the floor in utter disbelief and Monica beamed with excitement; enjoying every bit of their reactions.

"Serenity Wilde....as in, the deceased owner?" Someone questioned, and Monica nodded a reply.

"I was just as surprised. I didn't know she had a son"

"Nobody knew!" Damon blurted. "What is this? Nicholas ascends to the throne and a long lost prince appears?!"

"This is mind blowing..."

While the rest got carried away with the gossip, Riele only sunk deeper into her thoughts.

*"We're not living together?"*

The memories came flooding in as the voices of her co-workers grew muffled.

*"We can't be married and not live together."*

*"Why? Don't you think it'll be exciting?" Gilbert smirked, his violet eyes sparkling as they stared straight at hers.*

*"That's what you said about keeping our marriage a secret. I didn't even get to wear a white dress, I can't wear a ring as proof, and now I won't get to live with my husband? Are we even married?"*

*"Yes we are" He said, then rose the piece of paper with the names; 'Gilbert Wilde' and 'Riele Brown' written on it.*

*"This is proof" He added.*

*Riele shot him a glare, tired of his charming grins and his annoyingly pretty eyes that always seemed to sway her into dimissing their arguments.*

*"Hey" He breathed, then grabbed her small hands in his large and slender ones. "I'm just scared that things won't work out if we rush into this"*

*"We're married after six months of dating" she deadpanned and earned a low chuckle from him.*

*"Riele" He called, then held her face in his hands.*

*Riele's brown eyes met his, and in an instant, she forgot the reason she got mad in the first place. It was as if Gilbert knew just what kind of effect he had on her, because his lips tugged up to a toothy grin, then he planted a soft kiss on her lips.*

*"Do you trust me?" He breathed after pulling out and Riele felt her heart thump against her chest.*

The time she spent with Gilbert only left her with questions. And those questions grew each passing day.

She knew it, but she just refused to admit it to herself.

There was a lot she didn't know about the person named Gilbert-

No, Enzo Wilde.