Chapter 7 Gilbert And Enzo

Riele had no clue if it was because of her naivety in marrying someone so mysterious, or just her all-round terrible luck, but the sequence following her terrible reunion with Gilbert-turned-Enzo only grew worse with each passing day.

Observe;

"...who called for me?"

"The CEO. He wants to meet you now."

The call was a short and straightforward one. Yet, the wheels on Riele's head turned so fast, that she felt the steam escape from her ears.

To say she was confused would be an understatement.

What? Why? Why does Nicholas Kane want to meet me?!!

Wait, is it about the marriage?! Does he know about it? Is he going to splash water on my face or throw a fat wad of cash at my face?!

By the time Riele got off the elevator on the last floor, her mind was boggled. She shot a polite smile at Cole; Nicholas's secretary who smiled in response and led her into the CEO's office.

"Ms. Brown has arrived, Sir" He announced and Riele gulped when her eyes settled on the ruggedly handsome man who had a smile on his face.

*I've noticed this before, but he gives off the same aura as those closed eyed anime characters.*

*Scary as hell.*

"Thank you, Cole" Nicholas said and Cole shot him a polite smile before exiting the office and leaving Riele under the trapping gaze of Nicholas Kane.

"Please, sit" He said, gesturing to the couch and Riele quickly took a seat.

Nicholas got to his feet, then headed to the far left end of his office where a fridge and a cabinet stood.

"Do you like macaroons? It's all I have here because I'm obsessed with them"

"Oh, yes. I'm fine with macaroons, sir"

Riele let out nervously and Nicholas grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and placed it on the tray; next to the plate of macaroons.

He sat down on the couch across from her and placed the tray on the mahogany table between them.

"Try the purple macaroons. The color is beautiful, and the flavor just bursts in your mouth"

"A-ah" Riele breathed in a low and breathy laugh before hesitantly grabbing a purple macaroon and shoving it in her mouth.

Nicholas watched her expression with his usual small and unwavering smile, and Riele struggled to swallow the sweet and chewy candy.

"How is it?" His smile widened. "Good, right?"

"It is" Riele smiled. "It tastes like grape?"

"Yes, it does. Some people say it's not that sweet of a taste, but I disagree "

"So do I" Riele chuckled, and she felt her drumming heart calm.

*At least he's approachable.. *

"Riele, is it?"

"Yes sir"

"Where did you grow up, Riele?"

"I was born in Odwen. I lived there with my parents until I turned eighteen"

"Odwen, huh? Enzo grew up there as well"

"Ah.." Riele breathed, not exactly sure what to do with the information. Nicholas's smile widened even more at her reaction.

"He's caused you a lot of trouble, hasn't he?"

"Who..?"

"Enzo"

"Oh..." she breathed. "Well.."

"I know about your marriage, and I also know you both sighed the divorce papers two days ago. Infact, I have it here with me" He said and took the envelope out of his blazer.

*I'm getting really sick of seeing envelopes...*

"Don't worry, sir. I never planned on taking anything from the Director, and I won't"

"I can see that" He said, pointing at her inked art, "You really butchered this part of the paper"

Riele let out a nervous laugh.

"However," Nicholas continued, "Don't you think it's unfair?"

Riele rose a brow.

"What, sir?"

"You deserve some kind of compensation for what Gilbert did, and for the trouble Enzo caused these past few weeks"

Riele's brows furrowed at his statement.

"I-it's fine, sir. I really don't want anything from him. I just wanted him to apologise"

"I'm guessing Enzo didn't "

"You're right, sir" She shot him a weak smile.

"Well, this marriage was a secret one, so the divorce will be as well. I have a friend who owns a lawfirm, and he can process this quietly for the both of you. So you both don't have to make unnecessary and risky trips to the court.

"Oh, thank you sir"

Nicholas nodded, his smile still evident on his handsome face.

*Does this man's cheeks never hurt?*

"On one condition" He said and Riele paused.

"Con...dition?"

"You accept the building in Lakeine"

Building...?....Lakeine?

"Wait, Lakeine?!" She blurted and her hands immediately flew to her mouth.

Lakeine was basically one of the richest neighbourhoods in the city. Buying land or a house there costs a fortune, and it was mostly filled with five star hotels, suites and ridiculously expensive restaurants.

"Enzo owns a building there, and he refuses to rent the rooms out, so the place is basically rotting away. I'm sure he wouldn't notice one building taken off his name"

*He owns more?*

"I appreciate your kindness, sir. But I don't want to take anything from him"

"That's the thing, this isn't from him, it's from me"

Riele paused.

"Why would you do that for me?"

"Because I know better than anyone how frustrating Enzo can be. I'm sure he accused you of wanting to extort money from him"

"You know your son well, sir" She chuckled and Nicholas grinned.

"That's just the way he is. Unlike Gilbert, Enzo has always been hostile towards others, and he doesn't trust easily. He might've said these words to frighten you into admitting something. But, I'm sure he doesn't think of you that way"

Riele would've scoffed at the latter statement, but someghing had been bothering her ever since she started talking to Nicholas.

"Can I ask something sir?"

"Please, go ahead"

"You've been referring to Gilbert and Enzo as if they are two different people...?"

Nicholas cocked his head.

"Because they are"

Riele froze up and furrowed her brows.

"He....has a twin brother?"

Nicholas's smile grew warmer, and he leaned back on the couch.

"Gilbert and Enzo are two completely different people, but share the same body"

"I don't understand " Riele breathed, "how can two-"

Her pause provoked a nod from Nicholas, and her eyes widened.

"You mean...."

"Yes. At age eight, Enzo was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder"

"...So, that means Enzo is....?"

"The original. Yes."

"Oh" she breathed and looked down at her hands.

She had nothing else to say. Gilbert had always been a mystery to her, and though she questioned those mysteries at times, she was quick to brush them off.

Because she was afraid that if she pried top deep, he would run away. Not that it mattered in the end.

He still abandoned her.

But for her to learn the reason why in such a strange and anticlimactic way...

It saddened her.

"But, why did you tell me, sir? I figured you would want to hide something like this from as many people as possible"

"Obviously. However, you're different. Gilbert got you involved in all this, so you deserve an explanation."

Riele's lips tugged up in a small smile.

"Thank you, sir"

"You don't need to thank me. I, Gilbert and Enzo owe you an apology, and that is why I want you to have the building in Lakeine."

"I reall-"

"I insist"

Having to discover the reason behind her sudden separation from Gilbert, Enzo's hostility towards her and gaining an expensive building in her name under the same day...

It all felt strange. But for some reason, Riele still couldn't shake off the feeling of uneasiness.

☆☆

"Oh. I'm here" Riele announced and stared up at the large building before her.

"What does it look like? Is it really big?" Tara questioned from the other end of the line.

"Really big" Riele replied. "I'm kinda scared to go in"

"Stop your bullshiting and get in there. Call me when you're done unpacking too."

"Yeah, I wll"

Tara let out a sigh.

"I wish I could come over soon for a small housewarming party, but I'm going to be pretty swamped with the bar"

"It's fine, Tiger. We can have a housewarming party anytime. I just hope I can get used to living here alone"

"Now that's the kind of attitude you need to avoid. Especially now that you own an expensive building. Oh, I gotta go. Customers keep pouring in. Bye!"

"Bye" Riele smiled, then hung up the call.

The place was just as luxurious as any other lined up in Lakeine; nicknamed the Golden Street.

It's walls we're coated in a rich golden brown color, contrasting the milk colored pillars and the dirt brown roof. The front yard was covered in carpet grass and flower pots that smelled like spring, and there was a large garage to the far left of the building.

The five storey building had an elevator and a stairwell, but what Riele found extremely cool was the presence of just two rooms in one floor. That made it a total of ten huge rooms. And, just like Nicholas had said, every single room seemed to be empty.

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened, revealing the last and biggest floor.

"Room nine..." she muttered and stopped before the first door in the hallway with the number; '9' on it.

Her jaw dropped when she entered the room, and came face to face with a gorgeous red and white decor.

The room was a lot bigger than she thought. There was an elevated platform in the living room with an island unit, a huge fridge and a large gas cooker.

The last door was her bedroom, and she jumped on the bed; letting out a satisfied moan at the fluffiness of the blankets.

*I might actually like it here*

She smiled, then sat up on the bed.

"Well, time to unpack"

☆

The building had a balcony at every floor, but the fifth floors balcony was fairly larger than the rest; with two chairs placed for a quiet and cool stargazing night.

Riele just knew that it was going to be her favorite place.

"Done" she sighed and clapped her hands free of imaginary dust. "Now for some fresh air and Serenity at the balcony" she said in a sing-song voice and rushed out of the room.

*I wonder if there's a lot of stars out alrea-*

Riele stopped dead in her tracks when she stepped out of her room, and prayed to the heavens that the person standing in front of room ten was but a figment of her annoyingly strong imagination.

It was scary enough that she had such a large building to herself, but if anyone dangerous were to break in, she couldn't imagine what she would do by herself.

But, Alas;

"Ms. Brown?" A familiar deep voice echoed through to her, and her heart dropped.

In that moment, Riele thought a dangerous trespasser would be easier to handle.