The wealthy and those who aren't

A knock disrupted Ezra from his pondering. He really needed to stop spending so much time at his parents’ house. He had his own penthouse for goodness sake.

“Come in,” he said, as he rubbed his temples.

Keegan strolled in but he wasn’t alone he tagged along their cousin Emma too. Recalling his dinner with Natalie last night he had to further question Emma about her accusations but he could find out anything without going through his cousin’s gossip. All it took was one phone call but he didn’t want to go down that road yet.

“How was your date?” Emma probed.

Keegan rolled his eyes as he collapsed on the chair in front of Ezra.

“We should be asking you about your dates, Emma.”

Ezra smirked. “If you can call them that.”

Emma frowned. “I’m trying to save you from your questionable choice of women. We thought the other fiancée was bad.”

“Yeah, cuz, you sure know how to pick them,” Keegan said.

“It keeps things interesting,” Ezra mused.

“At least she’s not a maid,” Emma scowled.

Ezra stopped and stared at Emma. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and moved to pour herself a glass of alcohol.

“Your cousin’s in love with the maid at the Bentley house. How pathetic.”

Keegan didn’t let her comments phase him. Instead, he pictured Gia’s bright smile and recalled her sweet lips on his.

“The one Natalie fired?” Ezra raised his brow.

“Yes, she’s amazing. I wouldn’t say I was in love with her but I’m certainly infatuated.”

“She’s a maid,” Ezra snapped, jealousy rising in him.

“Doesn’t matter. She’s perfect and pure. She’s better than any snooty rich girl I’ve come across including Emma.”

Emma dropped her glass and frowned.

“What are you going to do about it?” Ezra asked, balling his hand on his thigh.

He shouldn’t care about her. He wanted to squash his feelings for her because he was engaged. That one passionate moment they spent together on the balcony should have been enough for him, but it was a mistake. Now he wanted more of her soft skin. He wanted her petite frame tucked under him where she belonged.

Though, he had Natalie a woman with an eerie resemblance to Gia the woman haunting his heart. Seeing her in the college hall silently taking notes during his lecture made him extend his teaching days. He hated giving lectures. He had meetings to attend and businesses to merge with but he found himself making decisions so he could see her again.

He left her his card, but she hadn’t called yet. It didn’t seem like she would but a part of him wanted her to.

“I’ll fight for her. I don’t care what Emma thinks or anyone else,” Keegan replied.

Ezra clenched his jaw but a little voice told him it was for the best and he needed to get Gianna out of his head.

***

“Where did you go last night, Gia?” Gia’s Mom asked her while they unpacked the remainder of their boxes.

Gia froze. “I… went out with Sienna.”

Eliana raised her brow and went back to unwrapping the newspaper-covered mugs.

“It wasn’t a date?” Elena questioned.

“A date with Sienna…” Gia chuckled.

“Come on, Gia, you can tell me. You shouldn’t be afraid to date because I’m sick.”

She didn’t have the luxury of dating. She was too busy living a lie.

Gia sat up and squeezed her Mom’s hand. “You won’t be sick for long. You have a great specialist.”

Elena’s face went grim. “Something about him puts me off. Where did you say he came from?”

Gia got up quickly and stammered. “I didn’t find out. The hospital wouldn’t tell me anything. But it’s great. You’ll get all the help you need.”

“That Doctor Coleman fellow, he’s a bit odd.”

“I guess he’s just different.”

“He asked me several questions… some having nothing to do with my medical condition… it was strange.”

Gia turned to meet her Mother’s strained expression. “What type of questions?”

Elena shook her head and pulled out more dishes. “Forget it, Gianna. He wants me to go to the hospital this afternoon. I hope I won’t have to stay the night I’m sick of those hospital beds.”

Gia couldn’t shake the feeling her Mother was keeping secrets from her but she couldn’t probe or else she would upset her.

“Fine, I’ll take you.”

Elena smiled. “You’re a good daughter.”

A hard knock came at their front door. They shared a look. Neither of them was expecting people and they hadn’t given their address.

“Wait here,” Gia said.

She opened the door a crack and her eyes turned to saucers.

“Mr Bentley?” she hissed. “Did something happen?”

Eliot Bentley chuckled. He had a bouquet of red roses in his hand.

“No, I’m here for Elena. I said I would visit her when I got the chance.”

Gia opened the door wider. “Oh, that’s thoughtful of you… but she doesn’t know anything please just…”

“I know Gianna. I only want to know she’s okay.”

Gia stepped aside so he could enter. She watched as her Mother set down the mug she had unwrapped and froze like a deer caught in headlights. She stood gingerly.

“Elena… you look well.”

“Mr Bentley, what are you doing here?” Elena demanded.

“I came to see how you were doing.”

“It took me moving out for you to care?”

Gia felt like an intruder in their conversation but she couldn’t move it was as if curiosity and fear were pinning her to the ground.

“Elena… I can’t explain myself in a way that would make sense.”

“I don’t expect you to. You’re the boss. You should leave. I’m fine.”

“Elena please…”

“Now! Don’t come back. It’s better if you don't.”

Eliot let out a shaky breath. He set down the bouquet of red roses on the couch and turned around to leave without another word. Gia locked the door behind him.

“Mom, what was that?”

Elena raised her hand. “I don’t ever want him here. Neither him nor his wife.”

“But—”

“Not another word.” Elena gingerly walked to her room and slammed the door.

Gia was left wondering what the hell just happened.