ACE
Brando Nicolas went to the restaurant that night. Meanwhile, he ordered his bodyguard to call him.
"Why did you call me? Do you need anything?" He asked.
"Let's get together tonight." Brando replied.
"All right." He said sparingly when he noticed that Gina was looking at their gesture with her forehead furrowed.
It's a good thing that Gina isn't serving Brando Nicolas now, because he noticed his wife's strange behavior.
"Have you received the verification of your deposit?" He asked Brando again.
"If I hadn't, you wouldn't be standing here." Brando replied and turned his back on him.
When Brando Nicolas was about to leave, he turned to him again. "By the way, does your wife know about your little side business?"
"She doesn't need to know."
"Really? I just noticed something different about her. I hope I'm wrong. I don't like loose ends."
"Don't threaten me, Mr. Nicolas."
"What if I threaten you now?"
"I am not threatened without the resources of my own, Mr. Nicolas."
Damn it, Gina. Stay put. Brando Nicolas already noticed her actions, he said to himself. But he became even more nervous when Gina stepped closer to them. He looked at his wife with a hint. She immediately came next to him, then she slid an arm around his waist and leaned against him as he tugged her closer.
"Gina, my dear. You're looking exceptionally beautiful tonight."
"It's because marriage agrees with me."
"Oh, I can see that. So, am I forgiven last Valentine's day?"
Gina took his hand and entwined her fingers to his.
"Of course. You didn't know that Ace and I are already together."
He almost laughed at what Gina said to Brando. Maybe she thought that she was protecting him in some way. Suddenly, they were distracted by the newcomers. They were all looking at Maryam whose arm was still anchored to Judge Soler.
"Behave, Johnny." Maryam said to the Judge, and then she cleared her throat. "Good evening, everyone."
He saw that Judge was holding Maryam while he guided her in their direction. He also noticed that Judge seemed to be getting younger now, and Maryam was blooming as well.
"Oh, Brando, you're here. I thought you were at Roman's house for Nala's death anniversary."
Brando suddenly turned pale at what Maryam said. "Is today Nala's death anniversary?"
"Oh yes. Have you forgotten, Brando? Nala is your wife, you should know that."
"Wait," he called Maryam as they started to turn away. "Are you going to Dad's house later?"
"No, we just met at Gardenias Cuisine. Roman asked me if we had met because he hadn't seen you in weeks now. He also reminded me of Nala's death anniversary. Of course, I won't forget that because Nala is my favorite niece."
"I thought you and Nala were just distant relatives, I didn't expect her to be your niece."
"Life is full of surprises Brando, isn't it? I'll leave you for now, good evening."
Brando visibly pulled himself together after Maryam and Judge Soler left. "Well, I think I have to go." Then he bid them good-night.
"I'm not going to be embarrassed to face that man, especially with what I know about him." Gina commented as Brando left. "Aren't we going to do anything to stop him from spreading prostitution?"
"And how can you stop him, then?"
"We will report him to the police so that he can be imprisoned, and so that he will be stopped on what he is doing."
"Believe me, I'm not happier about this than you are."
"In that case, we'll find a way to stop him. Wait, I'll go to Judge Soler so he can help."
"Don't bother, Gina. It's being handled." He couldn't tell her anything else. Maybe Brando will notice her even more. If she knew more, she'd reveal more. God, what a mess.
"How do you...never mind. You don't like a lot of questions, right Ace?"
Right, Gina. It's good that she's not bothering him right now. "I have to go out tonight."
GINA
She didn't answer and instead turned her back on Ace, knowing she had to get back to work. Knowing she had to break the tempting contact. For too many days, they hadn't touched.
She has reached the kitchen but she is still uncomfortable. She was still convinced that Ace was indeed working for Brando Nicolas. So she thought of going back to Ace to enlighten her about her doubts.
"Ace?" She called him. "Why do you have to go out now? Did you hear what Maryam said? It was Brando's wife's death anniversary who happens to be the niece of Maryam. Maybe he won't see you again today."
"Leave it alone, Gina. You don't know what you're talking about."
She crossed her arms. "So that's it. Do you think I'm not worried about you going out at midnight?"
"Please, don't worry about me anymore. I'm not doing anything wrong. Please trust me."
She smiled reluctantly at him. Anyway, she wanted the awkwardness between them to end. Because since something happened to them, it seems that their relationship with each other has really changed. She really wants to get their old relationship back, like during the first two weeks of their marriage, when nothing happened to them.
She took a little step closer to Ace and whispered to him. "Did you notice Maryam and Judge Soler a while ago? They look so sweet."
"No, because I'm not like you, Gina." He said sarcastically and gave her a lopsided grin.
"I know you noticed them."
"No."
"Hmm..it's up to you. But who would have thought that Judge Soler and Maryam are getting along well."
"Gina, just don't care about them, okay?"
"Okay fine, whatever. Wait, I forgot to tell you something. Since tomorrow is Saturday and I don't go to school. I'll go shopping for my mama and my nephew. I'll just borrow your car. And don't forget to put your key on the table so you don't need to wake up early tomorrow."
"Hey Gina! If you didn't come here," Ruby shouted at her. "I'll just take the tips for you."
"Coming," she shouted at Ruby.
But before she went to Ruby, she looked at Ace with mixed concern.
"Be careful, Ace."
"I will, sweetie."
*****