Chapter 46: The Secret Gabrielle Is Hiding.

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: The Secret Gabrielle Is Hiding.

Grace has been restless. She knew something was not right with Gabriella.

"Tell me, how will you suddenly want to live with a stranger you barely know?" she thought.

She vowed to watch her closely.

"She is such a good actor," she muttered to herself.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Madam Flora.

She picked it up quickly.

"Hello, Grace."

"Good day, Madam," Grace replied.

"Can you ask the new girl to meet me in the staff conference room?"

"Of course, Madam. I’ll send her there immediately."

"Alright, Grace."

"You’re welcome, Madam."

The call ended.

Flora placed her phone on the table and leaned back. She wanted to understand what the new girl could do before assigning duties. She glanced at the laptop in front of her and continued typing.

A few minutes later, a knock sounded.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in," Flora called.

The door opened. The young woman stepped inside and closed it gently.

"Good day, Madam," she greeted.

"Please, have a seat," Flora said, pointing to the chair opposite her.

"Thank you, Madam."

Gabrielle sat carefully, hands together on her lap. Flora picked up her pen.

"What is your name again?"

"Gabrielle, Madam."

"Gabrielle. Tell me, what kind of work can you do?"

"I can do any work, Madam. I’m hardworking and willing to learn whatever you need."

Flora nodded. "I need actual skills. Can you cook?"

"Yes, Madam. I can cook."

"Have you worked as a cook before?"

"Yes. I once worked in a restaurant. I have experience with different kinds of meals."

Flora paused.

"Which restaurant?"

"Marlene Restaurant, Madam."

Flora’s fingers stopped moving against the pen. The name caught her immediately. She had not expected to hear it from the new girl.

Marlene Restaurant.

A question rose in her mind, but she kept it to herself. Flora had learned not to reveal every thought.

She maintained her calm expression.

"All right, Gabrielle. That will be all for now. You may go."

"Thank you, Madam."

Gabrielle stood, adjusted the front of her dress, and walked to the door.

"Have a good day," Flora said.

"You too, Madam."

She stepped out and closed the door gently behind her.

She walked along the corridor, adjusting her dress again. She pulled the fabric at her waist and smoothed the front with both hands.

From the upstairs landing, the housekeeper watched quietly. Her eyes followed Gabrielle down the corridor.

"What could she be hiding under that dress?" she muttered to herself.

She narrowed her eyes. Something about the way Gabrielle kept adjusting her clothes had caught her attention.

Downstairs, Gabrielle continued walking without looking back. She had no idea someone was watching her.

Inside the conference room, Flora was still sitting. The name stayed in her mind.

Marlene.

She would make enquiries later, when she had a quiet moment.

Simon held his phone tightly. He could not believe what he had just heard.

"I am surprised to hear that," Simon said. "Where could he be living now?"

The man on the other end of the call laughed a little.

"He is doing very well now, Simon. You will be surprised. He started his own foundation," the man said.

"His own foundation?" Simon repeated, his eyes wide open. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, he did. He started it last year. It is for young boys who left the streets. He is doing great work, and many people are under his care now."

Simon leaned back in his chair.

"Wow," Simon said quietly. "I never expected this. That is really good news."

"I knew you would be happy to hear it," the man said.

Simon thought for a moment. He felt happy, but also a little guilty. He had not looked for his friend for a long time.

"Maybe one of these days I will go and look for him," Simon said. "I would like to see him again."

"That would be nice. He would be happy to see you too."

"Please, don’t forget to ask for his house address. If you see him, get his address for me."

"Okay, I will," the other person said. "I will ask him the next time I see him, and I will send it to you."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

There was a short silence. Then the other person spoke again, as if he had just remembered something.

"Ah, Simon, I forgot to tell you something."

"What is it?" Simon asked.

"A man came here asking for you."

Simon frowned. "Asking for me? When?"

"About two weeks ago. He came to us with gifts for the children and he asked if we knew you."

"What does he look like?" Simon asked. His heart started beating faster.

"He is dark and chubby. Not too tall. He was wearing eye glasses."

Simon was shocked. He stood up from his chair immediately.

"Dark and chubby? Are you sure?" Simon asked.

"Yes. He said he knew you. He asked if I had your contact. He looked very serious."

Simon started pacing around the room. His mind was searching. Dark and chubby - who could that be? He knew many people, but he could not place his face. A cold feeling entered his chest.

The man continued, "But you know the rules, Simon. The organization does not reveal identity unless it is official. So I told him I cannot give him your information."

"What did he say after that?" Simon asked quickly.

"Nothing, I couldn’t give him room for more questions. Ever since then, he has not returned. I have not seen him again."

Simon held his forehead. He was thinking deeply. Who would come to that place to look for him? Only people who knew his past while growing up would go there to search for him.

"Okay," Simon said, trying to sound calm. "In case that person comes again, please do not forget to notify me. Call me immediately."

"Okay, I will. I will not forget. If I see him, I will call you that same day."

"Thank you."

"And Simon," the man added, "thank you for your generous donations you always send. They have helped us a lot."

Simon waved his hand, even though the man could not see him.

"It is nothing," Simon said. "I am just doing my little part. You guys are the ones doing the real work."

"Simon. God bless you."

"You too" Simon said, and ended the call.

The room became quiet.

Simon placed his phone on the table and sat down slowly. His earlier happiness about his old friend was gone. A new worry had taken its place.

He whispered to himself, "Who could be looking for me?"

He stared at the window. The image of a dark and chubby man kept coming to his mind, but he could not see the face clearly. He felt as if someone from his past was coming back, and he was not ready.

The living room was quiet; only the sound from the television could be heard.

"You can go now. Everyone is in the main building," Flora said before ending the call.

She placed her phone behind her and adjusted herself on the sofa.

She was sitting in the living room with Maya. Maya was studying with her laptop.

Flora watched her for a moment, before switching the TV channel to BBC news.

Maya looked up from her laptop.

"Mom, please, I want to check out a course online with Gabriella," she said.

Flora smiled slightly. "Okay, darling. You can."

"Thanks, Mom," Maya said happily and went to fetch Gabriella.

Flora was not bothered. That was Maya’s study laptop, not the main one she used for data storage.

In a few minutes, they entered. Gabriella bowed to Flora.

"Good evening, Ma," she said.

"Good evening," Flora replied.

They sat on the seat and started checking something online together.

Flora observed Gabrielle. She looked too polished to want a chef’s job.

Normally, Flora preferred hiring from a recognized agency or through a trusted referral.

She glanced at Gabrielle’s wristwatch. It must have cost a fortune.

"Could a store attendant’s salary afford this?" Flora thought. "Or is she an online influencer?"

Something did not add up.

Suddenly, Marlene Restaurant came back to her mind.

Flora narrowed her eyes slightly. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 8:32 p.m.

Just then, footsteps approached the living room. A few seconds later, the transparent entrance door opened. The covert installer stepped inside, holding a small black bag.

Flora raised her hand slightly, signalling him to come closer.

"Good evening, Madam," he greeted politely.

"Have you finished?"

"Yes, ma’am. I am done." He spoke in a very hushed tone.

"Good. Did you find anything unusual?"

The man hesitated briefly. "No, ma’am. Everything is working properly now. I also checked the security connection and made sure the system was responding."

"All right. Thank you."

"You are welcome, ma’am."

He was about to turn when his eyes landed on Gabrielle. He stopped. For a moment, he stared at her face, trying to understand why it looked so familiar. Gabrielle was still looking at Maya’s laptop and had not noticed him.

The man tilted his head slightly. Where had he seen this face before?