HIDDEN CONNECTION

"When are you going to start doing something with your life?" Kimberly asked her daughter clearly not pleased.

"Soon, mom."

"Look at that Giselle, she is now working in the biggest company in the city and she very popular. Don't deserve to be popular too?"

"Mom, my time is my time. Why do you even hate it when something good happens to her?" Jasmine was not happy with her mother at all. She hated the fact that she always had something to say about Giselle's success.

"I'm only being helpful as a mother. That girl will take what rightfully belongs to you and your brother. Do you want that?"

"Stop it! I'm tired of all these things you always talk about. Is she not your child?"

"No, I only have two children and I will fight for them with all I have. You can be stubborn now but you will thank me later.

Jasmine was highly disappointed in her mother. She did not expect her to say things like that, even to the extend of rejecting Giselle. She knew about how Kimberly has been treating Giselle and how Giselle decided to ignore because of her father health.

She had seen her cry in her room countless times and wishing she had her own mom. She didn't know what pain Giselle was going through but she always wanted to support her and make her feel loved and that is what will would do. She promised herself.

"Its no use talking to you" she walked away from her mother's sight.

"Why are my children so foolish? They can't even understand what I'm saying. Sigh.... I guess I'll have to continue alone" she picked her phone and dialed a number.

"Start the operation. I'll pay once it's done" the call ended and she walked to her room where are husband was looking innocent, like nothing ever happened.

Roderick stood, his gaze locked on Giselle's.

"Well done, Giselle. Your dedication shines through," he said, his voice sincere.

Giselle's face flushed at the rare compliment.

Roderick extended his hand for a handshake.

As Giselle took it, a spark of electricity ran through both of them.

Roderick's eyes narrowed, surprised.

For a moment, they held hands, the room fading away.

Giselle felt an inexplicable jolt.

Roderick quickly released her hand.

"Congratulations again," he said, his tone measured.

Giselle stepped back, heart racing.

What just happened?

Natasha beamed.

"Time to celebrate! Team lunch, on me!"

As colleagues cheered, Giselle couldn't shake off the strange sensation.

Roderick's eyes met hers, searching.

A hidden connection had sparked

At the team dinner, Giselle was bombarded with questions.

"Spill the tea, Giselle! What's Roderick really like?" Ryder asked.

Giselle smiled politely.

"He's my boss. Professional and demanding."

Lucas winked.

"Come on, Giselle! You must've seen a softer side."

Giselle shook her head.

"No, really, he's just my boss."

The questions persisted.

"Does he have a favorite coffee?"

"Is he always that serious?"

Giselle's patience wore thin.

Natasha intervened.

"Enough! Let Giselle enjoy her dinner in peace."

The group chuckled, but relented.

Giselle mouthed "thank you" to Natasha.

Ryder whispered.

"We just want the scoop, Natasha. You know Roderick's mysterious."

Natasha's gaze turned stern.

"Drop it, Ryder. Giselle's boundaries are clear."

As conversation shifted to Lumina's success, Giselle relaxed.

Roderick's words echoed in her mind.

"Well done, Giselle."

Their handshake still lingered

Giselle couldn't shake off the feeling.

Why did Roderick's handshake affect her so deeply?

She replayed the moment in her mind.

The spark in his eyes, the firm grip, the jolt of electricity.

Giselle sighed, puzzled.

It was just a handshake.

She'd shaken hands with clients, colleagues, and even Roderick before.

But this time felt different.

Giselle analyzed her emotions.

Was it gratitude for his praise?

Or something more?

She pushed the thought aside.

Roderick Blackwood, her demanding boss.

Not someone to get sentimental about.

Yet, the sensation lingered.

Giselle focused on her dessert, trying to distract herself.

Natasha's voice broke the spell.

"Earth to Giselle! You okay?"

Giselle smiled.

"Yeah, just lost in thought."

Natasha's knowing gaze made Giselle wonder.

Roderick sat alone in his dimly lit study, sipping scotch.

His mind kept drifting to Giselle.

The handshake.

That spark.

He set the glass down, staring into the darkness.

What's happening to me?

Why did a simple handshake affect me so profoundly?

Is it Giselle's determination? Her passion?

Or something more?

Roderick's analytical mind searched for answers.

He'd built walls around himself.

Emotions were liabilities.

Yet, Giselle's touch had breached those walls.

Why her? Why now?

He recalled their interactions.

Giselle's poise, her intelligence.

Her unwavering dedication.

Roderick's gaze narrowed.

Is this attraction?

No, it can't be.

He'd sworn off personal entanglements.

Business and emotions didn't mix.

But...

That handshake.

The jolt.

The lingering sensation.

Roderick's thoughts swirled.

For the first time in years, he felt uncertain.

****************************************

Olivia developed a habit of writing. She wrote down all her experiences like how she used to party at night and how try to not get drunk so that her family would not suspect her. Her relationship with Derrick and how she pregnant. She wrote it all. She told herself to not cry anymore and focus on the future. She wouldn't let her past ruin her future.

She thought of what are father told her and was ready to try. She wanted to do it.

She ran to her father who was having his cup of tea.

"I thought about what you said and I think I'm ready" she said confidently.

"I discussed with the chairman of Blackwood industries and he's willing let you join the designers. You should watch closely and learn." He looked at her closely. "I know this is a big step my child, but you should try hard. Don't let me down, okay?".

"I won't father. I'll make you proud " she assured her father with a smile.

********************************************

"Your father's condition is getting worse " the doctor said after examining Chris.

"What to do? What is wrong with him?" Jasmine was anxious. Samuel on the other hand didn't know how to react. There was one thing he was sacred of and that is losing his father.

He started thinking about all the times he wronged his father. All the things he never got to say. No! Stop it Samuel, you are overreacting. He thought.

Kimberly sat on a chair in the hospital room looking her husband.

"Honey what's wrong with you?" She said faking the tears.

" I'll be fine, just need to rest" he assured.

Just don't let Giselle know. She'll be worried.

Kimberly frowned inwardly after hearing what her husband said. Worried my foot.

Giselle called Jasmine telling her that she was drunk at the moment and will crash at her friend's house and Jasmine agreed with her. She was glad that her sister is finally having fun and spending time with friends.