Monopoly

The Ortega family estate, with its towering walls and opulent decor, felt even more oppressive the longer Gabe stayed. He had been in the game long enough to know that nothing—nothing—was ever as it seemed. Wealth, power, family—all were veils that hid the true nature of a person. The masks people wore were often more elaborate than the faces beneath them.

The meeting dragged on, each passing moment pulling Gabe deeper into the murky waters of the Ortega empire. Celeste had remained largely silent throughout, her lips pressed in a thin line, her hands folded neatly on the table. She was a picture of composure, but her sharp eyes never strayed far from Gabe. She was calculating, no doubt—her every move a deliberate dance, a test of his resolve. He could almost feel her studying him, just as he studied her.

The conversation shifted to a new set of financial strategies, plans that Gabe was already well aware of—plans that involved laundering money through new investments in the underdeveloped parts of Manila. A classic move, and one he knew far too well. The Ortega family had always had their fingers in every pie, but now they were taking it to a new level, further entangling themselves with the darker corners of the city.

Gabe remained silent as he listened to Esteban Ortega speak with calm authority, outlining the family's next steps. His family members, nodded along like loyal soldiers, always agreeing with their father's decisions. Celeste, however, was different. She barely moved, her gaze flickering between Gabe and the rest of the family, as if she were waiting for something to unravel.

It wasn't until after the meeting that Gabe realized just how much she had been observing him.

As he stood to leave, Esteban clasped a firm hand on Gabe's shoulder. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Cruz. We will discuss the details further at a later date."

Gabe nodded, offering a polite smile, but his eyes never left Celeste. She was the last to rise from the table, her movements fluid and graceful, a perfect reflection of the poised woman she had been raised to be. But beneath the surface, Gabe saw something else. There was a restlessness in the way she walked, a subtle tension in her posture. It was as if she were on the edge of something—something big.

Before he could think more on it, Celeste's voice broke through the silence.

"Mr. Cruz," she said, her tone just sharp enough to make him pause. "If you have a moment, there's something I would like to discuss with you."

Gabe's brow arched in curiosity. He hadn't expected her to be the one to initiate a conversation. Most of the time, it was the men of the family who held the power, and Celeste had always seemed content to remain in the background, hidden from the public eye. But now, she was making it clear that she wasn't someone to be overlooked.

"Of course," he replied, masking the flicker of surprise in his voice. "What's on your mind, Miss Ortega?"

She gestured for him to follow her as she walked toward the study, her steps confident, as though she knew exactly what she was doing. Gabe followed without hesitation, his mind already turning over the possibilities. He had expected more formalities, more business discussions. But Celeste didn't seem interested in that. Not yet.

As they entered the study, Celeste closed the door behind them, and Gabe's eyes quickly scanned the room. It was tastefully decorated, with dark wood furniture and elegant art adorning the walls. But it was the small details—the books stacked on the table, the faint smell of lavender in the air—that told him something more about the woman standing before him. This room, like her, was a contradiction—refined and soft, yet filled with an underlying tension.

"I've been thinking about your position here," she began, turning to face him. "You're not just here to help the family with business, are you?"

Gabe's gaze narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. "I'm here to assist with the Ortega family's interests. You know that."

Celeste tilted her head, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "Yes, but I think you know there's more to it than that. You've been here long enough to understand that the Ortega family's interests are not just about wealth. We deal in power. And you," she paused, her eyes locking with his, "you've always been a part of that power. In some way, you're just like us."

The words hung in the air, and Gabe's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't sure if it was the way she spoke or the quiet certainty in her voice, but it made something shift within him. He had assumed that Celeste was just another pawn in the game, kept hidden away by her family. But this? This was different. This was a challenge, one that he hadn't expected.

"What do you mean by that?" Gabe asked, his voice low, guarded. He couldn't afford to reveal anything about himself, not yet. Not to her.

Celeste stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. "I've seen the way you move, the way you carry yourself. You're not just a consultant, Gabe. You're someone who understands power—how to wield it, how to bend others to your will. You've had to survive in this world just like the rest of us."

Gabe's jaw clenched at the mention of his name. She was perceptive—too perceptive for his liking. There was something unsettling about her ability to read him so easily. He wasn't used to being seen. To being understood.

"I'm here for the business, Miss Ortega," he said, his voice steady, but there was a flicker of something in his chest. "Nothing more."

Her lips pressed together in a thin line, as though deciding how much to reveal. "You know," she said softly, "the game you're playing with my family—it's not one you can win by sitting in the shadows. You'll have to decide whose side you're on. Because I'm not the only one in this family who has a stake in the future. And I won't let anyone destroy it."

The sharpness in her voice was unmistakable. She wasn't just some sheltered heiress; she was someone who had seen the darkness of the world, someone who understood what was at stake. Gabe had known that Celeste wasn't like her family, but hearing her speak so plainly, so fiercely, sent a ripple of realization through him.

He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "You don't trust me, do you?"

Celeste didn't flinch, didn't back down. "No," she replied, her voice calm. "But I don't trust anyone. Least of all you."

Gabe's lips curled into a half-smile. "Fair enough."

For a moment, they just stood there, the tension between them thick and electric. It was as if everything in the room had stopped, and all that remained was the quiet understanding that they were both players in a dangerous game. Neither of them fully trusted the other, but they both understood what the stakes were.

"I'll see you at the next meeting," Gabe said finally, his voice cold once more. He turned to leave, but Celeste's voice stopped him.

"You'll need to choose soon, Gabe," she called after him. "Because when the time comes, you won't be able to walk away."

The weight of her words lingered in the air long after the door had closed behind him.

To Be Continued...