Kiara's POV
I walked beside Gabriel, his arm brushing against mine as we strolled through the street, his tone oddly warm, overly familiar.
I could feel the fake concern radiating off him, and it made my skin crawl. His sudden niceness was nauseating, a pathetic attempt to act like he cared about me after everything he'd done. I hated every second of it.
It hurts to know I was naive. Stupid. Young to have a crush on a scholarship student during my high school days. He was handsome, tall and I was the nerd. He had noticed me. The Williams heiress.
If only I knew that his goal was to use me and leave me for the dump.
"So, Kiara," he said,"I was thinking, maybe we could spend more time together. You know, catch up on things... like old times."
I bit back the urge to scoff. Old times? He really thought this act would make me forget what kind of man he was?
What he did to me?
No, this was all part of his game, and I wasn't about to fall for it. Not again. But I could play along—after all, I had my own game to play.
I smiled up at him. "That sounds nice, Gabriel. I've... missed having someone to rely on. You disappeared on me. Made me feel as if you didn't want me anymore." I knew exactly what kind of response that would trigger in him. Men like Gabriel thrived on the idea of being needed, of being the savior.
I bit my lips, looking at the ground, my arms wrapped around myself.
His chest puffed up slightly, as if he was already patting himself on the back. "Of course, Kiara. I'm always here for you. You just have to ask. You decided to push away from me I thought you didn't need me anymore. " He reached out, placing a hand on my back in what he probably thought was a comforting gesture, but I had to resist the urge to shrug him off.
I smiled again, softer this time, making sure to keep him on the hook. "Actually, there is something..." I paused, just long enough to pique his interest.
He turned to me, his brow furrowed in concern. "What is it? You know you can ask me for anything."
Good, I thought. Just what I wanted to hear.
I sighed dramatically, lowering my gaze to the ground as if I was embarrassed. "I... haven't been doing too well, Gabriel. You know, financially." I could feel him hang on my every word, and I continued, my voice soft, almost vulnerable. "Things have been tough since... well, you know I have you the last money in my account. My house is falling apart. I've been trying to make ends meet in that same old apartment."
Gabriel's face softened with a mixture of pity and arrogance. "You're still in that place? I thought you would've moved out by now."
I shook my head, letting my shoulders slump slightly. "I just... I haven't had the money. But, you know, I'm getting by." Barely, I wanted to add, but I kept it unspoken, letting the image of my supposed struggle linger in the air.
Gabriel's hand squeezed my shoulder in what he must've thought was reassurance. "Well, if you need anything—anything, Kiara—you can come to me. I'd hate to see you struggle like that. I saw you dressed in those flashy clothes I thought everything was okay with you."
I giggled. "That, there is nothing original about that. I got it from those places especially the rich people dump their clothes."
He groaned, "Didn't I tell you to avoid using those kind of places for clothes? What do you need for me to stop?"
I had to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape. His kindness was almost laughable.
But I needed him to think I was still the poor, broken girl he used to control. "Actually, there is one thing I could use your help with," I said.
"Of course! Anything for my beautiful princess," he repeated, eager to play the hero.
I turned to him, looking hesitant. "I'm trying to make some extra money. You know, to get back on my feet. And I was wondering if you could... maybe put in a word for me at that investment company you always talk about? Just something small, a quick investment opportunity. I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate."
He smiled, clearly pleased that I was coming to him for help, as if this was exactly what he'd been waiting for. "Absolutely. I know a guy who handles quick returns, easy money. I can set something up for you."
Hook, line, and sinker. I smiled gratefully, letting him bask in his self-importance. "Thank you, Gabriel. I hope you don't mind using your money to set in for me. I have a feeling the stocks in that company would shoot up one day."
He grinned,"Anything for you, Kiara. You know that. I will share the account details with you when I talk to the guy."
He leaned in to kiss my forehead. The same lips that had probably kissed Jessica's more than once.
Jessica knew. She had seen that slap and probably recorded it, which meant she held some leverage over me. But that was fine. I had set the news up not just to stir the pot, but to keep Gabriel distracted, to lay the groundwork for what was to come.
I had no interest in the Williams family, not really.
I didn't need their name or their money to make something of myself.
But I'd use them.
I'd use Gabriel, Jessica, all of them to gain access to what they had hidden away from me for so long—my mother's ashes, the things they'd stolen when they cast me out.
I would become bigger than the Williams family, more powerful than they could ever imagine.
I didn't need them for validation. I'd make sure they needed me.
And this time, I wasn't the puppet. I was the puppeteer.