001

Walking into the company that day, Gemma could see a lot of prying eyes of employees on her, like every other day. She wasn't surprised as this has been how she lived all her life. Her mother was the chairwoman of the company, her father, the CEO and it was a known fact to everyone that soon, her elder brother James would take over. She has a younger sister who was a supermodel and has been the model for every single one of the company’s products over the years. While she, on the other hand, was the unsuccessful daughter of the family with no stable position in the company. She knew the stares she was receiving wasn't one of admiration, but ridicule.

“I wish I could live a jobless life like her without bothering about having a roof over my head, but sadly I don't have rich parents to spend on me,” she heard one of the employees say. It was an obvious attempt to shame her.

She could only scoff. What everyone thinks of her, didn't bother her, knowing she has her supportive, rich and handsome husband, Daniel. Daniel has always supported and been by her side since they met three years ago. She was thankful to have him by her side and honestly hoped that someday, she would get to live a peaceful life with him, away from her family and the daily drama in her life.

Getting to the meeting room, she took her seat and waited for the company’s designer to present her latest creations.

Gemma had a bored look on her face as she stared at the jewelry designs being displayed on the big screen. She was in the business meeting as requested by her mum, who couldn't make it to the meeting today, like every other day. Unimpressed by the design, she called the attention of the lady giving the presentation.

“The jewelry design doesn't look suitable for what we're aiming for, it doesn't suit the theme,” Gemma voiced out her thoughts, her eyes still on the screen.

The designer gave her a condescending look, one Gemma was already used to.

“I'll send the designs to the chairwoman. Only she can decide if it's suitable or not,” the designer rolled her eyes at Gemma.

“I'm in charge of this meeting right now,” Gemma was saying but was cut shut.

“And who are you?"

“The nameless daughter of the chairwoman, who only runs errands in the company,” these words were met with snickers from the other employees, but Gemma was not fazed, every single word the lady had just uttered was true.

“When you stop being an errand girl and get a position in the company like every one of us here, then you can give suggestions, but for now. Just shut up.”

Gemma didn't utter another word, she rose from her seat and exited the room. The truth was that every single business plan and achievements of the company were orchestrated by her behind the scenes. Everyone sees her as her family’s errand girl, but she wasn't bothered. This was the family business after all, it didn't matter who was at the forefront.

“Are you done with the work I gave you this morning?” A familiar voice asked.

Gemma could feel her hair rising in fear, she turned around to face the figure, it was James, her elder brother.

“I…Mum asked me to attend a meeting in her stead,” she stuttered, taking steps backwards.

“You mean you didn't finish a little amount of work?”

Before Gemma could find words to defend herself, he smacked his palm right on her head.

“Can you ever stay out of trouble?” Gemma heard her mother say, making her raise her head.

“I…I had to go to a meeting…”

“Why are you acting like we give you too much workload?” Her mother fired, shutting her up.

“Just help your brother do a little work and you're complaining?”

“You have no position in this company, so I doubt you have any reasonable work to do. Why do you keep acting like you have a lot of work?”

“Listen young lady, if you do not finish whatever work your brother has given you tonight, do not show your face at home,” Gemma was sternly warned.

As she has never refuted her mum’s words all her life, she could only bow her head. Standing there and watching the duo leave, she knew she had to finish up or the doors at home won't be open for her.

“I promised Daniel I'll be home early tonight,” she could only mumble to herself.

Gemma knew she had to finish up, if not for anything but for her husband, Daniel. Today was their second wedding anniversary and they had both planned to have dinner together at the hotel they had met in the past.

Daydreaming about the day she met Daniel, Gemma did her work swiftly. Holding onto the last document and inwardly rejoicing about the things she could do with her husband tonight, her phone dinged.

Her younger sister had just sent her photo.

This would be the first time Elena was sending her photos. Gemma dropped the document and picked up her phone, wondering what the sudden photos held.

The moment she clicked on it, her whole world came crashing down on her. She instantly regretted opening it. There on the phone were photos of Elena and her husband in each other’s arms and worse, they were on her matrimonial bed back home. Gemma’s hand trembled as she read the caption.

“My new plaything.”

Everyone knows Elena has always been crude and rude and for once she has never liked her elder sister, but never in a million years did Gemma think her younger sister whom she held dear would try to break her marriage this way.

“The photos were probably fabricated,” she tried to convince herself as she found her way home, ignoring the last remaining documents.

********

“Did you finish the work like I asked you to?” James asked the moment he sighted Gemma walking into the living room.

Gemma’s mind was occupied, so she didn't hear him talk. She found her way to her room, unaware of her offended brother storming right behind her.

Getting to the room and pulling the door open, Gemma’s world fell all over again at the sight before her.

Her younger sister and her husband lay unclad on the bed.

“Da…Daniel…” She couldn't find the right words to say. Her stutter alerted the love birds.

“Oh, you're back,” she watched her sister smiling at her right in her husband’s arms.

“How could you do this, Elena,” she broke down.

Same time, the raging storm behind her dragged her by the hair.

“How dare you walk out while I'm talking to you?” James growled at her.

“Brother, look…” Her shaky hands directed his gaze to the duo who were now trying to get dressed.

“How is that my business?” James' uninterested gaze returned to her.

“He cheated on me…” Gemma could only stutter, as tears ran down her cheeks.

“I'm fucking talking to you!” James' palm met her wet cheeks.

Gemma was broken but for one she knew she had to give James a response or he would hit her till she ended up in the hospital, like every other time.

“I finished it all,” she choked out.

James pushed her and walked away like whatever that was happening was none of his business.

Gemma stumbled to the ground.

“I'm your sister, Elena. How could you do this to me?” She clutched her heart, crying her heart out.

“Oh, sister, quit the drama and stop being pathetic, it's only a man...and he doesn't even love you….or do you have feelings for her, Daniel?” Elena’s chirpy voice sounded right in front of her.

Gemma raised her head to look at the duo towering over her.

“I only married her to be close to you, since you ain’t ready for marriage. I have no feelings for her.” These were Daniel’s words.