Sensing her conflicting thoughts, Derek pulled Gemma’s chin upwards and made her stare right into his eyes. “Stop making those assumptions, principles and whatever in your head. Open up your mind to the fact that you deserve to be loved too,” he whispered.Slowly, he brought down his face to her cheeks and kissed her tears.“I love you so much, Gemma , I'll patiently wait for the day you reciprocate my feelings,” he professed.Gemma opened her mouth to speak, but no words were forthcoming. She opened and closed her mouth yet again. After the show down at the company today, she didn't expect to come home to a love confession.The air around the couple was comfortable. Both just held each other’s gaze.A third party stood right outside the door. Derek had left the door open because he asked her to get him ice. Nora stood watching the exchange between the duo. Though she couldn't hear them, as they were speaking in whispers. She could swear she can literally see how the duo were so into
Derek’s face was full of smiles as he headed down the stairs. His happiness was nearly short lived when he bumped into a familiar face he thought had already left the house.“Derek, when will I get to see my great grand kid?” The old man asked, stopping right in front of him.“Not again,” Derek could only mumble.“We're working on it, grandpa,” he lied, so the old man could let him off.“I wonder how you're related to me when you blatantly lie to my face,” the old man attempted to roll his eyes at Derek, but ended up closing his eyes, an utter failure.Derek nearly laughed, but tried his best to hold his laughter“What!” The old man narrowed his eyes at him.Derek snickered “When I was your age, I used to be a professional eye roller,” the old man boasted.Someone laughed, making the duo turn around, it was Logan.“I bet you competed in the eye rolling games during the Olympics in your time,” Logan said, enjoying a good laugh Old Mr. Ferguson glared at him.“You two, I need a great
Throughout the entire walk back to the room, Derek contemplated on the best way to relay the butler’s words to his wife, but in the end, he couldn't figure out a good way. He decided to let it go at least for now.Walking into the room, he plastered a smile on his face.“I brought the ice,” he called out to Gemma, who had taken the time to freshen up.She had been waiting for him to come back, but since he wasted a lot of time, she decided to shower.She had just gotten out of the shower and had a towel tied to her chest, her hair was wet too.She turned around to look at Derek, whose entire focus was now on her. His eyes, taking in her appearance.“Can you leave for a minute or two, I want to change,” she gulped, looking at him.The way his eyes roamed her body, it was as if he was seeking what lies behind the towel. Derek cleared his throat and nodded.“Of course, take your time,” saying this, he turned around and exited the room. This would be Derek’s first time seeing his wife i
Gemma found her way down the stairs. Getting to the living room, she was surprised at how she didn't find a single soul there. This would be her first time not seeing anyone in the living room.“Mrs. Ferguson,” the butler who had been watching her since the moment he sighted get on the stairs approached her“Gemma will do,” she smiled at him.“I dare not,” the old man insisted.Gemma didn't push it, she didn't want the man to be fired. Unknown to her, Samuel was as important as old Mr. Ferguson and can never be fired. In fact he was like a secret member of the family.“The lunch you made, I'm sorry I didn't get to eat it. It got spilled,” Gemma apologized to him, bowing slightly. It hurt her that she didn't get to eat her first ever packed lunch from home.The butler smiled“It's nothing, what matters is that you're okay now. I'll pack another for you before you leave for work tomorrow,” he smiled.Gemma squealed like a child, much to his surprise.“How much damage did her family give
Derek had a hard time picking out the best outfit to wear out. He wanted to look best for his wife, hence he wasted a lot of time choosing which outfit was right. When he was done, he left his room and went downstairs in search of Gemma, when he didn't find her there, he knew she would be with Nora. Hence he sought his way to Nora’s room.Upon getting there, he raised his hand to knock but the door was pushed open and Gemma walked out.His lips curved up on seeing her.“Sorry for wasting a lot of time. Let's leave now,” he put out his arm for her. But she shook her head.“I need your help, Derek,” she told him, her voice low and pleading, alarming Derek.“What's wrong?” he cupped her face.“I can't tell you exactly what it is….” “But…” he spoke knowing she wanted to say something else but was having a hard time saying it.“I just need your help Derek, and I would really appreciate it if you don't ask any questions and just go ahead with it,” Gemma pleaded, looking up at him. Derek c
“Get off my son, you filth!” Anna’s voice was enough to pull Gemma out of whatever spell Derek had put on her.She pulled away, taking a step back from him.“Pay no heed to her. Give me great grandchildren!” Old mr. Ferguson's voice brought the couple’s attention to him too.Derek was beyond pissed at his mother for ruining such a divine moment for him. He sent a glare in her direction, much to her surprise.“Son, you…” she was saying but he quickly cut her off."Not a word, mum,” saying this, he picked up a flushed Gemma in a bridal style.“That’s it! Go make my great grandkid,” the old man hyped them.Inside their room, Derek gently dropped Gemma on the bed.“I’m sorry about my mum,” he apologized, gazing right into her eyes.Gemma, who was still trying to process what had transpired back there, found it hard to say a word to him. The fact that she not only let him kiss her but kissed him back with the same energy as him, stunned her. Heck, their marriage was barely a week old and sh
“Nora, stop!” Gemma screamed, getting up on her feet.“What?” Nora yelled, breaking down and crouching to the floor.Derek was beyond stunned, the unsaid word between these two was actually more serious than he thought. Watching the two ladies close to his heart fight and cry this way hurt him too. And worse they won’t let him in on what was wrong.Gemma bent down to Nora on the floor. Then wrapped her arms around her, despite Nora protesting.“I’m sorry I hurt you with my words, Nora. I was only thinking of the best way out,” Gemma whispered, letting her tears fall.“I thought you understood,” Nora kept crying.“I swear, I do. It's just that your brother has known Rachel longer than everyone of us. Believe me when I say he’d know the best way to approach her. He would know how to deal with her,” Gemma tried to convince her.Derek took this as his cue to get involved again. If not for anything, but because he was her big brother and was supposed to be let in on everything about her. Th
Dressed in an exquisite red gown, Rachel looked so seductive that she knew she would make heads turn wherever she passed.After her confrontation with Elena, Daniel had stopped speaking to her and worse he kicked her out of her own company! Even though she was the one that made him the CEO. Heck, she thought Daniel loved her, but he just played her. He used her and sucked her dry. Now that she was of no use to him, he discarded her.Her father had been on her neck in regards to the company. It had barely been two years since the company was handed down to her, but she lost it all in the name of love.Living without money has never been a life she thought she would ever experience, but Daniel has made her go through that.Knowing how heartless Daniel was, she knew he wouldn't even let her near his office not to talk or listen to her. Thus she made up her mind.Daniel had previously sent her to seduce Derek Ferguson, which she did perfectly until the sudden appearance of the Braun’s elde
After the incident at the Ferguson’s mansion, Logan couldn't put aside the nagging feeling he kept having. Maybe, James wasn't the one who made an attempt on Gemma's life this time. It could have been Nathaniel. Judging from what Andrea told him, his dad could've been behind the threat.His fist clenched as Andrea's trembling words resonated into his mind. The weight of her revelation made his chest tighten with anger and disbelief. Nathaniel, his own father, was plotting against Gemma, his only daughter! The thought alone was enough to nearly make him lose his mind.He could picture Andrea saying every word of Nathaniel's foolishness.Andrea wiped her tears, her hands shaking. "He said if I didn’t cooperate, he’d ruin me, Gemma, my career...everything. I didn’t know what to do, Logan. I thought I could handle it, but now I realize I’m in over my head."Logan took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Start from the beginning," he urged, his voice steady. "What exactly has
Leaving the bed was like a chore to Gemma. All she wanted was to lay back there and have a well deserved rest. Her life has been on a roller coaster these past few weeks and to top it all, she was going back to work in just two days. She was going to face her crazy father. “Oh, lord,” she could only mumble. She could feel her head begin to ache, making her sigh.“What's wrong?” Derek asked, approaching her.Gemma shook her head.“Nothing, I'm just tired,” she told him.“You know you don't have to go welcome my dad's kids. You can stay back. I'll be back before you know it,” Derek offered and tried to make her lay back down.“It's nothing. I should see them,” she got off the bed, slipping her legs into her flipflops.“Let's go,” she gave Derek a small smile.Derek could only sigh.“How about I carry to downstairs,” he winked at her.Gemma gave him a suspicious glare.“No, I'm good,” she rolled her eyes at him.“If you say so,” Derek shrugged, then winked at her.The couple found their
“Derek, about the guy you took hostage yesterday,” Gemma tried starting up a conversation with Derek.It was already morning but the events of the previous day was still fresh on her mind.Her words made Derek look at her.“You already know James sent him. Why else are you still keeping him here. You can hand him over to the police and get James too,” Gemma complained, staring at him.“We already spoke about this, Gemma. The police won't be able to do a thing…at least not now,” Derek shrugged.“What do you mean?”“You think a guy like this will easily give out James’ name? You're smarter than this, sweetheart…Just let me handle it my own way,” Derek said, gently patting her hair.“But…” Gemma tried to counter.“Just forget it, Gemma. Besides, James shouldn't just be punished. I just don't want him to end up arrested by the police and then he goes to jail and sort…where he might likely get parole or even escape. I want him gone forever. I want him gone from the surface of this earth.”G
Back at the hospital, Elena sat staring at her phone. She had just called Gemma but then it was as if Gemma didn’t want yo speak with her. Gemma had hung up and now her number isn't reachable. Which only meant one thing, Gemma had turned off her phone to avoid speaking to her.“So much for wanting to be at peace with me,” she mumbled.Seated right beside the bed, Sylvia couldn't help but glare at Elena. Her entire Praters had been for the girl to just die but that didn't happen. Now, she was stuck here, having yo look after her to protect her family.“Mother, Did Gemma say anythinhg while I was unconscious?” She turned in Sylvia's direction.“No, I made her leave. That girl is absolutely horrible. Stay away from her. She means no good…”“Mother,” Elena tried to cut her off, but Sylvia wouldn't let her say a word.“Forget all about the reconciliation and sisters nonsense she talked about. You two can never get along. You’re kind and worlds above her while she is merely beneath your toe
“I think Elena is awake,” Gemma mumbled, showing Derek the caller ID.Derek sighed. He wasn't going to let Gemma step foot out of the house, at least not today.“Let me have the phone, Gemma,” he muttered.Before Gemma could find time to react, he took the phone from her and hung up the call, then proceeded to turn off the phone.“What are you doing?” Gemma was surprised by his actions.“I can't let you go out. At least not today. I need to know what else that darn brother of yours is up to. Until I'm able to figure that out, you'll remain in here!” Derek declared, his eyes never left Gemma as he made these declarations.“Derek…” Gemma tried go argue but he cut her off.“Please, sweetheart,” he held her shoulders and stared right into her eyes“I already lost you once. I can't lose you again. Heavens gave us a second chance to be together. We can't ruin it. We can't mess it up. We have to be together for as long as we can. Just listen to me, please my love. I promise once all this is
The mansion was suddenly alive with chaos. The sharp sound of gunshots echoed. Derek grabbed Gemma’s arm and pulled her deeper into the walk-in closet, shutting the door and grabbing his gun from a hidden compartment in the corner.“Derek!” Gemma yelled out, trying to push the door open and rush out.“Stay in there, Gemma. Do not come out until everything dies down,” Derek ordered her for the first time, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.Gemma’s heart pounded as he stepped out, locking eyes with her one last time before closing the closet door.The sound of Derek’s footsteps faded into the background of muffled voices and the relentless pounding of her own heartbeat. The entire place was completely quiet for a few seconds, adding to Gemma’s fear. But then all hell broke loose once again. The unmistakable clash of bodies followed by the deafening discharge of another gunshot filled the air. Gemma pressed her hands to her ears, trembling. A loud thud reverberated through the
“Derek!” Gemma's voice squealed as they exited the bathroom. Derek had just grabbed her from behind.“What?” He asked, acting nonchalant and oblivious of where his hands were rested.“Get your hand off me,” Gemma attempted being serious and strict.“Or else what?” Derek raised a brow, adjusting his hands on her butt. “You're shameless,” Gemma could only shake her head, hitting his hand off and heading for the closet.“Whose fault? You turned a holy man like me into something else. You have to bear the consequences," Derek shrugged, following her into the closet. Since it was a walk-in closet, there was more than enough space to contain the two of them as it was practically a huge room on it's own.“Let me cream your body,” Derek offered, leaning against the wall and watching Gemma pick out pajamas. “I can do that myself, you shameless man,” Gemma rolled her eyes.Once she got the pajamas, she tried walking out of the closet but then Derek had other plans.“What if I tie up your hands
As Gemma headed up the stairs with Derek, she could feel the weight of Nora’s words and the relentless back-and-forth they’d just had. Her mind kept replaying the moments she once shared with Nora, back when she thought they’d always support each other. Now, with each step, she felt the growing realization that their friendship had become something that would never be. At least to her, she was never going to have anything to do with Nora. Once they reached their room, Derek closed the door behind them, leaning back against it with a sigh.“Are you okay?” he asked softly.Gemma nodded, though her expression said otherwise. “It’s just… Nora, she…she hurt me,” she stuttered.Derek placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You’ve been through so much just for her. You don’t owe her anything, Gemma. She is my sister, not yours. You're not obliged to have a good relationship with her. If she’s choosing the company’s interests over your well-being, then let her go.”Gemma nodded.“You’re rig
“Is Derek upstairs?” Nora asked, walking into the living room. She had just gotten back from work.Looking at her, she seemed like she was the least person Anna's death affected. Probably because she never had a close relationship with Anna. Derek had always been everyone's favorite child.“He went out with his wife earlier,” Samuel responded, walking right past her.“Where did he go to? I thought he said he won't be leaving the house for a week?” She asked.“Well, you can get the info on his whereabout from him, if you maybe try calling him and stop interrogating me. Excuse me…” Samuel walked away, leaving Nora standing there surprised. This was the first time Samuel talked to her this way.As Samuel walked over to oversee the affairs of the maids, he could only berate himself for letting his emotions take the better part of him.The truth is that he had heard about how Nora took Gemma's position. Yes, he had raised Nora. But Gemma was his grandchild who has been through a lot. Anyone