Chapter 71Gemma ended up chasing Derek out of the bathroom that morning. The dude couldn't keep his hands to himself. Heck, they ended up having two rounds of love making right there in the bathroom when she was running out of time.“Can you tell Nora to tell Andrea to get ready. She is coming to the company with me,” she told Derek who was all over her even as she dressed up for work.“Is this your way of chasing me away from you,” he grumbled.“Yes,” Gemma stood at akimbo.“Now, go get Nora. And stop acting like a baby,” she rolled her eyes at him.Derek laughed.“Yes, ma'am. This big baby of yours is at your service,” he winked at her, then left the room.By the time he got back, Gemma was already dressed and ready to go. He picked up her handbag and led her out of the room.“Now you're acting like my errand boy,” Gemma laughed at his sillinessDerek didn't utter a word and blew her a kiss.Once they got downstairs, they met a dressed up Andrea and a surprisingly dressed up Nora.
“Wait, what?” Gemma was in shock. “Your precious daughter isn't yours?” Her eyes were wide. “She isn't, Gemma. You're my daughter, not her. I'm your birth mother, Gemma.” Gemma stared at her wondering if she had lost her mind. Then Nathaniel spoke. “I'm your father, Gemma,” Nathaniel announced. Gemma stared at the duo before her, wondering if they had drunk any substance that morning. “You two should get your brains checked,” she shook her head. Sylvia and Hughes exchanged confused looks. “I thought you said Derek found out?” Sylvia asked. “Yes. I left obvious hints for his private investigator. Did she miss them?” Gemma rolled her eyes at what she considered a lame attempt from the couple to instigate her against Derek. “Nice try you two,” she got up and headed for the door. “I have no reason to lie about being your father, Gemma. Max has never treated you like a father, has he?” “Sylvia has never treated me like a mother too,” Gemma clapped back. “She has but you never
“What the fuck!” Derek exclaimed. “You see, after my family got new faces. I still didn't think we were safe. We couldn't be together just in case someone got suspicious. For that reason, I reached out to my dad. He was your family’s butler. It has been his job all my life and he never thinks of leaving due to his close relationship with your grandfather. So, when I reached out to him. He made me keep my son, Logan in an orphanage home promising to bring him into your family somehow. My wife, who wanted to help out the family in any way she could volunteered to get married to Max and stay close to him. She took Gemma with her and acted like a single mum who had been out the the country. She was able to do this wothout getting caught because Max didn't know my pilot’s face…..” “You see, I fired my previous pilot barely a week before the incident because I found out he was selling information about my family and I to Max…..So, after every single person left, I was alone and took on
“You know what, I think I'm tired of this marriage. I'd like to rest…” Gemma walked away, leaving Derek standing and staring at her retreating figure.To Gemma, every single thing she had heard inside that office meant nothing to her. She has always hated her family, hated every single person. Sylvia inclusive and that wasn't going to change anytime soon. If Sylvia thought she could just come onto her with Hughes, thinking that she still trusted Hughes and would listen to him after he pulled those two stunts on her, then Sylvia must be a joker.Her heels made clicking sounds as they aggressively made contact with the floor. She was out of here and the next time she returns would be to kick Hughes off that position. For Nora, she would give out a quiet warning to her to get off the COO seat. She didn't understand why Nora would leave her brother's company where she would be treated with a lot more respect than here. She didn't understand why Nora, who has never been interested in workin
“You killed your sister! Someone call the police!” “What a classic day,” Gemma rolled her eyes, approaching Elena.“You killed her!” one of Elena’s minion inside the office she fell into was quick to accuse Gemma.“I'm calling the police,” she threatened.“Chill, she is still breathing,” Gemma mumbled.Why the heck did she even leave home today. She could have just stayed back, had a rest and avoided all of this. The worst part was that she didn't even do the photo shoot that brought her here.“You've always hated her. You've always tried to make everyone hate her. Now that you've seen that we'll always be on her side, you resort to physically harming her!” The young lady accused.“If you keep running your mouth without calling 911, she’d really die,” Gemma rolled her eyes.Physically hurting Elena was the last thing she wanted to do. Yes, seeing Elena in pain brings her joy. But that shouldn't be physical pain. She wasn't that kind of person. She knew she could enjoy breaking Elena’s
“We’ve extracted the glasses….The patient has gone into a coma…” The doctor announced.Gemma was stunned, she took a few steps back in shock and ended up hitting her back against the wall. Guilt filled her heart. “I'm not this kind of person, I shouldn't have pushed Elena. Why did I even let myself lose control,” she let her tears stream down her face.The day had started nicely and she had hoped it would end on the same note. Never did she imagine she would be here. Never did she imagine that she would be the reason someone goes into a coma.“Doesn't most coma patients die?” She muttered out loud.By this time, the doctor had walked away after telling them that Elena will soon be rolled out of the operation theater. “Then so be it. She deserves it,” Sylvia spoke.Gemma’s eyes went in her direction.“If you think I'll come running to you with open arms after that utterance, then you must be out of your mind. I would never accept a monster as my mother,” Gemma glared at her.“Call me
“I guess there are still sides of you I'm yet to explore… Let's get home first,” Derek said.Before he headed to the exit, he turned around to look at the couple staring at him.“Don't think you have my backing simply because I made my wife listen to you. I stand with whatever she says. If she doesn't want to have any ties with you, then I'll advise you to refrain from reaching out to either of us.”He walked away, with Gemma still on his shoulder.“Put me down, Derek!” she slammed her hands on his back.“I will,” he mumbled.“Put me the fuck down!” Gemma was now infuriated.Derek still bother saying a words to her. He had her in his shoulders till he got to his car and threw her inside.He got in through the other side and soon drove off.“Ho could you! You keep giving me reasons to doubt you,” Gemma couldn't keep calm.“I won't say anything till we get home, Gemma,” Derek muttered.The last thing he wanted was to get into an argument with his wife while driving. Her life was importa
James wasn't pleased with the turn out of events. Every single thing he had orchestrated with his father was failing. Nothing was working in their favour and he starting to get pissed off by it all.Even if his father were to leave the company he never expected it to be taken from just an outsider, an ordinary shareholder at that and it was all because of Gemma. Things got fucked up because of her.“I wonder how you're still eating,” he muttered, glaring at the figure sitting right across him.“I need food to survive,” Max shrugged.“Things aren't looking too good for us ans you're here, preaching about food? We just lost our family company! And all you care about is food?” James was so pissed that if Max was within his reach he could slap him.“I need food to function, James….”“What if things go south while you're busy eating? What if things don't go our way!” “Not like the favour is on our side right now,” James lamented.Max chuckled.“You're still a kid James. If things goes sou
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 N
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