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“You can't be serious!” Nathaniel was pissed off.“Oh, absent daddy dearest, you're about to find out how serious I am,” Gemma rose from where she sat and headed for the door.“Do you know how many people out there that desperately pray to meet their family one day?” Nathaniel threw an unexpected question.“Excuse me?” Gemma turned around.“What is wrong with you! When your brother found out about us, he was elated, he was very happy to have a family of his own. And you… Why do you keep acting like a brat! I never raised you this way!” Nathaniel was seriously pissed off.“Raised me?” Gemma laughed, dragging her eyes from his head down to his shoes and back up again.“When was that? I might have forgotten?” She raised her brow.“Quit being like this young lady!” Nathaniel seemed to have had enough.“Quit being what, Mr. Hughes?” She yelled back.“You suddenly tell me one day that you're my dad and what, you expect me to open my arms and hug you? Daddy, is that what you want me to call y
“Why won't Gemma talk to me,” Logan sighed.Staring at him, Derek could only shake his head.“Logan,” he called out to his almost disoriented best friend.Logan looked in his direction.“I'm happy my wife turned out to be your sister. You know all this while, I was worried she was really related to those vile people she called her family…Even though I'm not too pleased that she still has to deal with the vile woman who tormented her all her life, I'm still elated she has you ....”“She has me, Derek. But she won't talk to me. She specifically told me she wants to have nothing to do with me. When all I want is to connect with her. We're siblings, Derek. We've been apart for so long. When I heard she was my sister, I was prepared to push our differences aside and patch things up, but her, she….”“Have you ever stopped to consider how Gemma must be feeling?”“I do consider her feelings, Derek…”“You don't, believe me when I say that…You all just shoved the news on her face and then, boom
Sylvia was seated next to Elena dreaming of how she was going to use the little piece of news she got about Elena to finally bring Gemma to her side.Seated there, the door was suddenly pushed open and Max walked in with some men by his side. “Are you sleeping, instead of keeping a close watch on my daughter?” He asked, on seeing Sylvia's closed eyes.His words made her eyes snap open.“I'm awake,” she mumbled.The sight of the men next to Max piqued her curiosity. As far as she knows, Max moved around with security only when his life was being threatened.“Was anyone after his life?” She couldn't help but wonder.“Wait, did he find out about who Hughes really is? Oh, lord, it was meant to be a secret. We haven't achieved anything. If he found out this way, he would really do something to ruin us again!” Sylvia was visibly shaken.She has lived with Max for years and knows exactly how vicious the man can be. The only person he cared about was Elena. Any other person was just dust in h
The photo shoot didn't take a lot of time as Gemma seemed to know exactly what to do. Even the photographer who had expected her to mess up the shoot, considering how this was her first modeling shoot, was surprised at how perfect she was at it.The truth was that Elena never wanted to be a model. Gemma was actually the first person who decided to pursue a modeling career. Back then, she'd practice poses and walks of various famous models each time she found time and hoped that one day, she would become like them. Her dream was stolen when Elena found out about it. She threw a tantrum when the opportunity for Gemma to showcase her talent came. It happened that the model for a product they were about to launch back then, got a better offer from their rival company and bailed out on them at the last minute. Arranging for a new model was challenging and worse, the company couldn't adjourn the launch date as it had already been announced to the public.Gemma, seeing this as an opportunity
“What do you want, Andrea?” Gemma asked.Andrea sighed and took a step closer to her.“I want your peace, Gemma…”Gemma was taken aback. This was by no means what she was expecting to hear.“My peace?” She asked.“Yes. I've known you since I've been able to tell right apart from wrong, Gemma. The person I'm seeing right now is not the Gemma I've known all my life. It just feels like someone took over you…You…you are suddenly ruthless and scary, Gemma. It scares me…”“Andrea…” Gemma tried to talk but was cut off.“Did you see that look you gave me when I told you I needed something from you? It was as if you felt like I was about to exploit you. You were never like this before, Gemma…You've changed too much,” Andrea complained, taking Gemma's hand into hers.Gemma could not deny that everything she said was true, so she sighed and bowed her head.“Change is constant in humans,” she finally mumbled.“Yes, it is. But you're scaring and pushing me away. I don't even know if we're still fri
“What did you get?” Gemma asked, finally letting go of Derek.“Tasty food,” Derek said, wiggling his eyebrows.“Derek!” Gemma called out, wondering if Derek's brain was getting damaged.“Yes, baby. Don't worry, I brought enough to fill your mouth,” Derek said, looking at her and flashing her an innocent smile.At his words, Gemma quickly stepped aside.“I don't know who you are. You're on your own,” she shook her head.“You'll still get into my car with me,” Derek winked at her.“What is wrong with you?” Gemma was blushing and laughing.“You, sweetheart,” Derek once again flirted.“Oh, boy,” Gemma's face was nearly overheating from all the blushing.“I brought a car with a tinted glass. You must be so proud of me,” Derek laughed the moment they got to his car.“That's it, Derek. I'm eating in my office!” Gemma announced.“What? I brought the car with tinted windows so you can have privacy while eating…”Gemma gave him a suspicious look.“You still need purification, don't you? Your min
“Are you sure you want to stay here?” Derek asked for the hundredth time.“I've been staying here since I started working here, Derek. What are you so worried about?” Gemma glared at him.“This place is creepy,” Derek complained.Gemma's office was isolated from other offices. It wasn't part of any department or anything. It rather seemed like an abandoned storage room.“Back in the day, it was nothing like this, Derek. It was worse and creepier but I stayed in it. What makes you think I can't stay here, now that it's even better looking?” Gemma raised a brow at him.“I'm just saying…”“Or you don't want to help lift that cupboard,” Gemma gave Derek a side glance.“Hold on, are you afraid of roaches?” She laughed.“Are there roaches here?” Derek's eyes were wild as twin bulbs.“Oh, look at this. Atlanta's most eligible man is afraid of roaches,” Gemma laughed.“I'm not afraid of them,” Derek defended himself.“Oh, really,” Gemma was hearing none of it.“I've never seen or had to deal w
“You can't be serious! I'm your damned father, young lady!” Hughes exclaimed.“And I'm your abandoned daughter, old man,” Gemma deadpanned, turning around to leave the office.“Every single thing I did was for you, you dumb child!” Nathaniel yelled, walking around the table and rushing over to Gemma.Gemma paused on hearing his words and turned around.“You mean for your selfish interest?” She raised a brow.“You think I went into hiding for years just for this? You think I went into hiding just to be treated like this by my child?” Nathaniel was furious.“I'm not your child. And you going into hiding has nothing to do with me. It was for your own selfish interest. Congratulations, you've gotten back your position. Enjoy it while it lasts…” Saying this, she turned around and headed straight for the door.“I birthed you Gemma and I won't let you walk over me!” Nathaniel growled at her.Gemma didn't bother turning around and simply pushed the door open, just before she walked out the off
Dressed in a sweatpants and tee-shirt, Logan got off his car and found his way into Braun Companies. Walking in there, he met the receptionist at the front desk.“I'm here for the CEO. Where is his office?” He asked.At first the woman failed to recognize him as this would be her first time seeing him in anything other than a business suit.“Do you have an appointment with him?” She asked.“Do I need an appointment to see him?” Logan asked back, giving the woman a death stare.“I'll inform him of your presence,” she backed down, picking up the telephone.“Show him to the CEO's office,” she instructed one of the security guards, who quickly bowed at Logan before leading him away.Logan had a grim look on his face as he approached Nathaniel's office.Andrea had tried to persuade him not to confront Nathaniel but he didn't want to hear any of that. He could provide shelter for Andrea if her life was ever in danger because of this. After all, it would be his payment to her for having Gem
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