Gemma filled the bathtub with warm water and lit a lavender scented candle. She sank into the relaxing water and sighed. On a table by the tub was a glass of green tea, her cellphone, and a new romance novel. She was looking forward to a relaxing and restful evening after the unusual days she'd experienced already that week.
She was just getting into her book when her phone vibrated. She glanced over. A text message from President Wen, or as she listed him in her contacts, Mr. Handsome.
Charles: What are you doing?
Gemma: taking a bath and reading.
Charles: do you say these things on purpose?
Gemma: What things?
Charles: Letting me know that you're naked. You did it on purpose, right?
Gemma: Yep, because I totally knew you'd be contacting me right now so I plotted to be naked when you asked.
Charles: Why are you doing this to me?
Gemma: I was being sarcastic. Can I help you with something?
Charles: I have a headache again.
Gemma: I'm sorry.
Charles: Come massage it.
Gemma: Are you kidding me?
Charles: No.
Gemma: You're a two hour flight away.
Charles: And?
Gemma: Your headache would be gone by the time I arrived even if I came.
Charles: Doubtful. I get migraines often.
Gemma: You're joking about me coming though.
Charles: No. I'm serious.
Gemma: You just miss me. That's all.
Charles: NO I DON'T. I really have a migraine.
Gemma: You're crazy.
Charles: GEMMA!
Gemma: CHARLES!
Charles: I don't find this funny.
Gemma: Neither do I. You are interrupting my relaxing evening at home.
Charles: I need you here.
Gemma: Do not.
Charles: Is this you playing hard to get?
Gemma: I didn't know you were pursuing me. Good to know.
Charles: I'm not.
Gemma: Sure. Keep telling yourself that.
Charles: I've sent a driver to pick you up. Be ready in twenty minutes.
Gemma: YOU AREN'T SERIOUS.
Charles: 19 minutes.
Gemma: You are crazy.
Charles: See you in two hours.
Gemma: Charles, I swear!
Charles: 18 minutes. Pack work appropriate clothes for the week.
Gemma: I'm going to wear a bikini just to spite you!!
Charles: At least you're coming.
Gemma: Do I have a choice?
Charles: No.
Gemma: Fine. Give me the hotel room details.
Charles: You already booked it.
Gemma: I only booked yours.
Charles: I know.
Gemma: Charles.
Charles: Gemma.
Gemma: Be serious. What's my room number.
Charles: 512.
Gemma: No! That's yours.
Charles: I know.
Gemma: I'm not sharing a room with you.
Charles: Why not?
Gemma: People will talk.
Charles: My secretary and driver are discrete. So is my security team.
Gemma: We're not having sex.
Charles: We almost did in my office. 13 minutes.
Gemma: Almost. And now that I can think clearly, that wasn't a good idea.
Charles: Why not?
Gemma: I don't want to be your mistress.
Charles: You know I won't fall in love.
Gemma: You still have to give me an identity that allows me to keep my dignity. Mistress doesn't.
Charles: My woman? My girlfriend? Same thing to me. Pick one.
Gemma: Are you really asking me to be in a relationship with you over WeChat?
Charles: What's the problem?
Gemma: Is your EQ that low.
Charles: I don't allow myself to make decisions based on emotion. I'm a businessman.
Gemma: So? What does that have to do with emotions?
Charles: A good businessman can't have emotions.
Gemma: where'd you hear that lie?
Charles: My father.
Gemma: He lied.
Charles: Because you're running a successful business.
Gemma: Haha. No. My dad is. And he's amazing.
Charles: Wait, who's your father?
Gemma: Phil Liu.
Charles: Not possible.
Gemma:Totally is. Liu Enterprises.
Charles: I know who Phil Liu is.
Gemma: And now you know his daughter. And I can tell you, my dad is crazy in love with mom and always affectionate with his kids.
Charles: I don't believe this.
Gemma: He really is. Your dad lied. Sorry, but he did.
Charles: Why didn't you tell me who your father was?
Gemma: I just did.
Charles: I mean before now.
Gemma: It never came up. Driver is here. Headed to airport.
Charles: Why are you working for me when your father is Phil Liu?
Gemma: Two reasons.
Charles: ???
Gemma: I want to have a job based on my ability, not my dads. I love him, but I don't want him to pay my way or be my connection to a good job.
Charles: the other?
Gemma: You already know.
Charles: no...
Gemma: I feel for you when I was 18. I'm going to get you to fall in love with me.
Charles: funny.
Gemma: I'm serious.
Charles: I don't love anyone. I don't know how.
Gemma: I'll teach you.
Charles: My head hurts worse at the thought.
Gemma: haha, am I really that bad?
Charles: You make me feel unsettled.
Gemma: Good.
Charles: And you get under my skin with how you dress at work.
Gemma: Even better.
Charles: I don't want other men looking at you with lust.
Gemma: Jealous?
Charles: No.
Gemma: Liar.
Charles: Am not.
Gemma: Are too.
Charles: AM NOT.
Gemma: hahahaha!
Charles: I'm not jealous.
Gemma: Ben from Public Relations Department said I'm hot.
Charles: Are you serious?! I will fire him if he did!
Gemma: You're jealous.
Charles: I am not. Did he really hit on you?
Gemma: Are you going to fire everyone at work who has hit on me?
Charles: Probably. Yes. Yes I will.
Gemma: You're so fun to tease. Relax. Ben didn't say that.
Charles: Good.
Gemma: Thomas did.
Charles: Gemma!!!
Gemma: hahahahaha!