It had been an idyllic weekend for the new couple, but Monday morning brought reality.
Charles frowned as he and Gemma tried to get ready to head to the company. The bathroom was too small and cramped for two people.
Gemma seemed blissfully unaware as she absentmindedly hummed a Jay Chou song. She walked into the bedroom and started getting dressed.
Charles followed her wordlessly. When he saw her outfit, however, he felt a burst of anger surge.
"What do you think you are wearing?" He growled with a threat in his voice. She looked at him in confusion.
"That skirt is too short and too tight." He scolded.
"Do you really think that just because I'm your girlfriend that you have a right to decide what I wear?" She met his fire with fire of her own.
"Perhaps not. But as your boss I have the right to say what is workplace appropriate and what isn't." He countered.
Suddenly she smiled and walked toward him with her hips swaying and a coquettish look on her face. He swallowed hard. If ever someone embodied the meaning of "sajiao" it was Gemma.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her soft body against his.
"What if I'm in love with my boss and I'm trying to get his attention?" Her voice was low and sultry.
Charles felt a wave of desire crash through him. He wanted to throw her in the bed and help her out of that skirt, and to help himself to her body.
"Believe me, you don't have to dress like that to gain my attention. You had my attention even when I didn't want you to have it." He told her, trying to maintain his self control.
She pressed her soft lips against his, lighting the fuse he'd tried to control. He immediately responded to her kiss, pushing his tongue in her mouth, exploring every crevice. She responded enthusiastically and he could hear her soft moan against his lips. Like lighter fluid on a fire, Charles found his last defenses breaking down.
"We're going to be late." she whispered against his ear. She flicked her tongue against his earlobe.
"Your boss will understand." He said and she giggled.
"Are you sure? He can be austere and domineering." She teased as he he walked her backwards toward her bed.
"In bed or in the boardroom?" He asked.
"Both!" She said around her laughter.
He silenced her laughter with a deep kiss. After some time they made their way to the company and took his private elevator to the top. Everyone stared from the moment they stepped out of the car together. He frowned. He hated gossip and he knew that Gemma and himself were the focus of the rumors swirling around the company.
The moment the elevator doors opened on the executive floor Gemma could hear the phone at her desk ringing. She ran to catch it, yelling over her shoulder, "I'll have your coffee after I take this call!"
"Hmmm." He said as he passed her and went directly to his office.
Gemma answered the phone professionally. An angry older woman shouted into the phone, "It's about time! I've been calling for half an hour! Put me through to Charles Wen. Now!"
"May ask who is calling? I'll see if the President is available." Gemma answered diplomatically.
"I'm his grandmother! Now put me through!" The woman's voice rose higher and louder.
"Just a moment while I check with the President." Gemma answered firmly while she placed the angry woman who was still shouting on hold. Thanks to Gemma's thick skin she was not easily intimidated or ruffled.
She pressed the button for Charles's office phone.
"Yes?" He answered distractedly.
"Your grandmother is on line one. Shall I put her through to you?" Gemma asked. Charles sighed deeply.
"Put her through." He muttered.
"Charles, you unfilial boy, why have you been avoiding my calls?" Louise, his grandmother demanded.
"Grandmother, I just got back from a business trip. But why am I unfilial?" He asked quizzically.
"Because you still haven't gotten married and given us a grandson! Who will carry on the family if not you?" She exclaimed.
"Grandmother, I have a girlfriend. I'll bring her to meet you and grandfather soon." He patronized her.
"And what about Ellen?" She asked.
"What about her?" He asked.
"She's counted on marrying you since she was a child! You'll break her heart!" His grandmother insisted.
"Better she know as son as possible so she can move on and find someone else." He replied without concern. He didn't care what Ellen did. It wasn't for him to worry about.
"Charles—" she began but was cut off.
"Grandma I have to get to work now. Give grandfather my greeting. Goodbye." Charles hurried to say and hung up the phone.
He took a deep breath. Sometimes he found filial piety difficult it he fulfilled it anyway.