Amber liquid sloshed out of the glass as Charles poured it from the glass bottle in his hands, splashing onto the marble table top. He stared unseeing into the burning fireplace in his bedroom, and then threw his head back as he downed the shot of whiskey.
It had been two weeks since he'd seen Gemma. He had stayed away first out of anger, but then because he knew she didn't want to see him. Now his pride kept him at a distance. He didn't want to admit that he missed her—that she mattered. But her absence left him feeling adrift at sea.
He was especially angry today. He'd received an envelope in the mail from her. He'd anxiously ripped it open. A piece of paper fell out. It was a check. With a brief note explaining it was to cover the damages of the things Gemma had broken or vandalized.
"I allowed my emotions to get out of control. I apologize. Should you require more for damages please let me know."
She hadn't even signed her name. He'd ripped the check apart. That was how she wanted to end it? She could walk in and out of his life at random and he had no say in the matter? He didn't want her money or her apology.
What had happened to the woman who refused to back down? Where had that woman who refused to be dominated retreated to? What had happened to her fire of passion? He didn't want her to treat him like an acquaintance that she knew.
Had she decided to date her boss's son? Would she end married into that family? He could see it clearly: their parents had probably hoped for this for the better part of two decades. Justin was set to inherit his father's company and Gemma was the beloved daughter of One of the wealthiest families in Shanghai. The friendship between their families as well as a business alliance would bind them forever if Justin and Gemma were to marry.
The thought of that second-generation pretty boy putting his pale lips anywhere near Gemma lit a raging fire in his stomach. He threw the shot glass into the fireplace. For a moment the flames grew brightly from the drips of alcohol left in the glass.
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Gemma sat her coffee cup down at her desk and suddenly felt her stomach clench. She knew by now what that meant. She ran down the hallway of the C suite, making a beeline for the bathrooms.
Gemma collapsed to her knees as she emptied her breakfast into the toilet. She must have gotten a hold of something that didn't agree with her stomach—again. She had been working for Henry for almost two months. Lately she felt nauseated more often than not. She was pale and losing weight but she ignored it.
She hurried back to her desk and grabbed the stack of files that Henry would need for a board meeting later in the morning and headed to his office. She passed one of Henry's secretaries as she began to push open his office door.
"Gemma, sick again? You should see a doctor! If I didn't know better I would guess that you are pregnant!" The young woman loudly said in a show of concern. The heads of the other girls popped up in attention.
"Why, Holly, I didn't know that you were suddenly a medical expert." Gemma tossed back, firmly closing the door behind her without waiting for a response. Gemma could match their cattiness with sarcasm.
She crossed the floor to Henry's desk with the stack of file folders. He looked up at her gravely.
"Here is everything you requested. Will there be anything else?" Gemma asked. He sighed.
"Sit down, Gemma." Henry gestured to the chairs across from his desk. Gemma did as asked.
"Gemma, one might argue that it's not my business to ask, but I am concerned about you. Is there a possibility you could be pregnant?" Henry asked her.
Gemma's eyes widened in surprise. What an awkward question coming from her boss and a man her father's age. She hadn't considered it, but she and Charles hadn't used protection every time...and come to think of it, her cycle was late!
"I...I'm not sure." She said quietly, bowing her head. How awkward this was.
"It would belong to Charles? I mean, if you are pregnant?" Henry asked.
"Yes. He's the only one that I—I mean...yes, it would be his child." Gemma stammered.
"Gemma, you can not marry Charles. He is not suitable. But if you are pregnant with his child, you also can not marry Justin." Henry said gently.
Gemma stared at her hands. How was this happening? How was this conversation even taking place right now?
"I know." She whispered.
"But you do need to marry quickly. You are from a proper family. You can not have an illegitimate child. Your child also needs a family name and registry. You also need to be safe from Charles. Marriage would give protection." Henry's voice held reason.
Gemma felt tears burn her eyes but refused to let them fall. She didn't realize that despite her resolve, she looked to Henry like a fragile and wilted flower. He felt his heart constrict. He stood abruptly.
"Clear my schedule this morning. Come on." He instructed roughly, his voice hiding emotions.
"Where are we going?" Gemma asked in confusion. Hey eyes searched his face but found none of the answers that she sought.
"To the hospital. We're getting you checked. Bloodwork, B-ultrasound, whatever it is they use to check pregnancy with these days. You can't afford to wait any longer." He informed her. She bit her lip but followed him, knowing that he was correct.
As they crossed the lobby of the company and walked through the double glass doors leading out to the street, instead of expecting Gemma to follow him, he tucked her arm in his. Gemma supposed he felt a bit like a father escorting his wayward daughter. What would her own father say if she turned out to be pregnant? She cringed at the thought. She was the jewel of her father's crown, his pride and joy. He would surely be disappointed in her. She felt foolish. For a childish crush she'd risked her reputation and good name. What if she had gambled and lost?