The very understated grey Mercedes Benz pulled up to the villa with traditional Chinese architecture. Gemma felt her heart swell as she looked at her childhood home. Henry held her close to his side and looked down at her.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
Gemma sighed. "I hope so. They both like you, but I don't think they counted on you being their son-in-law." Gemma said softly.
They exited the car with her tucked into his arm and made their way up the stone steps. The door was answered by one of the maids that Gemma had known all of her life. She showed them inside and Henry could hear her telling someone that, "First Young Miss is here. And Mr. Gu is with her."
Phil Liu entered the main room and exclaimed, "Henry! Good to see you. What brings you and my daughter here today? Something about your company?" Phil asked, knowing that Gemma had been working for Henry.
"Uh, no. Gemma and I need to speak with you and Ann." Henry said.
Phil's brow furrowed in confusion but he instructed the nanny to find his wife.
Gemma felt nervous. Ann was not her biological mother, though few people knew it. Gemma had never been positive who her real mother was, but she knew she'd been brought back by her father from a young age. Her father as well as her older brother Brent doted on her and treasured her as something priceless. But Ann had given birth to her only child a few months after Gemma had joined the family. Lianne was the youngest child and Ann's only biological child, therefore she doted on Lianne more than her stepchildren and she fought to give her daughter every opportunity.
Gemma had always wondered why Ann fought so hard for Lianne when their father loved and doted on both daughter's equally. He'd have never denied Lianne something he'd given to Brent and Gemma. Unless it were inheriting the family corporation, but that was Brent's duty as the only son. Gemma knew that she and Lianne would inherit shares in the company but that Brent was father's choice as heir. Gemma accepted that. Ann and Lianne did not.
Father loved Ann very much, but Ann often seemed dissatisfied with her lot in life and Gemma didn't know why. At any rate, both elders now joined them and Henry was about to break the awkward silence.
"Phil, you and I have been friends since university days and you know I consider you a brother." He began. His voice was calm. In control. Gemma's father nodded in agreement.
"You know recently Gemma's worked for me in a very close position as my personal assistant." Henry continued. Phil nodded again.
"During that time, I have developed feelings for Gemma." Henry said matter of factly.
Phil's face looked almost deadpanned except for a few quick blinks of his eyes. His body stilled.
"What did you say?" Phil's voice was low. Gemma felt her chest tighten. Father was rarely angry but when he was, the quieter he became. She felt this was more frightening than Ann's shrieks of dismay when she was angry. Father's cold burning anger always made her feel very small, and like she had disappointed him. She'd not often been on the receiving end of his anger and she liked to keep it that way.
Henry knew his friend was angry, but as a peer his equal he felt no fear.
"I'm in love with Gemma. She agreed to marry me." Henry answered calmly.
"You're in love with my twenty three year old daughter? Are you senile? Have you taken leave of your senses, man? She is younger than your son! You regarded her as your niece! I trusted you with her well-being! This is how you repay our brotherhood? Our alliance? She was to be your daughter-in-law not your wife!" Phil's voice was low but harsh. His face was turning red and his hand shook. Ann looked on in thinly veiled pleasure. Gemma so rarely earned her father's ire. Perhaps this would give Lianne an advantage in the coming days.
"I understand it will take awhile to get used to. But I give you my word that I will love her and take care of her. You will never need to worry about her." Henry continued.
"Get used to it? Oh no! There will be no marriage between the two of you! I forbid it! Gemma will be a filial daughter. Whatever hold you have on her I will break." Phil promised.
"We've already gotten our marriage license from Civil Affairs. We are legally married. She is my wife. I'm sorry this is so upsetting, but I hope in time you will come to accept it. You know I would never make a move to harm your family." Henry said.
"You've what? This is insanity! I won't allow it! Gemma, you are to return home immediately and complete the procedure for divorce before anyone learns of this. I know you're upset about Charles, but marrying a man my age, this isn't the answer. You are the first young Miss of the Liu Family and you can marry any man you want! There's no need to settle for this!" Phil insisted. He turned to look at Henry again.
"You've taken advantage of my daughter! Our friendship is over!" Phil spat.
"No!" Gemma shouted.