LOGINGigi."Ma’am, someone is here to see you."I didn't look up from my computer screen. "Oh, okay. Let them in."I kept typing away at my keyboard, adjusting a file layout on my monitor. The glass door swung open, and someone walked over to my desk."Welcome, how can…" I stopped mid-sentence the moment I looked up. My expression turned cold instantly. "And what are you doing here?""Is that how you talk to a client?" Damian said as he sat down in the chair across from my desk, completely unbothered.He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other with that arrogant smirk on his face.I leaned back in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest. Inside, my blood was boiling. The nerve of this man. After our last encounter, I had actually checked my phone for days waiting to see if he would call or text. Not because I was desperate, I don't do desperate but because the chemistry between us had been ridiculous, and I wasn't used to being ghosted. Seeing him sitting in my office right now, actin
Gigi."Ma’am, someone is here to see you."I didn't look up from my computer screen. "Oh, okay. Let them in."I kept typing away at my keyboard, adjusting a file layout on my monitor. The glass door swung open, and someone walked over to my desk."Welcome, how can…" I stopped mid-sentence the moment I looked up. My expression turned cold instantly. "And what are you doing here?""Is that how you talk to a client?" Damian said as he sat down in the chair across from my desk, completely unbothered.He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other with that arrogant smirk on his face.I leaned back in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest. Inside, my blood was boiling. The nerve of this man. After our last encounter, I had actually checked my phone for days waiting to see if he would call or text. Not because I was desperate, I don't do desperate but because the chemistry between us had been ridiculous, and I wasn't used to being ghosted. Seeing him sitting in my office right now, actin
Gemma.I couldn’t bring myself to tell Gigi the truth at Anne’s birthday party.Even when she stood there looking at me with worry in her eyes, I couldn’t get the words out. So I lied.The next morning, after class, I went straight to the hospital for my appointment.Dr. Harris looked up from my file, adjusting his glasses. "The treatment plan is set, Gemma. We start next Tuesday. You’ll need to be here twice a week for monitoring.""Twice a week," I repeated, typing the dates into my phone calendar. "How long does each session take?""About two hours. You might feel tired afterward, so plan your schedule around it.""Understood. Thank you, Doctor."I left his office, walked to the parking garage, and got into my car. But I didn't drive straight home. The last time I spoke to my son, something about his voice had felt off. With my treatment starting next week and the fear of how it might go, I couldn't just sit around and wonder. I needed to see him.I drove over to his school just
Gemma."Chloe! Oh, you made it!"Anne’s voice instantly cut off the awkward silence."Mama!" Chloe squealed, dropping her arms from Julian's neck and hugging Julian’s mom.I stood there and watched. Was I annoyed? Yes. The girl had just thrown herself all over Julian. But I kept my face neutral. I wasn't going to make a scene at a birthday party over a hug.Chloe pulled back from Anne with a big smile. "Happy birthday! You look so pretty tonight.""Thank you, dear. I'm so glad you came," Anne said. Then she turned to us. "Chloe, have you met Gemma? And her friend Gigi?"Chloe looked over at me. Her smile stayed on her face, but she gave me a quick side-eye, looking me up and down. It was fast, but I saw it."Nice to meet you," Chloe said, sounding totally fake."Nice to meet you too," I said, giving her a simple smile.Julian put his hand back on my waist and leaned down close to my ear. "She’s like a sister to me. Our families have known each other forever.""Sure," I whispered back,
Gemma."Wow," Gigi whispered as she looked up at the high decorative ceilings and the massive crystal chandelier hanging over the grand foyer. "This place is... insane.""I told you," I murmured back, adjusting the strap of my dress.A black limousine had arrived at my penthouse right on time, after Gigi and I spent three hours getting ready. But by the time the car pulled up at the Ferguson estate gate, I was nervous.The moment the driver opened the door for us at the front steps, Julian was already standing near the entrance. He wore a simple white shirt and tailored black trousers, his eyes moving slowly down my dress before looking at my face. He held my back and pulled me closer."You look breathtaking, Gemma," he whispered against my skin. Then looked over at Gigi with a polite nod. "Good evening, Gigi. Thank you for keeping her company.""Wouldn't miss it, Julian .” He guided us inside."Gemma, my dear!"Anne's welcoming voice echoed across the marble floor. She walked down t
Gemma.The first thing I felt was a warm kiss on my temple, then my cheek, then the corner of my mouth.I opened my eyes and blinked. Julian was standing right over me, already dressed in his suit. He smelled fresh, like shower gel and expensive cologne."Wake up, sleepyhead," he murmured, pressing one more quick kiss to my lips.He stepped back slightly, and that's when I saw the tray in his hands: coffee, freshly toasted bread, and scrambled eggs."You cooked?" I asked, my voice still thick with sleep as I sat up, pulling the duvet over my chest."Yes." he chuckled, setting the tray down gently on the bed beside me. "I can run a company, but cooking is a different story. Eat up. You need your energy."I smiled, taking a sip of the warm coffee. "What time is it?""Past eight," he said, sitting on the edge of the mattress and reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "You need to be at the Wilshire management office by ten to sign your lease."Hearing that made me even more







