Text Me

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!