Blatant Disregard

Before Charles could reach her, the elevator doors closed. He cursed and kicked the door but obviously to no avail. He ran to the stairwell and like a madman, he raced down the stairs. He skipped stairs and jumped multiple times.

People using the stairs gave wide berth with widened eyes. They didn't know what was wrong but his aura was dark and murderous.

Charles reached the garage level, running to catch up. Her car backed out and headed toward the enter/exit checkpoint. He signaled to the security guard to lower the boom barrier at the guard shack.

Gemma didn't even tap her breaks. She blatantly disregarded Charles and went through the piece of wood with her car like a knife through butter. As she entered the highway traffic, Charles was stunned. But only momentarily. He pushed a button on his phone and was immediately connected.

"Follow her." Was all he said.

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Gemma stepped inside the multi-million dollar skyscraper and approached the front desk.

"Welcome to The Gu Company. How can I help you?" The front desk receptionist greeted her in an upbeat voice.

"I'm here to meet with Henry Gu." She said confidently.

"Do you have an appointment?" The young woman asked now skeptical.

"I do not need an appointment to see my uncle. Tell him Gemma Liu is here to speak with him." Gemma spoke with authority.

The woman eyed with skepticism but she did as as she was asked, calling up to the President's office after all. Within moments she turned to Gemma who was waiting patiently.

"You May go up Miss Liu." The receptionist informed her.

"Thank you," Gemma said gratefully.

It had been a long time since Gemma had visited Uncle Henry at work. The last time had been when she was a young teen accompanying her father. But everything looked familiar to her. She took the elevator to the executive floor and located the CEO's office. Three desks with secretaries busily typing on their computers greeted her line of vision. The senior-most secretary looked up with a tight smile.

"The Chairman will see you now." She informed Gemma. Gemma just nodded. She knew the woman's look well, and she had no time to entertain someone else's pettiness.

She pushed open the ornately carved wooden door.

"Gemma!" Uncle Henry exclaimed, happy to see her. He stood and came around his desk and hugged Gemma. Just then, the office door opened and the secretary who had been rude stood there, eyes wide.

"I apologize Mr. Gu. But your son is on line one." She said, eyeing Gemma in his arms with a sneer of disgust.

Gemma rolled her eyes. A woman like that would assume the worst without facts.

"Miss Wu, I have told you already that if I have a call, then you call me. And if you need to come into my office, you knock. Surely you haven't forgotten so what quickly? He asked her, irritation evident in his voice.

The proud woman now blushed in embarrassment.

"Sorry, Sir." She mumbled and exited the office.

"Gemma, sit down while I take this." Henry told her.

He picked up the phone and greeted his son. They talked briefly.

"Matthew, why don't we continue this over lunch? And I have a surprise for you. Guess who is in my office right now? No, not Chairman Bai. Gemma Liu, your Uncle Phil's oldest daughter. You won't mind accompanying us to lunch, will you, Gemma?" Henry asked her.

"Uh, no I don't mind." She said

Henry ended the call and beamed in Gemma's direction.

"To what do I owe this pleasure of having you here today?" He asked her.

"Uncle Henry, I'm sorry to impose on you, but I've come to ask a favor." She said quietly. "You see, Charles Wen and I are no longer a couple, and I had been working there but I can't stay in his company now. Can you recommend a place that may be hiring?" She asked him.

"Gemma, I'm not sending you to work for someone else! I want you here. I know you're a good worker and how intelligent you are. Come work for me. And when Matthew takes over for me you can continue here with him." Henry assured her.

Gemma noticed he hadn't even asked, he had spoken as if it were settled. But she didn't mind. She was grateful. He led her out of the office and she kept pace with him.

She noticed the three secretaries were eyeing her with disease. Gemma smiled and called to them.

"See you later girls. We're going to enjoy working together!"