FOUR

"Juan..." Gemma stopped chewing, suddenly curious, Gemma couldn't care less what he said, but the moment it was Juan's name, it interested her because Gary and Juan were friends. "Juan sent me a wedding invitation," He spat with a laugh.

Everyone was mute for a while. Everyone knew just how much she hated Juan being mentioned, mainly if it came from Gary.

"Of course, I know," She answered back and then, a smile graced her smile, Gary's smile faded, and everyone stared at her, confused, including Sarah and Lucy. Was she that desperate for his love? They thought, unable to say anything.

Unexpectedly, someone got the courage to speak. Beside him was a blondie, clearing her throat and leaning closer, "Hey, Gemma, what are you after? Money? Love? Or you're just desperate?" Kimberly said. Kimberly— Another of her classmates inquired. Gemma's eyes were filled with rage staring at her.

"She didn't ask anything wrong," Gary said.

"Yeah, she didn't. Why exactly are you following a married man?" Someone from the other end spoke out.

"I don't need any of you to lecture me, the way you decide not to talk about yourself, get me off your lips," she warned and took a shot, gobbling immediately.

Sarah and Lucy sat quietly, unable to speak, and they didn't think Gemma was this desperate for his love; how could they even talk? She acted just fine when they knew deep down she wasn't. Her first love, who she stuck to for three years, didn't choose her after all those years.

"She's sassy," Gary laughed. In a second, Gemma picked up her things and laughed along with him.

"Does your wife know you're cheating, Gary?" She spat. Everyone paused and looked at her, "And you, Kim- bel-y," she said in twos. "Does your husband know you're sleeping with Gary?" she asked. Gary looked around. Everyone was gaping at him.

"Are you serious?" Sarah sneered, holding her lips.

Mind what you say! Gemma," Gary rose, "What rubbish do you speak," He asked. Gemma looked at Kimberly, and shock flickered on her face looking at Gary.

"Do you need a picture?" Gemma requested, taking out her phone, she immediately unlocked it, but Sarah stopped her.

"Gemma," Sarah pulled her arms, giving her a sign to stop. Gary looked at the crowd. They were all staring; calmly, he sat back down, embarrassed.

She looked around, and everyone stared at her speechlessly. She did feel a little ashamed.

"Then, goodbye" She picked up her key from the table and stormed out of the restaurant.

As soon as She opened the door and a cool breeze blew against her face. Gemma breathed in, inhaling the fresh air. She looked at her phone and dialled Juan's number.

"The number you've dialled is not available," it sang. Gemma sighed, frustrated. She opened her car and entered, resting on the steering. Did he leave her? She thought, restless. Sitting straight, she found Sarah and Lucy walking out of the restaurant. Gemma immediately started her car and reversed. She wouldn't bare them asking questions.

The following day, Gemma woke up; she could barely sleep without thinking and urging her to call Juan. She bathed and, when she was done, sat on her chair and applied her makeup perfectly. Then proceeded to her closet and picked out a pastel blue gown, and completed her look with brown boots.

Before stepping out of her apartment, she decided to redial his number. This time it rang. Gemma's heart skipped, and she placed it on her ear.

"Hello?" she heard a woman's voice. She froze, she looked at the number, dialling, and it was his, but it wasn't his voice, she could barely recognise the voice. But then, she wondered why a lady was picking up.

"Why are you with my phone?" she heard him say. Alice? She thought, and immediately she hung up.

"Juan," she stared at her phone hopelessly. For a second, she thought about why she was nervous. It made her feel lesser. But Alice didn't yell, meaning he had saved her number with a different name. She blinked and pushed her phone into her pocket, and opened the door.

At the same time, she stepped out, her neighbour opposite walked out. Gemma looked in his direction, and she froze.

She looked back, and it was her apartment. She wasn't in the wrong place, she then turned to her neighbour, and a smile graced his lips, "What?" She whispered and looked back at her apartment, confused, "Are you following me?" She questioned and wondered why Issac was at her front.

Isaac laughed at her silliness, "Why would I follow you? It's not like you're a celeb," He whispered.

Gemma stared at him, awaiting an answer, but he asked, "Are you travelling?" Gemma closed her door and headed for the elevator.

"Why is that your business?" she asked, walking into the elevator.

"I guess you are" he quickly jumped in after her. Gemma looked at him, and he smiled at her.

"I am not. My mother is-" she paused when she realised she was explaining to him. Isaac had a satisfied look, and his smile turned into a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.

"You're cute," he said with a smile. Gemma's heart flared with anger.

She looked away, she wasn't going to answer, and she remained silent throughout the ride. The door to the parking lot opened, and she instantly stormed out of the elevator without answer world.

"Well, see you at work," he said with a wave.

"Why-" she sucked her remaining words in, rolling her eyes. Gemma quickly unlocked her door and got in, but she sat in and watched him head to his car until he drove away.

She breathed, and soon after her phone rang, Gemma started her engine, picking up her call.

"Hey," Juan's voice echoed around the car. Gemma's heart jumped, and she looked at the phone. He was the caller. She suddenly calmed her angered heart with a response.

"I've been calling," she said while she drove out of the parking lot. She had her eyes focused on the road.

"Juan?" She heard a much calmer voice call, and it was the voice from before. Alice, she assumed.

"Sorry, I am busy. Can we talk later?" He said. She forced a smile even though he wasn't looking. She only thought of pleasing him.

"Yeah, probably," she replied; Juan hung up without any last words.

As she drove, she darted at her phone once and back at the road. She continued, hoping to take her mind off Juan and Alice today.

Soon after, Gemma parked at a logistics company. She reached out for the backseat and took out the brown bag she carried earlier.

As she got down and headed to the parking lot, she heard a loud call.

"Gemma!" A male voice rang, and she looked in his direction. It was Mark — Sarah's husband.

"Hey, Mark!" She opened her arms, and he hugged her. Gemma pulled back and looked behind him. The line was long. He looked back, noticing her gaze. He looked at her hand.

"Is that for your mom again?" he asked. Gemma sighed and nodded, saddened by the queue.

"Yeah, you know, the regular," she said, raising the bag.

Mark— wasn't only Sarah's husband. He was also the owner of the logistics company she stood in.

"Is that cash again?" Mark asked Gemma, looked at him, and nodded.

"She called; I'm guessing she ran out of cash," she said. Mark sighed and looked back at the line. And then the bag.

"You know you should just see her," he advised, but his advice was useless to Gemma. Her face turned cold; Mark looked away, knowing he had provoked her.

The relationship between Gemma and her mother had fallen after she began to see Juan and her mother found out. She had persuaded Gemma to leave him, but Gemma had refused, and this caused them to stay away from each other.

"I have to go to work now, Can you?" she asked him coldly.

Mark had heard some heartbreaking news, but Gemma's reaction didn't let him tell her.

"Alright, I would send it to her," He tells her. Gemma's face brightened. "Should I go myself?"

"Yeah, sure, the usual," Her smile became warm again.

"She's going to nag," he said, smiling and then took it from her. Gemma stared at the bag again.

"At least she would take it," Gemma shrugged.

"Did you know there's something called E-banking?" Mark questioned in a sarcastic tone accompanied by a smile.

"She wouldn't want to see my name," Gemma replied.

"But she knows it's you sending this," Mark tilted, staring at her.

"Yeah, I didn't write my name," she shrugged, leaving the business to him. Mark shook his head.

Her phone rang in her pocket. Gemma put her hand, bringing it out. The caller was Sarah, Gemma looked around, and she couldn't find her.

"Hey?" She picked up, placing the phone on her ears.

"Are you okay?" Sarah said her voice sounded soft and filled with care. Gemma stopped at her car and blinked slowly, staring at her reflection in her car.

"Yeah, why?" she replied, but Sarah fell silent over the phone.

She hung up, Gemma looked at the phone and immediately dialled her back, but Sarah didn't pick up. Gemma continued inside her car.

"What's wrong with her?" she snickered, getting into her car.

In a short time, she arrived at the studio beside her and noticed Isaac's car parked. Gemma took her things and turned off the engine. She exited the car and locked her car before heading to the studio.

As she walked in, Everyone seemed busy, whether they were active or just ignoring her. Isaac wasn't in sight, and she cleared her throat as she looked around and found Gira; she waved and continued heading towards her. But Anita blocked her.

"There you are," Anita said, her eyes seeming confusing. She glanced at her with pity but with a genuine smile on.

"What's going on?" She asked with a chuckle while she glanced around.

"Well, first, we have good news, and I have bad news," Anita said, "Which do you want to hear first?" She questioned, placing her hands scale-like.

Gemma looked at her and her hands and then replied. "Good news, because if I hear the bad news, I might not want to hear the good one," she said, walking to the dressing room.

"Well, that's true," Anita replied, following after her.

"So what's the good news?" Gemma sat on the soft sofa.

"Karl's wants you as their model!" She squeaked and smiled, but her smile didn't last for long, knowing she was going to say the bad news right after.

"Are you serious!" Gemma followed as her eyes brightened with happiness.

"Yeah, You've been wanting to... right?" Anita asked, raising her brows nervously. She wouldn't have the excitement to leave her.

"Yeah, that's a big deal!" Gemma screamed, intoxicated with happiness.

"Well," Anita was inept.

"I am interested. Message I*******m right now!" Gemma said. Anita nodded, and Gemma paused and looked at her. She didn't look so happy. She had forgotten about the bad news. "Ah, the bad news?" She asked. Anita sighed and sat beside her.

"Oh, Gemma," She swallowed, staring at her.

"What's the bad news?" Gemma asked. Anita sighed heavily this time.

"You know what? Why don't we message them first, and then we would talk?" She said, about to leave, but Gemma caught her wrist and looked at her. Anita was reluctant to look at her, but she did.

"Now I am curious," Gemma stated with a fake laugh. Anita sat back down, looking at her, never taking her gaze off.

"Well-" Anita started, Gemma interrupted.

"Is that bad?" She said with her gritted teeth.

"Gemma, remember whatever happens, I am here for you," she said, taking Gemma's hands in hers. Gemma looked at them and laughed.

"What you're doing is scary, Anita," she said,

Anita sighed, "Juan is getting married today," she said bluntly.

Gemma slowly pulled her hands back and swallowed.