Chapter 17
“I don’t know what prompted you to finally come to your senses and stop fighting this marriage” Doug surveyed Gema while she put on her heels as she got ready for their rehearsal dinner. “But I’m glad for it. I was getting sick of trying to persuade you, Gema” Doug smiled at her, and Gema was reminded of when they first met, of how nice he had been to her, before he had gotten his hands on her money. Gema stilled then, and almost smiled back, then he frowned at her. “Where did you get that dress?” Gema looked down at the royal blue wrap dress she had donned for the evening. She had never worn it with Vistos, though he had paid for it, and Gema knew she had to lie so Doug wouldn’t know. The rivalry and disdain for Vistos was deep, and anger would soon follow.
“I picked it up for tonight, I’ve never worn it before” Gema added in truth, and Doug seemed satisfied with that answer.
“Here, wouldn’t want to forget this” Doug held out her engagement ring, and Gema was surprised to see it. The last time she had seen it, Claire had taken it from her. Had Vistos sent it back to Doug? Did Doug know it was Vistos she had been with? Her breath halted as Doug slid her ring onto her finger, then he offered her his hand and led her from the apartment.
Nothing was ever a small affair when it came to the Bordens, and Gema was growing tired from being on her feet for the majority of the night, thanking everyone for coming and for their good wishes for the family she had visited in Australia. Doug had instructed her as to what her alibi would be, but she had already known it, thanks to Julie. Practicing for the wedding was eerie, but Gema made herself lock away her feelings and think of the stable future she would be providing for her child. Vanessa frowned at Gema’s choice of dress, saying only that it was quite inappropriate and showed too much of her figure, but Gema was too tired to remark. Feeling alone in a sea full of people who came to worship the Bordens, Gema was shocked when she saw Lana’s friendly face coming to greet her. Gema rose from her seat and all but ran into Lana’s arms, hugging the woman as she laughed.
“What ever are you doing here?” Gema asked, surprised, and Lana smiled ruefully.
“We received invitations almost a week after you left.” Lana said with a cringe.
“We?” Gema asked, right as Vistos himself walked through the doors, and not alone. He came in with a pencil thin, golden haired, 5’10 model who had graced more magazine covers than Gema had read. Insides boiling, Gema set her mouth into a straight line and tried to pretend the ache in her heart was indigestion. She looked back at Lana, who sighed.
“I’m sorry, if I had known he was bringing someone-”
“It’s fine” Gema said, trying to sound relaxed.
“Fine? Gema, you’re pregnant with his baby-”
“keep your voice down!” Gema hissed, pulling Lana aside and smiling to the guests who walked by.
“You still haven’t told him?!” Lana exploded and Gema sighed before explaining about the other day. Lana scowled at the end of her story.
“He should know better than that! You aren’t that kind of person”
“He believes it because of Julie” Gema stated with a shrug. “And I am better without him”
“With a man that hits you?” Lana demanded, and Gema sighed.
“He won’t hit me once he knows I am pregnant and he has everything he wants. I just have to wait until the wedding”
Lana squeezed Gema’s hands and then excused herself to find Christof.
YOU ARE READING
An Unexpected Romance
Ficción General“Mio dio, I love the way you say my name” His voice was a husky whisper, and Gema took a step back, caught off guard. He stared at her intently, shoving his hands into his pockets. “What do you want” he snapped at her, and Gema hesitated. “Well I…...
