Mr. Badass ✔

31 The battle between two men

Gemma's POV.

"So..." I hesitate, my voice trembling, "Mr. Elias, did you come to... talk to me because you know your son and I broke up?"

Honestly, I'd rather replace the word "talk" with "revenge."

Maybe it's the pressures of modern society, but it seems like both rich and poor people alike have psychological issues these days.

If I were rich and my son dated an ordinary girl, I'd also worry she was after our family's money.

But if the ordinary girl dumped my son, that won't be okay either. Most people assume it should be the ordinary girl who gets dumped.

Maybe that's what Mr. CEO thinks too, which is why he's come all the way to the New York branch to teach me a lesson.

"Miss Gemma, do you really think I'm that petty?" The CEO replies with a smile.

"Do you want the truth?" I ask hesitantly.

The next moment, the door behind me opens.

"Dad, can you stop teasing her?" Luke's voice interrupts us. "Alright, you can go now."

"Hm?" The CEO clearly disagrees, "I just got to New York, and you haven't even taken me out for lunch yet..."

"You're not leaving, are you? Fine, I'll call Mom right now."

Apparently, the CEO is quite afraid of his wife. The moment Luke pulls out his phone, he quickly gives in—"Alright, alright, I'll go."

But before he leaves, he looks me over from head to toe, then kindly pats me on the shoulder. "Gemma, please allow me to call you by your first name."

"Of course," I respond, surprised by his warm demeanor.

What he says next is all praise, "You're smart and interesting, I like you very much."

The CEO's smile grows even brighter. "It's a shame my son isn't a good person. See? He won't even take his dad out for lunch. Your decision to break up was absolutely right."

With one hand on the door and the other on the CEO's back, Luke unceremoniously pushes him out through the crack.

I stare at them in shock, and it's only after Luke closes the door that I remember my somewhat precarious situation.

I was about to stand when Luke pulls out the chair next to me and sits down. "I just want to have a quick talk."

"Is the CEO really your dad?" I ask.

"Yes," Luke nods.

"But you have different last names," I point out.

"My mom runs the family, so I took her last name," Luke explains.

The door opens again from outside, and the CEO's face peeks through the crack. He smiles and clarifies, "Gemma, just to correct something—over the past thirty years, everything's been minor, so I let his mother handle things."

Luke walks over and locks the door after shutting it.

"You're really his son?" I still can't believe it.

They don't look alike at all.

"I take after my mom," Luke answers.

I nod. "Well, I'm going to work now, boss."

I revert to calling him "boss."

"Wait." Before I can stand, he places his hand on the armrest, trapping me in his embrace.

"Gemma, you never really liked Jacob," he says, gazing into my eyes.

I look away. "Boss, it's work hours."