Love In Unexpected Places

“Goodnight Jemma” Amelia pecked my cheeks before entering her room. “Good night darling” I waved at her as she disappeared into her room and locked the door. Now it's only me with my thoughts. I entered my room and jammed it close. That went more smoothly than I had imagined. My phone vibrated, sending me a notification. I checked it to see that Brandon Stephen has posted a new picture with his new girl and captured it “Forever”. I had never appeared on his social media pages before. Swarms of messages flooded my phone that instant. “I'm glad he left you… understanding wife of the year…I thought you said he's yours forever…” The messages and comments continue to spring up. Then a message from his mother springs up. “Jemma, what am I hearing? I want to see you first thing tomorrow morning” I could sense her authoritative stance from the text. I shook my head and mumbled. “You're never seeing me” Without hesitating, I deactivated all my social media accounts, removed my sim and broke it into crumbs and disposed of the phone into the trash can. A knock sounded on the door and mum peeped in. “Are you asleep already?” She asked.

“No mum, you can come in” I quickly adjusted myself. She came in and sat in front of me. “How are you doing?” She asked calmly. I'm not fine, mum. I lost my baby. “I'm fine” I replied instead. “Are you sure you're okay?” She asked in her usual soothing voice that makes you want to reveal all your secrets to her. It has always worked. I burst into the tears I've been holding. “He said he didn't love me. He said I was just available”

“Oh my poor baby. Come here” I snuggled closer to mum's arms. “Don't beat yourself too much. You still have your whole life ahead of you. You have many things to achieve in this life” Mum encouraged while I sobbed like a baby in her arms. “And don't forget that I'm always with you in any choices you make” She held my shoulders and held me up. “Thank you mum” I bit my lips and looked down. I opened my mouth to tell her everything but nothing came out. “You know you can tell me anything, Jemma. I am your mother and I won't judge you” She squeezed my hand gently. “I was pregnant” I mumbled and looked down instinctively. “Really? That's good news” She squealed like a baby. I could see the happy glint in her eyes now and it broke me. She noticed my down gaze and shifted closer. “What's wrong darling? You don't want the baby?” She asked. “I was pregnant mum” I told her again, more slowly this time. Her palm flew to her mouth in horror when she realized what I meant. She moved closer and hugged me tightly again. “I'm so sorry. I didn't know this is what you've been through”

“He killed my baby, mum. He drugged my drink and left me to bleed till I passed out” I cried harder. “He drugged you?” Mum's gaze hardened. “He dares drug you? Who does he think he is? I'm suing him” She stood up in rage and proceeded to leave. I stood abruptly and obstructed her. “What are you doing?” She quizzed unbelievably.

“Don't sue him, mum” I muttered. “Why?” She was shocked. “I just don't want to prolong this. I don't think I can stand to see him again” I explained. She peered into my eyes suspiciously. “Did he threaten you with anything?”

“No mum” I whined. “Please, do this for me. This is what I want” I clasped my palms together. “Fine” She shrugged. “But I will…” I couldn't wait for her to finish her statement before I rushed off to the bathroom to puke. I have been feeling nauseous since the day of the miscarriage incident. “Are you okay? Jemma!” Mum ran after me. I rinsed my mouth in the sink. “I'm fine. It's one of the after effects of a miscarriage” I said. She nodded and handed me a napkin to clean my mouth.

“Make sure you get a lot of rest” She accompanied me to my bed. “I will, mum. Goodnight”

“Do you want me to stay with you?” I knew she was worried so I flashed her a smile and shook my head. “I will be fine, mum”

★

Monday

I entered my father's company with renewed hope and confidence. The familiar sweet smell of business waxed into my nostrils. “I'm back now” I muttered with my head held high, I walked towards the elevator. “Is that not Miss Jemma?. . . Yes she is!. . . The pretty CEO daughter who got married to the billionaire… I heard they got divorced already but damn she's glowing” I heard different side comments coming from the employee but I didn't turn nor flinch. “Let them get used to the glow” I smirked as the elevator door closed slowly. I got to the elevator entrance and as expected I saw the impatient girl I left behind pacing to and fro. “Bella” I smiled. She froze on a spot before turning slowly. Then she went into a fit of dramatic euphoria as she ran to hug me. “Boss” She carried me and twirled me around. “Put me down…you're embarrassing me” I told her gently and laughed embarrassingly. She can be extra sometimes. She dropped me and bowed deeply. “I miss you boss. You're welcome, boss” I heard her sniffing. She's really crying. “Let's go in. I got something for you” I winked and led the way. “I love you boss” She yelled behind me. Very dramatic girl. Bella was my secretary before I left the country to go stay with my ex-husband. She is a very reliable and trustworthy lady. When dad refused to put anyone in my position, I told her to look after the office. “Wow” I couldn't help but exclaim when I entered my office. “I did a good job right?” She beamed proudly. “Good job? You did a great job darling?” I looked around the sparkling clean office. Everything was as it was when I left. “I had to take out the plants every time they wither” She told me. I nodded. She really did a good job. My eyes caught the fish swimming diligently in the aquarium. My eyes widened in surprise. “Is that…”

“Yes, that's your fish. I made sure to feed it well and book an appointment with the doctor every now and then” She responded. “Oh my gosh! She looks so big now” I rushed towards the purple-themed aquarium. I traced my fingers across the glass surface and giggled. “I'm glad you're healthy, Tale” Tale is the name of my fish. “Jemma” I froze on the spot. I recognize that voice. I know it's inevitable to not bump into him but this is so soon. I don't think I can face him now. What should I do?