Chapter 79
CHAPTER 79
W hen Gemma arrived at work the next day, she marched straight into the kitchen. She had been up half the night, wondering how to confront Kent because she had to confront him. She couldn’t just pretend she didn’t know. That wasn’t her style. But after rehearsing a thousand scenarios in her head, she considered the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, and as such, she held a piece of paper folded in her hand.
“Hey, morning you,” Kent said when he saw her come in. Wordlessly, he walked across the kitchen, placed a hand on her hip, and kissed her. Gemma stood stoically, although Kent didn’t seem to notice. “I’m glad you’re in early. I was hoping you and I could have a conversation today.”
A strained smile stretched her lips.
“Oh, I wanted to talk to you, too. I’ve actually got something for you.”
She held out the piece of paper, but rather than taking it, a slight smile lifted the corner of Kent’s mouth.
“Well, that’s weird. I’ve got this for you.” He held out a small notelet. “I know it’s for you, but I was given permission to read it before I passed it on. You’re amazing, you know that, don’t you?”
Gemma didn’t know what could have been written in the letter that would have caused Kent to comment in such a manner, but she didn’t care. It was probably just part of his manipulation. Ignoring it entirely, she focused her attention on the bit of paper in her own hand.
“I think, perhaps you should read this one first, or actually, I can read it to you if you want me to?”
Kent arched an eyebrow.
“Okay, this sounds intriguing. What is it?”
Gemma unfolded the paper. At the top was a picture of a man. At the bottom, a summary of her research.
“Harrison Dean is the entrepreneur and owner of Coffee-X, the fastest-growing coffee chain in the southeast of England. So far to date, Harrison has?—”
“Gemma, please stop. I can explain,” Kent said.
He reached out for her arm, but she backed away.
“No, let me continue. This is where it gets good. So far, Harrison has purchased over forty premises, which he has entirely refitted and turned into his sleek coffee shops. With a simple minimalist design, they are easily recognisable. At the rate he’s going, Coffee-X looks like it will put every small business out of business in the next four years. Watch your backs, coffee shop owners.” Gemma lifted her gaze to lock eyes with Kent. His face had paled so rapidly he looked ill, and she didn’t care in the slightest. “That bit was from a newspaper article I found, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of irony. You know, about watching my back. Because it shouldn’t have been Harrison Dean I was watching my back for at all, should it? He was never on our radar until you came into our lives. It was you, Kent. You, I should have been watching out for all along.”
She shook her head before taking a moment to look up at the ceiling, determined not to let a single tear escape. Then, when she knew she was back in control, she flicked her wrist and threw the piece of paper across the floor. As she went to turn, Kent grabbed her by the arm.
“Please, please, Gemma, let me explain. I got in contact with him when I first purchased the place. Weeks ago. I knew it would turn me a quick profit. But I changed my mind. Please, you’ve got to believe me.”
Gemma shook her head. “You hid it from me. I trusted you. God, I actually thought I was falling in love with you!”
It was the first time she had said the words aloud to anyone, and it was like this. She could feel her heart shattering beneath her ribs. No wonder she had steered clear of love for so long.
Kent’s eyes were glazed with tears, too.
“Gemma, I’m the same. You know that I am. You know the way I feel about you. Please, you have to believe?—”
“Believe you!”
She let out a bitter laugh before she looked down at his hand, which was still holding tight around her arm.
“Let go of me, Kent. Dawn and Sophie are working today. And you can officially count this as my resignation.”
She had walked two steps when he called out again.
“Gemma, I can’t lose you. I can’t.”
Gemma stopped mid-step. She bit down on her bottom lip, drew in a long breath, and turned slowly around, aware of the tears that were now rolling down her cheeks.
“How can you have ever had me, Kent?” she said. “When I don’t even know who you are.”