A Secret Between Us

A Deal With Destiny

Gemma's thoughts were racing as she gazed at her bedroom ceiling. She had been unable to fall asleep the entire night, with her mother's text message constantly playing in her mind. It was all too much. Marcus's treachery, Aurora's arrogance, and her parents' callousness, are now a weird text.

She could still hear her grandmother's weak, feeble voice from their previous chat.

"Gemma, you're stronger than this. You must be.” but with everything around her collapsing, how could she remain strong?

She was distracted from her thoughts as her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Her mother texted her, saying,

“Arrive by ten o'clock” Not negotiable.”

Gemma let out a groan. Although she didn't want to get into another disagreement, her mother's tone made it impossible to argue. She eventually dragged herself out of bed and into the shower as the clock hit nine. She put on trousers and a cardigan, picked up her purse, and headed to her parents' place without bothering with cosmetics or an elaborate outfit.

The Alexander mansion's air felt heavier than before. With her hands gripping the bottom edge of her skirt, Gemma sat on the study's velvet couch. The antique clock on the wall was the only sound to break the terrible quiet in the room. Her mother sipped tea and browsed through her phone . The morning paper was being read by her father, who was seated opposite her. It wasn't until Gemma cleared her throat that they both looked up.

“You’re late,” her mother said bluntly.

She looked at the wall-mounted clock, it was precisely 10 o'clock. She fought the urge to react sharply, forcing herself to keep her cool. Instead, she questioned,

"What's this about?"

Her mother clinked her teacup gently and put it down.

"We needed you to be here."

“For what purpose? To sit in an uncomfortable quiet as you tell me how much I've let you down?” the already thin thread of Gemma's patience was weakened by her exhaustion, and she snapped.

Before her mother could reply, the heavy study door creaked open, causing her lips to purse.

As Gemma turned, something appeared to change in the air. Comes a tall, imposing man with sharp features and a presence that seemed to command the room without effort. Even though his dark suit was perfectly fitted and his tie was tied, she was drawn to his gaze. They were unreadable and piercing, like if they were removing her barriers and exposing her.

Matteo Raymond.

Her dad cleared his throat.

“This is Mr. Matteo Raymond, Gemma. Gemma, my daughter, Matteo.”

Matteo's head tilted slightly.

“Miss Alexander." His voice was smooth, deep, and completely cold.

Her senses told Gemma that this man was dangerous, not physically, but in a way that threatened her already shaky world, and her chest tightened. She asked her parents,

“Why is he here?" while continuing to look at Matteo.

Her father gestured for her to sit but she hesitated ,Matteo's calm, waiting eyes shifted to her when she hesitated. She plopped down on one of the seats against her better nature. Opposite her, Matteo sat down, his movements methodical and controlled.

Her father started,

"Mr. Raymond has a proposal."

"One that will help us all."

Gemma asked in surprise.

“A proposal?”

Her mother added in a clipped voice.

“Gemma, this family is caught up in a scandal. What you did…”

“I did not do anything!” Gemma cut in, her voice cracking.

"Marcus betrayed me. Aurora played tricks on him. How can I blame that?”

Her mother dismissively waved her hand.

“In any case, the harm has been done. Our standing is in ruins, and you…”

“Enough”,Matteo cut in, his voice slicing like a dagger through the tension.

All eyes turned to him, and the room became quiet.

“This isn't about assigning blame," he stated, keeping his eyes on Gemma.

“It's about finding a solution. Yes, your family's reputation is tarnished. More significantly, though, your grandmother's care is at risk”

Gemma choked on her breath.

"What do you know about my grandmother?"

"I am aware that she is ill," Matteo answered.

“And that her medical bills are... significant."

Her dad gave a nod.

“Matteo is willing to pay for all of your grandmother's medical care. He will handle every medical bill, prescription, and specialist.”

Gemma felt her heart pounding in her chest. She turned to Matteo and asked,

“Why would you do that?"

His face was unreadable as he leaned forward a little.

"Because I want something in exchange from you."

As she stared at him, her thoughts racing, the room appeared to shrink around her.

“What do you need exactly?"

"A mutually advantageous arrangement," Matteo stated in a measured tone.

“I need someone to support me and help me carry out certain... obligations."

“Obligations?” Gemma repeated, her tone sounds doubtful.

Matteo's mouth tightened.

"At this time, you don't need to know the details. The important thing is that both of our issues would be resolved by this arrangement. The name of your family is restored, and your grandma receives the care she requires.”

Gemma had the impression that the earth was moving under her feet. She uttered, hardly raising her voice above a whisper,

"You're asking me to trade my life for hers."

Matteo's eyes softened slightly.

“Miss Alexander, I'm giving you a choice. And I don’t make this offer lightly.”

Across the table from her, her mother slipped a neat folder.

“All of the terms are present. Although I advise against wasting time, you are welcome to review them if you so like.”

Gemma stared at the folder as if it were a poisonous snake. She wanted to shout, toss it across the room, to ask why they believed they could control her life.

Then she remembered her grandma, who had always been her pillar of support and was kind and unselfish. Gemma could not face the thought of her laying in that hospital bed, weak and defenseless.

“You're manipulating me," she said sourly, her eyes welling with tears.

Her father said in a chilly tone.

“We are offering you a solution to clean up this mess."

Gemma's hands were shaking as she shook her head. She looked over at Matteo.

“What do you gain from this, too? What do you stand to gain?”

His eyes narrowed slightly and his face darkened.

"That’s my business."

“Convenient,” she mumbled, crossing her arms.

A slight smirk formed on Matteo's lips.

"Miss Alexander, you'll see that I'm not a crazy man. However, I keep my word. You can rely on me to look after your grandmother if I make a commitment to do so.”

Trust. Even though the term sounded strange coming from him, she wanted to trust him because of the steady, unwavering tone in which he spoke.

Gemma's mum cleared her throat.

“Gemma, we don't have the entire day."

She felt panic growing in her chest. She felt imprisoned, confined, and like a pawn in a twisted game that she couldn't comprehend..

Her voice trembled as she eventually responded,

“I need time to think."

Her father frowned.

“Time is not a luxury we possess.".”

To silence him, Matteo raised a hand and said,

“Give her until tomorrow."

Gemma blinked in shock, but Matteo's eyes remained fixed. He stated,

“This is not a decision to be made lightly."

"I'm sure you'll choose the right one."

He got out of his chair, his massive body looming over her. He turned and strode to the door without saying another word.

Gemma had a wave of relief as the door clicked behind him, but it was quickly replaced by a crippling sense of anxiety.

The silence was broken by her mother's voice.

“Gemma, don't destroy this. Consider your granny.”

She didn't answer. Rather, she left her parents behind and got up to leave.

Gemma sat at her bedroom window that night and gazed up at the starless sky. Her mind was racing with ideas and feelings, and none of them led to a clear response.

She understood the stakes. Her choice would determine her grandmother's fate. However, the thought of being tied to Matteo Raymond, to a man who radiates authority and dominance and who concealed his intentions… frightened her.

On the nightstand, her phone rang. It was a text from Sarah,

“What's up with you?”

Gemma's throat tightened as she stared at the screen. She quickly replied back,

“Not great. I may need to bargain with the devil.”

Almost instantly, Sarah replied,

“Gem, don't let them break you. You are stronger than this.”

With her friend's comments still ringing in her head, Gemma put down the phone. But more than anything else, one idea tormented her as she lay in bed and stared at the ceiling.

In exchange, what would Matteo Raymond expect from her?