She shook her head.“It really was the kind thing, Saif.”She sighed.“I can do this, Saif,” gesturing to the room.“I can turn this company around.”
“I know that you can.If I had doubts, I would have fired you and reported your brother to the police.”
She swallowed.Jemma had almost forgotten about Jasper’s vandalism.“He’s getting a job.Anafter-schoolposition at the library.He’s already been hired.”She pushed away from the table and crossed her arms over herchest.“It doesn’t pay much, but it’s something and he’ll eventually pay you back.”
He shook his head.“You’re paying me back, Jemma.Here.That’s the deal.”He came around the table, ignoring the small, black box as he approached her.“You will turn this place around and the profits from the company will pay me back for the destruction Jaspercreated in my office.”
“And if I fail?”
“You won’t,” he countered.
“But what if I do?”
The corners of his lips twitched.“You won’t.”Heheaded for the door.“I’ll be back in a week.I expect a report on your progress.”
Then he was gone.Jemma stared at the door, wondering why he had so much confidence in her.Then she looked around, her eyeslandingon the small, black box.Was itmorejewelry?He had to know that she would sell whatever he gave her!
Wait!She didn’t have that massive debt hanging over her head any longer!She could tell the debt collectors to go to hell!She’d done some online research last night before working on her business plan.And Saif had been right.She and Jasper hadn’t inherited her mother’s medical debt.She was free and clear.
She eyedthe box.What had he given her?Unable to ignore herburningcuriosity, Jemma walked to the other end of the conference room table.After tugging at the satin ribbon,which fell away, she lifted the black box and opened the lid.But there wasn’tjewelryinside.Instead, shefound…a key fob?Pulling itfromthe box, she stared at the emblem of a luxury car brand.It still took her severalbreaths before she understood.
Saif had bought her a car!
Chapter 16
“Can I take your new car to pick up groceries?”Jasper called out.
Jemma glanced up from the floor where she and Jayla were playing.“No way, dude.”
Jasper’s teenage groan was immediate.“Come on, Jemma!The store’s only a mile away!”
“Take the grocery cart,” she said, smiling as Jayla attempted to stuff a toy into her mouth—too big to fit, so she just transferred it from hand to hand, studying it intently.
“No way.I look like a dork with that thing.”
Jemma laughed.“Last time you left it behind, you whined about carrying all the bags back.”She lifted Jayla into her lap.“Besides, the new car is for business only.It’s registered to Overlock Corporation, so legally I can’t use it for errands.Just meetings and work.”
Jasper flipped the apartment keys around his finger.“How is he?”
She didn’t have to ask who he meant.“Saif is… good.”Better than good, she thought, remembering that last smoldering look he gave her before leaving the conference room.
There was a pause.
“Did he ask about me?”Jasper asked, voice lower now.
Jemma’s heart clenched.“Yeah.He did.”
She hadn’t told him about the mess he’d caused—how she was now under Saif’s thumb because of that “prank.”
“I’m really sorry,” Jasper said, walking over and plucking Jayla from her arms like a human shield.He sat down, holding his niece protectively.
“About what?”
“You know what.”He sighed.“I messed up, Jem.”He didn’t look at her.
“Yeah.Ya did.”She tilted her head slightly.“Why did you do it.”
“You know.”He took Jayla’s hands, smiling slightly when her little fingers curled around his bigger one.
