Chapter 23 She Doesn’t Know Him
As Yolanda came to the gate, she saw a slender woman chatting animatedly with the guard. The woman was in a leather jacket and a leather skirt as well as knee–high boots with high heels, and her short fiery red hair was particularly eye–catching.
“Jaslyn and I grew up together and went to the same high school and university. I know all about her. You like her TV dramas? Gosh, how could you ever stand her lame acting skills? What? I’m not badmouthing her. We’re so close. About her and Wayne? She always wants others‘ stuff ever since she was a little girl. I guess now she wants others‘ husbands, too.”
The guard was stunned, having trouble digesting so much information all
at once.
Just then, Gemma saw Yolanda and waved at her. Then she continued, “See over Yolanda there? That’s my bestie. You know about her, Antwan, and Jaslyn, right? You have no idea how they screwed her up. She had been with Antwan since university, and everyone knew that. She…”
Yolanda pulled her before she could say more, signaled for her to shut up, and then greeted the guard.
The guard was interested in knowing more and felt a bit disappointed.
“Ma’am, you’re welcome to have some coffee here if you’re free,” he invited Gemma warmly.
Gemma nodded. “Sure. Let’s talk more later.”
Yolanda was utterly speechless. She glared at Gemma before looking over at those two huge suitcases outside the security guard’s booth. “Are you
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and Grady going to move back to Eqifrora?”
“I’m moving back.”
“What do you mean?”
“Grady and I divorced.”
Yolanda was stunned, knowing Grady Shelton was Gemma’s husband–or ex–husband now. “When?”
“Five days ago. He cheated on me.
“How did you find out?”
“I pushed open the door.”
With that, Gemma burst into laughter, which baffled Yolanda.
Noticing the confused look on Yolanda’s face, Gemma explained, “It’s an online meme.
As they walked back to the villa, Gemma kept laughing while looping her arms around Yolanda’s. However, her laughter vanished as she saw Antwan, who came out to dump trash.
Yolanda instinctively reached for Gemma, who was already striding forward.
“My, my. Antwan? It’s been ages. Do you still remember me? I’m from your class. I’m Gemma. I punched you so hard that you ended up in the hospital. Ring any bells?”
Antwan tossed the trash bags into the dumpster before looking at her hair coldly with his hands in his pockets. “You robbed a flamingo?”
Gemma sneered, “You’re still such a big–ass jerk. I heard you lately
introduce yourself to others as ‘the cheater‘?”
Antwan squinted. “You better watch your words.”
“Are you pissed off? Or guilty? If you’re shameless enough to do it, own up to it. It seems you’re pretty proud of what you did.”
“You’re crazy.”
Antwan snorted and turned to go back to his villa.
“I’m not crazy. You’re crazy! What did I warn you back then? Don’t upset Yolanda! You’ve forgotten what I said, right? Stop right there. I’ll send you to the ICU to make sure you have time to reflect on yourself!”
Seeing Gemma wave her fist, ready to go after him, Yolanda stopped her quickly.
“Calm down, Gemma. We’ve talked things out.”
“Talking to him is a waste of time. You should have beaten him up! Jerks like him deserve to end up in the hospital!”
The workers were still working on the floor panels in the villa, but the second floor was done. Yolanda led Gemma into the bedroom and asked her if she had eaten.
“Not at all. I’m holding out for booze at Elvis’s later.”
Yolanda truly admired Gemma, who had cried her eyes out when she and Elvis broke up but later became a good friend of his.
Though Gemma said so, she still fixed Gemma some pasta.
Eating in the small living room on the second floor, Gemma sighed, “Antwan pushes you around exactly because you’re so nice.”
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“How’s the pasta?”
“Good.”
“Then shut up and eat.”
Gemma grinned and then pointed at the villa. “Your fiancé is surely generous.”
Obviously, she had seen the property deed online.
Yolanda asked, “You don’t think I photoshopped it?”
“You wouldn’t bother.” Gemma took another bite of the pasta. “How’s he?”
“I… don’t know. OK, I guess,” Yolanda said.
“What do you mean?”
“We haven’t met.”
Gemma gave her a thumbs–up. “He sent you such a big villa before getting married? Sounds like a stand–up guy.”
“The villa has actually become a burden for me.”
“Silly girl. Do you know how much I got from divorcing Grady?”
“A lot?”
“50 million dollars.” Gemma held up five fingers. “In debt.”
Yolanda frowned. “How so?”
“I was stupid and got played.” Gemma took a deep breath. “So, be lucky that you’ve found a nice guy like your fiancé. Don’t let him slip away.”
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“What are you gonna do?” Yolanda asked.
“Start over in showbiz.”
Yolanda was slightly stunned; only then did she remember that like Jaslyn, Gemma also majored in performance. Before marrying Grady, Gemma had been in a couple of TV dramas though it was all bit parts, and she had never gained much traction.
She said, “I’ve got some money.”
“Then rent me a place first.” Gemma stuck out her tongue.
At night, Gemma insisted on dragging Yolanda to Elvis’s bar.
She said, “I have no connections or resources, so I can’t do this myself. I gotta sign with an agency.”
“OK.” Yolanda didn’t know how things worked in showbiz.
“But I’m not getting any younger, and I’ll be turned down if I go to their doors,” Gemma continued.
“So?”
“Elvis told me the boss of Skyline Entertainment is drinking here tonight, and he’ll set us up.”
As they entered the pub, they saw Antwan and Jaslyn, who were sitting in the yard instead of in a private room.
“Yolanda? How did you know we’re here? Come over and sit.” Jaslyn waved at Yolanda.
Yolanda rolled her eyes deep down, thinking, “She made it sound like I followed them here.
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“How bad luck running into them.”
She was about to pretend she hadn’t heard anything when Gemma pulled her to them.
“You don’t recognize me anymore, Jaslyn?”
Jaslyn sized Gemma up a few seconds before she exclaimed, “Gemma? Is it really you? You look different. Who’s your plastic surgeon?”
Gemma sneered, “I don’t need one. Unlike you, I don’t have a flat nose.”
The smile on Jaslyn’s face faded away. “What brings you back to Eqifrora? Are you planning on acting again?”
“Bingo.
Jaslyn laughed. “You’re funny, Gemma.”
While they were going at it, Yolanda felt a headache coming on. She wanted to walk away, but Gemma pulled her to sit down.
Then Gemma continued, clicking her tongue, “You and Antwan are getting married, right? Gosh, that’s so fast. Having a backup has made you so confident, huh? Congratulations, Jaslyn. You finally gave your simp a shot. And congratulations to you, too, Antwan. You finally get to marry your beloved and become a father without having to contribute anything.”
Yolanda tried her best to hold up her laughter but failed.
Antwan glared at Gemma before turning to Jaslyn. “Let’s go to a private room. Remind me to talk to Elvis later–he should ban crazy people from coming in.”
Being ridiculed by Gemma, Jaslyn pulled a long face. Just then, their friend arrived.
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“Jaslyn, Antwan, look who I brought!”
Yolanda turned around and saw Sidney McClure, a friend of Jaslyn.
Beside Sidney was a tall, handsome man in white casual clothes.
Yolanda was slightly stunned. She didn’t know him … did she?
