17 Emotional Damage Compensation

Gemma's POV

After that day, I have dinner with the Ramos couple once more. As usual, they drop me off at the entrance of the neighborhood, as usual, they give me gifts, I wave them goodbye, and then return to Luke's house.

Now, I am in love with Luke's chest.

Lying on him, something suddenly comes to my mind. "The girl who donated her corneas to me graduates from Columbia University."

"Really?" Luke is flipping through TV channels with the remote.

"I remember you graduate from Columbia too, right? Do you know her? Her name is Mary Ramos, she died in a car accident."

Luke switches to the news channel. "I've heard of her."

He stays silent for two seconds, then looks down at me. "Have you gained weight recently?"

"haha, have you noticed? It's been colder lately, and the clothes hide the fat, so I've been indulging a bit."

"No wonder."

I quickly sit up and give him a slap on his chest. "A good boyfriend should be saying, 'No matter if you're fat or skinny, you always look good to me.'"

Luke turns his head to look at me. "A good girlfriend wouldn't hurt her boyfriend."

"How did I hurt you?"

Before I finish speaking, Luke swiftly grabs me, rolls us over on the sofa, and we spin around.

"Do you think getting squashed like this feels good?" Luke doesn't put his full weight on me, supporting himself with one arm on the sofa.

But I am already a bit out of breath, so I quickly beg for mercy, and Luke lets me go.

He lies back down on the sofa, and I lie back on his chest. "Luke, what were you like in college?"

"Why are you suddenly curious about that?"

"I just want to know if you are as cold and distant in college as you are now." I press my chin against Luke's chest, my fingers tracing down from his smooth forehead, teasing his nose.

"Hey, have you ever dated in college? Any girls chased after you?" I continue to ask.

"Does that matter?"

"I'm just curious, I want to know more about you. Come on, tell me!"

"I guess... I was in a relationship."

"Who chased who? Is she pretty? Does she have a good figure? What is her personality like? Outgoing or quiet?"

"Don't get jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"Then what's with your hand around my neck?"

I let go of his neck. "Is she prettier than me?"

Luke stays silent.

"Alright, fine." I get up.

"You said you wouldn't get jealous."

"I'm tired, I'm going home to sleep." I say without looking back and decide not to visit his house the next day either.

The next day, I return to work at the car dealership. During lunch break, I go to the café to get an iced Americano.

As I pick up my coffee and turn around, I see Jacob wiping tables.

I walk over and pat him on the shoulder. "Hey."

Jacob turns around and looks down at me. "What's up?"

Our height difference makes me uncomfortable, especially when I am about to pick a fight. So I take half a step back and clear my throat. "Remember the teddy bear I asked you to buy last time? Give me back the price difference."

Jacob throws the rag onto the table and leans against it with one hand. "What price difference? That is clearly my emotional damage compensation."

I frown. Do people become delusional when they are desperate for money?

"Emotional damage? I hired you to act. The price is fair and transparent. You can't just pocket money you're not supposed to take."

Jacob sneers. "Of course there's emotional damage. I'm young and hot, only 21 years old, and I have to chase after an old woman. Don't I deserve some compensation for that?"

I pant, my chest rising and falling. "Who are you calling an old woman?"

He shrugs, picks up the rag, and starts to walk away. "Whoever answers to it is the old woman."

Fine. Very well.

I haven't encountered such an insolent kid in years.

I stop him in his tracks with just one sentence: "Isn't it $100 for each bad review?"

Jacob slowly turns his head, slightly furrowing his brows. The silver eyebrow stud glints in the sunlight with his movement.

"What do you mean?"

I tilt my head and smile. "You'll soon find out."

Jacob tosses the rag back onto the table again.

"Alright, let's talk this through properly."

He takes off his apron in front of everyone and grabs my hand, pulling me outside.

"Hey! Hey!" I stumble as I walk, worried that the coffee in my other hand might spill at any moment.

Jacob drags me to the alley behind the café and lets go of my hand.

He turns around, grabs my collar, and says, "Are you tired of living? No woman has ever dared to threaten me! You're the first!"

His eyebrows are raised, and his nostrils flare, looking like they can fit two marbles inside.

I think to myself, this is it. Today, I'm not only going to fail at getting my money back, but I might also get physically dealt with.

Just when I am losing all hope, a hand appears, stopping Jacob's hand.

I turn my head, feeling like a princess in a fairy tale being rescued by a prince.

Luke!!!

He is still in his suit, still exuding a powerful aura, and the once arrogant Jacob instantly transforms into a little lamb.

I immediately hide behind Luke.

"What's it this time?" Luke asks.

"He owes me money!" I say.

"That's emotional damage compensation!" Jacob argues.

Luke nods and turns to Jacob. "So, not only do you owe her money, but you're also leaving work without permission and trying to threaten a woman with violence, right?"

"Exactly!" I nod furiously.

Jacob shoots me a vicious look. "First, I don't think she even acts like a woman. Second, this is an economic dispute between the two of us. And third, most importantly..."

He frowns at Luke and says, "Who the hell are you, and why should I listen to you?"

"He's my boss. If you keep acting tough, he'll have every employee give you a bad review!" Now that I have backup, I'm no longer afraid of Jacob.

"You old woman! I'm going to deal with you today!" Jacob is furious and takes a step forward, reaching for my collar.

Of course, Luke stops him once again.

Jacob squints at Luke, then looks at me. "Is he really just your boss?"

I feel like laughing.

Finally, someone has noticed our relationship!

But in the next second, Luke says, "Instead of gossiping, you might want to think about your own situation."

"Do your parents know you're out here causing trouble? Could it be a waste to have sent you here?"

Jacob's pupils tremble for a moment.

"How do you know—how do you know—" He stammers for a few seconds before speaking.

"If you think life is too easy right now and you want more hardships, I can help relay that message." Luke smiles.

"You—you just wait!" Jacob spits out a threat but speeds up his steps, almost flying back into the café.

I watch Jacob's disappearing figure and turn to Luke. "What's his family background? Do you know his parents?"

"How much does he owe you?" Luke doesn't answer my question.

I tell him the amount.

He takes out his phone and immediately transfers the money to me. Then, he looks down at his watch. "Lunch break is over, Miss Gemma. Shouldn't you go back to work?"

Without waiting for my response, he walks straight back toward the dealership.

I follow closely behind. "Boss, you're so handsome, I love you so much."

Luke smiles but doesn't respond.

I speed up and repeat, "Did you hear me, boss? You're so handsome."

Luke nods. "Not only did I hear you, but the cleaning lady from the dealership who just walked by also heard you."

What?!

I quickly look in the direction Luke points, only to realize I've been tricked.

I frown and turn to look at Luke, just about to scold him, when I turn around and bump into something soft—his lips.

Luke steals a kiss from me.

Surprised at first, I close my eyes and savor this rare kiss.

At some point, I hear Luke whisper, "You're cute today too."