Gina swallowed nervously, not quite understanding why her heart was pounding so rapidly, but she didn't need to expand on that thought because she knew exactly why that was the case.

It was Knox.

She was able to make out the back of his head as soon as her eyes caught glimpse of the two men seated at the poolside. Sergei was facing her but he didn't spot her as yet and so it gave Gina some more time to compose herself.

"Dad, good morning," she said as she walked through the opened glass doors, a smile plastered on her face.

Sergei stood to give Gina a welcoming peck on the cheek, smiling faintly at her. "I was just about to call you," he said.

Gina watched as his father sat, his salt and pepper colored hair cut neatly. His face wrinkled at certain areas but the firmness of his hazel gaze was enough to tell how strict of a man he was.

She turned to regard the man seated opposite her father, now standing. Gina held her breath shortly as her gaze met with his grey one. His form was looming, his shoulders broad, strapped in a neatly tailored suit. Gina's gaze lingered on Knox's face for longer than she anticipated, noting the unnoticeable changes that he had undergone over the years. He was still the same, Gina realised in what seemed like a tad of amazement.

"Knox, fancy seeing you here," she said, turning once again to face her father.

"Dad, you wanted to talk to me?" she asked.

Sergei gestured towards a chair. "Have a seat, sweetheart."

Gina was hesitant but she eventually sat. "Where's mom?"

"She's gone to church."

Gina cleared her throat, not wanting to even glance in Knox's direction. She didn't want to meet his brooding gaze or see his damn smug, handsome face.

"Knox here just got back from Canada," his father continued, taking a sip of his coffee.

After five years, Gina thought.

She forced a smile. "I don't see what that has to do with me – or you for that matter."

Knox chuckled. "Its nice seeing you again, Gina. You look lovely as always."

Gina wanted to roll her eyes but refrained from doing so, instead reaching for a grape which she popped in her mouth.

"Gina, the man just paid you a compliment," Sergei pointed out in reprove.

"And I refuse to acknowledge it. Now can you please tell me why I'm here and why he is?"

Sergei sent her a warning glare. "You must learn to curb that tongue of yours and you must also learn patience."

Gina sighed. "Dad, I have plans for the evening so could we please get this over with?"

Her words were convincing but each word was as false as the orgasm she had earlier mustered.

There was a tad bit of silence.

"Knox and I have come to a mutual agreement concerning your future," Sergei exclaimed, watching as his daughter's eyes widened.

"A mutual agreement? My future?" Gina reiterated a bit confusedly. She was quite enthused to see where this conversation would lead.

"Yes," he nodded. "You know that Gray Enterprises is flat lining. We are covered in debt and-"

"I know that dad," she quickly interrupted, not too taken with the fact that her father was discussing private matters with a mere stranger.

"Then you must also know that we are desperate for a solid hand to hold us up."

Gina swallowed. "You have other businesses dad, Gray Enterpri-"

"Was handed down to my father from his father and his father's father. It has been in our family for generations - I cannot break tradition, neither will I allow it to crumble," Sergei exclaimed deeply, each word meaningful to him.

"What are you saying and where is Jamie in all of this?"

"Jamie will be informed of whatever I will say to you, later. It is important that you know first."

Gina found that hard to believe considering she wasn't even apart of the company. Jamie, on the other hand was always by their father's side through it all.

"So...?"

"Knox has decided to join hands with us. He's gonna buy Gray Enterprises," Sergei said smiling at them both.

Gina paled. "Are you insane!"

"Not at all my girl. In fact, this might be one of my most level headed decisions."

"Do you even realise you contradicted everything you earlier said. You said you cannot break tradition, but here you are ready to sell to the highest bidder!" Gina railed, unable to believe it all.

"That's where you come in, sweetheart."

Gina's brows knitted. "What are you talking about?" she asked now, more curious than ever.

"The business will still be in our name and it will regain it's strength. Fifty percent of the profit earned will be given to us...but only on one condition."

"What?" Gina sounded breathless.

"You have to marry Knox. He's willing to do all this if you marry him," Sergei informed.

Gina's throat corded as she glared at her father with jaws unhinged. "Are you fûcking kidding me?" she rasped.

"Gina!" her father scolded in disapprove.

"No!" she snapped. "Do you even hear yourself dad?!"

"The company will burn if you don't -"

"Then let it!" she bit out bitterly. "I refuse to be a pawn so you could keep your stupid little business."

Gina began to stand, both men standing with her. "Gina I would not be doing this if it wasn't for everyone's best interest."

Gina gawked. "You mean your best interest?" she rose a brow and without awaiting her father's reply, she fled the poolside.

Sergei went after her, grabbing her arms when she was in the living room.

"Gina!"

Gina twirled to face him, her anger evident. "What!"

"Please, just hear me out," Sergei pleaded.

"I've already heard what I needed to dad, and I can't believe you'd even consider marrying me to a mere stranger - Knox for that matter," she went closer to him. "You know what he did to me, you know how I felt when he left me all those years ago. He made me the mess I am today and yet you want me to marry him so you can strengthen your failing company. What am I to you, a pretty little puppet who will dance to the pulls of your string?" By now her eyes were glistening, but she was too brave for tears.

Sergei's heart broke at his daughter's words and immediately he felt guilty. "It was inconsiderate of me ignore the hurt he put you through and I'm sorry sweetheart, but Knox's a changed man and he is willing to win you back over -"

Gina's scoff stopped him short. "Win me over?" she shook her head. "I'm going."

"Gina!" Sergei called again.

"No!" she blurted. "My answer is no dad so don't ask me again," she pointed out firmly.

"Then I'm afraid you'll have to give up your penthouse suite and your bank cards," he exclaimed tightly.

A muscle ticked in Gina's jaw, the rift in her heart expanding further. "Fine," she said through tightly clenched teeth, watching the evident shock on her father's face.

He was clearly not expecting her to concede. "Gina," he called thereafter, but she was out the door.

By the time Gina got to her car, it had already felt like a bottle of hot sauce was poured in her eyes and heart. They both ached excruciatingly but Gina fought against every tear that threatened to fall.
She couldn't believe her father's request and she couldn't believe Knox had sat there smug and silent while her own father put her to trial. She understood how important the company was to him but it made her question her own importance. Not wanting to further indulge in the ludicrousness of the day at her father's house, Gina drove home, grabbing a quick bite on the way.

There, she mustered everything within her enough strength not to cry and she didn't. She angrily, grabbed her suitcases from her closet and began to throw clothes inside, knowing that her suitcases alone wouldn't do. She had too many clothes.
So instead, she packed her most favored suits with pride, thinking if she wouldn't have anything else at least she'd have that.

Her phone rang and glancing at the screen she realised it was Frederick - a fuck Buddy who always hit her up when he was in town. Though he was a good enough lay, this was bad timing.

"Hey, Fred honey, what's up?" she answered casually.

"Hey sweetheart, I'm back in town and I was wondering if we could meet up. I have a lot to do and say to you," his smooth, seductive voice came.

Gina couldn't help her smile. "Mmm, tempting. How long are you here for?"

"I'll tell you when I see you. How about I pick you up this evening at six?"

Gina pondered, biting her lips in thought. "I um, I have some things dealing with right now but I'll call, OK?"

"You OK?"

Gina scratched her head. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Talk to you later, okay?"

"OK, beautiful."

Gina disconnected the call and flopped down on the bed in a huff. Fredrick's call couldn't have come at a worst time. She hardly got to see him and now given the chance, she had all this crap to deal with.
Frederick came along once in awhile. He lived in Oregon but often had business dealings in California. Their love affair started a year ago when Frederick stayed at the very hotel she was in. They met at a bar and with a few greeting words, they were in bed. Two strangers, though he had made love to her like she was his wife. The relationship between them flourished and she had agreed to see him every time he visited. Sometimes he didn't come until months apart but sex was all there was to it til this date.

The room phone buzzed, Gina realising it to be the concierge who informed her of her mother's visit.

Gina sighed, knowing exactly why her mother was there.

________________________

Author's note:

Hey guys! Enjoying so far? *wiggles eyebrows*. What do you guys think of Gina's reaction ....in fact, the whole situation.

And who is this Fred?

Consider leaving a vote/ comment and share with friends if you liked. ;)

Thanks guys, until next time,
Laters baby,
Xoxo
Juju