"Yes, I'm leaving you in charge til I get back. There's something I'm dealing with," Knox announced over the phone he had stuck between his head and his shoulder while he sliced a sandwich.

Disconnecting the call, he turned with a tray, pausing when he found Gina standing at the entrance with arms crossed, skeptically looking at him.

    "What're you doing?" she asked.

     "You should be in bed," he said moving towards her.

      "That doesn't answer my question."

Knox stopped in front of her. "I'm taking a few days off work."

    "Why?" she asked crisply.

    "To take care of you."

She scoffed. "I thought I made it clear that I didn't need any taking care of. I'm perfectly fine."

Knox gazed into her fiery eyes, resentment evident in each brown iris. "You aren't fine."

Gina shook her head in disbelief, gritting her teeth. "How soon can the marriage be terminated?" she asked now, frustration gnawing at her as well as the throbbing in her head.

Knox sighed. "We can clearly discuss this when you're better but right now you need to rest."

     "Stop acting like you give a fûck about me or my well-being Knox. I know better," she hissed before marching up the stairs, leaving Knox standing there with the tray still in hand.

Gina flopped down on the bed and sighed, closing her eyes while she massaged her pounding temples. She couldn't even remember where she put her phone and Sally would do good in helping her decide her next move. So without an inkling of what to do, Gina closed her eyes and allowed memories to overwhelm her.

   "Sally, I'm not interested in going out with Connor. He's a total douche," Gina rolled her eyes saying.

Sally huffed. "But he's hot and totally into you," she reminded, raising a suggestive brow.

      "Well I'm tired of the meaningless flirting and hooking up. These guys don't see me, Sal. They see dollar signs first and quite frankly, I'm tired of using myself as entertainment for them," she said taking a slurp of her juice.

Sally managed an empathetic smile. "Look, the right guy is gonna walk in your life and sweep you off your feet when the time is right, trust me."

     "Easy for you to say. You and Jamie are like lovebirds," she said, watching Sally's face light up at the mention of her brother.

     "C'mon GG. We're starting college in a few weeks like OMG, boys are the least of your worries."

     "Yeah, I guess you're right. Listen, I'm gonna get another refill, want one? When Sally shook her head, Gina got up and walked towards the juice dispenser.

Of course she heard the faint whispers that demonstrated how psyched they were to have Gina Gray in their presence. Gina could already bet, a side view of her or even her rear was already on someone's Facebook page with the caption, 'Look who I just met.'

She sighed, deciding on what choice of beverage she would take.

    "The lemonade is really good. A bit watered down sometimes but it's a good choice," a voice intervened in the midst of her thoughts.

Looking up, Gina found a man standing there with a smile on his face, ready to get a fill himself. She knew it was rude to stare- her mother had told her on many counts - but it was hard not to in this case. He was beautiful - simply and utterly beautiful with defined features. Neatly cut dark hair, arrow pointed thick brows that umbrellaed piercing grey eyes.

     "I um, I'm not really a lemonade fan but thanks," she said, managing a smile.

      "You're welcome," he chuckled. "I'm Knox, by the way."

She hesitated. "Gina," she said, looking down at his outstretched hand. Her heart slightly picked up pace as she slowly placed her hand into his. His touch was warm and soft even though his grip was a bit firm.
    Quickly she pulled her hand from his and cleared her throat, hating the blush that warmed her cheeks.

Sally came and found them both staring at each other without a word being said.

     "Well hello, earth to Gina and this handsome stranger," she exclaimed, watching as they both broke apart from the trance they were seemingly in.

Gina wanted to roll her eyes at how stupid she had been for falling for Knox, but more than anything she wanted to cry regardless of the pain coursing through her entire body.
She reached for the glass of water on the night stand, huffing out a breath as she took a gulp along with a painkiller. She sighed after, easing into the comfort of the pillow, allowing sleep to overcome her.

~***~

   A day passed and already Gina could feel herself slightly becoming better. She still had no idea of where her phone was and it was frustrating. She wanted to call someone, she wanted someone to call her but she simply could not sit around with Knox everyday. They barely talked, only in instances where Gina refused anything he brought her, only accepting it from the maid. She definitely did not want anything to do with the man.

Easing up from the bed, Gina paused when he entered. Speak of the devil.

       "I made you soup," he said causing Gina to look down at the steaming bowl in his hand.

      "Not hungry," she flatly stated.

        "I don't believe you. You need to eat something and I'm not leaving until you try it," he said, the strictness returning to his voice.

Gina refrained from gawking in disbelief, only watching as he placed it on the nightstand and stood, watching her with arms crossed. She knew by the look on his face that he wasn't going to budge, so to ease herself of the misery his presence presented, she took the spoon and brought a full scoop to her mouth.
     Knox had never cooked anything except sandwiches for her so Gina expected the worst, but when the flavorful taste touched the tip of her tongue, shocked was how she felt.

She cleared her throat, managing a blank expression. "There."

      "More."

      "The last thing I need is you ordering me around," she bit out in frustration.

      "I know but you won't get better by refusing to eat."

      "I am fine for God's sake, my head is fine so just stop already!" she huffed, glaring at him.

He sighed, eyes strained on the bandage on her head, her beautiful pale face beneath with subtle wrinkles formed from scowling at him. Knox inwardly smiled, tucking his hands into his pocket as he continued to observe.

      "I promise I'll leave you alone for the rest of the day if you drink at least half of this," he said, raising a brow.

     Gina glanced at him and then the bowl of soup, wondering if she should comply but the empty pit in her stomach was more convincing than Knox was. She ate in silence, Knox's presence a bit distracting but Gina thought the quicker she got it over with, the better.

       Knox's phone rang, grating on the silence in the room but quickly he fetched it out of his pocket, glancing at Gina when he saw the caller ID.

      "It's April," he said, his gaze on hers for a brief second before he answered.

      "Hey honey," he greeted, standing while Gina watched him under her lids. "Is everything Ok?" he glanced at her. "I um...I'm not sure sweetheart - this isn't really a good time..." Knox blew out a breath, staring at a curious Gina.

     "What?"

He licked his lips. "She wants to talk to you," he whispered, phone on his chest.

Gina instantly paled, her heart picking up pace. "Me? What? Why?"

Knox shrugged. "Maybe to say hi. I know I'm putting you in a tight spot but maybe it will lift her spirits, please."

Gina saw the evident compassion in his eyes. As hard as it was for her to admit, she somewhat envied the child for having such an effect on Knox. One she could never achieve.

She swallowed. "Ok, fine."

As Knox handed her the phone, Gina found herself a nervous wreck. She cleared her throat, glanced at Knox and muttered, "hello."

      "Hi!" a vibrant voice came. "I'm April and you're Gina, right? Daddy talked about you a lot," she informed, causing Gina to look up at an observant Knox.

Gina had never spoken to a child a day in her life. "Um, yeah...he talked about you too."

April coughed a bit. "I miss him a lot. I don't want to be a bother, but would you mind if I visited with my mom? The doctors gave me the clear to travel."

Gina froze, her lips moving but the words missing. She didn't know how to answer the girl's question. She didn't want to keep Knox from his child and yet she felt conflicted because the fact that Knox was a father created emotions in her she didn't want to understand.

     "Uh, that'd be fine with me but I think you need to discuss it with your...dad. I ah..." Gina trailed off with a sigh. This was all too much.

      "Ok, Thank you and I'm sorry..." she said.

    Gina's brows knitted. "For what?"

      "Causing you guys to break up. I hope you forgive him," she said, causing Gina to go silent once again. Knox slowly took the phone, speaking briefly with April before he hung up.

Gina relayed the entire conversation before she looked up at Knox. "She wants to visit and I told her it was fine but I won't be here when they arrive."

      "Gina..."

  She held up a hand. "No. This is too much. I can't-"

     The last thing Knox wanted was to put her through more distress. "I know but there's something else I've got to tell you."

Gina closed her eyes. "What?" she whispered.

A knock suddenly came on the door, the maid peeking through. "I'm sorry for interrupting but there's a Frederick Lawson at the door. Says he wants to see Mrs Gina."

_______________

Author's note:

Dun dun dunnn! Hey guys, what's up?
Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. So much unpredictable moments to come so I hope you guys stay tuned, but in the meantime, what are your thoughts on the chapter?

Thank you so much for all the support so far!! 😉😉❤❤❤

Until next time...
Laters babies,
Live good, love God
Xoxo ❤❤
- juju