by Andromeda
"What the hell was that?" Giovanni growls at me.
"Look Gio, I know what I smelt,” I say, trying to get him to understand. “That man is drunk! And if he’s operating on Laura, then…”
"Be silent!” he barks, cutting me off. “You don't know what you're talking about! Paul wouldn't do that!"
"Gio..." I whisper in shock
He holds up his hand. "This conversation is over; I don't believe you."
I glare at him. "Gio, I'm telling you the truth!"
He grabs my arm painfully. "Listen here, you do not have the right to argue with me, or have you forgotten your place? You are here to give me pleasure while also giving me a child. One word from me, and you'll be kicked out of this program!"
I yank my arm free and slap him hard across the face. "Screw you, Rinaldi," I snarl, marching off while tearing my gown and shoving it into the cleaning bin. Walking across the hall, I go into the opposite viewing room watching them.
********************************
Giovanni
What the hell just happened? What the hell did I just say to my Angel? I look across at the other viewing room at Malaika, who is trying her hardest to not look at me. We just had our first big fight, but...I'm not wrong. I mean, of course I'm not wrong. She must have been mistaken; Paul wouldn't do dare such a thing such as drinking before an operation. He knows the risks; he knows the consequences of doing such a thing...but why would she say he did if he didn't? I'm so confused. A ding on my phone catches my attention and I step out; of course, it's Brittany.
Brittany: Hello my love
Me: Stop calling me that Brittany
Brittany: Aww what's the matter? If your side piece not satisfying you?
Me: How did you know?
Brittany: I know a lot of things Gio, but don't worry, I don't feel threatened by her
Me: Brittany, we are not together
Brittany: Good because you're mine
Me: No I'm not, Brittany I told you we aren't together any more.
Brittany: You didn't say that 8 months ago…
I go to respond when a commotion downstairs catches my attention. The girl on the table begins to wiggle and Paul...Paul looks to be fast asleep!
Suddenly, Malaika bursts in; wearing a mask, she barks something at Paul and it wakes him. He fixes the girl’s anesthesia, but he is thrown out of the OR. Malaika looks up at me, her eyes glowering with angry fire and, some unshed tears. I turn back to my phone.
Me: Brittany I have to go but we'll continue this conversation later.
Brittany: Alright Gio, I can't wait to see you in a bit, I have a surprise for you!
I run out of the viewing room and find Paul pacing the floor, rubbing his eyes.
"What the hell was that?!" I yell at him.
He looks at me. "Huh?”
"She's was right, wasn't she?" I ask, my voice dangerously low.
“Of course not,” he says. “Look Gio, you know I work long nights, just was a bit tired. I’ll be fine to continue…”
I shake my head firmly. “No, you’re not doing that in my hospital. Go back to New York.”
“Giovanni!” he snaps. “You would give us up for…that girl? It’s because of her you’re acting this way, aren’t you?”
I don’t answer; instead, I turn away and stalk off in search of Malaika. I find her with her friends, but freeze in my steps when I see one of the men has his arms wrapped around her. My blood begins to boil. How dare she let another man hold her? I'm the only one that’s supposed to be that close to her!
"A-hem," I cough. They all turn; Malaika's eyes narrow, and she turns away. "Um...Dr. Robin, can I talk to you?" I ask
The Asian woman looks at her and they have a silent conversation before she walks out of the man's arms and over to me.
"Yes?" she says. "Mr. Rinaldi?"
I mentally flinch at her sharp tone and the way she says my name. "L...look," I stammer. "I'm sorry..."
She holds up her hand. "Save it, Rinaldi," she snarls. "I've never lied to you before and you know that. I tried telling you something and you brushed it off! You can save your apology and shove it up your ass for all I care!"
Turning on her heels, she marches off and steps back into the arms of her male friends. I ball my fists, trying to keep my temper in check. I want so badly to march over there and tear her from that man's arms, and have her in my own where she belongs; but I won't, and I don't. Leaving them, I hop into my car and drive home.
Chapter Eleven: Memories of the Past Come to Life
Malaika
Ding!
You can't hide from me…
Ding!
You're mine and mine only…
Ding!
I'm back Heaven, and I'm coming for you and my daughter…
With a yell, I throw my phone against the wall, smiling with satisfaction as it breaks. Getting a hammer, I pound it until it's nothing more than little pieces. I'm not letting him get to me. I'm not letting him get to my daughter! I'll kill him before he lays another hand on me!
Tears begin to slip down my cheeks as I remember my life with Derrick, and the pain that he's caused me—not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally. After him, I swore that I'd never let another man into my life. And then there is Giovanni...
I shudder and push him away. It's been almost three months since that little incident with Paul, and while he's tried to reach out to me, I've pushed him away. He should have believed me; I've never lied to him before. Why in the hell did he think I'd start then? I remember the burning anger in his eyes when he saw me in Marcus' arms. The man was just holding me as I cried, but I did get a little satisfaction in seeing Giovanni's face.
My stomach growls and getting up, I walk to the kitchen and open the fridge. Realization slaps me in the face. I forgot to make groceries, and right now I don't want to go out and get them. We have some food, but my siblings need that; I can pig out at work tomorrow. Getting a bottle of juice, I walk into the living room and see my siblings and Robyn lounging around. For some unknown reason, it irritates me. I honestly have no idea since I’m normally the most even-tempered person in the world.
"Why are you guys all laying around?" I snap.
They look at me; they know that me being irritable isn't me and brush it off.
"It's a beautiful day!" I continue. "Why don't you go outside?"
Robyn looks up. "Mamman, can we go to the park?"
"Why not?" I shrug. "Everyone, go get dressed."
I go to my room and change into sandy-brown shorts, a white and gold halter-top, and black sneakers. Pulling my hair into two pigtails, I get my keys and we all pile into our car. It's a tight fit as Jordan is almost 6-feet now, and Grace is close behind him in height.
The drive is a fast one and when we get out, we all smile. Apparently, the park is having a kite festival and thousands of beautiful kites flutter in the breeze. Shrieking with joy they run around, laughing as they get this faces painted, fly some kites, and even play catch with a stray Golden Retriever. I watch them smiling, but when my stomach growls I find a hot dog cart and order a couple.
The man nods and begins to make them, but when he opens a container marked grilled onions, a strange feeling of nausea washes over to me. Running to the nearest trash bin, I throw up. I retch a second time, a third time, a fourth time a fifth time; until my throat is raw and my stomach is empty of everything. Shaking, I wipe my mouth, swaying slightly as dizziness suddenly kicks in.
"Mala?" Ruby says as my siblings appear at my side. "Are you alright?"
No, I'm not alright. I've been throwing up for the last two weeks straight and...wait a second. I've stopped bleeding. I'm never late, but I brushed it off as stress. My breasts are tender; I know that because Jordan bumped into me the other day, and I screamed as if he had stabbed me in the heart. I also have had a craving for apricots and peaches. My mind works over time as I try to remember the last time I was with Giovanni. The day before the Paul si
tuation...my eyes widen in realization; these are the signs I had when I was pregnant with Robyn.
"We have to go to the hospital," I tell them, my voice brooking no argument.
They all whine, but climb into the car. I drive down the streets like a mad woman, my nails digging into the steering wheel. When we pull up, I park and then run inside, going up to Glitterland (it's what we call the 4th floor since everything is covered in glitter and stickers). I put my siblings into the entertainment room while I go looking for Pearl. I yank her into a separate room and close the door.
"Take my blood," I say.
"I'm sorry, what?" she asks in confusion.
"Just do it!" I snap, baring my arm. "And run every test. Please Pearl."
Raising an eyebrow, she shrugs and puts on some gloves while gathering the needle. Cleaning my arm, I flinch at the sharp prick. She collects 3 vials and looks at me.
"What's going on?"
"Just do it," I say, biting my nails. "And rush them. I need to find something out."
********************************
Giovanni
"Goodbye Patty, I'm going home."
"Have a good day, sir."
I wave goodbye to my secretary as I close my door, locking it and walking to the elevator. With groan, I rub the back of my neck. Three months; that's how long it's been since I've talked to Malaika. Three months; that's how long it's been since I've held her in my arms. Three months; that's how long it's been since I heard her laugh.
I've tried my best to reach out to her, to tell her I'm sorry, but she won't hear it. She's always with her friends or busy at work. I clench my fists at the thoughts of some of her male friends. The Spanish one Marcus, the one who was holding her after our little argument. They've grown mighty close over the last couple months. I wonder if they're together. My blood boils at the thought of any other man with her.
She's mine, and I do not share with anyone. What the hell is her problem anyway? I've said I was sorry, but she refuses to have anything to do with me. As much as it kills me to say it, I miss her. I mean, of course I miss the sex, a man has needs, but I miss her presence most of all. Her laugh, her warmth, the way people are just drawn to her. I miss that. Growling, I bang my fist on the walls of the elevator.
Enough of this, I'm acting like a lovesick teenager, not a grown man. She's still bound to our contract to sleep with me whenever I want to. A grin spreads over my face as I remember it. Yes...yes, that's it. I'll remind her of our contract and when we are alone, screw her until she can't walk correctly for a week. Make her forget about this Marcus.
The doors open as I'm thinking of my plan. I'm walking to the front doors when the smell of perfume caresses my nose and a gentle voice says, "Gio..."
For a moment my heart leaps, thinking it's her, that it’s my Angel; but then I see the pale skin on the hand and the perfume...Malaika doesn't wear perfume; she wears scented soaps, her favorite being lavender and brown sugar. The perfume is syrupy sweet, and the voice is thick with desire. Slowly, I turn to around look into the eyes of Brittany. I can't help but roam my eyes over her.
She's tall, but not nearly as tall at Malaika. Her flawless skin is still the color of porcelain; I remember her telling me she bathes in cold water twice a day to keep the look. Her long blond hair is done into a perfect bun with a jade pin, not a single hair is out of place. Her large eyes are clear, her sky-blue eyes looking at me. Beautiful, of course, but they have something hidden behind them. She's wearing a grey dress that falls to her knees; strange for this kind of weather, if you ask me. I can't help but compare her to Malaika as I look over her.
The porcelain skin is in stark contrast to Malaika's coffee, the straight blond hair that is perfect in stark contrast to Malaika's curly and wild dark-brown hair that is anything but perfect. The blue eyes are shaped in perfect circles, in stark contrast to Malaika's almond-shaped hazel eyes, which are mainly green but flecked with gold. The thin lips, now plump I'm sure with injections, in stark contrast with Malaika's naturally kissable lips.
I feel myself getting hard just thinking about her, and then I hear Brittany giggle. "Is that a log in your pants, or are you just happy to see me?"
"W...what are you doing here, Brittany?" I ask; my voice is thick because of my thoughts of my Angel.
"I had a business meeting," she says. "But I also came here...to see you..."
Those blue eyes hold me in place; I try to fight against her spell. "Brittany..."
Smiling, she leans close, running her hands over my chest. "I missed you Gio...I missed our wild nights and passion. What happened to us?"
"You cheated on me with my cousin," I snap. I'm getting tired of her bullshit—coming here to my hospital, and trying to get back in my pants I'm sure.
"Still holding that grudge, are we?" she asks. "I brought a present to make you feel better."
"And what might that be?" I ask.
Grinning at me, she unwraps her trench coat and opens it; my jaw drops to the ground. She's...pregnant...and heavily, if I might say so.
"Remember the last time we were together, Gio?" she asks. "About 8 months ago...well...you left me a little gift. One that I hope to share with you..."
Slowly, I reach out my hand, touching her stomach as I feel movement inside. Strangely...I don't feel anything; like a connection. I've heard that the father will normally feel a connection with his child while it's in the womb, but...I don't feel anything.
Brittany smiles at me, pressing her hand over mine. "You're going to be a father, Gio..."
I'm going to be a father...
********************************
Malaika
"Well, did you find anything?" I ask Pearl when she comes back.
Pearl looks at my chart. "Blood count is normal. No diseases or anything. Mala, I don't see...wait a second, that can't be right."
I look at her. "What?"
"It says here that you hCG level is 229,000 mIU/ml," she says
My heart stops. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (better known as hCG) is produced during pregnancy. It is made by cells formed in the placenta, which nourish the egg after it has been fertilized and becomes attached to the uterine wall. For me to have that high a count...
"I'm pregnant..."
"Almost 3-months, I'd say," Pearl says nodding. "But this can't be right..."
"No, it's right," I say, jumping down. "It's so very, very right! Thanks Pearl!"
I run out of the room and to Giovanni's office, knocking on the door but there is no answer. I look at the woman sitting at a desk across it and walk over. "Do you know where he went?"
She looks at me, Patty knows about us (one of a few people who do), and has always been kind to me.
"You just missed him," she says. "Why don't you give him a call?"
"I er...broke my phone."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me think...you just might be able to catch him if you run."
"Thanks, Patty!"
"You're welcome, and congratulations."
"Huh?"
She laughs. "My dear, I've had 4 children myself and you are glowing. Congratulations to you both."
Smiling, I dip my head in thanks and run to the elevator, pressing the button like crazy. When they open, I see that his back is to me.
"Gio I..." I stop when he turns around.
Standing next to him is a woman, a heavily pregnant woman and...his hand is on her belly. The woman looks at me, a tall blond with skin the color of milk. She's not as tall as me, of course. I'm almost as tall as Giovanni; she stands most likely at my chin. Her sky-blue eyes are breathtakingly beautiful...but cold as ice.
Walking over to me, she holds out her hand. "Hi, I'm Brittany. How do you know my fiancé?"
My heart feels as if it's been torn from my chest. Fiancé? He's never told me anything of the sort, not even close. I mean, I know he's been with other women before me, but...tears begin to form in my eyes and she sneers.
"Oh I'm sorry honey,
you must be the side piece that's been screwing him."
That does it. Giovanni looks at me, taking a step forward. "Malaika please..."
I slap him hard across the face. "You bastard," I choke.
Turning around I run, shoving people out of the way as I try to get away from him.
"Mala, stop!" a sharp voice calls out, grabbing my arm but I yank it free.
"Don't touch me," I spit.
Pushing him back, I turn and run again; the stairs are my only option to get away from him. As I begin my descent, I feel firm hands grab me, and for a moment I think it's him. My mouth opens to shout at him, but the hands suddenly give me a hard shove. An ear-piercing scream echoes from my lips as I tumble down 3 flights of stairs before falling at the bottom in a crumbling heap.
"MALA!" a distant voice yells; I recognize it at Pearl's.
She drops to my side, shaking me. "Mala, are you..." she gasps suddenly as I feel something wet between my legs. "She's bleeding! Get a bed here now!"
Hands lift me up, but I'm limp and numb, darkness closing around me.
"My baby," I mummer. "My baby..."
********************************
Giovanni
"...she's losing a lot of blood."
"She just fell down some stairs!"
"What's her blood type?"
"It's AB-."
"What's her heart rate?"
I watch as ten people work on Malaika's crumpled form. She's hooked up to tubes and wires, her breathing coming slowly.
"What the hell happened?" her friend Pearl growls at me. She's clearly in charge, and is beyond pissed.
"S...she fell down the stairs..." I choke.
"Did you push her?"
"Why the hell would I do that?!" I roar at her.
She rolls her eyes and looks around. "Where's the OB?"
OB?
My eyes widen as a woman comes into the room. She sits in front of Malaika and spreads a blue-ish jelly on her stomach.
"I can't hear a heartbeat," she says, looking at the ultrasound machine.
"Malaika's?" I gasp.
"No you dumb ass, the baby's!" Pearl snaps at me.
My heart freezes in my chest. "W...what did you say?" I choke.
"She is...well was...pregnant," she snaps, turning back to Malaika.
