Thirty Seven

I arrived in front of the Inglewood Hospital in Los Angeles at seven o'clock in the morning. I hadn't eaten anything and hadn't slept because I was so worried. Darius, as he grew older, was terrified like a young boy. There is nothing that can be done to alleviate a woman's fear when she gives birth. If the mother does not survive, the child's life is in jeopardy. Even though my ex-wife abandoned me, I was grateful to her for giving me three children. I went inside the hospital to look for Darius' room, but it was difficult to find due to the hospital's size.

Darius walked right out of the room, right next to where I was standing.

"Marcus, I'm glad you arrived safely," he said cheerfully, hugging me at the same time.



My gaze was fixed on the room. And my eyes widened as I noticed the woman sitting near the bed, holding the pregnant woman's sleeping hand. So, I believe this pregnant woman was Darius' wife.



"Gianna," I said as Darius wrapped his arms around me.



What exactly is she doing here? Darius is staring at me as he relaxes his grip on me.



"Do you know Gianna?" he inquired.

"Yeah, she's a friend of my daughter," I replied.

I don't want this man to ask me anything about Gianna.



"How about you?" What brings her here? "I inquired of him.



"She is my wife's niece, and I called her because she was needed here." "Darius responded.



I nodded, and it turned out that she had not been contacted because she was in L.A. Since I saw Gianna here, it's a good thing I said yes to Darius' invitation. For the two of us, the world is small. We entered the inside the room.
I was taken aback when I saw who came in with Uncle Darius.

"Gianna, my brother, Marcus, told me that you two are very acquainted," uncle said.



My brow furrowed. W hat is he saying to his brother? For the two of us, the world is small. Who would have guessed that these two were brothers? I just nodded, but I didn't say anything. I rose from my seat and exited the room, but Marcus held my hand. And he whispered something into my ear.

"What's your issue, Gianna?" Will you disregard me in front of someone close to you? Don't waste my patience; when the opportunity arises, I will tell your aunt about the two of us." I told her, but she remained silent and turned pale.

I don't want my aunt to know everything because I know she'll be upset.

"I'm leaving, Uncle Darius and Uncle Marcus," I say as I walk out the door.
In annoyance, I growled. I couldn't accept Gianna's treatment of me as an uncle. I wanted to follow her outside and kiss her in retaliation, but I didn't want any more scandal.

"You've got a day with me, Gianna," I murmured.



When I look at Darius, he has a frown on his face. And I noticed Darius' wife had awoken. She smiled as she looked at me. I returned her smile. The lady is stunning. That is why Gianna is also stunning.

"You must be Marcus," she said, "because your brother told me everything I know about you."

"Yes, nice to meet you," I said. She gave a nod.

"I'm Bianca, and you're very handsome," she said.



I also noticed Darius glancing to the side.


"You offended my feelings, sweetheart. I'm your husband, but you're complementing  my brother. " Darius remarked, enviously.


"You're overreacting, love; you're both handsome in every way, but you're more handsome to me because I love you," Bianca said.

My head shook. This jerk was extremely fortunate to have this woman. He was a womanizer bastard who was completely transformed after meeting a woman who changed his outlook on life. How about me? When did the changes that I've been waiting for arrive?

"Sweetheart, where has Gianna gone?" I didn't notice her. " I overheard Bianca questioning my brother.



"She's out there, and I'm glad Gianna and Marcus know each other," Darius says. This appears to be intriguing. I cracked a grin.


“Seriously? How? "Bianca inquired.


"Don't ask any more questions, sweetheart; that's between them "My younger brother stated.

I'm not sure if he knows anything. But there was something strange about his tone. The door then opens, and Gianna walks in.



Bianca said to Gianna, "Gianna, Dear, I miss you."

"I missed you too, Aunt; I'm already here; can you have the surgery?"I asked.
"Of course, I'm just waiting for you so that if anything bad happens to me, you'll be here," Bianca explained.

"No way! Don't say that!" Gianna exclaimed.
My aunt smiled, and there were nurses with wheelchairs nearby. Uncle Darius exited the operating room. I was concerned about my Aunt's well-being. I hadn't been pregnant before, but I know how difficult it is to give birth to a child. I didn't hold grudges against my mother for various reasons, including the fact that she delivered me so well that I could see the beauty of life. She abandoned her daughter even at the end of the day. I shook my head; sometimes I don't understand what other people are thinking. Most of the time, they're difficult to understand. Marcus and I were remain to the hospital room.
 I took a deep breath and turned to face Gianna, saying.

"Please accept my apologies for treating you as strangers earlier. I was taken aback to see you here. That's why I'm at a loss for words "I stated.


I gave a slight smile and said,



"Gianna, would you mind accompanying me to a restaurant? I'm so hungry; I didn't eat a single meal while I was in the Philippines." In hushed tones, I said.

I accompanied him because I, too, needed to eat.

"Let's go," I said as I walked out of the room, and he followed me out of the hospital.

"Marcus, how many times have you been here?" Gianna inquired.
As we walked alongside each other,

"I can't count, Gianna," I replied.

“Seriously? Because you are wealthy, you can travel to different countries." She compares herself to a child.

I shook my head in response to what she said.

"No, it's for business; I came here last year," I replied.

"Where can we get something delicious to eat?" I'd like to try eating a pricey dish "I stated.

I don't care what Marcus thinks about my behavior right now because I've only just arrived here, and it's okay to be ignorant sometimes. 


"The first place I went here was Cole's Restaurant, and their cooked steaks and everything else are delicious " My response.

“Seriously? But it might be too expensive," she grumbled.

"Sort of, but I invited you, so I'll pay for what you eat," I explained.

"It's humiliating for you, Marcus," she said.

"Don't be," I said as we took a taxi to the restaurant where I mentioned Gianna.

We entered, and the waitress greeted us with a wide smile.

"Welcome to Cole's restaurant in Los Angeles," she says.

"Thank you," Gianna responded.

We sat near the corner because there are still a lot of people who haven't sat down. I noticed Gianna was dazed, and she seemed uneasy. I recognized her because I knew it was her first trip to another country. I took her hand in mine and drew her into the empty seat.

"Relax, Gianna, they won't bite," I assured her.

"I'm so overwhelmed, Marcus; I'm surrounded by Americans," she explained.

I burst out laughing. It's a pleasure to be with her. I never imagined we'd be here in another country together. The waiter handed me their menu, which I accepted.

My eyes widen as I see that their shrimp costs $180 per serve. I appeared to want to get up and leave. And I knew it was only for one person to serve.

"What's the matter, Gianna? Is there a problem?" Marcus asked me.

"Isn't there a cheaper restaurant nearby?" I ask.

He shook his head.

"We're in another country, Gianna; what do you expect? Choose what you want, and I'll pay," he explained.

I nodded and gave the order. We began eating a few minutes later.

"I can't believe you and Uncle Darius are brothers," Gianna said to me.

"I am my parents' only child. Darius was legally adopted by my parents, which is why we were brothers and shared the same surname." I replied, and she nodded.

"Really?

"Gianna explained.

"Yes, he likes to travel around the world, so we don't get along," I explained.

"Before that, he was my Aunt's ex-boyfriend.They split up because Uncle Darius was going abroad and my Aunt had her first husband, who later left her. So, after all these years, they finally met again. So they brought back in each other's arm," Gianna said, smiling sweetly.

"I see, it's good because they've reconciled."

"There are still second chances," I explained.

When I looked at Gianna, she was sad.

"However, not all relationships that end in divorce have a second chance," she says.

"Do you still hope he'll come back to you?" I ask.

She was silent, as if she was thinking.

"Why would I do that, hoping for something for which there is no hope? I'm not a moron. " She responded.

"How about you just give me a chance?" I asked her.

"Is it up to here, Marcus? That's what you say? I'm not ready for a relationship right now," she explained.
My head shook.

"When are you going to be ready, Gianna, when it's too late?  If you don't always avoid me, I'll court you and tell you how much I love you," I told her solemnly.

She didn't say anything in response to what I said. Marcus's words suffocated me. Is this man courting me? And then here, really in Los Angeles?

I used a napkin to wipe my mouth.


"Marcus, please don't impose this on me. I, too, am unable to repay. " I explained to him.

It was as if she had kicked me in the stomach. I hadn't even begun, but I'm already busted. It's difficult to imagine a woman rejecting someone like me. How much pain did she go through just so she couldn't give me a chance? I gasped. It hurts for me, so I called the waiter and took the bill from him.

I'd like to leave it in front of her because I can't stand her rejections.

"I'm going to the restroom because I need to pee," I excuse myself to her.

She nodded and resumed her meal. I went to the bathroom and peed. Out of resentment, I punched the toilet wall. When I returned to our table after leaving, I noticed she was already waiting outside the restaurant. Perhaps Darius' wife's operation will be successful, allowing me to return to the Philippines tonight. I don't want to stay much longer because I'm tired of seeing Gianna all the time. Seeing her always reminds me of her rejection of me.
Seeing her was always like torture for me because I didn't get to be with her very often, so there was no point in staying and being with her if I didn't have her instead.

"Let's go, Gianna," I told her as I walked to find a taxi.

I, too, board the taxi with Gianna. Then, at exactly five o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at the hospital. After I paid the driver, we went out. We entered the hospital together and went to Darius's room. I opened the door and walked in.


Then I noticed Darius standing near the bed, while Bianca lay on it. So I know the operation was a success. Then I heard Gianna ask Darius.

"How's the operation going, Uncle?" I ask.

"Thank God, Gianna! The operation went smoothly, and both your aunt and the baby survive unharmed," Darius said, and I took a deep breath.

 "Congratulations, Brother," I said as I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Marcus; your presence helps me deal with my anxiety," he said.


I burst out laughing.

"That was so gay, Darius, but you're welcome." I said.

"What is the gender of a baby?" I asked once more.

"It's a baby boy," he said cheerfully.

This bastard has become a father for the first time after all these years.