Chapter 51: Family Business

\[Gianna’s POV\]

I sit silently, watching while three separate pairs of eyes stay locked on.

I feel like they’re burning into me, seeing through me, and that they already know the secret that I was doing a piss-poor job at hiding, but when my mother’s expression softens and she lets out a sigh, I brace myself for what she will say to me.

“Gia,” she says gently, and I swallow. “Why on earth didn’t you tell us that you were sick?”

Eyes widening, I stare in disbelief as confusion and relief rush through me, but it is short-lived as my mother’s expression starts hardening.

“Didn’t I already tell you that if you started to get sick from that ridiculous career you chose, I would oppose it?”

There it was. My mother’s normal spiel when it came to my choice to be a model.

When I first announced what I intended to do, she made it clear that she wasn’t happy about it, and each time she saw me, she fussed over me.

Either I looked too tired or I lost too much weight, and now here I was, puking my guts up, and she thought it was because of my being overworked instead of her knowing about my accidental pregnancy.

And thinking on the accidental pregnancy… I turn my gaze to Grant, who sits silently, his gaze locked on me like a hawk, and I know right then and there that he remembers me.

“I’m so sorry you had to witness such a thing.” My mother says, addressing the man in question. “It’s just that Gianna has been pushing herself too hard recently.”

“It’s alright,” Grant says, his voice deep and gentle. “Things happen.”

Things happen.

It was almost laughable to hear him say that because things did happen, and he had no idea, and honestly, I didn’t have any intention of telling him.

“Still,” my mother continues as Anthony makes his appearance with a cup of water in hand. “I’m sorry regardless.”

“You don’t need to apologize,” Anthony tells my mother, passing me the water. “But maybe we should reschedule this dinner. I’m sure that Gianna probably wants to go home and rest, right?”

For a moment, I don’t speak as appreciation for Anthony’s thoughtfulness moves through me, but that appreciation is short-lived when he turns his gaze to Grant.

“You’re heading in the same direction as Gianna’s place,” he says to his brother. “Would you mind taking her home?”

No. I hiss inwardly while remaining silent outwardly. Don’t do that. You’re not making things better.

“Sure,” Grant responds, and I consider making a run for it, but instead, I begin to give in to my fucked-up fate. “But only if she is fine with it.”

As he speaks, he turns his gaze to me, and I know that those hazel eyes are silently asking whether or not I was fine with being alone in a car with him.

I mean, it was almost laughable that he would question it since we were already alone and for a much more…hot… reason, but even then I want to say no.

“I needed to stop by the pharmacy,” I say slowly. “I can drive myself.”

“But what if you get sick again?” My mother asks, worry coloring her words. “You could wreck or…”

“I’m fine,” I say, slowly standing. “It was just a bout of nausea, nothing more.”

Growing quiet, I wait while my mother stares at me, her gaze screaming that she didn’t trust me to drive myself home.

“If she’s fine, you shouldn’t push her.” Grant says, coming to my rescue. “It’s understandable that a young woman wouldn’t want to be in a car with a stranger.”

A stranger.

At his words, I give him a look, and when he winks at me, I feel myself flushing a bit because the smile that accompanies that wink is to die for.

I was sure that he knew just how enticing he was with those stormy eyes and messy brown locks that are currently slicked back.

Not to mention that body that I had the perfect view of just a few months ago.

Wait… Where the hell was my mind going right now?

Why was I letting myself get drawn in by the man when I should be avoiding him like the plague so he didn’t find out about the baby?

Shaking off my useless thoughts, I turn my gaze to my mother and give her a smile.

“I’m fine,” I tell her, moving forward and grabbing her hand gently. “I’m sorry for ruining our get-together. I promise that next time we meet I will be the picture of perfect health.”

“Okay,” my mother sighs. “But please call me when you get home so that I know you got there safely.”

“Of course,” I tell her.

Officially free of my mother’s worry, I give her a quick hug and then turn to Anthony.

“Sorry that we couldn’t catch up.” I tell him. “Please continue to take care of my mother for me.”

“Of course,” he smiles. “And you make sure to take care of your health properly.”

“I will,” I assure him. “Well then,” I continue. “I’ll get going.”

“I should head out too,” Grant announces, and I find that he is watching me suspiciously. “I’ve got some business to attend to anyway.”

“Of course,” Anthony chuckles. “I forget that my little brother is a busy man.”

“He should be,” my mother chirps. “He is going to be the CEO of your family’s company, right?”

Their family’s company?

I knew that Anthony came from money, but I never asked what company it was that his family ran, and because of that, I found myself slightly intrigued.

“What’s the company?” I ask before I can stop myself.

“A&D Industries,” Anthony responds, and I feel my heart drop. “Isn’t that great?” He smiles though I don’t feel that way at all. “He will be running your modeling agency.”

“He…what?” I rasp, feeling like I must have misheard him even though I knew that I didn’t. “You said he…”

“That’s right,” Anthony confirms while Grant remains silent. “I didn’t mention it before because I didn’t want you to feel like you were receiving favoritism, but my family owns your modeling agency, and now Grant will be your new boss. Isn't that great?"

"Yyyyeeeaaahhhh," I manage, though I know that my reply is nowhere near excited enough. "It's really great."