17

"Vin, why aren't you in bed?" Gin questioned, as she removed her heels. "Mum, Kin brought me a box of chocolates. He said I may have two, but I only had three. You're not going to take it ___." "Kin?" Gin's heart stopped beating. Her brain froze or stopped functioning, she could not tell. "He was here?" And that's when her eye caught the stunning red roses on display in the vase. She tried to swallow, the saliva felt like cardboard passing through her windpipe. It was painful. "Let's get you to bed," Gin smiled at Vin. "You won't take my chocolates away will you, mum?" "As long as you go easy on the stuff," she took his hand and led him to his bed. Gin saw the huge tray on Vin's bedside table. Swiss chocolates! Don't we have expensive taste. Good night," Gin cupped his face affectionately. "Did you brush your teeth?" "Yes," he smiled, parting his lips and displaying his teeth for her inspection. "shall I put the light out?" Gin murmured. "Yes," he nodded and promptly closed his eyes. Gin wanted to call Kin, but first, she walked to her mum's bedroom. "Hi dear. Enjoyed the movie?" "Yes thanks," Gin nodded. She had watched some of it, when her mind had not been wondering when she would see Kin again. "Kin was here?" She asked tentatively. "Yes," her mum nodded absently. "I told him you were at the movies with Alice." Gin shut her eyes momentarily. "He was so thoughtful," Shin smiled. Gin's eyes opened again. "He not only brought you roses. He bought chocolates for Vin and Turkish Delight for me." "I believe so," Gin murmured. "Did he seem ___ upset?" "No," Shin shook her head. "Why would he be? Alice is your colleague." Right! "Good night," Gin hugged her mum. 'see you in the morning." Gin got into her bedroom and shut the door. She scrolled down her phone, selected Kin's number, but hesitated, she did not have the courage to hit the call button. I have to do this. I have to do this. She took a huge breath, drawing air into her lungs and pressed the call button. "Oh, you're back from painting the town red with Stuart are you?" Kin's thunderous voice screamed down at her from the ear piece. "You said you were attending that gala," she mumbled, guiltily. That had been Kin's intention. He had confirmed his attendance, but as he'd donned his tux, he'd had an overwhelming desire to see Gin and Vin and had summarily taken the next flight home. He had rushed straight to Gin's … only she was out, getting fresh with another man! 'so you couldn't wait for my back to be turned, to start playing around." "I only went out with Alice___ there's nothing going on between us." "Are you denying that Stuart wants you in his bed?" Kin's deafening voice ravaged her ear again. She was not denying anything. She just wanted to inform him that nothing happened between her and Alice. It had been an innocent outing … on her part. "If I knew you were coming back tonight, I would not have gone out," she murmured softly. "I thought I told you, you were off limits to other men!" Was there any point in arguing with him, when she herself knew the only man she wanted was Kin? She was not sure if her silence was angering him, for he decided to end the call. "I need to get some sleep. I'm on the early shift," Kin cut the connection. "Good night," she whispered and got the disconnected signal. The next morning Gin was on tender hooks when she got to the hospital. She'd expected Kin to come barging into her surgery and have another go at he, but until tea time, he had not made an appearance. Perhaps he was in theatre. When Gin had not heard from him, by lunch time, she was tempted to call him, but her poor ear was not ready for another lashing, so she bit the bullet and stayed put in her surgery. Eventually when hunger pangs gnawed at the walls of her stomach, she dragged herself to the cafeteria. And there he was in the cafeteria, at one of the tables, biting on a sandwich whilst busy on his laptop. He did not look angry, but then Kin was not one to wear his heart on his sleeve. She contemplated, walking past him, getting some lunch and returning to her office, but Kin might construe that as an act of guilt. Summoning the nerve, she dragged her feet to his table. Gin was aware, many pairs of eyes were trained on her. As luck with have it, or was it bad luck? In her peripheral line of vision, she was aware of the two gossip mongers she'd overheard in the ladies rest room. Gin did not look their way, but she could sense their whisperings as she stopped in front of Kin's table. "Hi," Gin murmured. Kin did not bother to look up from his laptop. "Gin," he responded, taking another bite of his sandwich, his eyes glued to his laptop. "How are you?" Gin persevered, with much effort. "Busy," he announced, still not making eye contact with her. How could he be that hurtful? Didn't he know, everyone could see him giving her the cold shoulder? She nodded, even though he could not see. "Enjoy your lunch," she murmured, and walked out of the cafeteria again, her appetite lost. At teatime that afternoon, Gin had the most surprising visit. She stood up, her lips dropping. She was speechless. "Mrs. Arvis!" Gin announced uncomfortably. She was stunned, confused. Was she also going to ask Gin to back away from her son? She wouldn't need to. Kin was definitely capable of keeping her at arm's length. 'thank you," Mrs. Arvis smiled at the gentleman accompanying her. Either he was her driver or perhaps one of the senior security at the hospital, assisting her. "Good day Dr. Mikhayla," Anne Arvis greeted with a tender smile. "Please sit down," Gin rushed around to offer her a seat. "I guess you're wondering why I'm here." Anne smiled. "Hello, Dr, Mikhayla," Nurse Julia waltzed in. Can the bloody woman not keep her nose out of my life for one minute! "May I bring some refreshments in for Mrs. Arvis?" Julia offered Kin's mother one of her toothpaste advert smiles. "Nothing for me, thank you," Anne politely declined. Julia still hovered, making no attempt to leave. 'thank you, Nurse Julia," Gin spoke dismissively. "shout if you need anything," Julia reluctantly dragged herself away. Gin reached across and closed her door. "I'm guessing your visit is to do with Kin," Gin responded to her earlier question uncomfortably. "Yes," she agreed, "but more importantly because of our grandson." Gin took the chair next to the old lady. "I ___ I'm sorry," I didn't tell you," she murmured somewhat guiltily. "May I ask you a personal question?" Silently Gin wanted to die of embarrassment. "Okay," she reluctantly agreed. "Why didn't you sue Kin for maintenance towards his child?" Gin's head fell. "I ___ I was able to manage," she mumbled. "Dr. Mikhayla___." "Please call me Gin," Gin pleaded. 'thank you Gin. "I have come to make an appeal to you," she spoke softly. A feeling of dread rode over Gin, like a virus attacking her system. "Yes." "Marry my son." "What!" Not that your son is talking to me right now. Anne smiled easily. "Vin is our grandson. We want to be a part of his life. You know Kin talks about him all the time, but he told his father you would not marry him and he says he can't blame you___ that he hadn't believed you when you told him ten years ago that you were pregnant with his child." He told his parents all that! 'this is uncomfortable," Gin stood up. "I'm sorry to do that, Gin. My husband and I would like Vin to take the Arvis name. He is a Arvis heir," you know. He has a right to benefit everything due to him, especially since we wrongfully believed our Kin would not be able to father children." Tears threatened to flow down Gin's cheeks. But Kin does not love me … .I can't marry him. "He's smitten with you, you know" the old lady spoke as if reading Gin's mind. "Kin talks about you so proudly. He's never spoken to us about any other woman in his life," she laughed. Gin wanted to die of embarrassment. Her face was scarlet. "I don't know what to say," Gin murmured. "You will make me the happiest mother, if you marry my son," she urged. "I know he cares deeply for you." He does not love me! "Please__ it's a big decision." Anne laughed softly. I'm delighted you are not saying no." Gin could not see how she could marry Kin, when he was not talking to her and if the talk in the corridor that Kin had moved on, was anything to go by. He was not interested in her any more. "Well let me not keep you," she stood up. "I shall take my leave," she smiled. 'thank you for the visit, Mrs. Arvis." "Call me Anne," she smiled, patting Gin on her arm. Anne hovered at the door before she spoke again. "My husband wanted Kin to have you and Vin over for dinner, but Kin says Vin is still coming to terms with who is father is and that he needs time. Bless his brain … if he does not have a heart! "Kin's right," Gin agreed. "Vin needs a little more time. I promise to have Vin visit in the not too distant future." Anne nodded. "You are just the daughter we want to welcome into our family. Please don't take too long," she smiled. 'that is very kind of you, Mrs. ___ Anne," Gin smiled uncomfortably. "We're family now. No need for formalities." 'thank you," Gin exhaled heavily, after Anne Arvis left. Gin sunk into her chair, thankful for the reprieve, only it was shot-lived as Julia strolled in again. If only I could wave my magic wand and have this women transferred to another section of the hospital. Julia was also just in time to see Gin take a tissue to her eyes. "Lovely lady, Mrs. Arvis," Julia affirmed, with a malicious glint to her eyes. "Please have my next patient come in," Gin instructed., concealing her irritation with much effort. Gin did not see Kin again that day. She left the hospital with a heavy heart. She'd hoped Kin would call her in the evening. He had not. She had been very tempted to call him, but if he should reject her call, she would be devastated. The following day was a repeat of the previous day. No call or visit from Kin and when she went to the cafeteria, he was not there. Gin had seen Lin in the cafeteria, so Kin was obviously having lunch in his office. That afternoon, Gin felt as if a knife had been pierced into her heart, for the rumours were spreading like wildfire, that Kin had dumped her. That he had moved on. There were even whispers and snide remarks that Gin had been crying, because Mrs. Arvis had threatened Gin to keep away from her son. How much more wicked could they get? The female staff in the hospital seemed to be of the opinion that Kin had a low threshold for boredom and that the race was now wide open for his next catch. The theatre nurse who claimed to be in love with Kin, was seen laughing conspirationally with Nurse Julia. Gin was getting real vindictive glares from that duo; coupled to the fact that Kin was snubbing her in the cafeteria, not seen in her office in the past two days; was sufficient proof to them that she was history in Kin Arvis's imaginary, sleazy diary. Gin was glad when the day was finally over so she could go home and lick her wounds privately. "Hi dear," Shin smiled at Gin as she sunk into the sofa next to her mum. "Rough day?" Shin smiled, when Gin sighed heavily. With Kin Arvis … yes. "Not too bad," Gin smiled. Workwise, it had gone smoothly. No drama or anything out of the ordinary. "Kin seems a wonderful guy," Shin pronounced. Not you too mum! Gin dragged her eyes to the side to look at her mother. 'so he's charmed you too?" "You mean after you?" 'touché," Gin narrowed her eyes at her mum. Shin laughed good naturedly. "Extraordinarily, I had a visit from his mother. She wants us to get married," Gin announced. Shin reached out, lifting Gin's hand and closing her own over her daughter's hand. "You should Gin," her mother stated philosophically. "You know you care deeply for Kin." Gin tried to retrieve her hand demonstratively, but her mum held her prisoner. "It's why you've kept every other male suitor at a distance, you know it dear," her mother spoke gently. "You deserve happiness. You will be happy with Kin," she stated. "How? He does not love me!" Shin smiled. Her eyes were tender. "He will darling," she nodded. "Just give him time." "You know Vin may not agree to it." Gin could not believe she was contemplating it." "It is not Vin's decision," Shin chided, gently, "besides you know why Gin," Shin spoke. "He is hurt. He is angry because his father had not been there for him all these years. He is angry because he has harboured a sense of abandonment, as if he was not good enough for his father." "No!" Tears streamed down Gin's cheeks. "I showered him with love and Vin does not ___ understand about Kin." "Yes. Nobody can fault you as a loving, mother, but Vin is a child. In his mind he reasons that his father had two choices and he was not number one." 'that's not true," Gin sobbed. "Kin is not ___ irresponsible." "Now you know why you should marry Kin." "What!" "You're defending him … so solicitously. Why aren't you angry like Vin is?" Gin looked away, her cheeks inflamed. Hadn't her mother summed this up all too well? How could she marry Kin? What if Vin continued to be resistant towards Kin and more importantly, how could she marry a man who did not love her? Marriage was for people in love. People who wanted to build a life together … not out of compulsion because an unplanned pregnancy had added a child into the equation. Since the fiasco about her going with Alice to the movies, Gin had been avoiding Alice like the plague. It was no surprise then when he stormed into her office the next morning, demanding to know why Gin was avoiding him, and she was. Every time, his number appeared on her screen, she'd cut the call and twice he'd come to visit her at home since they"d been to the movies and Gin had made excuses and gotten rid of him. "Be honest with me Gin. Is there another man? You owe me the truth." "Kin," she reluctantly murmured. 'so I was right, wasn't I?" "Alice ___ Kin is Vin's father." Alice went white as a sheet. "What! How the hell can that be? Arvis has not been here for ten years?" Macys looked away uncomfortably. "Recognition dawned on Alice. I don't believe it?" Alice slammed his fist on her table. Gin jumped. "You knew Arvis before he left for his stint in Sudan? So you knew him, even before I met you?" he accused. "Please ___. It's not common knowledge about Kin and I ___ please don't repeat that," she begged. "You should have told me Gin!" This was getting awkward for Gin. "Alice," she stood up. "We're not even in a relationship." "But you've always known I wanted one with you Gin. It's you that kept me at arm's length." He gripped her arm. "Alice __. I'm sorry ___." "Don't bother Gin!" Alice stormed out. I feel like the bloody local punching bag! Kin gazed at the photo of Vin on his mobile phone. He'd snapped Vin when he and his friend were enjoying their ice-creams; the day he'd taken them for a ride in his car. Gin had expertly mediated in the argument of who would have the front seat. He smiled at his son's image. He could see some of the tell tale resemblance now. The familiar way Vin raised his eyebrows. He smiles like me … and that is a Arvis chin right there. Kin sighed with frustration. He wanted a more active role in Vin's life, but with Gin constantly fighting him, he felt like an uninvited guest, every time he visited the Mikhayla residence. Kin was at his wits end now. He wanted more quality time with Vin. He wanted them to have dinner together every night, so they could argue about broccoli, Kin chuckled to himself. He wanted to have breakfast with his son in the mornings and do father and son things with Vin. Since Gin had informed him that he was Vin's father, more than a week had already long gone by. Kin had thought that Gin would have been his wife by now, but he was unhappily still a bachelor, and she just was not interested in marrying him, but he had to make his move … now before Stuart overstepped the mark. Gin was dumbfounded then, when Kin walked into her surgery just as Alice was leaving her office. It does not rain, but it pours! "Kin!" "Glad I caught you before you disappeared on your rounds," his eyes bore into hers unsmilingly. Gin stared at Kin. She had not been going anywhere. She had been standing when she rose from her chair to reason with Alice. "What are you and Stuart fighting about?" Can't you guess? You ignore me for three days and now start interrogating me … like you're my boss! What makes you think we're fighting?" He brushed passed me, steam coming out of his ears. He did not even see me as he passed me. "Maybe he's rushing to a patient." "I can't imagine Stuart, moving with such urgency for the sake of a patient," Kin lounged himself on Gin's desk. That was a prejudiced statement, but she dare not defend Alice. Get off my desk. This is not your bedroom. Her eyes shamelessly raked over Kin's body. All she wanted to do was rip his shirt off, climb onto her desk on all fours and have her way with him … Don't be stupid Gin! "I don't have any patients, 'so I came to say "hi'," his eyes fell admiringly, to her cleavage. After three days … interesting! Gin leaned back in her chair, "it must be nice being the boss, all you do is twiddle your thumbs all day." She knew that was unfair. He slaved like a work-horse. He was at the hospital each morning at the crack of dawn and he worked long hours. Kin smiled. 'that's why I'm here," he leaned forward. "I'm bored with twiddling my own thumbs." Gin's face grew scarlet. He was flirting all right. Welcome back Casanova. She knew exactly what his suggestive comments were implying. The ward gossip monger walked in. Gin's tolerance was hanging on a very fine thread, where Nurse Julia was concerned. Julia took in the scene; Gin's eyes looking up at Kin; he smiling flirtatiously. "Come back in five minutes," Kin instructed, looking over his shoulder. "Yes sir ___ sorry," Julia nodded, red-faced and exited, hastily. 'that is the most inquisitive woman I have had the misfortune to encounter! How on earth do you put up with her?" "she was probably bringing in the next patient file," Gin was unsure why she was defending that pea-brained, gossipmonger. Gin waited patiently for Kin to state his business. Surely he had not strolled into her office, just to say "hi." Not Kin Arvis, he had bigger fish to fry. She suspected he had arrived at her office and duly sent off one of her nurses, albeit a nosey one, just to dish out Act one, Scene two of his wrath for her going out to the movies with Alice. Gin waited, with baited breath for Kin to let loose. He was all coiled up, like a loose cannon, ready to discharge. "I would like you and I to take Vin away for the weekend." "No!" Gin stood up. She was not going to spend an entire weekend with Kin … in Vin's presence, no way. Kin stared at Gin with controlled annoyance. "Would you allow me to take Vin away then?" "For an entire weekend?" Gin went into anxiety mode. Vin could barely tolerate him. Could not bear to have him at the dinner table. What would Vin say about an entire weekend with Kin? "I don't know Kin, Vin needs time," she pleaded. "How much longer are you going to sing that song?" Kin sprang to his feet. 'this looks like a perfect script for a custody case don't you?" "What! ____ what are you saying?" Gin began to panic. Bile clogged her throat. Acidity whirled in her stomach. "You won't marry me. You refuse to go away with me, so I could improve my relationship with Vin in neutral surroundings. You are not willing for me to go with Vin alone. It looks like this aggrieved father has perfect grounds to file a custody suit!" "No Kin___ please. You can't just rush this ___please." Kin was tired of the waiting game. "I have a vineyard in Franschoek. I want to take Vin there. Either you allow me to take him, and you accompany us, Or I file a custody suit. I want an answer in an hour." He slammed the door and walked out. Gin could not work, not with Kin's ultimatum, hanging over her head. After seeing her first patient, Gin decided to go to Kin's office. She asked her assistant to refer any urgent cases to Dr. Jenkins. "Dr. Arvis is busy right now." Gin knew that was not true. She hauled out her mobile, dialled Kin's number and put the call on loud speaker. "Kin Arvis," he answered smugly, seeing Gin's number flashing on his screen. "I want to see you now," Gin demanded and watched Lin's eyes pop out. Kin laughed throatily. Gin wanted to strangle the obnoxious bully. "You know you're always welcome, darling," he responded smoothly. Gin snapped her phone shut. "I guess he's not too busy for me," she offered Lin a sarcastic half smile.