Chapter 79 It’s time for you to go
Hank’s Pov
Today, I had a rare day off with no work commitments, so I planned to relax and indulge in activities I don't usually have time for, like supervising some changes being made by my domestic workers in the house and having a good meal and a nap.
However, my plans were interrupted by a call from Octavia.
Gio had given her my number in case of an emergency, so I thought she needed help.
“Octavia, are you in trouble?” I was worried that she was and was already putting on my clothes to go rescue her but she calmed me down.
“Relax, Hank, my graduation is in around six weeks and I’ve been meaning to surprise Vanni. Can you give me his schedule? He seems too busy these days.”
Honestly, I hadn’t spoken to her in months and the few times I did, it was the usual how are you and stuff so I was clueless about her character.
“You know how his business is. His schedules are unpredictable and there are so many dangers these days,” I informed her, but I wasn’t expecting her to release a secret.
“Mom called, and you know how she doesn’t like me.”
“What did she say?” I asked eagerly, knowing how manipulative Gio’s mother was. Everyone calls her Mom because she claims to be the mother of all, but she’s so vile.
“She said Vanni is seeing another woman, and you are his best friend, so I’m asking, is it true?”
For some reason, I felt like I was being tricked, so I answered, “there is no woman that I know of, and if you are giving him good sex, then I see no reason why you should worry.”
That was a part both she and Gio never spoke about, so since she was trying to trick me, I might as well do the same to her.
“Hank, sex is a private matter,” she pointed out. I replied with the same diplomacy.
“Then I guess it’s the reason I can’t poke my nose into your private matters, right?” The message was received, evident from her response, "I understand, Hank. Talk to you later."
As she was about to end the call, I interjected with a caution, "Hold on, don't call me unless it's an emergency, or I may stop answering. There's a war going on, so be cautious."
She replied, "Okay," and promptly ended the call, prompting me to rearrange my plans for the day. I quickly called Gio to arrange a meeting with Molly.
Ever since Gio mentioned Molly, I had been eager to see her again. He finally agreed to allow me talk to her and I wanted to use this opportunity to determine which of the two women he was interested in before deciding whether to inform him about Octavia's call.
When I saw Molly at the gym, clad in leggings and a tank top, I was relieved that Gio was training her. Given the ongoing war, I felt she needed to be well-prepared.
Gio was hesitant to push her too hard, fearing he might hurt her, but I believed that challenging her was necessary for her improvement, especially considering how weak her punches were.
After demonstrating a punch and landing it on her cheek, Gio rushed to her side with an ice pack. If only he knew how much his son had endured under my training to toughen up.
The key, I explained to him, was speed and the force behind each punch, emphasizing the difference between a winner and a loser.
“Molly, are you okay?" Gio asked as he pressed the ice pack to her cheek, holding her in his arms.
If he hadn't been clear about his intentions with her, I might have tried to take her from him, but it showed he wasn't the coward I had thought he was.
"I'm fine," Molly forced a smile, though she looked dizzy as Gio helped her to her feet.
"Are you out of your mind?" He was visibly angry, but I tried to explain to him.
“She won’t be better if you continue to go soft on her. Nicole won’t, especially when you cut her tongue because of her.”
"What?" Molly's expression shifted to one of shock and fear, and Gio shot me a glare. "I think it's time for you to leave."
I had made a mistake, but I only wanted what was best for her. "I'm truly sorry, Gio. I didn't mean to say that, but I'm just concerned about her. With your mother, those bosses, you can't always be there, and even if you are, what if you're outnumbered?"
My words seemed to have a strong impact as he started to agree with me. "I understand, but she needs time."
"I disagree," I interjected firmly. "She's stronger than you realize. If you see her as weak, she will remain weak. If you see her as tough, she will be tough."
"Uncle Hank once knocked out my teeth in a fight," Roger confessed, leaving Gio shocked. I felt it was time for me to leave.
"I think I should go now," I said.
"No, you're not leaving," Gio stopped me, surprising me. He turned to Molly and asked, "Are you just going to let him go?"
Molly looked at me, and instead of her usual soft response, she glared at me. With a sudden leap, she landed a powerful punch on my cheek, causing me to stumble. As she regained her stance, her knuckles were red.
Roger applauded her, saying, "Well done, Molly." They hugged, and Gio thanked me, saying, "Thanks, Hank."
I was pleased that he acknowledged my actions, but I felt compelled to warn him. "Gio, if you still love her, you need to tell her before someone else takes her away."