Chapter 99 Do you want me to hate you?
Giovanni’s POV
Spending the night at the hotel was not a bad idea, but I hadn't forgotten about my mother.
As soon as Molly went to the bathroom, I called room service to prepare an English breakfast for us and ordered clothes for both of us. Then, I called our family doctor, Dr. Jean, on the phone. "Don Jean, I need a favor."
"Anything for you, Gio," he responded smoothly. I couldn't trust him, but I couldn't make my mother suspicious by using another doctor without the cheek swab.
Dr. Jean would be the only one to get the sample without raising my mother's suspicions, but his loyalty was with my mother.
"Thanks, doctor, but I want this to be a secret, and I'm willing to pay."
The silence at the end of the line was not surprising, and just as I was about to convince him further, he spoke up again. "You don't have to."
"I insist. Five million for your silence," I said directly. He agreed. "Deal."
"Good. I want a maternity DNA test performed between me and my mother."
"Why? You don't trust her?" He asked, but I couldn't give him an answer yet. "Will you do it or not?"
"I will do it, and you can have the results in three days," he said eagerly. I made the transfer and informed him. "I've sent the money and I’m waiting for the result."
"Okay, Gio. I won't disappoint you."
Why do I have a feeling I wasn't kept in the dark for nothing? Something must be terribly wrong.
The sound of the doorbell, followed by the buzzing of my phone, pulled me from my thoughts. I answered the door first, and it was room service.
Breakfast was ready, and they took away the dishes from last night. Molly took a long time, and I wanted to join her in the shower, but that was when my phone rang again. It was Octavia, so I answered, "How are you doing?"
"Vanni, you haven't visited for almost a month. Is anything the matter? Did I offend you?" Enduring her childishness hasn't been easy, but I hope she changes soon.
However, I felt slightly guilty for not keeping my promise, but Molly needed me, and with her, I felt whole again.
"Octavia, there is a lot going on," I explained, expecting her to nag, but strangely, she acted more mature.
"It's alright. I understand that you are very busy, but I feel neglected if I don't hear from you."
She was right because this was not how it was meant to be. When I made that agreement with her, I didn't believe I would find Molly again.
"I'm sorry, but don't worry. I will spend next weekend with you," I promised, though it was going to be hard. Still, her response amazed me once more.
"Don't worry. It's just two weeks to graduation, and I have a surprise for you. I hope you can make it."
About to respond, I saw Molly coming out of the shower. "Okay, just send me the date and time," I said and ended the call.
"Breakfast is ready," I informed her as she walked to the closet. "I will get dressed first."
"Then let me have a quick shower," I said and dropped the phone. Molly took longer in the shower and closet than me, so I knew I would be able to make it out on time.
However, hearing the doorbell, I knew the clothes I ordered had arrived, and Molly could get it. But why did I feel something was wrong?
Molly would have come to ask about it or something, but that did not happen, and the room was just too quiet.
When I was done and went out, she was sitting on the bed, still undressed, with the food untouched.
"Are you alright?
"Octavia said she forgot to tell you that she loves you because you ended the call without notice," Molly responded with a sarcasm that broke my heart, my eyes squinted. "Octavia wouldn't do a thing like that."
She lifted my phone and showed it to me. "See for yourself."
It was indeed a text message from Octavia. Right after we finished speaking, she had dared to do that, something she never did before. I called her on the phone. “What is the significance of the message you sent?" I inquired.
"It signifies my love for you. Why? Do you want me to despise you? You bring me joy, Vanni," she exclaimed. I recall setting her straight in those terms.
"Octavia, maybe we should terminate the agreement."
"No, no, I apologize. I won't repeat that mistake. So, how is Roger?" she inquired, and I forced a smile.
"So, you suddenly remember you have a son."
She fell silent, so I ended the call and gazed at Molly. "Believe me, it's not what you think."
"But she's Roger's mother," Molly pointed out. I sat beside her and embraced her, preparing to explain the situation as best as I could when she suddenly erupted.
"Did you have feelings for her when you were with her, or were you intoxicated?" Jealousy tainted her voice, causing me to chuckle.
"Neither," I replied. I wanted to clarify things to her, but I also had to keep my promise. After all, what kind of man would I be if I couldn't keep my word?
"Molly, before I disclose everything, I need to speak with her, but now is not the right time. Octavia is in college and will be graduating in two weeks. Once she's finished, I will inform her and then explain everything to you."
Keeping one's word is a mark of dignity. To uphold my dignity, I had to do this.
"It's okay, I trust you, but will she try to take Roger away?" she inquired, causing me to tighten my grip around her. Women like Molly were rare, which is why I needed to keep her close.
"No one can take Roger from me, and honestly, Octavia never wanted him. If it weren't for me, she would have terminated the pregnancy. I supported her through it all, but I understood that she was very young and struggling with depression. Please trust me. I can't reveal everything right now," I assured her. She pulled away and smiled at me.
"I trust you, Gianni, but..." I knew she was about to voice her concerns, so I silenced her with a kiss. "No 'buts.'"
Later that day, I allowed Molly to go shopping with Nora to start enjoying her freedom. However, not long after, I received a call from Jace.
"Don, I'm not sure if you want to see this." I had him discreetly follow Molly because she refused a bodyguard, so this must be important. "Send it to me immediately."