Chapter 89 I'll Handle It
Chapter 89 I'll Handle It
\[Grant’s POV\]
I take Gianna in, noting the way her eyes sparkle with unshed tears, and I immediately go on alert.
“Are you alright?” I ask, moving toward her and forgetting about my discussion with Anthony completely. “Hey, look at me.”
As I speak, Gianna does her best to try to act like nothing is wrong, but it is easy to see.
“It’s going to be alright,” I murmur, wiping a tear as it escapes. “Don’t worry.”
“Mmmm.”
It’s all she says before leaning into me and as she does, I can feel Anthony’s gaze burning into me.
I’m not sure what it is that he is seeing in his mind that likes to make up it’s own scenarios, but honestly, I don’t care.
All I care about right now is making sure that Gianna is calm and at peace for the sake of not only her, but for our unborn baby.
“Come on,” I murmur, holding her close while I turn us toward the street. “Let’s go home and come back here another day.”
“Grant,” Anthony calls as I make it clear that we are done here. “Be careful.”
His voice is filled with warning as he speaks and I immediately understand what it is that he is trying to hint at.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him. “I’ll handle things.”
“Alright.”
Later, after returning to the home that Gianna and I would be sharing, I sit in the living room, Gianna in my lap, her head against my chest.
Neither of us says anything, but honestly, I didn’t think there was much reason to do that, I mean, we both knew that mere words wouldn’t settle the unease that Gianna was feeling.
Nothing would cure that until both our families were onboard with our marriage. As much as I wished that Gianna would just be happy with my acceptance, I knew that she would want her mother and at least Anthony to be okay with it too.
I’ll convince them. I say silently, keeping this promise to myself so that I don’t upset her further. I’ll convince them and once I do, I’ll work on my father.
As I speak this promise silently, my phone begins to ring and when I lift it from the cushion beside me, I wonder if my inner thoughts summoned this call.
“Who is it?” Gianna asks as I just stare at the phone. “Should you answer?”
“Maybe,” I admit.
Honestly, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to tell my father about my marriage so that the ball could get rolling, but then…I was certain that he would fight it.
Since I was young, he and my grandfather were the ones that decided everything for me from my path in life, to my joining and taking over the business since Anthony wasn’t capable enough, and even my marriage to Rachel.
Everything was decided for me down to a T, but even then, I went and did something so spontaneous that it actually surprised me.
I don’t regret it.
That much was certain. I didn’t regret sleeping with Gianna. I didn’t regret her winding up pregnant, and in a way, I was somewhat convinced that this was the universes way of telling me that it was time for me to take ahold of my own life.
“Grant.”
Gianna’s voice is gentle as she speaks, drawing me out of my head and when I turn my gaze to meet hers, I can see that she is encouraging me.
“Answer it,” she says, gently taking my phone and swiping answer. “You should tell him.”
Nodding, I take the phone from her hand and bring it to my ear and once I do, my father’s voice attacks my eardrum.
“Grant,” he booms, not even bothering to greet me. “What took you so long to answer?”
“I was doing something,” I tell him. “Sorry that I didn’t answer immediately.”
“Nevermind that,” he says and I wait for whatever it is that he has to say. “I called because I have set up a dinner for you and Rachel tomorrow evening.”
“Tomorrow evening,” I repeat as Gianna tenses on me. “But I’ve just returned from my business trip.”
“Even more reason to go and see her,” he tells me. “You’ve been gone a week and Rachel has missed you.”
“She has no reason to miss me.” I point out. “Anyway, I’ve told you time and time again that I don’t have any interest in you setting me up with someone. I will choose my own partner.”
“Nonsense,” my father chuckles. “You and Rachel have been two peas in a pod since you were children.”
“Not hardly,” I huff. “More like she is been a thorn in my side.”
“Grant.”
My father’s voice is full of warning as he speaks, but even then I don’t care.
“Listen,” I say, taking Gianna again as she quietly waits for me to finish my phone call. “There’s something that I would like to tell you and grandfather. It’s something important, so I would like to set up a meeting with both of you.”
“Important,” my father repeats. “Does it have to do with how things went on your trip?”
“Not at all,” I tell him. “This isn’t business related, it is…” I trail off while wondering just how much he would assume if I used the word that I wanted. “It’s actually a personal matter.”
“Personal,” he repeats and for a moment I find myself wondering if he is a parrot. “What exactly are you trying to get at, Grant?”
“You’ll know soon enough.” I assure him. “I’ll plan our meeting soon, but until then do apologize to Rachel for me. I don’t think it is appropriate that I meet with her from this point on unless it has to do with business.”
“Grant,” Gianna whispers, but I simply lift a finger to my lips to quiet her.
“This is my choice.” I assure her. “So, you don’t have to feel like it is because of you.”
“But…” she begins, but I simply shake my head.
“Anyway,” I continue when she doesn’t say anything more. “I’m pretty tired after everything, so I’m going to let you go.”
“Grant…” my father gasps, but I have no intention of continuing our conversation.
“Have a good evening father and I’ll text you and grandfather the time and place for our meeting.”