The next day, Ashley was no pleased to hear that he had yet another doctor's appointment with Doctor Bailey. "I'm perfectly fine, mommy!" He complained as Grace got him ready for the day. "Why do I still have to go."

"Because if you don't, you'll have an awful stomach ache," Owen said as he walked into the living room, pecking Leonica on the cheek as he did. "Isn't that right, dear?" She nodded. "That's right,"

"But I'm already healthy," Ashley argued, his lips forming a pout as he stared at his mother with the most adorable puppy dog eyes. "Please mommy, let's skip this one."

"No can do, Ashley," She shook her head as she lowered herself to his level, dismissing Grace as she took over the task of adjusting his sweater. "I know you hate needles, sweetie, but you just gotta do this one for me. It's gonna be the last one, I promise." She stuck out her small finger.

"Really?" Ashley was hesitant, but the reassuring look in his mother's eyes quickly washed away every spec of hesitation.

"Yes, I promise." She responded, hooking her fingers with his when the child brought his rather small finger forth. "Alright, let's go."

Owen smiled and picked Ashley up, carrying him against his side and with his free hand, taking Leonica's hand as they exited the mansion, leaving behind Grace who bowed and bade the goodbye.

The drive to the hospital was short, with Ashley sitting on his mother's lap as Owen drove, humming along with her to the music playing on the radio.

Once there, Ashley was ushered into the doctor's office where Doctor Bailey awaited, his usual smile plastered on his face.

"How are we feeling, young man?" He asked, watching as Leonica lifted Ashley onto the bed.

"Fine," Ashley answered.

"That's great. Well, today's visit should be quick," He turned to Leonica and Owen flashing them a smile that only one of them knew all too well. "Ms. Romero, Mr. Lee, could you please step out for a short while.

Leonica hesitated as usual, not wanting to leave Ashley alone. But Owen gently gave her shoulder a squeeze, shooting her a look that told her Ashley was going to be okay.

"Alright," She nodded and kissed Ashley on the forehead. "I'll be right outside, okay."

"Okay, Mommy." Ashley smiled and waved at her as she and Owen stepped out of the room, closing the door behind them.

As soon as they did, Leonica turned around to see Gabriel approaching them.

"Leonica," He greeted, stopping in front of her, eyes quickly scanning her figure and noting that the bandage on her leg had been removed. "You're doing better. That's good."

She flashed a smile, tensed but polite. "Yeah, thanks."

"How's Ashley?" He proceeded to ask, barely giving Owen a glance.

"He's okay," She turned towards the window, watching as Doctor Bailey carried out the usual procedures on the young child. "The doctor's with him right now, so-" She allowed the rest of her words trail off, fully aware that the whatever else she had to say wasn't new

news.

something about Ashley's condition that would give her a

hand was placed on her lower back, drawing her attention away from Ashley's check up. "He'll be fine." He said, smiling and Leonica nodded,

interaction, however small and brief it was, didn't escape Gabriel's eyes, and once again, the jealousy he felt towards

eyes to look away from the scene, reminding himself

to convince himself, but the more he saw Owen interaction with Leonica, not making

that he could no longer remain a third party and loudly cleared his throat,

Owen. "To invite you out for dinner some time, as thank you." He added the last part when Owen chuckled silently. Crazy bastard, he thought, inviting another man's Fiancée out for dinner right in front of

hint of reluctance in her voice. "I was

tried once more, this time looking her in

look in

in less than a week, Gabriel became silent,

was said between he and Leonica when Doctor Bailey stuck

said when both Owen and Gabriel tried following

out in a sec," Leonica flashed Owen a smile and as she walked

had his attention snapping from Leonica towards the person speaking. "The way you look at her, like a fucking love sick puppy." He shook

once, not in confusion, but rather, in slight surprise that Owen had addressed

He tilted

him, impassive expression painted all across his visage. "Asking my fiancée out

with that? Are so you insecure that you don't

ain't my problem," He stepped forward. "You are. Lay off her already, would you. Forcing feelings that she

manner. "And I'm not gonna allow you ruin her life all over again." His

he could say another word, the door in front of them opened and Leonica, along with Ashley stepped

as soon as she

at her. "Not at all, luce mia," He bent down and picked Ashley up, pecking Leonica on the cheek with making eye contact with Gabriel. "Gabriel and I just had a simple talk." Simple my

Once again.

walked to his office, Florence and Jaxson trailing behind him. "I pay you guys for shit like this, don't I?" "Yes, but

anything promotion worthy." He turned to face them after stopping just out the door of his office. "And I swear to God, if that goes on for another fucking month, you're both going to lose

look before nodding.

around, he nearly got a heart attack from seeing Irene seating on his table. "Fuck. How did

his with calculating eyes that he didn't find pleasing in

forget that," He stated as he walked towards the bar in his office, pouring himself a drink before turning to face Irene. "What are you doing

thank you." Her voice came sounding

cocked his head.

"Thank you. If it weren't for you approaching me, I would never have known about all the things

chuckled, finding it funny

of hers exist. "You're still thinking like that, I see." He took a sip from his drink and shook his head, to absorbed in his cocky ways to notice the way Irene watched him with expectant eyes. "So is that all?

was Irene's turn to chuckle this time around. "Beg you," She scoffed. "What

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255