Gina couldn't get over the fact that Mark had called her his fiancée. But the unsettling truth was, she wasn't excited about it. The charade was merely a shield to keep her ex-husband from continuously pestering her. Lunch had already been cleared away, and she was trying to relax when Mark, in his usual confident manner, suggested she make herself comfortable. Just as he was about to reveal what he actually needed from her, his phone rang.
Mark glanced at the screen, seeing Valerie's name flash on the caller ID. "Excuse me for a moment," he said, stepping away from the table.
From across the room, Gina could see his face tense up as he answered the call. Valerie's voice was audible even from where she sat, a mix of panic and safety cutting through the air.
"Mark, it's about grandfather again," Valerie began, her voice tight. "He's been in a tirade, comparing you to Robin. You know how it is… Robin, the perfect married grandson. And you're still…single." She paused, and Gina could hear her frustration. "He said if you don't come for dinner tomorrow, you're out of the family. He was serious this time, Mark. Please, don't be stubborn. Come home."
Mark sighed heavily, meeting Gina's curious gaze as he responded. "Alright, Val, I'll be there."
Valerie's sigh of relief was palpable. "Thank you, Mark. Just be there, okay?"
As the call ended, Mark exhaled slowly, and then quickly dialled another number. "Cancel my appointments for tomorrow," he instructed his assistant. "I need to be with my family for dinner. And apparently, Grandfather wants me there earlier."
The assistant's voice was calm but firm. "Yes, sir. Mr. Hughes also called. He was quite adamant about it."
Frustration etched deeper lines into Mark's face. "Understood," he replied before hanging up.
Lost in thought, Mark returned to Gina, his usually composed demeanour faltering. She noticed the troubled look in his eyes. "Mark, what's wrong?" She asked softly, reaching out to touch his hand.
Mark hesitated for a moment, then grasped her hand firmly. "Gina, I have a favour to ask of you," he began, his voice uncharacteristically uncertain.
Gina's eyes widened in surprise. "What kind of favour?" She asked, trying to gauge his intentions.
Mark took a deep breath. "Let's take a walk. There's something I want to show you," he said, avoiding a direct answer. He stood up and offered his hand. With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, Gina took his hand, feeling the warmth of his grasp as they stepped out into the afternoon sun.
The mansion's sprawling gardens were a sight to behold, filled with vibrant flowers and meticulously trimmed hedges. Mark led her down a winding path, the crunch of gravel underfoot the only sound for a few moments.
"Do you come here often?" Gina asked, trying to break the silence between them.
"Not as often as I'd like," Mark admitted. "My schedule is usually packed. But when I do, it's a great place to think."
They reached a secluded corner of the garden, where a small fountain bubbled gently, surrounded by a bench and shaded by a large oak tree. Mark gestured for Gina to sit, and he joined her, his expression thoughtful.
"You know," Mark began, "my grandfather is a man of very high expectations. He built this family from the ground up, and he expects the same level of commitment and success from all of us."
Gina didn't know why he was talking about his family all of a sudden but knowing fully well he's from Hughes family, his family would expect more from him. "It must be tough."
"Robin has always been the golden child in my grandfather's eyes. He's successful, married, and seems to have everything figured out. And then There's me…. Successful in business but not in the ways that matter most to my grandfather."
Gina frowned, sending there was more to the story, she didn't want to drag the conversation about his family, but Mark was ready to share more with her.
"To my grandfather, being married and continuing the family line is crucial. He believes it's a sign of stability and respect.
"And you don't have anyone in mind to fill that role?" Gina asked, genuinely curious if he was seeing anyone at that point.
Mark shook his head. "No, I don't. Rumours have it that I'm gay, and that's why my grandfather is so pissed off about me not having a woman yet."
Gay?!
Gina couldn't believe Mark could be rumoured to be gay. He's the most eligible bachelor in the States for anyone to even think he's gay. There was a moment of silence as Gina absorbed everything he had said. Then Mark turned to her, his eyes searching hers.
"Enough about my troubles. What about you Gina? Your ambitions?"
Gina felt a lump form in her throat. She had once had dreams and ambitions even after her father passed his company to her before his demise, but they had been crushed under the weight of her ex-husband's manipulation and betrayal. She looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I used to have ambitions. But…things changed." She said, exhaling.
Mark's gaze softened. "Your ex-husband?"
"Yes," she began, her voice trembling as she clutched tightly on her dress. "He ruined everything. My father passed his company to me, Williams was practically jobless, and I chose for him to help me run the company. But he… manipulated me, controlled every aspect of my life. By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late. He left me with nothing and that was the point I chose to end my life."
"That was a lot," Mark stated. "But I can change your life." Mark smiled with a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Maybe this favour I need to ask will help both of us find what we're looking for."
Gina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What favour?"
Mark smirked. "Let's just say it might involve a little more of just family dinner."