Going over the new measures takes a lot longer than usual because Hunter wants a detailed explanation on the reasonings that either Matthew, Caleb or both of them, have proposed before he agrees. Caleb and I sit back as Matthew and Hunter argue over the semantics but I suspect most of the arguments stem from the fact that we now have two loud alpha's in the room and one quiet one.
My mobile buzzes in the middle of the conversation and without breaking their argument, Hunter slides it over to me.
"Hey Mum, how are you doing?" I answer quietly, turning my back on the nit-picking that is happening behind me.
"Ginny darling, you have to come to the hospital immediately. Grandpa...they think Dad has had a heart attack," her words rush out in her panic, all blending into one jumbled sentence without a beginning or an end.
Hunter must sense something because he stops and hisses a shush at Matthew. Surprisingly everyone at the table stops. Caleb jumps up from his seat coming over to me, as mum repeats what she had just said.
"What hospital Mum?" I ask looking at Caleb, desperately.
"Augustine Central," she utters back, sounding so lost.
"Is he alive?" I whisper, my eyes darting to Hunter.
"They just left in the ambulance honey. I'm getting in the car now. I will meet you there.....please hurry sweetie. I need you with me, so does Grandma," Mum responds but her voice fades away like she had let the phone fall from her ear.
"On my way," I squeak before hanging up.
"It's okay Gigi. Let's get going. Caleb, grab another car and meet us. Or would you like to come with Gigi and me?" Hunter asks. It shocks me even in the midst of my rush to get to the hospital, it floors me that he is so considerate about what I need. I squeeze his hand that I don’t realise I am holding until now.
"I'll come with, and then Matthew can follow in a separate car," Caleb says as he rushes around my office, collecting my laptop and a few folders. I‘m not sure how he knows what I need but he does. The last report is the security.
"Let's go Gigi," Hunter says as we all watch Caleb. "Leah," he calls out loudly.
Leah comes running in on her company mobile, "I have Addy on the phone. The ambulance is on its way to Augustine Central. I have Mansueto’s cardiologist enroute and have alerted all our board members. We will have two on-site within the hour and they will sit in the executive to help with anything that comes in. It's okay Ginny. You go, everything here will be fine. Give Mansueto a big kiss for me. And don't you worry, he is as strong as an ox, stubborn too," she has spoken nonstop, talking all the way as we rush to the lobby and only stopping when the lift arrives.
Caleb and Matthew run to make the lift, carrying several briefcases. They both have an earpiece on and are each on their mobile. Hunter pulls me into the corner a little further away from the chaos and holds me in his arms silently as we ride down to the ground floor. The ding as we arrive has me startling in his arms.
Matthew steps out of the lift first and Caleb stands in front of me. Hunter reshuffles us so that he is at my back and we wait until a silent signal comes from Matthew, confirming that it is safe to move.
Hunter's hand does not leave my lower back as we make our way swiftly out to the waiting town car. As soon as we exit the glass building the ever present paparazzi springs to life as we move as one closer.
"There are reports that Mansueto Bellafonte is in an ambulance on the way to the hospital with a suspected heart attack. Can you confirm or deny that Verginius?" a reporter asks as he thrusts his microphone into my face.
"Back up," Hunter snarls as he pulls me into his chest to shield me from the camera and the reporter.
"Ms Bellafonte, can we have an interview? Mark from BTN. Ms. Bellafonte, can you give us an exclusive?" he repeatedly all but yells over the top of the other reporter.
We all shuffle forward and Matthew stands to block their view, as I climb into the car. Caleb has already climbed in first, next to the window seat and Hunter follows. Matthew closes the door then hits the roof in a double tap to confirm that we can move out. I quickly turn around and see him jump into the passenger seat of the SUV behind us and it peels out just as fast as we did, sitting on our tail.
"Call the hospital Gigi," Hunter says softly as he puts his arm around me and pulls me into his side. He holds the phone out to me and looks over to Caleb who is speaking on his. Caleb lifts a hand to stop me calling out before speaking softly to whoever he is talking to. Hunter holds me tight as we wait.
Caleb hangs up quickly and turns on his seat, "Ambulance has arrived and he is being wheeled up to ICU. He is wavering between unconscious and conscious but in serious pain. He has been awake and alert since your mother called. They have him on oxygen and have attached defib pads and are obviously monitoring heart rate. He was in full cardiac arrest but is currently semi alert," Caleb speaks calmly and softly. But in the confines of the car, it feels like he is yelling. Or maybe that is just my pulse ricocheting through my chest.
"Thank you," I offer as I push myself out of Hunter's arms and grab a hold of Caleb. "Thank you Caleb. God, I am so blessed and thankful to have you here with us. Thank you," I keep repeating myself in my shock.
I turn quickly to Hunter and lift his arm up so that I can snuggle back in.
"Will he be okay Hunter?" I ask softly.
"We will be okay Gigi. I promise you. He is in the best place and it is very good news that he is awake. They just need to get him into ICU and his doctor should be there soon," I feel him turn to Caleb who is on another call, looking at him before Caleb replies.
"Dr. Morris has just arrived," Caleb confirms.
I settle back into Hunter's arms and watch the buildings flash by us on our way to the hospital. His arms keep me from falling apart in my panic and I can hear Caleb's soft and calm tone next to me as he keeps calling and speaking with person after person.
"Not Grandpa, Hunter. I can't lose Grandpa," I say quietly after a few moments.
He doesn’t reply except to hold me tighter and kiss me softly on the forehead. His lips don’t leave my head, he keeps them there offering me the gentlest kisses and sweetest words until we make it to the hospital.
