Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (books to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

who was responsible for his gossip. Maybe now, he could find out. “Tell me something. Who is most known for telling stories about me around here?”

“Well, there are a few, but I think that your most notable PR agent is little Melissa Daniels.” Carol shook her head confirming Grey’s surprise.

“The little short girl that never has anything to say that works for Bob?” Grey couldn’t believe it.

“She never has anything to say to upper management, but she’s a real chatter box during the lunch hour.” They both laughed.

Suddenly Grey’s direct line rang. Grey looked back at it and down at his watch. “You’ll realize how dangerous those kind of stories can be when you’re in my position,” he said excusing himself from the table. Just in time, he hit the speakerphone button. “Henderson.”

“Grey!” Ivy gasped holding on to her stomach.

“Yeah,” Grey said picking up the phone. “What’s wrong?

“Honey, I just fell in the shower. At first I didn’t think that it was too bad, but now I’m having these shooting pains in my stomach. Plus, my vision is sort of blurry. I can’t seem to get in touch with Trina, Mom or Emerald. Can you please come and get me?” She whimpered in pain.

“Sure. I’m on my way,” Grey grabbed his coat. “Just hold on. I’ll be right there.” Hanging up the phone, Grey patted his pants for his keys and ran out of his office.

**

Nicola had made it across town before he realized that he had forgotten to call Ivy to let her know that he was coming over. In a whirlwind of confusion, he had suddenly decided to confront his problem face-to-face. He had to get more clarification from her. What did she mean that day over a month ago about “I love you, but…”

Speeding down I-240, he dialed Ivy’s number, hoping that she would pick up. It was too late at night for her to be gone anywhere, and it was a weeknight, which meant Grey was nowhere to be found. Grey was always working or so he said. And that was another issue! Why should he give a damn about what Grey was doing? It wasn’t going to affect him one way or another. It seemed that every day he became more and more displaced. Maybe it was the fact that he hadn’t had sex in over a month. Maybe it was because he felt empty inside. Maybe it was because he was in love.

Nicola turned down the radio when he heard her voicemail. “Hey, it’s me, Nicola.” His words rushed from his diaphragm causing him to almost loose his breath. “Look, I’m coming over to talk to you. It’s urgent, and I know it’s late, but I can’t wait.” Going against his better judgment, he tried to explain his situation to her telephone.

“I know we aren’t dating or even serious with one another, but I need some serious clarification. All this baby business is about to drive me mad. No. No.” Nicola rethought his words. “All of this teasing and playing with each other’s emotions is driving me crazy. It has absolutely nothing to do with the twins. It’s us.” He paused for a brief moment and wished that he could have retracted his last statement. “I know that you’re there. Please pick up. I need to explain myself.” Giving her a moment to respond, he held his breath. “Alright. Well, I’m on my way over anyway. So, like it or not, we have to talk.”

**

Ivy lay across the room on the floor listening to Nicola talk in total dismay. She was in the middle of what might very well be a miscarriage, and he was finally reaching out, only it was to her answering machine. What a night!

Feeling a sudden pain her lower abdomen, Ivy forgot about him for just a moment and focused. Sweat beads formed on her forehead and trickled down the sides of her face. Praying to God to protect her children, she promised never to take a shower again as long as she lived if she could just make it through this unharmed.

What was taking Grey so long? She glanced at the clock for a moment and tried to think back to the exact time that she talked to him. If he didn’t hurry, she would just call the paramedics. She had tried her mom five times, but no one would pick up the phone, and Trina would be at work and unreachable for another two hours.

Hearing the doorbell, she stood up quickly and became extremely dizzy. As she grabbed for the end of the couch, she toppled the lamp over on the floor and broke a vase on the end table.

Nicola heard the loud bang while he rang the doorbell. He looked over and saw her car and instantly knew that something was urgently wrong. After several more rings and no reply he tried twisting the doorknob. Starting to panic, he looked through the living room window where he could see her body lying limp on the floor.

“Oh, shit!” Nicola said feeling his heart in this throat.

Kicking in the door, Nicola pulled out his gun and checked the apartment just in case she wasn’t alone. Finally realizing that she was in no immediate danger by an outsider, he quickly went to her aid. He checked her vitals and was relieved to find her still breathing, but he still didn’t know the cause for blackout, concussion, or whatever was wrong with her.

At first Nicola started to call the paramedics, but opted to take her himself. Picking her up off the ground carefully, he carried her to his truck. It was a good thing that she had given him an emergency insurance card only weeks before.

**

“Baby are you okay,” Grey said storming into the house only minutes after Ivy had been taken away by Nicola. Seeing the smashed door, Grey quickly realized someone had beaten him to her.

Walking through the house carefully, he tried to figure out who could