A Second Chance at First Love - Chapter 15

The next week passed in a blur of activity. Another medical appointment went pretty much like the last one. No new information, no new insights.

There had been one major change: she was playing again. Once Gemma picked up her instrument, her muscle memory kicked in. Her warm-up piece flowed easily, the notes at the forefront of her mind. But she wasn't naive enough to think that nothing had changed. The fact was, she'd essentially lost three years’ worth of practice.

Which reminded her—she owed her manager a call. Though she had no idea what to say to the woman, couldn't even recall what she may look like.

Sighing, she carefully placed her violin in its case and snapped it closed. Thoughts of the future brought her to the brink of a panic attack, but she couldn't avoid them forever. Louis couldn't very well stay on the Cape much longer. He had duties and responsibilities back in Singapore that had to be piling up. Eventually, he would have to go back. Then she'd have a decision to make. Was she going to go back with him and face a foreign world? Or did she stay here in the comfort of what was familiar?

Gemma had no doubt Louis would give her all the time she needed. But that wasn't fair to him. It wouldn't be right to keep him in limbo while she waited for a miracle that may never come.

She left her room to go look for him, but he didn't appear to be anywhere in the house. Finally, she found him on the patio outside, sitting at the round table, his phone to his ear.

His voice sounded tense and strained when he spoke. "Yes, as soon as I can." He paused before adding, "I'm sorry. I can't be any more specific than that."

As soon as he saw her, he bid whoever was on the other end goodbye, then ended the call.

"What was that about?" she asked, pulling a wicker chair away from the table and sitting down next to him.

He slipped his phone into his pocket. "Nothing you need to concern yourself about." He offered her an indulgent smile. "I heard you playing. You haven't lost a bit of talent."

"Thank you. I have some work ahead of me to get back up to speed."

"You'll get there," he reassured her. "Don't push yourself too hard."

The concern in his eyes touched her deep in her core. She was equally concerned about him. Dark circles colored his eyes, and worry lines framed his mouth. He looked like he hadn't gotten any sleep for several nights.

Louis had to be exhausted. Trying to work remotely had to be taking a toll. The time difference alone probably ruined any chance of a sound night’s sleep. And he was most certainly feeling the pressure that he was needed back home.

Their current situation was simply not sustainable. Time was running even shorter than she thought.

The patio door suddenly slid open then and her mother stepped out. “Can I talk to you, Gemma?” Ma asked. “There’s something we need to discuss.”