Chapter 16

Magnús was a mess when Stefan met up with him at the studio. He hurt to see how hurt he was, and he was curious why.

"Calm down, Magnús. Tell me what happened?" Stefan said as he watched his friend pace the floor.

"Gemma told me the truth. From her falling in love with me to her actual reason to come here," Magnús explained.

He relayed everything Gemma had told him at the hospital and sighed.

"I just don't know what to do," he ended his rant.

Stefan nodded and tapped his chin with his index finger. "If you think about it this way, she was afraid of how you would react. Afraid of hurting you. You have a secret too, Magnús."

"I know. But this secret I have could put those I love in danger. I could ruin things," Magnús argued. "I just don't know what to do."

"Well, if you want my advice, go to her. She chose you over this article from what you've told me. She chose you over her job," Stefan said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "And after all, she was in a terrible car crash and has no one here but you. Be there for her."

Magnús nodded with a sigh. His friend was right. But why did he have a bad feeling about something? He wasn't sure yet whether to tell Gemma his secret or just keep it quiet until he knew for sure she chose him. She was due to go back to America soon, and he feared if he told her he was Sportacus, she would write about it anyway, and her telling him what she told him at the hospital was her way of letting his guard down.

A wave of aggression swept over him as he drove back to the hospital. Magnús just wanted to know the whole truth. He would have to wait and see.

Back at the hospital, Gemma sat on the bed staring at the wall across from her, tears still escaping her eyes and dripping on her hands, which rested in her lap. A nurse had checked in on her and asked if she wanted anything.

"No, I'm fine," was always the answer.

"I've lost Magnús and I've lost his trust and he will never speak to me again," she whispered to herself as more tears fell. "I should've canceled everything once I knew I was falling for him. But I didn't want to admit it to myself. I was afraid to love…"

"Gemma," Magnús's voice filled her ears, causing flutters in her stomach. "How are you feeling?"

"I thought you were mad at me," she said with a sniff and wiping her tears.

Magnús sighed. "I will admit I am upset. But you don't know anyone here but me. I don't want to leave you alone. My home is open to you for recovery."

Gemma could sense hesitation and tension between them. She felt like he wanted to comfort her, but then again, he was hurt by the tremendous secret she had revealed.

"I'm going back home soon," she said, looking at her hands. "Will you bring me to the airport?"

"That's not until another week, but yes, of course," he smiled slightly. "Don't want you walking there."

She giggled. "My taxi didn't show up."

An awkward silence fell. The tension and quiet moment seemed loud for her and him, and she could feel her face getting hot.

"This is so embarrassing," she thought to herself as she watched him flip through his phone. Gemma sighed loudly, causing him to look at her.

"I'm sure the hospital will release you soon," he said, putting his phone in his pocket.

Gemma nodded and bit her lips. She wished she knew what she could say to make everything go back to the way it was before. Admitting her actual intentions was hard enough, but going through this awkward silence with Magnús was another level.

"Magnús…" she began, but was interrupted by a doctor walking in with papers.

"You're free to go," the doctor said. "I would recommend not driving for 24 hrs and get some rest."

He handed the papers to Magnús and walked out with a smile and a nod. Magnús signed everything so she could leave and return either to his home or a hotel.

"I can get you a hotel or you can come with me…" Magnús said.

"I'll come with you," Gemma said without hesitation.

If she could make things right between them before she had to return home, this would be her chance!

"What were you going to say at the hospital before the doctor entered the room?" Magnús asked on the drive to his house.

"How sorry I am for everything and how I know there's nothing I can say or do to make up for it," Gemma said with a catch in her throat.

Magnús nodded and focused on the road in silence. His heart was broken and his head was screaming at his heart to just move on and act like nothing ever happened so he could go back to being happy. But why pretend?

He sighed and held her hand in his, quietly driving along. Magnús could feel her relax under his touch and he couldn't help but smirk a little.

Soon they arrived at his house and entered the cozy, warm structure in silence.

"I guess I'll get my stuff packed and ready so I don't have to do it at the last minute," Gemma said awkwardly, walking to her room.

Magnús nodded and fumbled with his keys as he watched her sluggishly go to her room. He was still fighting with himself about telling her his secret. Gemma didn't know who Sportacus really was, so there was really no story for her. He sighed and hung his keys up on the wall in the kitchen, and leaned against the counter in deep thought.

"If I tell her, she will do whatever she must with this secret," he said to himself. "She could write her story and keep her job, but then everyone would know my secret and I would never have a peaceful life and my enemies would find me."

"Do you mind if I ask what we're having for dinner?" Gemma suddenly appeared in the kitchen.

Magnús shrugged. "I don't have any ideas what to make for us. We could order something if you'd like?"

Gemma nodded, biting her lips as if trying to hold back tears. Just by looking at her, he felt as though guilt was there for the secret she had kept from him. Nothing could be done now.