This Isn't My Idea of Love

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Co-Presenter

Starting work on Good Morning, New York Viola had been a little nervous about what to expect from her job; however the brunette quickly found herself settling into her new role and all with the help of her co-presenter.

Joseph Grey was Viola’s age and the two of them got along well, he helped her settle back into the hustle and bustle of the city; the two spent a lot of time together and with Thiago.

The little boy seemed to be settling into his new home, Viola had worried that he was struggle since he no longer had Lionel in his life but Thiago adjusted as quickly as his mother did to being in New York.

Finishing off the morning show nearly two weeks since Viola had joined, the brunette smiled as she moved over to Thiago who was being watched by one of the crew for her; he was now ten weeks old and everyone adored him.

“So Viola, I was wondering what Thiago was doing today?” Joseph asked making the brunette smile at him as she moved to pick up her son, she tilted her head wondering what he had in mind.

He didn't seem to mind that she was now a single mother, nor the fact that she was still waiting for her divorce to be finalised.

“Well Thiago and I were just about to head home for lunch, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you joined us,” Viola said making Joseph grin and nod his head, she was glad that she had a friend like him in New York; it helped her take her mind of Lionel, who for all she knew was now dating Antonella.

“I would love to join you both for dinner, how about we head to the café?” Joseph asked as he helped Viola collect her things so that they could leave; the brunette nodded her head knowing the café that he was talking about.

***

“So how are things with your parents?” Joseph asked Viola had confided in him about what had happened to her marriage and he surprisingly understood; he told her parents were stupid for siding with Lionel over their own daughter.

“The same as usual, I tried to talk with my mother but she told me that after what I did to Messi that she wanted nothing to do with me and Thiago,” Viola said as she looked at her son sadly.

Joseph nodded his head as he watched the brunette, he couldn't believe that anyone would deny that the baby was Lionel’s, he had only seen a picture of the footballer but looking at Thiago there was no denying that he was his son.

“Never mind it’s their loss that they’ll never know their awesome grandson,” Joseph said as he smiled at Thiago, Viola nodded her head in agreement; she smiled at her friend’s words knowing that he was right.

The two spent their lunch laughing and joking between themselves before they left the café; Viola cuddled Thiago close as they walked down the street.

“Why don’t we go for a walk around central park, it’s a nice day,” Joseph said in hopes of finding a way to spend more time with Viola, the brunette nodded her head in agreement; since she didn't have any other plans for the day and she didn't want to sit in her apartment alone with Thiago on such a nice day.

Viola was suddenly glad that she was wearing her white flower embroidered smock top and cornflower blue skinny jeans paired with brown heeled sandals; she felt like she was going on some sort of date again.

The two walked quietly for a moment before Joseph licked his lips and looked at Viola, she flashed him a nervous smile; she knew that it had only been four weeks since she had separated from Lionel

But she didn't want to wait forever before he realised that Antonella had lied and tricked him.

“I was wondering if maybe we could have dinner time, not that I don’t like spending time with Thiago but I would like to spend some time alone with you,” Joseph said making Viola pause, she looked at him for a moment wondering what she had to lose by agreeing to a little date.

She knew that there wasn’t much of a chance that Lionel would be coming back anytime soon.

“I would like that,” Viola said making Joseph smile as they continued to walk down the street and headed for central park.

***

Lionel sighed as he ran a tired hand through his hair, he knew that he hadn't been his best lately but he had a lot on his mind; the footballer sat in his office and stared at the divorce papers that he had yet to sign.

His tired brown eyes stared at Viola’s signature and wondered if he had made the biggest mistake of his life by throwing her out; his heart ached as his thoughts turned to Thiago, he hoped that the little boy hadn't gotten ill after what he had done.

Lionel sighed as he heard Antonella call him down to dinner, he hadn't eaten properly since Viola’s stuff had left the house; at first, he was just mad but now all he wanted was her to come home.

Hiding his unsigned divorce papers back in his desk draw, Lionel headed down to dinner to find Antonella wearing a red dress, she smiled at him as she moved to hand him a glass of wine.

“I thought we could have a nice fancy dinner then when Estella’s sleeping… we could head up to your room,” she said making Lionel frown.

While he may have allowed Antonella and Estella to stay with him, he had refused to allow them anywhere near the master bedroom or the nursery that had been Thiago’s.

“I’m not in the mood Antonella, I would rather be alone right now,” Lionel said making her purse her lips; she stared at him for a moment as if thinking that he would change his mind.

“Leo, she betrayed you… she’s doesn’t deserve your love,” Antonella said as she moved closer to him; Lionel swallowed as he saw the lust that flickered through her eyes, he didn't know what she was trying to do but it unsettled him.

Wrapping her arms around Lionel’s neck, Antonella continued in a hope to win him around; she needed to secure her place in his life.

“I have always been honest with you, I love you and we have a daughter together, if she cared then she’d be fighting for you,” Antonella murmured as she tried to kiss Lionel only to be pushed away; she stared at him confused as he shook his head and backed away from her.

“Don’t you dare talk about Viola like you know her, she means everything to me,” Lionel said before he stormed out of the house; he couldn't bear to spend another moment with Antonella.

Heading out to his car, Lionel realised that he had been a complete idiot; he paused as he rested against his car for a moment wondering where Viola could have gone.

His friends had told him that they hadn't seen or heard from her in weeks, her parents weren’t much help since they had disowned her and the press didn't know where she might have gone to.

Lionel closed his eyes as he felt tears prick, he didn't care anymore if Thiago wasn’t biologically his; he wanted Viola back in his life, he wanted a family with her.

Lionel took a deep breath as he looked back at him home, he knew that he had to find her and beg her to take him back; he just hoped that when he did that it wouldn’t be too late.