Episode Two

The anger I felt swirled inside me like molted hot lava! "The nerve of him to Strutt in that nightclub with another girl on his arm! I'm so disgusted and hurt! How often have I asked him to come out to be with me? And every time, he's given me some flimsy excuse about him working late! How could I have been so naive to think he was sincere? I refused to accept a man lying to me! This could never be a happy marriage! What made me think things would be different for me! Kenneth Cole has sadly fooled my parents and me! This is so unfair! I had feelings for him. I was so silly to think he would be different!"

Once I got home, my eyes were filled with tears as I unlocked the door and closed it behind me. I leaned against it. I felt too weak to move or breathe. "That Kenneth Cole is so heartless! I never imagined tonight would be my first time seeing him face-to-face in a predicament like this! His eyes looked like he wanted to put my lights out when I told him I would tell my father! 

I went into the kitchen and flipped the light switch on. And what do I see staring back at me? A pair of dark eyes locked on mine. 

"Oh my God, you scared me! What are you doing in my house?”

"You see, Kita, your parents trust me. Your father told me to ensure you are safe while they are out of town for the weekend."

"They did what? Well, you can't stay here."

"I told you we have unfinished business."

"Kenneth, we have nothing to talk about!" I screamed out as I turned to walk away.

He slid in front of me, blocking my exit from the kitchen as he coldly stared at me. He was holding this calculating expression as he spoke in a low tenor.

"I told you that you are misunderstanding what you saw!"

"I know what I saw, and this is over between us!"

"Kita, I was with a client and wanted to meet you in person. So, I invited her to come along."

"That's a Lie! I didn't tell you I was coming to that club! You didn't want to meet me! But if you intended to surprise me, it certainly worked!"

"Come on, stop being so jealous-hearted. She meant nothing to me. Now, you owe me an apology."

 I chuckled, trying to hide my nervousness as I stood my ground. "Look, I suggest you leave! Better yet, I have an idea for you! Go back to the girl you were with at the club! You must have gotten her house mixed up with mine!"

Oh, I could see my words hit a nerve. But I stood my ground and tried not to show a hint of fear.

"I told you are misunderstanding my relationship! The girl means nothing to me, Kita! You are about to let your jealousy mess up everything for the both of us!" He yelled in my face.

I shook my head, swallowed fear, and said calmly. 

"Has your ego always been this bloated? I said, pushing against his shoulder to move him out of my way. Hoping he would let me pass."

When I pushed against his shoulder, he grabbed my arm! "Girl! I'm trying to talk to you, for real! We are not through!" he said, pulling me to him as my hands landed on his broad chest.

"Let me go!"

"Just hold up and listen for a minute. I need us to get an understanding here! You are not going to mention any of this to your dad. We will go through with this marriage to me because that's what I want, and that's what your dad wants. I'm going to be your husband, Kita!" 

"Are you insane! I won't live a miserable life or be stuck in some miserable marriage! Everything we discussed over the phone all those months has been a lie! I deserve to be respected and not lied too! Let me go!"

"You're being a silly spoiled girl and not a woman right now!" He shouted.

"I hate you! Let me go!" I yelled, shoving him aside but unable to break free from his tight grip on me. 

Don't say you hate me when I'm looking out for you! Where are you going to find another man like me? You won't! You'll marry some old man who will never satisfy you!" 

That's when I felt his hand underneath my shirt touching my skin. I desperately pushed his hands away! But that didn't stop him from touching me! Admittedly, it felt good, but my pride and anger overpowered my desire or feelings for him. Before I knew it, I slapped him so hard across the face! I could feel the sting in my fingers. And it seemed for a second everything froze. 

"Don't touch me!" I yelled as I was now able to break free of his hold. I backed away from him into the dining room as far as I could. 

"Don't you ever slap me!" And before I knew it, he rushed toward me furiously, grabbing me to him again.

"No! Get out, we are through!"

I pushed Kenneth off me, but he grabbed me again. I pushed him away from me harder.

"I mean it, get out of my house!" 

In the wee morning hours, with too many conflicting emotions and pain. He stood staring into my face with a smirk on his. "Alright, but you must pay for what you have done. And remember these words. You are going to be my wife, Kita. I don't want anyone else but you." He slips his hands from around my waist as he walks toward the kitchen door.

"You are so arrogant! Get out! I don't want to ever to see you again, Kenneth Cole!"

"Oh, you will see me again." He winked and shut the door.

I locked the door. The look on his face was anger. So, I placed a chair from the kitchen table under the doorknob to keep him out in case he returned. Then I walked through the rest of the house, locking the doors and windows before turning off the lights. I had to take a shower. As I bathe, I let my hurt and tears, mixed with the shower water, slip quietly away. At least, that's how I visualized it. It seemed to help me to calm down. Who says you can't catch feelings for someone by just communicating over the phone for months? I certainly had feelings for Kenneth. I towel-dried my skin off and slipped into my soft chenille stripe black and white pajama set. Afterward, I climbed into bed, too exhausted, and hurt to think any longer about it.

I closed my eyes. The house was so quiet. I glanced at the alarm clock; it was past 2 a.m. Now that I was wide awake, I decided to double-check the doors and windows. I moved cautiously through the house to the living room to check the front door. Yes, I was beyond nervous. He is a very wealthy man and always gets what he wants. And Kenneth looked very upset! I don't want him to think he can just march up here anytime he feels like it and I'll be waiting to accept him.'

I closed my curtains and left the living room feeling much safer. I get myself a glass of water. 'Ooh! I can't believe my dad gave that man a key to our house!” I slumped down in one of the kitchen chairs. “Dad is going to be so disappointed when I tell him it’s over.”