Hayley
I paused working on my new design. This was terrible. How could I handle this situation? The potential clients had requested a meeting at L'Baroque but with my husband in attendance.Should I be truthful and cancel the meeting or should I... No I can't think of doing that.I can't ask Kyle to come with me. I can't do that it rather my pride won't let me do it. Neither will Amber or my brother Joe, they both will roast me alive.Feeling that there was nothing I could do about it, I continued working on my design but with a fully worried heart.The door opened again. Mary must be back, I had told her to come back in twenty minutes. My twenty minutes must be up.But I was met with silence."Mary?" I called out, not looking up."Ma'am it's not Mary." I looked up to see Veronica. She was one of the junior interior designers with a really great portfolio. What was she doing here?"Hello Veronica." I leaned back against my chair."I hope I am not intruding on your time. I wanted to discuss something with you.""Take a seat." I gestured for her to take one."Thank you." She smiled tightly.I nodded giving her time to compose herself and tell her purpose for this unexpected visit."I am here to discuss with you about the decision you made concerning the work you chose to be on the cover of the GQ's Decor front page." She paused taking a deep breath.Oh I see. I guess she was dissatisfied about the results. Her works were among the ones chosen for screening by me and the top officials of the company."And you feel like you have been robbed and cheated?" I questioned her with an arch of my brow."Yes, no. No Mrs Banes, I don't mean it like that.""So what do you mean?" I asked with a straight face. I secretly admired her resilience in coming to confront me in my office."Ma'am, I feel like I was not given enough credit for my work." She explained.Really, Veronica is among our top designers, she has a lot of untapped potential. And I personally chose her work to be nominated for GQ's Decor front page."I understand but you have to know that the decision-making process wasn't only done by me."I saw that got her attention because she sat up straight."Yes, I chose the designs for possible nominations. But the senior designers and board director also had a say. Ams besides GQ picks out the one that looks appealing to them." She shook her head in understanding.What I didn't tell her is that, we vote and the one with the highest votes gets passed to GQ for possible nominations."Oh I see." She bit her lip nervously."Personally I think your work is great. And over time and slight improvements, you will become unstoppable." I told her with a smile."Thank you ma. I appreciate your honesty." She stood up ready to leave the office."You are welcome.""I will take my leave now ma'am." Sje nodded at me."Please Veronica on your way, can you tell Mary to come to my office?""Yes I will do that."My talk with Veronica has given me the courage to do the unthinkable. I will be going to that dinner with it without Kyle.KyleFor some reason I couldn't stop thinking about Hayley. Was it guilt or something else?But what?"Fuck." I rubbed the sore spot between my eyes grunting at the notification that popped on my screen.Simone: I know you are seeing my texts and you better the do yourself the favor of picking up your phone when I call.Simone has been on my neck, ever since she found out about my hook up with Hayley. Constantly nagging at me about the fact that I cheated on her with my soon to be ex wife.I admit that I made a mistake and I apologized frequently for it but she wouldn't just let it go even though I was still with her.The wistful feeling that went through me as I remembered the peaceful three years I spent with Hayley. She understood the terms and kept to boundaries.But I shook my head because I was not going to waste my time comparing two women."Simone, I just saw your text." I withheld the sigh that was about to flee my lips. I didn't want he"Seriously Kyle. You just saw my text!
HayleyThe sound of the door bell ringing distracted me from The Disney movie I was watching with the kids. I stood gently but wanting to disturb the kids as they were too engrossed. I wondered who had come at this time of the day. It was already past 7pm and I wasn't expecting anyone.Amber has been too busy with her Brit man and I hoped that he doesn't hurt her.I opened the door to see the last person I expected."Kyle?" I was really surprised to see him here. What was he doing here?"Hi. May I come in?" He held up a basket of goodies. "Sure." I opened the door wider to let him pass through."You know you shouldn't just open the door like that. You have to check through the peephole before opening the door." He admonished after he removed his shoes standing with me "It's a safe neighborhood, you know that. Now what are you doing here?" I asked him folding my arms."I wanted to see the kids. I've been to busy at the office and.." He took them to the park just last weekend."You
KyleI stepped out of the elevator into the living room of my penthouse. After I moved out from the house I stayed with Hayley and the kids, I took a favor from a friend and got the penthouse as a temporary residence. It was closer to work and had a great view.Damn, I was so tired and I wanted to fall into bed so badly but first I need to get food from the kitchen."Welcome home babe." A sultry voice made me yelp in shock."Simone. What are you doing here?" She was sitting on the black couch shrouded in the shadows. I liked leaving the house in shadows when I wasn't around."Kyle. Obviously waiting for you, I got worried and came here. Where have you been? I've calling you nonstop and your phone was switched off."What was I thinking giving her the passkey to the elevator?"You know where I've been. We've talked about it this afternoon. I was with my kids and my phone was switched off." I shrugged off my suit jacket dropping it on the couch.I had purposely switched off my phone not
Hayley''Are you sure that he's not up to something?'' Amber asked me. I just finished telling her about the conversation I had with Kyle.''Why would he be up to something?'' I replied. I knew how much Amber disliked Kyle because of how our marriage went sideways. Kyle also barely tolerated her when we were together. Though I had told her that I was also at fault since I married him knowing that he was in love with another woman.''Don't you dare support him, Hayley. You didn't deserve how he treated you.'' I looked t her more closely. She had tears in her eyes, which was strange for Amber.''This isn't about what we are talking about. What happened Amber?'' She burst into tears stunning me. Amber never cried, okay she did but hardly. I could count the number of times that Amber had cried on one hand.''Amber what's going on? You are scaring me.'' For real, she was scaring me. She didn't answer but simply laid her head sobbing on my chest.''I.. I. Why can't my life be normal? Why,,
HayleyIt was only a matter of time before the deadline for the upcoming I was supposed to attend with my prospective client would elapse. I didn't even think of bringing the topic up with Amber after her melt-down. She would have been pissed off even more if I had brought it up.What was I going to do now? I might as well hire unknown man to pretend to be my husband.''No that sounds stupid. Gosh, what am I going to do now?'' I moaned in distress dropping my head on my desk.Raising my head, I thought long and hard tapping my fingers on the desk.Should I call Kyle? No, Jesus! What was I thinking? Amber would be so disappointed. But that would be if I told her. What she doesn't know won't kill her.''Geez, Hayley pull yourself together and think of a solution.'' I muttered.Left with no choice I finally mustered the courage to do one of the most craziest feats I have ever attempted in my life. I know that I was exaggerating this whole scenario because I was only going to call the fath
KyleWhy do I think that Hayley to say something else when I called her two days ago, after she dropped a message for me.More like her PA did that. Why didn't she just call my personal phone?And the little misunderstanding about her checking out Hunter. Why that didn't sit well with me, I don't know. She was free to do whatever she wanted as I am.''Everything alright dude?'' Hunter tapped on my shoulder jolting me from my thoughts.''Yeah, I'm good.'' I nodded looking at him strangely. Does she find Hunter attractive?Even though she said that she didn't mean it that way. But I couldn't help but wonder if she was just trying not to offend me.''Dude, why are you looking at our homeboy like that?'' Freddie chuckled when I threw a glare at him. I still couldn't get the thought of Hayley liking Hunter out of my head.They would be perfect for each other, even their names start with the same letter 'H'.I did the unthinkable and asked a totally stupid question.''Hunter, what do you th
Hayley''Hi Mom.' Hi Dad.' I smiled at the figures on the screen of my laptop. The kids were running around pretty happy that they could see their grand-parents even though it was through a screen.''Hayley, how have you been?'' My dad asked. He looked much older, maybe due to the fact that I had not seen him for sometime since they stayed in Seattle.''Fine Dad.'' I noticed Mom looking at Wynter and Autumn with longing in her eyes. I knew how hard it was for her to watch the kids grow from afar. At the time that Kyle and I had separated, she even suggested that we move to Settle to be closer to them.But I couldn't just pack up knowing that my home was here in New York. I couldn't just stand up and leave. My career, friends and everything that I have ever worked for was here.Though I understood why she suggested that we move, apparently the gossips that will come with the divorce and also not running into Kyle and Simone.''Please bring my babies up so that I can see them closer.''
HayleyToday was the day we were heading to Wynter and Autumn potential school. I had to take the day off from work, also did Kyle. Kyle was coming along with us sure to put in a united front to the proprietress of the school. So we were all leaving in his car. And that was going to be easier since he had baby seats too.It was a prestigious Prep school for kindergarten children, one of the best in New York city. Also it was hard to get in, and they even had a waiting list for a new session. Thankfully, Kyle's mom knew the proprietress and has put in a good word for us.''Okay, Wynter come here.'' I called for him. I had been struggling with helping him put on his jacket. The weather today was chill and I needed them to be extremely covered.''Mama, no.'' He shook his little head making me bite in laughter. Not today little man, Kyle would be here soon and the last thing I wanted was for us to run late. And as I had learnt consistently from my job, first impression always matters.''W
HayleyI was in my office currently working on a project when I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to step out and get some books for the kids. Looking at my wrist-watch, I saw that it was almost time for lunch."Mary, can you please cut off all appointments later for this afternoon? I will be stepping out this afternoon to get some things from the bookstore." I told her through the intercom."Sure ma'am but you are supposed to have a meeting with Mr Sterling at two O'clock. Should I reschedule it?" Damn I totally forgot that I had a meeting with him. Mr Sterling was one of my top clients and had been with me for seven years. I possibly couldn't reschedule our meeting."Yes, do that please. And move any other appointments to tomorrow." I was sure that I wasn't going to be coming back on time."Okay ma'am, is that all? Would you like to add anything else?""No, that would be all Mary. Thank you." After I clicked off the intercom, I closed all applications on my PC and set it to sl
HayleyNothing really special has happened after we took the kids to school for their settlement. They were starting school next week Monday and I was really anxious about how their first day was going to be like."So Mrs Banes, your husband isn't here with you?" Mrs Cooper asked curious."Umm, no. He's having a late night at work and he couldn't meet up." I smiled indulgently at the couple I was having dinner with.Thank God I was quick enough to come up with a suitable excuse. This dinner will be over if Mrs Cooper ever found out that me and my husband were on the path to divorce.I was super grateful that we kept our separation quiet."Uh I see, the same thing with my Patrick here. He is ever busy and I had to drag him off work for him to be present here." She smiled fondly patting her husband's hand sharing a I became uncomfortable and had to look away at that the moment that passed between them."Is that your husband?" Patrick Cooper spoke for the first time since we arrived he
HayleyToday was the day we were heading to Wynter and Autumn potential school. I had to take the day off from work, also did Kyle. Kyle was coming along with us sure to put in a united front to the proprietress of the school. So we were all leaving in his car. And that was going to be easier since he had baby seats too.It was a prestigious Prep school for kindergarten children, one of the best in New York city. Also it was hard to get in, and they even had a waiting list for a new session. Thankfully, Kyle's mom knew the proprietress and has put in a good word for us.''Okay, Wynter come here.'' I called for him. I had been struggling with helping him put on his jacket. The weather today was chill and I needed them to be extremely covered.''Mama, no.'' He shook his little head making me bite in laughter. Not today little man, Kyle would be here soon and the last thing I wanted was for us to run late. And as I had learnt consistently from my job, first impression always matters.''W
Hayley''Hi Mom.' Hi Dad.' I smiled at the figures on the screen of my laptop. The kids were running around pretty happy that they could see their grand-parents even though it was through a screen.''Hayley, how have you been?'' My dad asked. He looked much older, maybe due to the fact that I had not seen him for sometime since they stayed in Seattle.''Fine Dad.'' I noticed Mom looking at Wynter and Autumn with longing in her eyes. I knew how hard it was for her to watch the kids grow from afar. At the time that Kyle and I had separated, she even suggested that we move to Settle to be closer to them.But I couldn't just pack up knowing that my home was here in New York. I couldn't just stand up and leave. My career, friends and everything that I have ever worked for was here.Though I understood why she suggested that we move, apparently the gossips that will come with the divorce and also not running into Kyle and Simone.''Please bring my babies up so that I can see them closer.''
KyleWhy do I think that Hayley to say something else when I called her two days ago, after she dropped a message for me.More like her PA did that. Why didn't she just call my personal phone?And the little misunderstanding about her checking out Hunter. Why that didn't sit well with me, I don't know. She was free to do whatever she wanted as I am.''Everything alright dude?'' Hunter tapped on my shoulder jolting me from my thoughts.''Yeah, I'm good.'' I nodded looking at him strangely. Does she find Hunter attractive?Even though she said that she didn't mean it that way. But I couldn't help but wonder if she was just trying not to offend me.''Dude, why are you looking at our homeboy like that?'' Freddie chuckled when I threw a glare at him. I still couldn't get the thought of Hayley liking Hunter out of my head.They would be perfect for each other, even their names start with the same letter 'H'.I did the unthinkable and asked a totally stupid question.''Hunter, what do you th
HayleyIt was only a matter of time before the deadline for the upcoming I was supposed to attend with my prospective client would elapse. I didn't even think of bringing the topic up with Amber after her melt-down. She would have been pissed off even more if I had brought it up.What was I going to do now? I might as well hire unknown man to pretend to be my husband.''No that sounds stupid. Gosh, what am I going to do now?'' I moaned in distress dropping my head on my desk.Raising my head, I thought long and hard tapping my fingers on the desk.Should I call Kyle? No, Jesus! What was I thinking? Amber would be so disappointed. But that would be if I told her. What she doesn't know won't kill her.''Geez, Hayley pull yourself together and think of a solution.'' I muttered.Left with no choice I finally mustered the courage to do one of the most craziest feats I have ever attempted in my life. I know that I was exaggerating this whole scenario because I was only going to call the fath
Hayley''Are you sure that he's not up to something?'' Amber asked me. I just finished telling her about the conversation I had with Kyle.''Why would he be up to something?'' I replied. I knew how much Amber disliked Kyle because of how our marriage went sideways. Kyle also barely tolerated her when we were together. Though I had told her that I was also at fault since I married him knowing that he was in love with another woman.''Don't you dare support him, Hayley. You didn't deserve how he treated you.'' I looked t her more closely. She had tears in her eyes, which was strange for Amber.''This isn't about what we are talking about. What happened Amber?'' She burst into tears stunning me. Amber never cried, okay she did but hardly. I could count the number of times that Amber had cried on one hand.''Amber what's going on? You are scaring me.'' For real, she was scaring me. She didn't answer but simply laid her head sobbing on my chest.''I.. I. Why can't my life be normal? Why,,
KyleI stepped out of the elevator into the living room of my penthouse. After I moved out from the house I stayed with Hayley and the kids, I took a favor from a friend and got the penthouse as a temporary residence. It was closer to work and had a great view.Damn, I was so tired and I wanted to fall into bed so badly but first I need to get food from the kitchen."Welcome home babe." A sultry voice made me yelp in shock."Simone. What are you doing here?" She was sitting on the black couch shrouded in the shadows. I liked leaving the house in shadows when I wasn't around."Kyle. Obviously waiting for you, I got worried and came here. Where have you been? I've calling you nonstop and your phone was switched off."What was I thinking giving her the passkey to the elevator?"You know where I've been. We've talked about it this afternoon. I was with my kids and my phone was switched off." I shrugged off my suit jacket dropping it on the couch.I had purposely switched off my phone not
HayleyThe sound of the door bell ringing distracted me from The Disney movie I was watching with the kids. I stood gently but wanting to disturb the kids as they were too engrossed. I wondered who had come at this time of the day. It was already past 7pm and I wasn't expecting anyone.Amber has been too busy with her Brit man and I hoped that he doesn't hurt her.I opened the door to see the last person I expected."Kyle?" I was really surprised to see him here. What was he doing here?"Hi. May I come in?" He held up a basket of goodies. "Sure." I opened the door wider to let him pass through."You know you shouldn't just open the door like that. You have to check through the peephole before opening the door." He admonished after he removed his shoes standing with me "It's a safe neighborhood, you know that. Now what are you doing here?" I asked him folding my arms."I wanted to see the kids. I've been to busy at the office and.." He took them to the park just last weekend."You