CHAPTER 121

Geneveive Tessa Robert

I strolled into the office smiling and complemented some of the employees who were hanging around. They raised eyebrows, and I could see the questions in their replies. They must be wondering what was going on with me.

I couldn’t explain why I woke up feeling excited and relaxed. I had gone through the list of items that could be the cause. I had given up until a text message greeted me as I stepped out of the vehicle. Kyle. He had sent his fourth poem this week. An apology poem, and he had included a line from my favourite poem by Rudyard Kipling. As a smile formed on my face, I realized he was the reason why I had woken up excited. Even though I had tried to chase him away during Vera’s wedding, he still remained. So, I decided to play it cool, and we went on a friendly outing with the kids, which ended well. I was still protective of my emotions because I didn’t want to end up like that gullible Tessa years ago. 

I still didn’t trust Kyle or his love confession. He was a distraction for now, and I shouldn’t fall in love.

Another message popped up.

‘What about a lunch date? Or a friendly lunchy datey? We can do one in your office if you can’t afford to get out.’

I smiled. Kyle was the only one allowed to use terminologies like lunchy datey. No one else was allowed to do so. 

I replied, smiling widely. ‘I take it that you’re trying to buy me lunch, and I accept. We will meet at the cafe at the end of my office street. They make nice pastries.’

‘Right. I will pick you then. I hope James won’t kill me for stealing you.’

Ouch! I remembered immediately. I had promised James that we would be checking on my parents during lunch break. Mom had been put on bed rest again by the family doctor. She wouldn’t listen to take work activities easy and let Dad and James do the work. I bit my lips, wondering if I should put my ex-husband before my family. I knew the answer as I typed it. 

I think we can reschedule our lunch date. My parents need me during that time frame, and I can’t disappoint them.

He didn’t reply. I waited for a few minutes, and when nothing popped up, I placed my phone in DND mode and focused on work activities. If he felt disappointed and angry about my choice, then he wasn’t ready for that relationship with the kids. He had to accept that my family would always come before him. That was the new order of things. The old way had led to disownership, loneliness, and heartbreak. No more. 

Halsey walked in as I settled to review the report from our quarterly meeting. I had missed it a few days ago due to the twins parent’s day meeting. James had stood in for me, but he barely understood what they were discussing because, according to him, ‘they spoke jargon language.’

‘Good morning, ma. You’re in a good mood today. Did something happen during the week?’

I looked up, stifling a yawn. ‘But I was in a good mood yesterday, wasn’t I?’

She nodded, focusing her gaze on her notepad. ‘Yes, ma. You greeted almost everyone today, bought your expensive cappuccinos for us, and didn’t attend the board meeting. You never miss Wednesday’s board meeting.’

Oh well. So much for having a smart secretary who could read you like a book.

‘The twins won a good behaviour medal yesterday, and they helped Estella prepare my favourite toast bread and coffee as a thank you, mummy, gift for training properly. Shouldn’t I be happy about that?’

‘You should be, ma. Your kids are the best, and they deserve the medal. That was so lovely of them. I am sorry for my curious questions.’

I waved it off. ‘It’s alright. What are the remaining tasks for today?’

She smiled, reading them. ‘The meeting with Mr. McPhee is at two o’clock. Should I transfer him to one of the managers?’

Mr. McPhee and his prude behaviour. I was still healing from the last meeting we had. I didn’t want to see the annoying man today and maybe forever.

‘Let one of the executives take care of him. I have other things to take care of at the moment. Is there any other meeting I need to be available for?’

She hummed, going through her notepad, ‘No. He’s the only one. Oh yes, someone dropped off a lunch basket for you. Should I bring it in?’

I thought for a second. A lunch basket? Probably James. I had joked during our brother and sister pep talk last night about how he was wealthier than me now and yet could'n't surprise me with a lunch date. He had laughed it off and promised to do it soon.

The lunch basket was filled with Italian pastries and strawberry ice cream. There was a note with a familiar scent.

Family comes first, but you’re my first. I hope we can have a lunch date together someday.

Kyle King. I knew it before I read the entire note. His scent was easy to feel and identify. I had been with him for a few weeks and knew his body scent better than I knew mine. Was this love?

No. It was an introduction. A short note to prepare me for what's coming and what won’t come. I threw the card into the trash bin, but not the lunch basket. I will be keeping his second gift because it was genuine and came from a heart that finally understood what it meant to be selfless.

I picked up my phone and typed a thank-you  message. He had sent a reply earlier to my previous message.

Time was built to wait for us, but not anyone else. I will be here whenever you are ready.

I shook my head. Kyle King wasn’t ready to give up.