CHAPTER 122

Kyle King

A new day has come. I whistled to myself as I reviewed the slides for the business plan I was working on to purchase Planet O. The rumour about the giant company collapsing had returned true, and according to my mom, purchasing them at this point was the right financial decision.

D.K Company had been my one sure ticket to hit the under-40 billionaire list, but due to my mistakes and love, I left it for Tessa. It had been a losing battle, and none of the shareholders were open to giving me a chance to explain myself. If it had been another partner who was trying to play smart, I would have fought with everything I had within me, but it was Tessa. Letting go was easy.

The Gomez family was relocating to Spain after losing a major deal with the government. Christopher had been in charge, but something happened along the line, and the deal hit the rocks. This is the sixth deal of the year. They couldn't continue losing deals because it was affecting their golden image and income, so, according to an insider, they had decided to return to Spain and rebuild.

The story was strange, but I could understand their pain. It wasn’t easy watching everything you had built crumble before your eyes. My once-upon-a-time marriage to Kyle King

A lot of companies had shown interest in the company buyout, but the Gomez family was extremely picky and sexy. They also needed a business plan from all interested companies to know if they were seriously interested and the nature of business they intended on using the company for.

Mine was a simple plan. I wasn’t going to change the purpose of Planet O. I was going to expand it and make it encompassing. A health insurance company for everyone, not just the elites of society. Christopher focused on the rich, and I was going for everyone from different walks of life. I also thought about building a pharmacy and putting a certified pharmacist in charge, but Xavier said it was bigger to handle and I would need at least a certified degree in pharmacy to build one. I gave up before I started.

‘I thought you were over Tessa. What’s up with early morning blushing?’ Xavier asked, sitting next to me.

I chuckled, ‘Over her? She’s an addict, dear brother. I can't get over her. Anyway, I am not blushing, but I am thinking about this business plan for the Gomez family. I hope they will like it and sell the company to me and not those greedy competitors in Nashville.’

He laughed hard. ‘Is your capital enough to take care of the business once they sell it over to you?’

‘Of course. You forget sometimes that your friend is one of the richest CEOs in Nashville. Have you forgotten that I made a lot of money during the early days of D.K. Company? Also, don’t forget that I am a king.’

‘Yeah, right. Let’s see how it goes, then.’ he replied.  ‘What about Tessa? Any updates?’

I chuckled, liking the change of topic. ‘Few minutes ago, you thought she had gotten tired of me, and now, you want updates about us. We are supposed to see her during lunch break, but her family needs us at the moment.’

He drawled, ‘She has definitely changed. Once upon a time, she would have placed you above everything.’

I said nothing. He had said some truth, and even though it was hurtful, I knew better. She had been receptive to the lunch basket and was open to rescheduling a lunch date with me. The Tessa I met in California wouldn’t have done this. This was progress for me. 

Baby steps. 

_

The slow traffic helped me think about my next line of plans. I was expected to return to Nashville next week. My long stay in the United Kingdom was becoming worrisome for the team, and mom has been ruling with an iron hand even though I didn’t put her in charge. 

Maybe it was high time I made her sign the full rights of the company to me. To the world, I was the big shot CEO, but personally, it was mom. She still held at least a thirty percent stake in the company, and I had tried to make her sign it over to me. 

I couldn’t return to Nashville yet, though. My relationship with Tessa was still in the nursery stage, and if I should leave now, I had a feeling I would start from scratch again. A part of me wanted to shift the company to the U.K., but our target audience was in Nashville, and it will take years for me to build my reputation here. Also, there was Planet O. If I got the company, I would need to be present in Nashville to sign the necessary documents and start the reconstruction and rebranding.

I shook my head. I had to discover a way to fix Tessa in all these. I have lost her before due to my selfishness and stupid decisions. I shouldn’t repeat that mistake again.

I took a left turn onto the estate where I had been living for the past seven months. It was funny how I still felt like a stranger in the United Kingdom. It was a nice environment to start a family, though, and if Tessa would just let me into her life, I would be the happiest human being on earth.

Anyway, I couldn’t rush things. She was becoming more open to me, and if I did anything that would push her away from me, that would be the end of my baby steps.

Xavier smiled as I walked in. Strange how he was home before me.

‘I thought you had some party to attend, or your plans changed?' I asked, dropping into the couch.

He replied, throwing popcorn into his mouth, ‘The party got cancelled. Where are you coming from?’

I yawned, ‘I stepped out to check up on some distant family relatives. They just arrived in Bristol, and mom insisted I pay them a visit before leaving.’

‘Alright.’ he replied, sitting up. ‘By the way, what’s your mom saying about your relationship with Tessa?’

I scoffed. ‘She’s not pleased, but the idea of being called grandma soon has been so enticing that she keeps reminding me anytime we speak via phone to do quick with my plans on getting Tessa back. She can’t wait to see her grandchildren.’

Xvaier laughed, ‘Indeed. I hope she hasn’t forgotten what she did to Tessa, though.’

I sighed inwardly. No one in the Kings family had forgotten.