CHAPTER 126

Kyle King

The cafe reminded me of Avaline. It was strange that I hadn’t thought about her until now. She had been a mistake, or better yet, a pill I had taken to cure a remedy. The pill didn’t work, but I remained addicted to it until the effects were glaring. I preferred not to think about her as a lover or wife because it only hurt me more, and the memories of what we had together made me feel used. 

Okay, she didn’t use me, but we used each other. I must admit that I enjoyed the time we spent together. She was the fire in our marriage, and her influence in the social circle improved the King’s Company’s ratings. Somehow along the line, when I discovered her wasteful habit and also her entitled nature, I began to lose interest. Thank goodness, she was finally out of my life for good.

‘She’s at that right corner. I hope she doesn’t cut my head and place it on a platter, Kyle. Your mom is more dangerous than Avaline. I hope you know that.’ Xavier said, walking behind me. 

I grinned, ‘Little wonder you and her never get along. She hasn’t done anything yet, and you're already crucifying her.’

He drawled, ‘You won’t blame me. Your mom has threatened me more than cops, man! Anyway, I agreed to come with you, so let’s get over this meeting.’

‘Alright. Play it cool and only disagree when necessary, alright?’ I said, stopping in front of her table. ‘Hello, mom. You look gorgeous. How was Paris?’

Dahila smiled, showcasing her manicured fingers. ‘It was fun. My friends ensured I tasted everything about France, including their men.’

I coughed, ‘Come on, mom. I don’t need to know that part. I'm glad you’re back. Can I place our orders now?’ 

‘Oh, you brought him. Xavier, don’t you have a client to meet up with, or are you jobless now?’ Dahila asked, not hiding her displeasure.

Xavier settled near me. ‘No, I am not jobless, Dahila. I just wanted to say hi to you. It’s been months since we saw each other, right? Almost seven months.’

She chuckled dryly. ‘Whatever, son. I didn’t miss you, though, but anyway, I am glad you’re back with my son. Kyle, I called you because of Avaline.’

I sighed. I knew it. ‘What about her? Is the court increasing her sentence or reverting to what it’s supposed to be?’

Avaline was supposed to receive three years for what she did, but her parents had pulled a lot of strings for her.

‘Don’t be that person, Kyle. I know what she did was bad, but justice has been served. She will be out by the end of the year, and her mom... I mean, we want you guys to work things out. We know the divorce can be swept under the rug, right? Dahila winked and smiled broadly. 

Xavier chuckled. ‘Forgive me, but do you really want your son to return to someone who wasn’t adding to the family’s business and progress? She almost ruined your son and then attacked his children. Why do you like this Dahila?’

She snapped, ‘I wasn’t talking to you, Xavier! Why don’t you keep quiet and pretend to be a non-living element while my son responds to me? Fool!’

I held Xavier’s hands to prevent him from retailing. I knew mom was trying to get on his nerves. ‘Mom, there’s no need for condescending remarks, okay? Xavier is telling the truth. Why would you want me to return to an ex-convict? She almost ruined me. Can’t you remember all the problems she caused?’

Dahila sighed, ‘What problems? You didn’t even try to solve anything but kept on rubbing her face. You kept comparing her to that barren thing!’

I yelled, ‘She isn’t barren, mom! She has two kids who are your grandchildren. I thought you were happy about this.’

‘I am. I am sorry I said that. I just feel Tessa doesn’t fit the picture for the medium, according to Avaline. Tessa might come from a wealthy family, but her social status is basic. We need social status, and Avaline has been giving us that until the divorce happened.’

Of course, it was always about her and not me.

‘Avaline and I are over. There’s no coming back for us. No coming back, mom.’ I repeated. ‘I will be returning to the U.K. in two weeks time to be with Tessa and my kids. If you want to meet them, you can hop along; if you don't, it's your loss.’

She hissed, standing up. ‘Alright, suit yourself. I wonder what you will do when I collect the company from you. All that arrogance. What will it get you? Nothing!’

Xavier laughed. ‘You always think about fame, money, and status, but not your son’s feelings. It’s not always about you, Dahila. Learn to be empathetic and selfless, okay?’

She rolled her eyes. ‘And learn your place, fool! I know what to do anyway. Enjoy your afternoon, fools!’

I chuckled, watching her storm off. That woman was something else. I had to find a way to make her come around. I couldn’t go ahead with Tessa if my mom was still pissed at me, and there was company too.

‘Are you going to bend to her rules? You can’t do that, Kyle. You are no longer that hard-core CEO who everyone feared back then. You have become a better person. More approachable, and I am certain that’s why Tessa is giving you a chance. If you listen to your mom, you will lose Tessa and the kids. Do you want that?’

I sighed. ‘I can't lose the company. It is what makes me Kyle King. I don’t have any other business to fall on if she takes it from me.’

Xavier hummed, ‘Speak to your uncle. He could help out. Maybe ask other family relatives to force your mom to sign the company completely to you.’

I shook my head. ‘That won’t work. Uncle David is in North Korea. He relocated after he sold his D.K. shares. I will find a way around this. Thank you for coming with me.’

He shrugged. ‘Be careful. Your mom is preparing something we wouldn’t like.’

I agreed. Dahila King would do anything to get what she wanted. That was how the kings were.