CHAPTER 127

Geneveive Tessa Robert

I blinked at the alarm clock and closed my eyes for the eleventh time. It was two a.m., and I was still unable to sleep. I opened my eyes and reached out for the novel chosen by the book club, an old read for me—Firestarter by Stephen King. I wondered why we had to read something like this in a book club where the majority of the members were hopeless romantics. 

I stared at the folded page and slowly opened it. I was still stuck in chapter eight since I started the book at the beginning of the month. Even though it was an old read, I was still finding it difficult to read it because I was distracted and worried. 

Kyle King.

He kept creeping into my mind every now and then. Today made it the third week we had been speaking since he left for Nashville. We don’t speak every day, but the interaction has been top-notch. He always updated me on everything he did over there, while I reciprocated the energy. I caught myself more than I expected, and slowly, I began to look forward to his calls. Today, I couldn’t stop myself from calling him, but strangely, he kept cutting the lines. I sent messages, but he didn’t reply.

I know it’s too early to conclude his attitude, but what stopped him from sending a text to explain if he was busy or something? I sighed, dropping the book. It was definitely too early to draw conclusions. I switched off the table lamp, picked up my iPad, and tuned to my favourite Spotify playlist. Music was definitely food for the soul and a distraction.

‘You didn’t sleep well last night?’ Mom asked, adding more loaves of bread to my plate.

I yawned, stretching a bit and remembering my nightly struggle. ‘I had a lot on my mind. I couldn’t sleep without sorting them out.’

She nodded, spreading butter on the bread. ‘So, did Kyle include one of the issues you were trying to sort?’

I laughed softly. I had forgotten how mom could easily read through me sometimes. She could tell what I was thinking by just looking at my facial expression. Mun had always been that way with me and James. Okay, more with me.

‘I wasn’t thinking about him alone, Mom. Work has been tedious too. I think I need a break. It’s not been easy running Hoplas with the kids and attending all those tedious meetings at Robert Inc.’

She chuckled. ‘I don’t know why you are complaining about your busy lifestyle, dear. When I advised you to step down from the board of executives and focus on Hoplas, you refused. I told you to bring the kids to our place while you focused on work activities, but you refused. What do you want me to do now?’

I sighed, expecting that response. ‘Mom, I refused because I didn’t want to stress you and your dad anymore. You guys are supposed to be resting while James and I run the family businesses. Some of our relatives are already helping out, but you know they won’t do anything if James and I don’t show up. You and Dad need the rest, so I am not stepping down. For the kids, I will drop them off this weekend for the holiday while I travel to Vera’s place. She wants my help in building her baby’s nursery.’

Mom looked up, excited. ‘Vera is expecting already? That’s quick, dear, and I am so happy for her. When did she get the news?’

Oh boy! I shouldn’t have said anything, but if I hadn’t told mom, Vera wouldn’t forgive me. She wanted to use the pregnancy to grab an early holiday for Murphy. A father’s leave.

The idea was ridiculous, but seeing the look on mom’s face, I knew it worked.

‘Well, after her honeymoon, she found out. The baby will be due next year, but the doctor wants her to reduce the work stress due to her health condition.’

Mom shook her head. ‘She’s having high blood pressure again? That’s not good. Vera is such a sweet soul. I still can’t believe she has to battle with that for the rest of her life.’

I bit my bottom lip, holding the quiver in my voice. Vera’s family had a history of hypertension and diabetes. One funny day while we were still in college, she went for a medical test and discovered her blood pressure was above the normal rate. The drugs and various checkups started, and soon, the pressure went back to normal. Over the years, it increased, decreased, and became serious sometimes due to her work activities, but she didn’t back down. 

Vera is a strong woman, and now that she is pregnant, I knew she was going to do everything in her power not to stress herself or her child. 

I took mom’s hands and said, ‘She will be fine, mom. She just needs to reduce her work activities and rest when she needs to. I am sure Murphy would ensure she follows the doctor’s order.’

She replied, ‘Does she need Murphy to be home with her? I could speak to your dad to reduce his working hours so that he can return home on time and help out with chores and all.’

I smiled widely. ‘I am sure Vera would be grateful for that. Thank you, mom.’

She nodded. ‘Send my regards to her, okay? Let me check up on my angels to see what they are up to. I hope James isn't teaching Nicholas soccer again, though.’

I shook my head negatively as she walked away with the plate of loaves. Wow. Even though Murphy wasn’t getting a full holiday yet, the half-working hours would help Ava and their castle of a house. I still don’t understand why they agreed to move to Murphy’s aunt's gigantic manor or castle, as I called it. They had just two housekeepers, and Vera had to keep an eye on them to ensure everything was always neat and well-arranged.

So much for a rich and famous lifestyle.