CHAPTER 140

Kyle King

 

She had accepted my date offer and also agreed to eat at Charles’ Lounge. However, I hadn’t expected that she would ask me to pick her up. It was strange, but I agreed. All the times we had gone out, she had always rejected my offer to pick her up. I used to suspect that it was because I was using a rented Jeep. I couldn’t fly mine from Nashville, and buying one here when I wasn’t sure of my movements most of the time would be a bad investment.

 

I confronted her once about it, and she denied my suspicion. According to her, she didn’t want to give her children or family the idea that we were an item. I didn’t believe her.

I stopped in front of her house and dialled her number. She picked up after the second dial.

 

Hi. I will be out in five minutes. Please, hold on.

I replied with a thumbs up and checked the Jeep again. I had taken extra care to clean the inside and ensured the air freshener was her favourite. I checked my outfit again—a white shirt, black trousers, and thirty thousand dollars in black shoes. A comfortable outfit for a dinner date with my ex-wife.

 

I saw her before she saw me. She wore a long black gown that clung to her hourglass shape. Dear Lord! Save me. She was breath-taking.

I quickly got out as she stopped in front of the vehicle. ‘Hi. You look stunning, Tessa. Wow.’

 

She smiled widely, not caring to hide her red cheeks. ‘Thank you, Kyle. You look good too.’

 

‘Thank you. What about the kids?’

 

‘Oh, they are with my parents. You can see them during the weekend.’

 

I nodded, closing the door and entering the driver’s seat. ‘I would love that, Tessa. Have you thought about what I suggested?’

She sighed, looking at me. ‘Yes, I did. I am not ready to have that discussion with the kids yet. When it’s time, I will let you know. For now, just enjoy your time with them.’

 

‘Tessa, I think you should tell them soon, though. They are my children, and I am tired of pretending to be just a friend to them. They need to know I am their dad.’

‘Is this what the date is going to be about? Giving me orders like I am your employee? If this is what you are going to do throughout the dinner, please let me get down. I didn’t accept your offer to do this.’

I sighed, starting the Jeep. ‘I am sorry, Tessa. I just wanted you to know how I feel about your decision.’

She said nothing and ignored my comments about her business strides. I sighed. The dinner date was going to be a silent journey, from what I could perceive. 

 

Not wanting to accept the defeat, I slid in her favourite artist cassette and increased the volume. She had always been a Phil Collins fan, right from college. 

 

She looked at me. ‘You still remember him. Thank you, Kyle. I haven’t listened to him since we got divorced because he reminds me of our memories.’

 

I swallowed, noticing the pain in her eyes. ‘I still listen to him because you introduced him to me. I became closer to music because of you. I became closer to looking forward to waking up in the mornings because of you.’

 

She shook her head. ‘Kyle, you have no idea... Let’s not just talk about our past, please.’

 

‘Alright, Tessa. What do you want to talk about?’

‘Nothing, please. I just want to enjoy the music, if that’s okay with you.’

 

I nodded, saying nothing. It seems my attempt to make her feel comfortable with me has failed. I glanced at her and noticed her eyes were closed. Well, not failed, though. I wondered if she was thinking about us. Our memories. Our past lives.

_

Charles Lounge was my favourite place to eat and enjoy their karaoke nights on Wednesdays. They also had a sensational chef, and their waitresses were perfect. I had chosen it because Tessa had a thing for fine cooking and karaoke nights. During the early days of our marriage, she always booked our outings at diners that did Karaoke nights, but that ritual stopped when I joined my family in shaming her. 

 

I still felt stupid about what I did then and hoped this place wouldn’t trigger bad but good memories. 

 

I glanced at her as I stopped the engine. ‘We are here. You know, Charles Lounge is known for its remarkable chef’s specials, and their services are top-notch.

 

She scoffed. ‘I am sure there are other places that beat Charles Lounge. Can we go in now?

I shrugged, wondering why she reacted that way. ‘Yes, we can. I already reserved a table for us, so we won’t have issues getting a seat.

 

She stepped out of the car, and I followed her. The waitress helped us locate our reserved space and collected our orders. 

 

The karaoke had started already. There was someone on the stage singing ‘Stay’ by an artist I didn’t care about.

‘You want to try Karaoke after we are done eating?’ I asked, smiling at the waitress as she dropped our orders.

She shook her head and said, ‘Not tonight. I need to talk to you about something. I wanted to bring it up on our way here, but the atmosphere in the vehicle made me change my mind.’

‘Oh, what is it, Tessa? I drawled, dropping my cutlery.

 

She sighed. ‘It’s about how I feel about you, Kyle. I am not in love with you. I mean, I haven’t fallen for you as much as you have for me, and that’s because of what happened between us then. I know I have forgiven you and promised to finally let go, but it’s hard for me. I don’t want to push you away, but I just want you to know that I may never fall in love with you again. I am sorry.’

I stared at her for minutes, not knowing what to say. I thought and felt that we were making progress, but hearing her full confession and repetition of what she once said about us broke me in ways I couldn’t explain. 

 

‘Tessa, did I hurt you so much that you can’t find a space in your heart to love like you used to?’

She shook her head. ‘I am afraid if I let you in again, you would break my heart again. There is also my financial status and how you view me now. Kyle, I am not ready to be power-drunk like you. The Planet O’s project shows how crazy you can be when you want something to be yours. You bought all your competitors' businesses! Just because you want to remain at the top.’

 

I took her hands. ‘I took an opportunity; Tessa and I didn’t buy all their businesses, just a few. I am not returning to you because of your status, but because I love you so much. My life is nothing without you in it. If you give me the chance, I know I won’t mess it up again.’

 

She withdrew her hands, shaking her head. ‘I’ve made up my mind, please. Let’s continue with our meals. How’s the King’s company? Are you planning on relocating the company here?’

 

And just like that, the conversation changed. I respected her decision and provided answers to her questions. ‘I am not relocating the company, though, but Xavier and I are thinking of opening a second branch here. Nashville will be the headquarters. We have some investors here, thanks to Xavier’s connections and also the market research so far. I think we will work.’

‘That’s nice. The King’s Company is like the jack-of-all-trade, even though the niche is robotics and architectural and mechanical design. The United Kingdom has the right market for you, so go ahead. I can’t wait to see what you guys do.’

I smiled, enjoying her enthusiasm. It turns out the change of conversation has changed the atmosphere.

 

‘Thank you. I will keep you updated on our progress.’ I replied, turning my head to the song playing. It was our favourite. ‘Do you remember this song?’

She chuckled, singing the lyrics. ‘Yes, I do. Your mom hated it because she couldn’t get the dance steps right.’

I laughed. ‘She still can’t. Remember when we first taught her?’

 

Tessa laughed loudly as I retold the story over and over again. The dinner date started not so well, but we were able to make the most of it. Tessa avoided topics that led to our divorce and talked more about the early years of our marriage. I guess that was the best part of our marriage to her.

After the dinner date, I drove her home. The atmosphere was silent, and she only said one or two things when I tried to lift the mood.

‘Thank you for tonight, Kyle. Maybe we can do this again with the kids,’ she said, unbuckling her seat belt.

 

I nodded eagerly. ‘I hope we can. Thank you too for tonight, and I apologize once again for everything.’

 

She sighed. ‘You apologize a lot, Kyle. I have told you already: I forgive you for everything.’

 

‘So, maybe I still have a chance with you?’

 

She smiled, stepping out. ‘Never say never, Kyle King.’

I chuckled, watching her away. She gave a backward glance and waved.

Never say never, Kyle King.