CHAPTER 144

Kyle King

 

The library door closed with a gentle click. I looked up, and Ava crossed the room, smiling slyly and wearing a see-through gown. I noticed she wore nothing. Was she trying to seduce me? 

I scoffed, tapping my slender fingers as she settled on the couch, facing and spreading her legs.

 

She wore no pants either. If only she knew I wasn’t in for her slutty behaviour tonight, she would have thought twice before she entered here. 

 

‘What do you want, Ava?’ I asked when it was evident she wasn’t going to say anything.

 

She smiled, spreading her legs wider. ‘I just came to say hi since you have been avoiding me for three days.’ 

 

I shrugged, taking a lazy sip of my wine. ‘ I have my reasons for avoiding you, and I remember warning you to stay away from my library and room. You’re my mother’s guest and not mine. Now, I ask again: What do you want?’

She closed her legs, standing up. ‘Come on, Kyle. It’s just the two of us here. Mom won’t know you did anything with me. Don’t you miss all of this? I missed you, you know? All those lonely nights in that crazy cell made me do things to my body while thinking about you. ‘

 

She moved closer, but my deadly glare made her stop. ‘Ava, leave right now, or I will push you myself.’

 

‘I have missed you, honestly. I miss us. Come on, Kyle. We can work things out. I will resume the treatments at the clinic, and we can continue our family plans.’ She moved closer.

 

I rose. ‘Avaline, we are over, and I don’t date ex-convicts, especially those who kidnapped little children. Do you know those kids couldn’t sleep for nights because of what you did to them? You are a snake underneath the green grass, and all you do is suck people around you. I am not surprised your dad kicked you out of his business years ago. You almost ruined that man!’

 

If she felt insulted, she didn’t show it. She moved closer, rubbing my shoulders. ‘I know you want it, Kyle. I saw you analysing my shape and your’

 

I cut her off, dragging her hands off me. ‘We are over, Avaline. Now, leave immediately. I need to return to work.’

 

‘Fine.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘No need to be cold and rough. I will leave now, but I will be back later, baby.’

 

She closed the door with a quiet bang. 

I shook my head, returning to the emails I was reading through before she came in, but I couldn’t focus because of a certain she-devil. I wish I hadn’t agreed to the dinner taking place in my house. A day had turned into three days, and soon, a week. Avaline wasn’t behaving like someone who wanted to leave very soon.

 

I had to find a way to get her out of the house before she made me do things I would regret.

Tessa. I couldn’t ruin the little chance I had with her. ‘Operation Get Avaline Out Of The House.’

I returned once again to the mail and was able to reply almost twenty minutes before I gave up for the day. I had proposals to write and a presentation to prepare for the Planet O executives. I also needed to fill in Xavier on the latest updates on my life’s activities and the new branch in the U.K. 

After speaking with Tessa, I felt better about my decision. Somehow, her approval made me feel so good about my plans. I checked the last conversation we had and smiled widely. I might be behaving like a teenage boy who was love struck, but I didn’t care.

 

Tessa and I were going to be reunited again soon. 

 

The door opened halfway. I was about to yell, thinking it was Avaline, but it was the chef.

 

‘Sir, your dinner is ready. Would you like to join your mom downstairs, or should I bring it up?’

 

I looked at the library—my safe space since Ava came. I was already getting bored eating here, and I missed watching football on my smart-screen television. I couldn’t run from the devil forever.

‘I will eat with the family. Who else is joining us?’ I asked, even though I knew the answer already.

 

‘Your mom and your sister, who just came a few minutes ago,

 

‘Oh, Katherine is here. Did her husband and son come too?’

 

The chef shook his head. ‘She came alone. I would let your mom know you would be joining her.’ 

I nodded, taking a long sip of my wine. The last time I saw Katherine was early last year. She had visited to check up on Mom and cry about her fifth attempt at getting pregnant. I had comforted her and mentioned that Seth was okay with one child, but she had been angry. This destroyed our relationship, and I gave up trying to repair it. 

 

Now, she was here, and I knew she was going to bring up what happened between us. I shrugged, standing up. Well, I was prepared for the heat.

‘I didn’t know you were planning on opening a new branch in the United Kingdom. Whose idea was it? Xavier?’ Katherine asked, sipping her wine.

 

She hadn’t mentioned the fight, so I guess she had forgiven me. 

 

I replied. ‘It was a group’s idea, not just one person. How’s Seth? Is he in the country?’

 

She shrugged. ‘He is in Iceland. Business as usual. How’s Tessa? Mom told me you guys are together now.

I chuckled, looking at Mom. ‘You heard wrong. We aren’t together yet, but very soon. Tessa has been so lovely, and the kids have been accommodating.’

 

‘Kids who didn’t acknowledge you as their dad. I don’t know why you won’t file for joint custody if you are so sure they are yours.’ Mom commented, ignoring my cold stare. ‘I don’t want that woman as my daughter-in-law anymore, but Ava.’

 

I replied, steely. ‘I am not after your approval, Mum. Tessa and I are going to be together soon, and there’s nothing you can do about it. I'm in love with her, and you will respect my decision.’

 

She scoffed, returning her gaze to the food. ‘Katherine, when is Seth returning?’

 

They continued chatting while I focused on my food, saying nothing. They knew I was already angry and were doing everything not to increase it.

 

Fair. Tessa was mine, and there was nothing anyone was going to do about it.