Geneveive Tessa Robert
Why did I feel like James was about to deliver some bad news? I clutched my seat belt as a some sense of protection and waited as he switched off the car engine.
`Okay, Kyle`s sister, Katherine and her husband would be attending mom`s birthday party. Trust me, I didn't want to send them an invite but her husband is one of our top clients and it wouldn't be great if we decided not to invite him.
I laughed, breathing normally now, `Oh, that's fine. I can handle Katherine if she comes looking for trouble. You know for a second, I thought you were about to deliver a news about the death of a loved one.`
He chuckled, `No. I know you don`t like Katherine and preparing you for arrival was the least i could do, so that you won't attack me viciously later.`
`Yeah, right. Thank you for the heads up,` I replied, walking into the house.
Finally , home sweet home.
Ten minutes to four o`clock, Dad ushered everyone into the limousine for the birthday party. I couldn`t protest even though I wanted to. He had made me leave the fruit salad Santiago prepared for me, all in the name of arriving early at the party.
Mom wasn't so pleased but she didn't say anything. She wanted a grand entrance but now, arriving early would mean no grand entrance. I chuckled softly, she shouldn't blame Dad, she had chosen to marry him after all.
`Hope Vera is coming? She shouldn't miss this like she did last year,` Mom said suddenly.
Vera would be coming late as usual. She wasn't known as the most punctual person among her family and friends. I could bet that she would come late on her wedding day. I couldn't tell mom that though or else, she would be more angry at me than Vera.
`She will be coming, mom. By the way, I wanted to discuss something with you and dad. It's really important.`
James had advised me to bring up Robert`s family project before the party started, so that it could bother them till the end of the day. I hoped it worked. I really hoped it worked.
Dad sighed, `Can`t we talk about it after the party, dear?`
I shaked my head negatively, `It's about the Robert`s family project. I would like to jump in on the project and help with selection. I am tired of staying home and doing nothing. Also, since you guys are still considering my job option, i think being a supervisor for the project would be a nice fit for me.`
`Alright, I think that's fine by me. I need help on the selection processes and your beautiful insights would be welcomed,` Dad replied, smiling.
I squealed with joy, `Thank you so much, Dad. I am grateful.`
Mum snapped, ending my short moment of triumph, `No, hun, we aren't allowing her to do anything stressful. She's carrying my grandchild and you remember what the doctor's orders. I don't want to be a careless grandmother and mother, please.
Gosh! As James predicted, she was the one I needed to convince and not my Dad. I patted her birthday present and hoped it would work.
The limousine suddenly stopped and Dad ushered us out. I never knew the drive could feel so long in a limousine. Before I could take in the beauty of the red carpet, Mom grabbed me and James there and soon, we were posing for the photographers.
Then, she dragged me to meet her close friends and some family relatives who didn't know I was around.
`My poor child! I`m glad you left that scumbag. He didn't deserve you!` One of mom's friends said, holding my hands. `I hope you got your share of everything ?
I smiled stiffly, moving to the next person. I wondered what she would say if I told her I didn't because Kyle saw me as a worthless barren woman. Even the shares, i fought for, the cheat took from me! I was still pained.
`Darling, I missed you,` my favourite Aunt Louisa pulled me in for a tight hug, `I am sorry I missed the special family dinner, i was in Costa Rica for vacation. I hope you`re settling well?`
I smiled, feeling warm, `Yes, Aunt Louisa. I am getting comfortable with Arizona and it`s environment. How was Costa Rica?`
She giggled like a teenage girl,`It was everything i imagined it to be. Darling, you should come visit me one of these days. I`m sure your cousins will be glad to have you around and also, you can heal properly from the thing!`
I felt her disgust as I promised to call in and inform her when I would have time to visit. After the hellos and numerous questions on my new life, pregnancy from my close aunties and dislike of Kyle King, I settled on one of the couches and grabbed the fruit salad Santiago had secretly placed in my hand bag. I was slowly becoming an eater.
I watched mum dance with Dad as they played the Happy birthday song by Stevie wonder. It was one of her best hits. Then, the D.J switched to Celine Dion, then Dolly Parton before pausing on Kevin Rogers. Mom and country music. They were like her own cure to sleepless nights. I scanned the crowd for Katherine but didn`t see her. Probably, she decided not to show up to avoid the hostility, if people knew about her relation with Kyle.
`Hello, babes,` Vera said, almost making my heart jump. `I hope I am not late?`
`Damn, Vee. I have told you that creeping stuff is so scary. You know I am carrying a child right? I don`t need an heart attack at the moment.`
She grabbed the fruit salad, `Of course. I am sorry, babe. So, gist me, what have I missed so far?`
`You didn't miss anything. Okay, Dad agreed to my request but mom is being stubborn. Also, James invited Kyle`s sister: Katherine. You remember her?`
`Oh, that bully! I remember her. She was never nice to you in college as a senior not to talk about being a great sister-in-law. Is she here already?`
I scanned the crowd again, `No, but I am sure she will come. That lady loves parties and anything to draw attention to herself. You know she is pregnant right?`
Vee scoffed, `Yeah, i know. I feel for her husband. He's such a nice guy who ended up with a bully! Anyway, did you bring the necklace set? I am sure your mum would change her mind immediately she sees it.`
I laughed. Vee had never liked Katherine. Even though Vee wasn't in my department, she had known about Katherine and her gang of bullies. They always had mean things to say about me or Vera whenever they saw us. I did everything to avoid her in college and it worked until I found out she was Kyle's brother. I tried becoming her friend but her attitude towards me didn't change.
`I brought it. I will give it to her once the guests have gone. Oh, she's here,` I sneered, watching Katherine walk into the hall with her husband. I could spot her little baby bump in that flowery gown she wore.
`I still wonder what Ethan saw in her. She's so proud and arrogant,` Vera hissed, focusing her drink. `You said something about twins when we spoke over the phone. Did your doctor tell you will be expecting twins?
I smiled, Take it easy, dear. No, the doctor didn't tell me that. I had a conversation with a family friend earlier today and she told me about her surprise scan which revealed she was expecting twins. Then, she talked about her husband`s support and how she was able to survive raising them. `
`That's great. So, why are you still brooding about her story? Are you scared you won't be able to take care of the babies if it turns out you will be expecting twins?`
`Yeah,` I swallowed. `It's hard to admit it, babes but what if I made the wrong choice by not fighting for Kyle? I don't want my children growing up knowing that their father divorced me because he saw me worthless and useless. He even had the audacity to steal from me.`
She stood up, settling near me, `You think too much, Tessa. I`ve told you several times, that we are going to make Kyle pay everything he did to you and don't you worry about the amount of babies you will be producing because you`ve…`
A feminine voice interrupted Vee. `Hello, Mrs. Tessa who is no longer a King. How are you doing?`
I knew that voice. Katherine. I rested my eyes on her plump proud eyes. She was definitely proud of herself.
Geneveive Tessa Robert`I`m surprised you came to my mom's birthday party. I thought you don't hang with trash and these weren't your kind of party or usual crowd,` I said, eyeing her.Her fingers run through her hair. `You`re right, Tessa. I didn't want to come but Ethan insisted I come with him, and you know, I don't dislike your family, just you. By the way, Kyle`s engagement party is on Saturday, and you`re invited.`I snarled, `I don`t care about your cowardly brother and your dislike for me. Please excuse us; we were discussing something important before you interrupted us with your boring presence.``Keep saying that, darling till you believe it and FYI, my brother isn`t a coward but the boldest man ever, and that explains why he divorced your barren ass. I`m glad he ditched you for Ava. She's a better woman than you.``Shut it, Katherine. You should know better about using condescending and insultive words towards your fellow woman. I don't blame you, though. You weren't train
Geneveive Tessa RobertShe made me understand what life and the unexpected can mean to one`s plans. She survived death and lived through the pain. She is an incredible woman, and through the conversations I had with her, I knew I could survive without Kyle King. Okay, maybe I didn't pick the most important lessons from her words, but I knew where my strength lies.`Mom, she wanted to come, but today`s her cafe`s special, and she's in charge of the cooking preparation. She sent in her apologies; she really wanted to come,` I said, showing mom her text message. She had crafted a lovely message and also attached a beautiful voice note with a cute birthday song. I almost cried listening to it.Mom sniffed, dabbing her eyes. `Sharon is such a beautiful soul. I love this. I will check up on her tomorrow and show my gratitude. This is one of the best gifts ever.`I agreed. It reminded me of my first birthday in the King's family. Kyle had organised a little get-together, inviting his friends
Kyle KingI hit the submit button after completing the application form, and the word `successful’ popped up. The King`s Company was in the project partnership race. I read through the proposal again and watched the video. Xavier and Ava had done a great job, even though I had to settle childish arguments and plead several times with Xavier not to seriously hold Ava`s comments in his heart.My eyes rested on the last message I sent to Tessa. She left unread, and somehow, I still felt angry for her audacity. The Tessa I knew would have replied immediately with an apology. She was always so scared of offending me because of the love she had for me. I guess that love had faded, just like it had faded here. I was in love with Ava, and with her, I understood what a relationship really meant. That's why I made the effort to ensure that the engagement party made headlines.And it did. People were already talking about it, and the Yoshida Hall had been tagged several times. I was proud of mys
Kyle KingMondays were no different from other days of the week except for the long hours of meetings and following up with every executive in the company. Thankfully, Ava decided to follow me to the office today, and all morning she had been speaking with employees and getting activities started, leaving me to work at my pace.I picked up some files and read through them. Christine had brought them earlier. It was a contract termination from a high-end client. Mom had worked hard to ensure we got them as clients, and now they are gone. She was going to kill me if she found out they terminated their contract, and I did nothing to stop them.I had to schedule a meeting with them and maybe change their minds. They were the clients who made King`s company what it is. I had to know the reason why they decided to terminate the contract, especially at this time when they know our financial status. I called in Christine.`Hi, sir. Do you need another cup of Starbucks coffee?` she asked, smil
Kyle King`So, you finally decided to crawl out of your shell, Xavier. Care to tell me what brings you to my office today?` I asked, watching him sit.He smiled, unbuttoning his suit. `I suppose I owe you an apology, right?``Of course you do. You didn't show up for the engagement party, and you declined all my calls throughout the weekend. I was almost worried I had finally lost you as a friend. What happened?``I am sorry, Kyle. I had to settle some important matters that came up, and about the calls, I am still pissed you decided to spend a lot on that party. What were you thinking, Kyle?` he asked, letting out an exasperated sigh.I could see he was still angry due to his hardened eyes. At this point, I knew nothing I said would make my actions feel right before him, so I decided to be the lesser man and apologise for not listening to him yet again.I looked up at him, reading his eyes. `I know I promised to always listen to your advice, and honestly, I tried my best to take in yo
Geneveive Tessa RobertEveryone had little beginnings they treasured in their hearts. I had one too, and when I was desperate for a memory that could comfort me, I would take it out of my memory playlist and play it.aToday, I needed that memory not because I was desperate but because I had been accepted fully into the family. Dad had also ensured no one spoke to the press about the annulment of my disowned status. He didn't want wagging tongues to disturb him or be the topic of certain gossip. I was happy with the decision because no one would know the roles I played in the family henceforth.I scanned through the first page of a proposal before closing it and relishing the memory of my little beginnings. I had just entered college when Dad advised me to apply for a student grant project. I wasn't sure I could build a business idea that could get me the grant, but Dad had so much confidence in me. I started doing a lot of research, and soon I knew what I
Geneveive Tessa RobertI read through the mail again, avoiding Vee`s curious glance. The way I was going to make Kyle pay for everything! I had to find his proposal tomorrow and then speak to the family`s attorney. I couldn't wait to get at him!`Alright, I know that face. Did Kyle do something again?` she asked, grabbing my phone. `That wicked fellow!`I agreed. `He's wicked, and I am also stupid. I can't believe I forgot about the condo until this mail came in. He just used me!``Calm down. Let's see . Even if you don't sign the documents, he's still going to hand them over to Ava. I don't know much about these things, but I know it's possible to do so if he owns the condo.`I scoffed, collecting my phone. `He's lying. I paid eighty percent, while he paid twenty percent. I gave it up when his mother became unbearable, and he started supporting her. He made it feel like I was being controlled because I technically owned the condo. I wasn't thinking straight then.``Great,` she jubila
Kyle KingAttorney Smith had failed to convince Mr. Allen to drop the lawsuit, so I made up my mind to book a meeting with him. Attorney Smith felt it was a bad idea, but I didn't care. The king`s reputation was on line, and if I failed to defend it, there would be trouble in paradise.I instructed Christine not to divulge any information to the heads of departments in the company. I didn't want them speaking to the shareholders and clients until I fixed it. If they knew, they were likely to inform the press, and they would roast me again.I read through the lawsuit again before sending a letter to Attorney Smith to schedule a meeting with Mr. Allen by noon. Then, I called Xavier. I knew I had promised myself not to reach out to him on this matter, but he's the only one I could talk to.`Hello, bro. Please, I need you right now at the office. Where are you at?`He yawned, making an irritating sound. `I`m just waking up, Kyle. I worked all night preparing the business quota for that cl