Kyle King
Three hours have passed since Uncle David scheduled our meeting. I dialled his number again, but it was switched off. Xavier had long given up on Uncle David's showing up. He was talking to one of the bartenders in Lourdes, probably trying to get a girl’s number or maybe secure a spot in their exclusive karaoke night. Last week was drama-filled. The wedding had to be shifted to next month because Ava was pissed at the entire world for trying to ruin her image after the seminar. She fought more with me and spent almost all the money in our joint account until I was forced to remove her as a signatory. Did she learn her lesson? No. She came to the company, embarrassed me, and made sure everyone knew how I was trying to get her pregnant because my dumb ex-wife couldn’t do it. She also called me names I can’t even whisper in my heart. Mom sided with her this time around, and I ensured I reminded her about the playboy incident. If she repeated that act, I was going to personally advertise it on the company’s page. She almost cursed me. For Uncle David, he explained why he locked the company’s account. I couldn’t handle my wife. He had placed a lot of stake in the company to watch it flow into Ava’s account or my mom's. I had apologized, but after I warned him not to make decisions without consulting me first, I was also reminded of his place in the company. He could leave if he wanted to; we didn’t owe him anymore. He had been pissed about my comment and promised to think about it. He later apologized for everything. The tech company unveiling was tomorrow. We planned a big party, and Uncle David suggested we invite all the big CEOs in town. According to him, it will give us more recognition. I agreed. We were supposed to meet up to discuss our new plans for the company.I dialled his number again. Still switched off. I guess he wasn’t coming again. I signalled to Xavier that I was going. I was extremely tired after a long day of work activities and strenuous tasks. If only Ava would take more interest in the company’s activities. At least, the workload would be reduced for me.
I sighed, jumping out of the car. Xavier wasn’t out. I probably had more plans with the bartender, and I wasn’t interested in knowing. I checked my phone again to see if Uncle David had decided to call back. Nothing. I sent him a text message and hoped he was alright. I could have checked him up in his house, but the man hated unexpected visits. He was a busy man, so probably something came up. The car stopped in crazy traffic. I sighed, listening to the sound of my stomach. I hadn’t eaten anything today except for some doughnuts and coffee. I checked through the cafes on the street as the chauffeur drove slowly through the traffic; none seemed to be selling the kind of food I needed at the moment. A plate of hot pottage and some chicken soup. Weird combination, but that was what my body needed. I must have fallen asleep because, when I woke up, the chauffeur was smiling widely at me. ‘I didn’t want to disturb you, sir, but Miss. Ava will be upset if I tell her you were sleeping in the car.’ he said, taking my briefcase and suit. ‘I will help you with this. You look extremely tired.’ I yawned, showing I was. ‘Thank you, Pete. I owe you one.’ He chuckled, opening the door and stepping aside. ‘You owe me nothing, sir. I am just doing my job and ensuring you arrive at your home safe and sound.’ ‘Thank you, still.’ I replied, taking my briefcase. ‘Not all chauffeurs treat their bosses well, but you do. Thank you.’ He smiled and said,'I never thought; I will see the day you will be sincerely grateful, Mr. Kyle. You were always shouting orders at everyone, while Mrs. Tessa was the kind one. Now, it looks like the roles have changed. Have a good night, sir.’ He walked out, closing the door behind him.Mrs. Tessa was the kind one.
I couldn’t argue about that. Tessa had always been kind to the staff while I barked at them or bullied them. I was brought up that way. Being kind makes you weak. So, being ruthless was the only thing I knew until I met Tessa. I reduced a bit, but I didn’t forget my training. No one respected a kind fellow. Maybe that explains why mom and Tessa never got along. I caught myself suddenly. I shouldn’t be thinking about her, but about Ava. ‘You are home early. Your uncle didn’t show up?’ Ava asked, taking my suitcase. I shook my head negatively. ‘No, he didn’t. I think something urgent came up, and he didn’t have the time to send a text message to him about his change of plans. I left a text message for him, just in case he arrived at Lourdes and didn’t see him.’ She nodded. ‘That’s fair. Anyway, I need some money for my car maintenance. It’s been a while since I took it over to the auto repair shop.’ I knew there was a reason why she was suddenly concerned about my day. ‘I don’t have cash for that, Ava. The tech company has taken a lot of my funds, as have the wedding plans. You will have to take care of the bill by yourself,’ I said, removing her hands from my body. She got up immediately and said, ‘You can’t do that, Kyle! Don’t forget, I helped you pay that debt of the Roberts. So, you owe me, and I am not going to take no as an answer.’ I laughed. ‘You shouldn’t raise your voice at me. Also, that money you allegedly helped me with has already been paid off. Have you forgotten about the money you took from the joint account or Uncle David’s joint account with the company? Look, Ava, I don’t want to fight you tonight, so please stop it.’ ‘You fool! You know I can easily walk out of this marriage, right? All those arrangements you have made will be a waste, dear, and at the end of the day, there will be no bride to weep with you!’ she said, glaring at me. I grabbed her right hand, squeezing it, and said, ‘You aren’t going anywhere, Ava. Your family gave you to my mom as a gift, and the King’s family never rejects a gift. You’re mine, and you know, without me, you will be nothing but a supermodel running after her father and begging for a monthly income. Also, I know how obsessed you are about being a king, and remember the years you made me wait for you while you had fun with other men? Oh dear, there’s no escape, so respect yourself now.’ She tried to drag her hand; tears were dropping. ‘Kyle, you are inhumane! Little wonder Tessa left you. I hate ever falling for you!’I let go of her hand. ‘Indeed, sweetheart.’
Kyle KingThe wedding ceremony finally came and went. We travelled to Paris on Ava’s insistence, and I couldn’t say no. She had become less troublesome ever since our little fight. I was surprised she didn’t report me to the cops or her dad after all the threats. Well, she won’t. I had been letting her have her way, and finally, I showed her who the real Kyle King was.She rolled on the bed, smiling peacefully. We were still in one of the resorts in France and had planned to rest all day after spending the week on tour and in bed. I was restless, though. I have been thinking about the wedding and what Uncle David said to me before I travelled for this honeymoon.‘So, you are going to marry Ava? I thought you were slowing things down until you knew she was the right woman after Tessa?’I smiled, feeling indifferent to his statement. ‘ I am certain about Ava now, sir. The longer I wait, the longer I delay my chances of a second chance at marriage and having a child. I don’t want to die
Geneveive Tessa RobertAccording to an online page I read, the Hotel New Grand is the best place to book a room whenever you come over to Paris for a family vacation. Mom had suggested we celebrate the holidays in another country, and according to the votes, France was the pick. So, on a bright Friday morning, everyone hopped into Dad’s friend's private plane, and the next day we arrived in Paris.I couldn’t sleep through the flight because of the kids, but my mom assured me it was fine. They were almost two anyway! I was still worried, so I read through the historical novel I brought along and buried myself in it until I slept off.Mom’s voice woke me up. We were about to land. I scanned everyone in the suite: mom, dad, Vera, James, a cousin, Mary, and her kids. She was from Dad’s side of the family. I didn’t know her too well because her mom, Dad’s sister, never visited us while we were in Arizona. She was married to royalty, so it was pretty hard for her to visit family members in
Geneveive Tessa RobertI sent the last aspect of our project. Thankfully, it wasn’t a drawing but a summary of what everyone had done and our major inspirations. It was like a reference paper, but with insights into our work. I sighed, hitting the submit button on the website. We were done, finally. I sent a message to our Slack group and waited for their celebrations, which came faster than I expected.They jubilated with words, emojis, and prayers. They also thanked me for taking up the task of compiling our names and inspirations and making a great reference paper. I smiled, reading through the comments. It’s been a while since anyone praised me for my artwork or achievements. Mom thought I was wasting time on getting a skill I might never use, but I have always had a comeback since the interior building at Hoplas Designs was unveiled. She would later remind me in the coming years that she was the one who inspired me to take the art classes, and as always, I won’t argue with her.
Kyle King‘That’s the result. It says I am okay and you are, so tell your mom to exercise patience. We’ve only been married for two years. I am not in a hurry to get kids, anyway.’ Ava slammed the test results on the table. ‘If she can't exercise patience, then we go for a surrogate. I don’t manufacture babies!’I picked up the test results. Everything was okay, according to the doctor. The same thing that happened with Tessa was almost repeating itself again. I couldn’t understand why fate was playing tricks on me. All I wanted was a child and to get Mom off my back. She kept forgetting she had a grandchild already, and each time I reminded her, she claimed the child belonged to Seth’s family but not hers. She wanted a grandchild from me.Her friendship with Ava’s mom was strained due to her constant reminder that she had cheated. Mum felt that Ava's mum knew Ava couldn’t have children quick like she wanted but didn’t tell her because of the woman’s greed. I tried to intervene, but
Geneveive Tessa RobertI rubbed my temple as it throbbed. Hope was driving me crazy with her cries. I didn’t know what was wrong with her. Mom wasn’t here to help out. She had travelled to Arizona for a meeting and had left me in the hands of the nanny. A Mexican woman with an amazing British accent. I checked her temperature again. She was okay, so why was she crying?‘Probably, she’s growing a new tooth. You know, she just clocked four days ago,’ the nanny said, placing a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table.I nodded. That could be it. She was probably growing a new tooth and couldn’t endure it. But she was four years old! A four-year-old didn’t cry because of a new tooth. I rubbed my temple again and sent an emergency text to mom. I was out of options on what to do with my daughter. Nicholas was quiet, watching his sister. He merely stared and then returned his food. He didn’t understand what was going on. ‘I don't know if it’s a new tooth. She was perfectly fine this morning, an
Kyle KingThe hospital reminded me of the times I brought Tessa for tests and consultations with the doctor. Now, I was here because of something that troubled me. The letter that Ava brought. There was something wrong with it, and I knew why. I had a low sperm count issue, although I started private treatment after the first consultation with an old general practitioner. I had threatened him not to reveal anything, Tessa. So, all the years we visited the hospital, I collected the results and kept them from her eyes. Tessa believed every word from me, and sometimes I tweaked it to fit her questions. Now, Ava was playing a similar game. I knew she didn’t run any tests. A confirmation from Doc. Brown told me all I wanted to know. I scheduled an appointment to run another test and discuss it with him. The nurse on the seat was a new face. She looked like a high school leaver, but I could tell she wasn’t from the way she talked. She mumbled some words when I informed her about the appoi
Kyle King‘Alright, the results are out, Kyle. I think you should put a smile on your face. Your sperm count has increased over the years. I am not surprised. You kept to the treatments and were consistent with your appointments, even though you stopped after a while.’I exhaled, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulder. Indeed, that was what just happened. I had held the guilt all these years that I was the reason why Tessa couldn’t give birth, and finally, I felt guiltless. I had recovered along the line. But when?I asked. ‘When did I fully improve, or should I say recover?’He looked at the results and said, ‘You recovered four years ago, but it wasn’t as great as now. Why do you ask?’I shrugged. I didn’t want to bring up Tessa’s name since I noticed he didn’t talk about her.’‘I am just curious, that’s all. Thank you, doctor. You just helped me solve a big m
Geneveive Tessa RobertThe driver stopped at the twins nursery school. They were late today, all thanks to Hope and her refusal to eat. Ever since she recovered, it's been difficult to make her eat anything. The doctor advised me to change her diet plan and include her favourite meals and more fruits. She changed immediately, but in a way I didn’t like. She ate more fruits than her meals, so I had to employ a trick Estella taught me to make her eat her favourite meals.She improved until last week, when she resumed her food strike. How can a four-year-old be a picky eater? I didn’t understand.Estella advised that I shouldn’t force her to eat, but today I was so frustrated that I threatened to take all her toys if she didn’t eat her mashed potatoes and vegetable salads. She cried, played with food, and finally ate it slowly when she noticed I wasn’t playing. We began another battle with her lunch box because she kept playing