Kyle King
The 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 appointment. I held my tongue and settled on the empty seat left. Three women occupied the rest, and they were gisting over a cover page. I peeped, and my heart sank deeper than before. It was Ava again, but fully clothed in a see-through dress for an event I told her not to attend a few days ago. She never listens to me. I picked up a similar magazine and read through it. There were some real estate ads and a lot of medical articles. I glanced at the magazine title. I had picked a health talk magazine. I dumped it and noticed one of the women was staring at me and nudging at their friends. I felt irritated immediately. Was this my first time seeing a handsome man? One of them was a blond-haired woman with full lips and a little bump. I could tell she was pregnant. She smiled at me and cleared her throat. ‘Hello, you are Kyle King, right?’ She asked, ignoring her friends' whispers. I smiled. There was no harm in answering the curious ladies. I could also guess where the questions were leading. Ava. ‘Yeah, is there a problem?’She shook her head. ‘No, we were just wondering if you were the same Kyle that’s married to Avaline, the supermodel and designer. You're the same, right?’
I nodded. ‘I am the same person. Ava is my wife. Do you women have a problem with that?’
‘Not at all. She has been trending these days in magazines that are inappropriate for a married woman. I am sorry if I sound offensive, but don’t you have control over your wife? Your ex-wife did better than this.’ she said, looking defiantly at me. I stared at her, holding the yell in me. They were strangers, not people I should get angry at. They weren’t worth it. I replied, picking my words carefully but ensuring they held a tone of warning: ‘Firstly, you should know that you don’t poke your nose in other people's businesses, especially celebrities. It’s not your place to judge them because you don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. Ava is a model and a fashion designer. You must understand that her line of work expects her to do certain things, and I give her permission to do them. So, please, there’s no need for comparisons or condescending words; thank you.’The lady in the middle, with pink hair with curls and small lips, chuckled, ‘Indeed. You aren’t man enough, like the media says. You were only man enough for Miss. Tessa, but Ava? It’s obvious you are scared of her. Don’t you know that everyone is observing your marriage? I mean, your second marriage? There’s no child yet, so fingers crossed.’
‘Just mind your business, ma'am, and stop poking into other people’s marital affairs. I bet your marriage isn’t as perfect as Ava's, so please understand. Let’s behave like civilized humans.’ The blond lady replied, ‘Forgive us for the intrusion. We didn’t mean it to be this way. Enjoy the rest of your day.’ I glared at them and walked towards the nurse. I wanted to get out of here and forget what the two gossips had said. ‘Is the doctor available now? My appointment is right now.’ I said, showing her the time. She picked up her phone and dialled his number while going through some files. I was almost losing my patience, all thanks to the women and Ava! If Ava would just listen and drop those modeling activities, these intrusions wouldn’t be happening. Mom wasn’t helping matters either. She had returned to Ava’s lovely side after Ava purchased a $50,000 Deluxe wristwatch for her. She blames me now for anything Ava did and won’t listen when it was Ava’s fault. I didn’t know if I was her child anymore. Ava had suddenly taken my place. ‘Doc. Brown would see you now, Mr. Kyle.’ the nurse said, staring fully at him. ‘Okay, thank you.’ Doc. Brown had aged since the last time I saw him, and that was three years ago. We communicated mostly through phone conversations and emails. I didn’t want anyone to know about our private appointments. He was still athletic and looking young. One look at him, and you will think that he was in his early twenties when, truly, he was the same age as me: thirty. ‘Good to see you, old friend. How are you doing?’ he asked, hugging me. I grinned, ‘I am great. How’s the medical world? Treating you fairly?’ He smiled, releasing me,'I can’t complain. Things have been fair and not fair, but we have been doing great. Can we get started? I have three patients to still see, and I scheduled a doctor’s seminar meeting.’ I nodded, following him out of his office. He asked about family and other activities. He also congratulated me on the new company and promised to stop by when he was less busy. I entered the examination room with Doc. Brown, who was still joking about his youthful face. I hoped the results would have changed, and then I would focus on Ava’s deceit with a clear conscience.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
Geneveive Tessa RobertHoplas Designs has gotten a lot of customers since we opened four years ago. The profits have been good, and the losses have been fair. I spoke to Dad about opening another branch in Edinburgh, which is currently the best place for rising businesses. He suggested I speak to his friend, an estate manager who is well known for getting the best properties in the city. ‘When is Mr. Luke coming?’ I asked, checking my schedule with the kids. Vera was going to be with them this evening while I rested. I have been working hard for two months now without a break. Estella has been helpful, but I didn’t want to overwhelm her with a lot of activities.I didn’t have any PTA meetings to attend, so I guess I could squeeze time for Mr. Luke.‘He will be here by four o’clock, ma. That’s all the tasks for today,’ she replied, closing her notebook. Halsey was also a hater of modern technology. She will rather write her to-do list in a notebook than use the iPad I purchased for
Genevieve Tessa RobertI cleared my throat, breaking his stupid gaze from my body. The man was a skunk! ‘Here are the videos, sir. Please check them carefully like you did with my body and tell me the ones you like, alright?’ I said, giving him the iPad. I hope he got my sarcasm.He chuckled. ‘You shouldn’t blame a man, dear. You are gold, Genevieve.’I said nothing. He was a stubborn man, and if I replied, it would give him room to start his rubbish again.When he noticed I was quiet, he sighed and focused on the iPad. The videos were a lot, but he scrolled through them, watching, skipping some after a second of watching, and he finally agreed on a waterfall wallpaper design. I discussed the process and promised to send a demo by tomorrow morning so that he could get a feel for what it looks like. He agreed. We spent another day trying to find the best wallpaper for his home, and he finally chose two that gave off the feeling of winter and landscape. ‘These are nice choices, Mr. M
Genevieve Tessa Robert‘Mum, you should have consulted me before agreeing to the deal. You know, I can’t return to that country. I can’t. I will send my staff, but I can’t go there.’She laughed. ‘You think you will come across that loser called Kyle? You won’t. He’s in New York, and you are going to be in California. I already promised Mayor Kim Jun that you would personally be in charge. Please, you have to go, and don’t worry; Estella and James will come with you so that they can help with the twins.’‘But, mum. I have the McPhee project and other client jobs to oversee and approve. I can’t just put them on hold because of the mayor. Can't he get other good interior designers in his country?’ I asked stubbornly. I knew mom wouldn’t change her mind, though. One thing she hated was going back on her words.‘I will take care of the projects. Besides, Vera is available now. She can come in to take charge. Isn’t that why you gave her a place at Hoplas Designs? To take charge when you ar
Kyle KingLife with Ava had turned from sweet to sour. We were barely speaking with each other since I was confronted about the fake results. She blamed it on my pressure, but I didn’t listen. I took the law into my own hands and drove her to the hospital, where they ran tests on her. She was fertile, but due to an abortion that went wrong in her early life, the doctor advised her not to get pregnant. I didn’t know how I drove home that day, but we arrived home, and I moved my things to one of the bedrooms. Away from Ava. She apologised, but the damage was already done.She lied to me, my mom, and her parents. How did she keep that part of her life a secret when she knew what was at stake? First, Tessa, and now, Ava? Was fate playing a sick game with me?I took another gulp of the Bailey Xavier I had purchased a few minutes ago. The craziest thing was that I couldn’t bring myself to divorce her. The tech company was about to sign a major deal with a morally upright client, Mr. Charle
Genevieve Tessa Robert‘Don’t do that, Nicholas. You don’t play with your food, young man, but eat it,’ I cautioned him. ‘Don’t let me catch you doing that again!’Nicholas’s face said, ‘I am sorry, mom, but there’s so much salt in the spaghetti.’I sighed, taking a fork to taste it. There was nothing wrong with the spaghetti, but I knew already. He wanted something else, but I wasn’t going to fall for it.‘The salt is okay, son. You can’t waste the food because mom works hard every day to see you eat and not starve. So, eat everything.’ I ordered, focusing on hope.‘Darling, do you want more?’ I asked, amazed at her empty plate.She giggled, ‘No, mommy. Can I go and play with my dolls? They're already missing me, especially Miss Peas.’I smiled. Hope is giving her dolls weird names. ‘You can go. I
Kyle KingAnytime I came to California, there was always a list of invites awaiting me. This evening was no exception. The mayor had invited me to represent my mom at his company birthday and anniversary party. I wanted to politely decline because the week had been stressful due to the activities of the workshop.While Xavier seemed to be having the best time of his life, I was struggling to understand the concepts and ideologies of the workshop. I was also up in the midnights reading through reports or job updates sent from Nashville. Instead of falling into bed right now, I was wearing a white tuxedo, black trousers and shoes, and a weak smile. I was exhausted, but I had to be at Mayor Kim’s party. Mum had known him through my dad, and they had kept the friendship after the painful exit of my father. I had met Mayor Kim a few times, and he was a reliable and humorous man. I knew less about his wife because she was like the younger ve