CHAPTER 81

Geneveive Tessa Robert

The last few days had been eventful. Kanebi agreed to be my fake husband because he wanted Kyle to pay for what he did to me. I also advised him to tell his fiancee, so there wouldn’t be any complications. I just needed Kanebi for a week, depending on when Kyle showed up unexpectedly. He was good at that lately.

 

I smiled, watching him give piggybacks to Nicholas. Hope was engrossed with her toys, and Vera wanted to engage with them. It was beautiful watching them. It almost felt like a complete family, only that Kanebi wasn’t their father. Kanebi had promised not to say anything to the kids about pretending to be their father. We didn’t want them to get attached after he left. Although it seemed like it was too late for that wish, Nicholas and Kanebi were getting along after just a few days of meeting.

 

The doorbell rang. I looked up from the carrots I was chopping. James was sleeping, and I wasn’t expecting anybody, nor was Vera. Estella cleaned her hands to check. I heard a familiar voice, and the knife fell from my hand. Kyle King. What was he doing here? 

I dropped my apron, but Kanebi was there already. I stayed in the shadows, listening to them.

‘Who did you say you were looking for?’ Kanebi asked.

I glanced at the parlour. Vera had been smart enough to take the kids away immediately. It will feel wrong to allow them to listen to the conversation and see Kyle. They were definitely going to ask questions for which I had no answers yet.

Kyle replied, titling his head a bit, ‘I am here to see my ex-wife. Sorry, Mrs. Tessa. You’re her husband?’ 

Kanebi folded his hands and said, ‘Yes, I am, and you must be the greedy ex-husband who stole from her. I heard you are a big shot, CEO, and yet you had the guts to steal from her. You must have a lot of confidence showing up at our front door.’

I chuckled a bit. Kanebi was playing the angry and pissed-out husband role excellently. I checked my outfit and let my hair fall, getting ready to show up as the angry ex-wife and lovely husband. I couldn’t wait to see the pain on Kyle’s face.

‘I didn’t come here to trade insults with you, sir. I just want to see Tessa, and I will take my leave. I am not here for trouble.’

Kanebi chuckled. ‘You want me to let you into my house? You must be joking. My kids are there, and I wouldn’t want them to meet a person who has questionable character.’

Kyle swallowed, clenching his fists. ‘That’s enough, sir! I think I have respected you enough, so do the same to me. Like I said earlier, I didn’t come here to fight you, but to see Tessa. If she’s not in, I can come another time.’

‘Right. What do you want to discuss with her?’

‘It’s a private matter and of official business. I don’t think I should discuss that with you.’

‘Yes, you should, Kyle King. How did you find my house address?’ I asked, interlocking my fingers with Kanebi’s own.

Kyle's eyes followed my action, and I could see his temples twitch a bit. I could feel his jealousy.

‘Tessa… It’s great to see you again.’ He mumbled, staring at me.

I smiled widely. ‘You haven’t answered my question. Have you been stalking me?’

He shook his head and said, ‘No, I got your address from a mutual friend. I am not here to trouble you, but I will hand this to you. I forgot to hand it over to you during our last meeting.’

Kanebi collected it from him: ‘You could have easily mailed it to her, but anyway, thank you for the trouble. I think that will be all, right?’

‘Baby, maybe we should invite him for a cup of coffee. He must be thirsty after all that talk.’ I said, giving Kanebi a peck.

Kyle's eyes burned immediately. ‘I am okay, thank you. I was just thinking I could have a private conversation with you, Tessa, but I can see you're busy.’

I chuckled, ‘Don’t be a jealous rat, Kyle. We can talk over a cup of coffee, and my husband can tell you a thing or two about artificial intelligence robots. I believe that’s what your workshop is about?’

Kyle agreed reluctantly and followed us into the sitting room. I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable throughout our conversations, which focused more on politics, his company, and Kanebi enterprises. I also chipped in one or two things about my project with Mayor Kim. I could read the surprise and shock in Kyle’s face and tone. 

‘I didn’t know you were the founder of Hoplas Designs. It’s a leading interior design name in the business world. That’s really great,’ Kyle said, smiling. I knew it was a painful one. He obviously thought I was still living with my parents' wealth. I decided to hit him where it hurts the most.

‘You shouldn’t be surprised, Kyle. I am not like some people who need their families' company and assistance to get rich and famous. I am my own woman, and my husband, as you can see, is his own man.’ I smiled, kissing Kanebi lightly.’

Kyle’s eyes followed us, his eyebrows knotting. He was almost losing his temper. I smiled to myself. This was the best plan ever.

He stood up immediately and said, ‘I should be taking my leave. Thank you for the hospitality, Mrs. Tessa and Mr. Kanebi. Sorry, I didn’t get your surname.’ 

I smiled, sliding on Kanebi’s lap. ‘We are the Greys. You are welcome, hun. Let me escort you.’

I pecked Kanebi, who blew a kiss, and I giggled like a teenage girl. Kyle’s eyes hovered, and he slowly followed me.

‘I am happy you finally found someone who makes me feel this way. I am sorry for everything that happened between us. I hope someday you can forgive me.’ Kyle said, stepping outside. 

I held the door handle and said, ‘I don’t reside in the past anymore, Kyle, and no, I can’t forgive you. You are yet to feel how I felt after you threw me out of that house with nothing in my name. Let me ask you this: Have you got a child now?’

Kyle swallowed, ‘I am sorry. Will you be able to come to my certification party on Friday? It will mean a lot to me.’

‘Of course, I will be there with my husband. Goodnight.’ I said, closing the door. I smiled, resting against the door. This was the best night ever, thanks to Kanebi.