Kyle King
‘Honestly, Xavier. I shouldn’t have listened to your advice! You need to see the way she treated me in the presence of her husband. Like I was some trash not worthy to be in her presence. I was embarrassed and felt so stupid.’ Xavier chuckled. ‘Don’t blame me, man. You were the desperate ex-husband, and I jumped in to help out. I can't predict what will happen when you get there, so you shouldn’t blame me.’I glared at him, ‘Of course. You were the same person who claimed your instincts were always right. How come Tessa served me breakfast?’
‘She didn’t. You served her first, remember? Besides, you still haven’t debunked the claim that the children aren’t yours.’ he smiled. I scoffed, ‘She is married, Xavier, and I saw her husband. He is real, and the kids are his, not mine. He was defensive and wouldn’t even let me speak to Tessa privately. I wish I hadn’t gone to their house. I would have saved myself from the ridicule.’ He replied. ‘All hope isn’t yet lost, Kyle. She’s coming for the certification ceremony, right?’I nodded. 'Yes, and she’s bringing her husband. Don’t suggest anything, though. They are so much in love, and I was disgusted. They wouldn’t even keep their hands to themselves. If you’re thinking I will be able to speak with her at the ceremony, drop that idea because nothing will happen.’
‘You know your problem, Kyle? You are hasty and never listen. If you truly want to find the truth or at least seek her forgiveness, you will drop your ego and meet up with her.’ I waved it off: ‘I am not working on baseless logic, and as for seeking her forgiveness, I will try my best. If she doesn’t listen to me after tomorrow, I will move on. I can’t keep holding on to a lost battle.Xavier whistled, ‘My instincts never lie, bro, but it’s your choice. Have you spoken to Ava?’
Ava. I had almost forgotten that I was married to a woman who was waiting for me in Nashville. She had sent me a text message saying that she had important news to tell me. She pleaded, or better yet, ordered that I book the next connecting flight to Nashville by Monday. I tried calling her after receiving the text, but I couldn’t reach her. Xavier tried on his end, but nothing. I was able to reach my mom, but unfortunately she was in Peru for a friend’s son's wedding. She promised to call me in case she got any updates from Ava. Strangely, I wasn’t as worried as I should be, and I knew why. I was getting attached to the presence of Tessa in my life. Xavier's question made me feel guilty, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was beginning to complicate things. ‘I haven’t been able to reach her. Her parents aren’t picking, and the company said she hadn’t shown up since I travelled. I hope she’s okay.’ Xavier looked worried. ‘What about the house and the doctor?’ Did she show up for her appointments?’ I nodded. ‘She did on the assigned days, and the housekeepers said they didn't know her whereabouts. According to them, since I left, she had shown up in the house twice to pick up one or two things and left.’ ‘That’s strange, or is she planning a surprise welcome-back party for you?’ ‘That’s true. She might be. You know she sent me a text about having something important to tell me. I think she’s planning a surprise party for me. If not, why will no one know her whereabouts? They must be in on it.’ Xavier hummed, ‘Probably, Kyle. Let’s hope that’s what's going on. When are we leaving California?’ ‘By Monday. I couldn’t close the deal. I kept getting distracted during the Skype meeting last night. Uncle Daniel hasn’t stopped sending deadly messages to me. He feels I am the worst nephew ever.’ I chuckled, bringing out my phone. ‘Read the messages. That man sometimes forgets his place in D.K. tech.’ Xavier whistled, returning the phone, ‘But he has the right to be angry. Do you know how hard it is to get clients like that? It takes a lot, and I am certain Uncle David had big plans for the profits. You should know your uncle by now.’ I sighed, ‘I know him, and I am aware that I did badly, but it’s not like I didn’t try my best. This week has been tough, and with Tessa on my mind, twenty-four? I haven’t been myself.’ ‘Can I ask you a sensitive question, Kyle?’ I stared at him, trying to guess the question. I knew it was going to be something that would trigger my already pissed-out mood. ‘ Go ahead. What is it?’ ‘ Were you ever in love with Tessa? Don’t cut corners this time around, Kyle.’ he warned, observing me. I knew it! The funny thing is that I have asked myself this question several times, but each time I disagreed with the answer. My heart only belonged to Ava, and the reason I was desperate to see Tessa was because of the way we ended things. I also wanted to settle her fairly. I told Xavier that much. ‘I wasn’t ever in love with her but with Ava. Tessa was just a tool to get what I wanted, and when Mom informed me that Ava was relocating to the States, I knew I had to shoot my shot. If Tessa had given me kids, maybe I wouldn’t have divorced her. I could have cut off ties with Ava and focused on managing our marriage. That’s the truth.’ He nodded. ‘That’s interesting. So, why are you desperate to see her? Why is she still occupying your thoughts?’Another question I didn’t want to answer. ‘I am a man who was once married to her for five good years. Of course, I am allowed to think about the memories we shared before our divorce. I am also allowed to seek forgiveness from the one I wronged. I know you don’t understand me, but I am a guilty man, and until she says the words, ‘I forgive you’, I won’t be at peace with myself.’
‘You have said a lot of things, Kyle, but I feel you are still lying to yourself. Look at how you behaved when you discovered she was married. You sounded jealous and entitled. You feel she shouldn’t have loved anyone else but you. I know you don’t want to admit it, but that’s the truth. Anyway, if Tessa finally forgives you, I hope you learn from her and not repeat the same mistake with Ava.’ I groaned, ‘You are saying two things at the same time. Do you want me to leave Ava for Tessa or want me to make things work better with Ava?’ He stood up from the long couch and said, ‘I want you to follow your heart and stop acting like a jealous fool.’ ‘Ouch’ I yelled, ‘I am not a jealous fool but a guilty man. Our last test is at two o’clock. Are you prepared?’ He started to say something but changed his words: ‘I am more prepared than you. Let’s drop at the cafe, grab something to eat, and return to the workshop. Sounds good?’ I nodded, silently thanking my stars that he didn’t continue the conversation. I hated to admit that what he said was right because I was still trying to process everything that has been happening to me since I met Tessa in California. Her plump lips on that dude! I wish I had slapped Kanebi and cautioned him for being an annoying pest. That would have been the most stupid decision because the woman he was fighting for didn’t want to have anything with him. She hated him like he was the devil’s aide.Genevieve Tessa RobertI walked into the workshop, interlocking my fingers with Kanebi’s own. Most people stopped to glance at us, and while some continued their conversations, the ladies in the room continued to take in Kanebi’s godlike look. The man had gone out of his way to look extraordinary and to make a statement. We were aware that Kyle would try another attempt to speak with me, but Kanebi’s confidence would do the talking and put him off.I smiled, glancing at his bushy eyebrows, hawkish noses, and chiselled cheek bones. His impressive dark eyes were his most alluring feature. I would be drawn to him like those women if the crush I had for him was still there. He squeezed my hands a little, and I chuckled. It was his sign language to stop staring. If only he hadn’t left back then.He whispered, ‘You look amazing too. Look at all those men across the room; they must be wondering if you are an angel or something close to
Kyle KingSleeping every night became a tedious event. It felt like I didn’t know my body anymore, and my mind seemed like a battlefield where I was losing the war. I was pathetic, and Xavier knew I was, which is why I am currently staring at a lady dancing around a pole and men shouting like it was payday. I glanced at my bourbon and took a long sip, enjoying the slow burn. I needed that. Ever since my last meeting with Tessa, I haven’t been the same. Everyone in the workshop suddenly knew about my fertility issues and how I mistreated Tessa. I was suddenly the monster in the group of friends I had managed to make. To make matters worse, Mayor. Kim’s grant offer was withdrawn. He suddenly found me ‘uncivilised and brutal.’ I wanted to hate Tessa for everything that had happened to me, but I couldn’t. I knew I deserved it. My phone buzzed again. It was Avaline. She had been calling constantly for three weeks to yell and demand I return to Nashville. She wasn’t pleased that I had ca
GENEVIEVE ‘Mummy! My head hurts. I don’t want to go to school today, please.’ Hope cried, removing her blouse for the umpteenth time. ‘Don’t do that, Hope. Also, I told you that we aren’t going to school but are returning home today. Our flight leaves in a couple of hours, so I need you dressed like your brother.’ I rattled, trying to put on her blouse again.After completing Mayor. Kim’s project, James and I had to travel to Nashville to settle a business deal and represent our family in the quarterly executives board meeting. It was a big stress on me because Vera was busy and Estella was down with fever. The kids had to follow me, and it was exhilarating. The questions, the congratulatory messages, and the curious gazes as Nicholas and Hope jumped around the company didn’t make things easier either. Once we returned home, James had to do some shopping to prepare himself for Kanebi’s wedding. Also, Kanebi suggested that I stayed an extra three weeks before he left for Spain. We e
Kyle KingThe King’s Company executives meeting lasted longer than I expected. After arriving home a few days ago, I had a lot of pending projects and bills to settle. Thankfully, I had been smart enough to deny my mother a place as a second signatory to the family account to avoid stories. So, I instructed the accounting department to settle the bills while I made sense of the demands of the executives. We had two major projects to execute, and one was with an Arabian engineering company. They were new in Nashville and were referred by a previous client who worked with Tessa.Tessa.I hadn’t thought about her since I arrived in Nashville, but Ava noticed my moodiness and pushed for answers until I told her part of the truth. She wasn't particularly pleased about Tessa having kids before her and remarried. It was hilarious to see her so jealous. She had always posed herself as a better woman and wife than Tessa, but now she was unsure. During breakfast, she had asked questions conce
Geneveive Tessa RobertThe cafe was filled! After walking with the waiters to find a place to sit with the kids, I finally gave up and decided to check somewhere else. I cursed inwardly as I thought about Estella’s advice. She had suggested I take a basket of sandwiches for the kids lunch, but I didn’t listen because I wanted to spoil them with pancakes from my favourite Bristol cafe. Mopping the sweat off my face, I knew I had made a mistake. I should have listened to her. m The next cafe was Nice’s Confectionaries. They were filled up too. It was now obvious that life was teaching me a good lesson. If not, why would the cafes be filled up by one o’clock? It wasn’t even rush hour or a lunch break!‘Mummy, my legs hurt and my stomach is hungry!’ Nicholas cried, his British accent making me giggle a bit.I patted his curly brown hair. ‘We are going home now. Let's call the chauffeur to pick us up, okay?’He nodded. ‘Can we get chocolate cupcakes, please?’‘No, you can’t. You ate a lo
Kyle KingI dialled Ava’s number again and got the same response. I looked over my shoulders and noticed the experiments were already complete. Mom was already seated and had already gotten acquainted with the Arabian representatives. I quickly sent Ava a text message to show up before the contract signing was over and the luncheon began. She knew how important her presence was in today’s meeting, and she had promised earlier to show up before noon. It was past two o’clock now, and where was she?I should have revoked her CFO’s position for a long time, but mom wouldn’t have approved. It’s not as if Ava took her position seriously; she barely came to the office except when there was an event or project that would make her trend. She preferred to stay in the background, monitor my earnings, and demand her share at the en
Kyle King‘I am sorry about last night. My friends wanted to celebrate our accomplishments as a couple, and I didn’t want to decline their request. It’s been a long time since I had fun with everything that has been happening, baby.’ Ava said, kneeling down.I shook my head. ‘Ava, that meeting was very important, and you were supposed to be by my side, but no, you were throwing yourself on a man old enough to be your father! What was wrong with you? Why can’t you just be like...’She looked up and said, ‘Like Tessa? Right. You just had to compare me with your ex-wife? So, you think she’s better than me because she has kids for some low life? Keep it up, Kyle, but know this: You left me for her because you loved me and trusted me; if you try to meet up with her after the California incident, you will regret it!’I pushed her hands off me. ‘Don’t you dare threaten me, Ava! God knows what else you have been doing while I have been away. Henceforth, you’re going everywhere with me, and no
Geneveive Tessa RobertI sighed for the eleventh time. Mom ignored me, focusing on her iced cup of tea. I was beginning to hate the idea of being away from my kids at this odd hour of the day. If not for mom’s insistence and how important she made the dinner feel, I wouldn’t be here.She stopped the waiter and ordered more pancakes while smiling to herself. Either she had become a foodie or she wanted to pump more fat into my body.‘Mum… Are you going to finish what you are ordering?’ I asked, watching her closely.She chuckled, ‘They aren’t for me but you. I took you out of that house because Estella complained that you hadn’t been eating properly. I mightn’t be staying with you anymore, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t look out for you. I'm still your mother.’I sighed. ‘You don’t have to worry yourself, mom. I am just stressed from work and other activities. Don’t forget, the twins have been giving me a hard time. You know, they have been playing cat and mouse with flu and malaria