Genevieve Tessa Robert
I 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 one. I told her the V-neck fitted better than that ugly maternity gown.’ I giggled, taking a swift look at my red V-neck gown and gold necklace. It was a little bit fitted and brought out my curves. I felt uncomfortable before leaving the house, but now, hearing Kanebi’s comment, I feel proud of my choice. ‘Thank you for the compliment, Ebi, and for accompanying me here. I know I am playing a dangerous game, and I am heartless for dragging you in. You must know that I am deeply sorry.’ He turned, lifting my chin. ‘You should stop apologizing, Evie. I told you already that this is my way of dealing with that fool for breaking your heart. I am glad to be at your service. Use me anyhow. I don’t mind at all, dear.’ ‘Alright, thank you. Are you ready?’ ‘Yes, let’s enjoy the ceremony and ensure Kyle gets burned by the show of our affection. I smiled. ‘You are enjoying this, aren’t you?’ ‘Yes, I am. It’s been years since I had so much fun, and this might be the last time we see each other before my Spain wedding.’I sighed, ‘I wish I could come, but the twins have their graduation ceremony on that day. I will send my gifts to James.’
‘ It’s okay, Evie. I already know you are happy for me. That’s all I need from you. Although your presence would have been more receptive than that of James, Your brother, with his devilish looks, will try to woo all the girls in Spain, and you know, nobody can control him when he starts.’ I chuckled. James’s reputation for being a flirt was well known. I wish he would finally settle down, but no, he still believes he’s still too young for marriage and its complications. The ceremony began, and one of the waiters showed us our seats. I surveyed the recipients and noticed the one I was looking for: Kyle. He was engrossed in a conversation with someone who looked like his best friend. Wait, that was his best friend, Xavier! It’s been ages since I saw him. Xavier used to be the only one who supported me whenever Dahila started her usual tantrums. Just like me, he used to do everything to impress his best friend’s mother, but he discovered that there was nothing he could do to please the elderly woman. If she hated you, she hated you forever.I focused on the host when I noticed Xavier glance towards me. He was whispering something to Kyle, and soon they were staring at me. I smiled, adjusting Kanebi’s collar and giving him a peck. I could feel Kyle’s burning gaze. The man was a jealous being!
After an hour of opening speeches, awards for the best team project were given to Xavier and Kyle, and the certification awards started. I applauded as every participant was called and given a nice plaque with their full names. Kyle didn’t bow like others, but he handshaked the host. He was still a proud man, I noted, glancing at him as he ignored something Xavier said to him. Probably Xavier was berating him for his behaviour. The certification ceremony ended, and Mayor Kim was called to give a speech. I was surprised. I didn’t know he was an invited guest because I failed to look at the guest list. He applauded everyone for their efforts and gave special recognition to Kyle and two other top CEOs who came for the workshop. He announced a collaboration with the best team and offered to give them a grant for their research. I could see the grin on Kyle’s face. He loved free money. That aspect hadn’t changed about him.The party began after applause, a vote of thanks, and a series of jokes I didn’t get. The mayor saw me and introduced Kanebi and me to a lot of distinguished guests. I was able to get a deal, and Kanebi got three clients for his law firm. Kyle’s annoying invitation had turned into a blessing in disguise.
Kyle came to me while I sat alone watching Kanebi dance with some ladies. He had finally agreed to respond to their requests. ‘Thank you for honoring my invitation, Tessa. I am glad you came.’ Kyle said, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray. I smiled. ‘You are welcome. Congratulations on your grant award, Kyle! ‘Thank you. Can I speak with you privately before your husband comes?’ ‘What do you want to talk about?’ He gulped, ‘About us. The divorce and how I treated you then.’ I replied, ‘I can’t forgive you, Kyle, and there’s nothing like us. You made sure you destroyed ‘the us’ immediately after Ava returned here. You know, I am glad we divorced, though. If I had stayed with you, I wouldn’t have met the father of my kids.’ ‘Tessa, you deserve someone better than him. Look at him! He’s a playboy. You are here, and he’s dancing and groping those ladies.’ I glared at him and said, ‘Don’t you tell me what is right for me and isn’t! You were the one who was wrong for me. I suffered, Kyle. In the hands of your mom and sister. Your entire family called me a barren pig, and you stood there, encouraging them. Do you expect me to forgive you now? Nah, I can’t, Kyle King!’ He flinched a bit. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you. About your kids..’ I cut him off. ‘What about them? You want to tell me they aren’t right for me because they aren’t yours?’ He swallowed hard, adjusting his tie. ‘I wanted to ask... If they are my kids, The time frame in which you left me and got married doesn’t make sense. I mean. You couldn’t get pregnant that same year and have children just like that.’ Oh no! He was already trying to put the puzzles together. I had to say something quick and smart before he threw another unexpected logic. Something sinister came up immediately. Something I knew would embarrass him.‘You are so smart, Kyle, but not smart enough. I am aware of your ‘little’ problems down there. Oh, you thought I didn’t know about your private sessions with Doc. Brown? I just kept quiet because I wanted to give us a chance.’
‘You knew..he stammered, swallowing. ‘I didn’t mean to hide that fact from you. I am a man, and according to our family history, no one ever had fertility issues until me. Since mom and everyone saw you as the cause, I decided to go along to save face.’
I chuckled harshly, ‘You decided to make me the sacrificial lamb, and stupidly, I went along. You’re lucky I am not in the mood to sue you for fabricating and tampering with our medical reports. Stay away from me, okay?’‘Tessa, I am sorry for everything.’
I shook my head. ‘Like I said once, you are four years late. You should have asked for forgiveness after we met at the courthouse. I have to go. My husband and I have a movie night to catch up with our kids. You know how it is, right? His smile sank. ‘Ouch! I am sorry. I have forgotten you can’t relate due to the ‘little issues’. Bye, old friend.’ I chuckled, leaving him.I smiled to myself. I had succeeded in hitting him in places he wouldn’t forget easily.
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
Kyle King‘I don’t understand why he would just sell his shares and not bother to let me know until the deal was finalized! I feel betrayed, Xavier.’Xavier shrugged. ‘Your uncle loves trying new things, and D.K. Company was just one of those things. Have you met the new shareholder? Someone you know?’I shook my head. ‘No, I don’t know them, but the board members do. They have a popular name and business in New Jersey and here. They were looking for a way to get some extra cash, and Uncle David was the answer to their prayers.’‘That’s crazy, man, but I think you should be happy. Uncle David wanted the company to himself right from day one. We know how he tried so hard to control your decisions and make you feel inadequate. Man, you should be happy! Besides, you shouldn’t worry about this; you get to see Tessa tomorrow. That’s something, right?’I nodded. ‘You’re right, Xavi. I am glad he’s gone—well, not totally gone until we complete the Roberts project and I send his share. About