KennaAt this banquet full of celebrities, I am getting a little tired of constantly introducing myself and talking to different people. At least Dante stands close to me. He has remained by my side and placed a hand at the small of my back sensing my mood. It feels comforting, maybe too comforting. I mean he’s my best friend and perhaps I shouldn’t like it quite as much as I do. “I just need to go and hide away for a few moment, Dante. This is too much for me.” He nods at me and removes his warm hand from the small of my back. I find a pillar to hide behind where a tall wine cart stands. Sensing eyes on me I glance up and across the room. Sure enough, Xander is giving me looks. It’s making me feel uncomfortable. I try to look away but his gaze holds mine. Something stirs inside me, quickly I look away. He has hurt me enough already. A woman’s voice comes from behind me, it gives me a shock and causes me to jump, almost spilling my champagne over my beautiful gown. "Did you come to
XanderI am uncomfortable seeing this new, changed Kenna. It feels like something has been taken from me, leaving a gaping hole. As if someone has broken my left arm off. It’s weird, how come I am only feeling this now? Seeing her like this was almost scary. She is so fierce and so strong, she takes me by surprise. And who the hell is that holding onto her arm, that makes me feel - I want to say uncomfortable but it makes me feel raging inside. Am I jealous? Seriously, me? It’s as if I’ve been hit by a truck the way these new feelings come to me from nowhere. Then I recognize the man, it’s Dante Bodega. I’ve heard about Dante Bodega, he is the nephew of Kenna’s stepfather, or something like that. He is successful and works in their wine business. I suppose I have to admit as much as I hate to, that the man is good looking in an almost boyish kind of way. His reputation proceeds him for being one of those nice guys, a man with a good business head too from what I hear. Now I’m wonde
KennaI was exhausted from all the drama when I got back from the gala, how Violet could resort to being such a a little bitch is beyond me. However, that was a few days ago and since then I have promised my mother that I will become heir to the Bogada family wine business. It’s a huge responsibility but I feel ready to take on this challenge. It fills me with excitement and purpose to finally have something to do other than a blood donor and a wife. Those shackles are now off, thank God. Originally, my stepfather, Isaac wanted to arrange for me to enter the board of management directly. I was flattered and honored but it’s not how I want to do this, I need to prove myself first and learn the business. Otherwise how else can I really fulfill such a role? It’s not just that but I have to win the trust of the other members of the team at top level and beneath me. I can’t just go straight onto the board, how will it look? I’ll only make enemies, you know how jealous people can be. For
XanderIt’s been two days since the gala and the embarrassing images on the big screen for all to see. What surprised me the most was how Kenna reacted when I asked her if she was working so hard because of Dante. She didn’t answer me, instead she turned her back on me. And he gave me a dirty look. The asshole. Nobody turns their back on me, but Kenna doing that made me question myself. Why the hell do I feel so confused about her, about everything? I can’t place why my emotions are all over the place. One minute she is the doting wife wanting to do anything for me and to please me, almost groveling and the next she acts like I never existed.My stomach clenches and ties itself in knots. I’ve never had such conflicting emotions before. Maybe I should have been nicer to her when we were married. No, we had an agreement and a pact. My money for her blood. It was a simple trade off so why did she then decide she didn’t want to do it anymore?I get she was upset with all the times Violet
KennaIt’s hard work running through all these reports, Isaac hasn’t made it easy for me. And why I now wonder did I even decide I wanted to start at managerial level instead of going straight in at the executive level is beyond me, with all this work I have to do.“You working late again?” Crystal asks me, she is one of my team and is responsible for the southern states vineyards, she is a key account manager. And so far, she is the one that is the friendliest with me. I like her, maybe I ought to ask her to go for a girl’s night out sometime. It’s not like I’ve ever been on one of those since I left college. No, instead I got into a contract with Xander and what for? To be pricked all over the place giving my precious, rare blood to that conniving bitch, Violet. I hope she rots in hell for what she did at the gala a few weeks ago.Still, at least I managed to get my own back by having the entire scene on video. Thanks to Dante, he always, always has my back. He is the best friend I
XanderShe doesn’t look in the slightest bit intimidated, it still shocks me that she has a completely different demeanor to the last three years. Where has she all of a sudden got this confidence from? It unnerves me some. And I don’t exactly know how to handle her right now.Her green eyes are like slits as she narrows them taking me in. “What the hell do you think you are doing coming to my office?” Her voice is seething with anger. “And how did you get in? This is a security building, nobody can come in unless they have a badge or are invited by an employee.”I glare back at her, I’m not trying to intimidate her, I know I can be a cruel sonofabitch but I just need her to know that it’s not acceptable the picture that is on my mobile right now. “Easy, some woman let me in when she was on her way out.”Seeing her frown makes me realize she wasn’t expecting that. “That must have been my assistant, what did you say for her to let you in, Xander? Tell me now. She knows the rules, nobody
KennaMy mouth gapes open, “are you kidding me right now, Xander? You are, right? Only we are D.I.V.O.R.C.E.D. You do get that I assume?”“Don’t do this now, she is in the hospital again, you know how serious it will get for her. Apparently they are running low and need extra donations. You are the quickest and easiest option for her.”“I don’t give a damn, find someone else. Our arrangement ended when we got divorced, you know that bit of paper we both signed. You were happy to let me go, and I owe you nothing. I especially owe Violet nothing. Why would I even want to help her, after everything she just put me through and with the gala event? You must think I am stupid or insane. I wonder if I had totally lost my mind when I was married to you.”Anger laces every word, how can he expect me to go to his precious friend who he put first all of the time. This man didn’t even so much as consummate our marriage, he never once put his arms around me and I certainly never felt his lips, thos
KennaDante immediately places his hand on Xander’s arm. “Get off her now. She told you she doesn’t want to go with you. Release her. NOW.” His voice raises and is firm, I open my eyes in shock. I have never heard Dante raise his voice before. Xander’s piercing blue eyes narrow as he glares at Dante like he wants to kill him. He is losing control, I can see it the way his jaw ticks and his molars must be grinding. “She is coming with me. I need her help.”“Like hell she is. If Kenna doesn’t want to go then that is the end of it. You cannot force her, not like when you were married. You treated her badly and as for your friend or lover whatever Violet is to you, that is none of Kenna’s problem.” He now holds my hand and with the other he rubs the red mark from where Xander’s strong grip has made a mark. “Are you okay?” He asks me, his voice now more gentle. I nod, still shocked from Xander grabbing me the way he did and Dante coming to my rescue. “How long have you been here?” I ask