Divorce.
That word hasn't left me ever since Keith gave me the papers. After last nights events, I'm quite exhausted today and the numbness hasn't vanished.
After our little chat, I cried while letting the milk and Oreo's comfort me, today though, I might be feeling all sorts of emotional but I refuse to let it consume me, and take me from the reality that stares me in the face.
Making way down the stairs, I'm all set in mind about a couple of things. I walk on to the kitchen, expecting to find Sarah so we could have a chat, but all plans are put aside when I hear my name being called.
Keith.
Whipping around, I see Keith right behind me, coming down the stairs. " I have something to discuss with you." No good morning, nothing.
" okay" the sound of the doorbell interrupts him from saying anything, whilst awaiting for whoever, I give him a once over and I can say, he looks really nice and casual, with his blue jeans, navy shirt and nice shoes, his hair looks messy in a ' I woke up like this' type of thing.
Footsteps could be heard coming our way. I look away from him and to Maria followed by Rick , Keith's lawyer.
Rick Matthews has been Keith's buddy since they could barely walk and are close as brothers, I'm not really surprised to see him here, seeing as I've already signed the papers as well as Keith, it won't be much of a hassle.
Rick is handsome with dirty blonde hair, green eyes , pale skin, tall, successful and a very good and sharp lawyer. He's won most of his cases and only lost one, that's how good he his.
With him in a suit then his usual casual wear coming over, I know that it's business.
" Rick, hey man" Keith says, coming down the stairs further and meeting Rick halfway, giving each other that bro hug thing, guys normally do.
" hey..." He turns over to me." Hi Akiandra" he greets and all I can do is nod in acknowledgement.
" Right, please come this way." Keith says, gesturing towards the dining room.
We follow him silently until we are all seated , Rick on the opposite side of me, Keith sits in his usual chair, the head of the table.
Thankfully, the dining area has a wooden sliding door, giving us privacy from the world.
" Alright, so I'm here to discuss the divorce proceedings and all, both parties acknowledge that they agree to this?" Rick asks and we both nod....
" Alright let me explain a few things and we can get started." Rick continues before getting down into explaining and just talking.
I'm watching his lips move yet I don't hear a word he says, my mind has just blocked my surroundings and only welcomed my thoughts.
I'm here seated with these gentleman, discussing divorce settlements and all, but I'm neither present. The whole time he speaks, I feel that we are dragging everything.
A start over....
That's what both mind and heart tells me. Bringing me back to reality, where Rick's voice reaches my ears and soon I hear about what either of us could agree on.
" wait.." I hold up my hand, silencing him.
Now all eyes are on me." We don't need to go down that route, for I already know what I want and need." I tell them.
I watch them glance at each other before looking back at me.
" okay then, tell us what you want." Rick says.
I'm pretty sure they think I want gallows of money, some shares in one of Keith's businesses, which he possibly can fight me on, if he wanted. But no, I'm not into burdens.
" A house, that's what I want." I say, leaning back into my chair.
" Are you sure?" Rick asks, glancing from me to Keith, who's now frowning at me.
" yes I am...."
" wait, wait....Kea....what is this? Why would you - "
" we had a deal yes, but I've decided to lessen everything, and ask for the simplest of things, a house."
" are you sure?" He asks me, his eyes displaying surprise.
"Yes....I want it in my name, fully furnished, paid off and then I'll be out of your life." I say, shrugging, though my throat tightens at me mentioning, I'll be out of his life.
Keith keeps silent after that and just stares at Rick, who's now going through some papers, the silence is starting to eat at me as well as the feel of Keith's eyes , burning the side of my face..
" Are we done now?" I ask, wanting more then anything to walk out.
" Almost....we just need to discuss about the Clause in the contract
" my head whips to his direction.
" What - What clause?" I'm too scared to know. I seriously didn't know any Clause when I signed the contract, or maybe I wasn't paying attention.
" Well there's a Clause or in simpler term, a condition...if one of you chooses to leave this marriage, then there would be a month long extension before the divorce goes through."
" What? .....but I - " I pause and take a breath before looking at Keith, who's got the contract in hand.
" The deal was that after six months , I'll be able to walk" he looks at me, handing me the papers.
" yes that's right." He nods.
" Then I don't understand ......" I say, going through the passage that says Clause.
They are right, the Clause does state that there's a month long extension, as a sign that one honours and respects the marriage. I can't believe this.
" Akiandra......I didn't trust that you'd stick around for the 6 months, it was for security purposes."
Glancing between him and the contract, I feel a twinge of hurt in my chest, the lack of trust, even though I kinda understand him." Two years is more then enough to notice that I honour my word." I point out.
He opens his mouth to say something but I beat him to it.
" After the month long period, the divorce will be finalised?" I ask Rick, who nods.
" Is there anything else I should know of, any other Clause?"
" No....Keith?" We both turn to Keith, who looks to be lost in thought.
" No, nothing else."
Right after he says that, I hand the contract back to Rick, before he continues on with the last biddings of the contract and divorce .
The word Divorce rings in mind again, this time I can't describe the feeling, because soon I think of the new lady in Keith's life and how she might feel hearing about this. I'm pretty sure it would be hard, when you were in hope of moving in soon and planning a future with my man.
Gosh what am I thinking, my man. No, no...I shake my head off those thoughts.
" One more question, in this month long period, is it required that we both be under the same roof?"
This has them stopping whatever they were doing and looking at me. " No." Keith answers and I nod, rising to my feet and pushing the chair in.
" Excuse me." I say, before turning and leaving the dining room, leaving the two males alone.
Right when I'm out that door, the words 'month long extension' rings in mind, the fact that I still have a month of being Keith's wife, I still have that right to be in his life brings a smile upon my face.
Gosh I must be crazy....
What is wrong with me?
50 or so houses stare back at me. So many to choose from, beautiful, spacious, private and at a great distance to not run into Keith and his love interest.Ever since I was young, I have always longed to have my own house, this as a sign of independence. The experience of having your own place with a great view , the thought of owning something.I guess the whole deal with Keith came up right when I'd started saving. I was determined that after 6months, I'd have enough money to purchase one and from there, I'd create an opening for future plans.It might be 2 years, but not 2years late where I can't still focus on my future, well different plans at that, because I'd planned one for Keith and I , if ever we worked out ,but I guess things didn't go as planned.Feeling hopeless on which one to look into, I capture the top ten I think are best before making my way out of my room, with my laptop, to ask for ass
Before married life, simple was all me, not that it's changed now that I'm married.For me, the simplest moments hold importance, just like the times I used to come to the small cafe downtown, which wasn't far from my highschool. I used to hang out at the cafe after school, sometimes do my homework there or just be there to unwind.I loved the homey vibe I always received whenever I was here, now being back here brings back so many memories and most good then bad. Thus bringing a smile upon my face, like right now when I enter the cafe.Looking around I see that not much has changed which I love and appreciate." Kea?" I hear from behind me.Turning around, my jaw drops to the floor at seeing my old friend, who I'd lost contact of, 2 years ago looking so handsome." James!" I almost scream in excitement but hold back , remembering that we aren't alone.
Tears threaten to fall as I stand alone in the living room, with an envelope in hand.This is it, I'm moving out.I didn't believe I could do it but here I am, about to leave this place like I never lived here. This was bound to happen, I know but it still is hard. There's still that twinge in my heart telling me that I'm giving up but then I need to do this, not because of James's words yesterday but for my own peace of mind.A big decision yet again.Keith isn't even here to see me off, not that I expect him to. He's out of the country, he has a business conference to attend to in London and won't be back till three days. I've tried to get ahold of him today but his phone is off and that's why I've written this letter, I hope he receives it and know that I didn't mean to leave this way, I would have waited but for this one time, I couldn't.Placing the letter on the glass
" No he did not!" Theresa exclaims, jaw dropped to the floor." Yep, James here, poured soup all over a wealthy but rude businessman."" What was I suppose to do, let him get all touchy feely with you, no way. I promised your mom that I'd take care of you." At the mention of my mom, my smile slips off my face and a twinge of pain attacks my chest.I believe he realizes what he's just said and immediately his eyes are on me.The air becomes still and tense all of a sudden." Kea."" I'm pretty sure that your mom must be proud." Theresa says, totally oblivious to the tension." Yeah she would be proud." I say, a small tight smile being sent her way.After I say this, Theresa's face falls and her eyes droop low." Oh.." That's all that comes from her, now the air much tense and obvious."It's okay. So tell me more about Theres
" What are you talking about?" Wow I'm not stuttering, this is new." I'm talking about the fact that you and Keith got married just a little over two years in a private ceremony, yet here you are alone, while your husband - ""Please stop." I say, holding up my hand to stop him before walking past him.How does he know all this, it doesn't make any sense. Keith made sure that it was a private ceremony, well with a few staff and all.Wait a minute.I spin around and take a long hard look at London, scrolling my mind for anything. When I do come up with something, my eyes widen a bit in realization of how he got to know all this."You were there." I murmur." I was there." He confirms, nodding.Oh my gosh." I need to sit down." I say, more to myself.Finally taking a seat on the couch, he follows suit next
I sit silently on my balcony, feet planted on the railing, tea in hand and thoughts at play. I just love the warm almost cool air ,the morning is providing for me right now.Something about this morning just feels nice, I'm in a content state and I don't know why.'That's because Keith is sleeping here' My consciousness says and I blush at that.I can't believe he actually rocked up here, when I thought he'd totally forgotten about me. I can't deny that I'm happy he's here, but him coming here when drunk bothers me. It reminds me of the time he was mourning his mother, well drinking his sorrows away and I don't want him to go back. It was hard for me, watching him go through that.I have no idea when he got back , not that I'd know since having moved out and besides, why bother telling me when he has?" Akiandra." I jump at my name, resulting in me spilling some tea on my
We wait patiently for this mysterious person to arrive, the same one Keith had mentioned we had a meeting with earlier.We are sitting at a private booth, in a rather expensive looking restaurant. This is quite the first time we've been really out together as a couple, well to me because to everyone else, I must look like Keith Salvatore's assistant.Looking at my white sundress with pink ballet flats, I shake my head. Or maybe not."They're here." Keith says, I pick up at that.I notice two females, one , a familiar looking middle aged woman with a much younger pretty one on her side." Keith." The older lady says, her curly brown hair bouncing with her steps as she walks over to Keith, with open arms."Aunt Jill." Keith greets, giving her a short hug.He's not a hug type of guy."It's been so long." The woman says, leaning back with her hand
It's a weird but nice feeling to be sitting in the park, with my husband.My husband. I smile at that."What's that smile for?" My smile slips off my face at Keith's question." Oh nothing." I quickly say, looking away.I feel him lean close, where his breath fans my neck, giving me goosebumps." Akiandra." He says, close to my ear."Mhm." I refrain from looking at him, heart beating hard against my chest." I don't like you not telling me anything. Now tell me."" It's nothing really, it's totally silly." I turn my head to look at him , only to be frozen in place when I see how close our faces are to each other.There's like a small amount of space between us, dangerously so. " Kea...." He murmurs leaning in.I can't move away, why can't I move away? I mean it's bad enough that he won't be mine for much longer, not