Six

Kamille’s POV

After securing a ride for my kids and I, I took hurried steps to fetch them but on approaching where they sat, I stopped dead in track as my light brown eyes fell on that same unapologetically handsome man with well defined abs and captivating deep blue eyes who served me hurt and shame, smiling with my children. It was the most unbelievable sight of my days.

Of all days, why the hell should Zeke choose today to be here?

As the wave of mixed emotions surged through me, I let my eyes wander back to his face again, drinking in the sight of him. Then I looked at his fingers deliberately out of curiosity and there it was. A different wedding ring from the one we shared.

Snap! I should have known better than be fooled by good looks.

A smile was gradually embracing my facial muscles when his betrayal crossed my mind and canceled it. I remembered how he left me on my own and how I went through hurt alone. He made me see the cruel part of life when he left me and married Ellen.

Damn it! How could I have forgotten?

I snapped back to reality and fixed my gaze on my children.

“Hey, Reon. It’s time to go. Come on guys.” I beckoned on them to follow me from the distance that I stood.

“Our ride is here. Let’s catch it quick. Come on! Come on!” I hurried them to come to me.

Without hesitation they all raced towards me with excited giggles.

“I am sorry for keeping you guys waiting. Are you guys cold?” I apologized and checked on them as started walking towards the exit of the airport.

“We are fine mummy. Reon took care of us well. Right Tyris?” Torin replied, passing his sister a cunning smile.

“Hmmm.” Tyris confirmed. “Don’t worry, mummy, that gentleman stayed with us. He was nice and we were not bored.” She added pointing towards Zeke and they all nodded in agreement.

Before I had the chance to give a response, Tyris interrupted, “Mum,” I looked at her. “Who is he? Do you know him?”

I turned and looked at him again, and just when I felt I had had enough, he lifted his eyes and they met mine. Then he started approaching us. Immediately, I denied ever knowing him.

“No, baby. I don’t know this man,” I said in a calm tone and an assuring smile.

“Now, let’s hurry out so we don’t miss our ride,” I added, motivating them to take quicker steps.

Everyone believed the lie I told them except Reon. I saw the curiosity and uncertainty dancing in his eyes while he took turns to look at my face and then at Ezekiel's.

Not knowing how to unravel his uncertainty, he didn’t have a choice other than to follow me.

“Kamille.” I heard his deep rich tenor voice call out to me. I ignored him.

“Why can he not just crawl back to hell where he came from!” I muttered under my breath.

I could feel the anger and frustration building as I tried to lose him to the crowd. I wished I could make him stop, give him a sounding slap, or just disappear so he would let me be.

What does he even want? After all these years? Now is the time he chose to be running after me.

I lamented in my heart.

As we neared the parking space outside the airport I realized that all my hopes to keep my comeback away from my family had gone down the drain. Thanks to Zeke's presence.

I must have made it to the devil's playlist for the day because as soon as I stepped outside, I saw the car I had booked in bad shape. It was rammed into by a black Tesla.

Today was definitely cursed. First, it was the rain, then Zeke, and now, this?

I wanted to let out my frustration, but I couldn’t afford to lose myself in the presence of my kids. So, I kept my cool and walked up to the driver who stood outside, looking a little less as frustrated as I was.

“Hey!” I called out. “What’s up here?” I asked, assessing the situation.

“This Tesla slammed my car and it damaged it so bad that I cannot even drive it out of here. I am sorry, we will have to cancel your trip.” He said smashing my hopes against the wall.

“Dang it!” I slapped my forehead with my right hand.

“We need to leave now. I don’t even have a second to spare.” I said. “There has to be a way to fix it right?” I asked hoping to escape Zeke who was fast approaching us.

He flapped his head sideways. “Nah, ma’am. It’s a dead end.”

“Damn!” I didn’t know what else to say.

“Can I…” Ezekiel’s voice came from behind me. “Can I give you guys a lift? I don’t mind; I can take you anywhere you want to go.” He said.

I turned to him in shock. I could not believe that this was the Ezekiel Reid I knew. He was never nice.

“Thank you, but my kids and I can find our way. We will be fine.” I replied coldly, even if didn’t have a clue of what to do or where to go from there.

“Just let me help. It is my fault that you can’t go with this car. It’s my Tesla that rammed into it, so it is only right that I take you home.” He persisted.

Why is he pushing it?

“Don’t worry, I don’t want to be a burden to you.” I politely declined again but I was getting more agitated and could use some quiet from him. His existence was pissing me off already.

“I do not feel burdened Kamille. Just let me help you and the kids.” He wasn’t going to give up.

The kids! I wanted to let out my frustrations on him when he mentioned my kids. I took in quick breaths to calm my nerves before turning to my kids and saw them shivering, the look on their faces broke my heart. The cold was already getting to them despite the heavy coats they wore.

Fuck! I cursed.

“Look at your kids, they are cold. Keeping them longer here while you find another car won’t be good for them. Just let me help.” Ezekiel said noticing how affected I was by their state.

All I heard him say was “Your kids. Cold.” There was no way I would have wanted my children to stay in the cold for too long. At the same time, I didn’t want to have anything to do with Zeke. He was not worth breathing the same air as my children.

“Mummy I'm cold,” Royer complained hugging himself with his coat. I glanced at all four of them and they looked really pitiful. So I decided to choose my kids over my feelings.

Hating to resort to his help, I grit my teeth and said, “Fine!”

“You can take us home on one condition,” I added.

“Anything, just say it.” Ezekiel smiled as though he had been waiting for the opportunity all his life.

“You must not let anyone know that I am in London. Not even my family.” I said, lifting a brow.

He ran his mouth across his lip like he was zipping it up. “My mouth is sealed. Your secret is safe with me.” He replied.

I nodded at him and gestured to my kids to come along. We walked to the his car and as I was about to lift Royer into it, I noticed that some of the safety seats were out of shape as a result of the collision.

“Mr. Reid I don't think we can accept your ride with no safety seats in it.” I complained, forming arcs across my forehead.

“Uhh, don’t worry about that. I will fix it immediately.” He responded.

With no much words said, Andrew, his Chief security personnel arrived with the seats and we got into the car.

Finally this shitty day would soon come to an end.

Relief flooded my heart that my children would soon be home, safe and warm; but the uneasiness that churned my stomach when I looked up to see Zeke in the same car as my kids and myself was unbearable.

Nope! We are a happy family without Zeke in it.