CHAPTER 15

Kyle Kings

I know I shouldn't have listened to my mom and Ava when they brought up the idea of logging into Tessa`s account and retrieving the money. Reading through the mail I sent her now, I felt awful, but I pushed through the feeling. I needed the money more than her at the moment, and she also didn't quite deserve anything for me since she didn't give me a child. It was unfair, but life was unfair too.

I picked up my phone and sent a message to Xavier. We needed him during the meeting. Something made me pause. The mail I mistakenly sent to Tessa. I hoped she wouldn`t inform her parents not to allow me to participate in the project. She wouldn't dare do that to me. Besides, through a friend in Arizona, I knew she wasn't part of the family business, which meant her parents were yet to forgive her for leaving them for me.

Tessa. I scrolled through the mail she sent and imagined how furious she would be now. I sighed. My conscience was doing a great job, making me feel guilty. 

I shouldn't have listened to my mom and Ava.

I strolled out of the room to my library and settled in with a cold wine. Restlessness has been something I have battled with since Tessa left.

I should be at peace since Ava was here, but no. Everything in the house made me remember her, and that look she wore when I told her I never loved her before she left still haunts me. I wish I could go back in time and take back those words, but it was impossible, and my pride won't allow me to apologise to her.

Tessa never fought until the last day. She never asked for anything, even when I knew she deserved compensation for leaving her family and life for me. I felt she demanded her shares because of how Ava and my mom spoke demeaningly to her. Also, my words weren't the best. Then, I had to do the stupidest thing ever by taking her money.

The guilt wouldn't leave me.

I picked up some files and tried to get some work done. I couldn't concentrate. I stood up and walked into my room. Ava was up. I wondered why.

`Hi, babe. I thought I heard some footsteps. Was it you?` she asked, stifling a yawn.

I crawled towards her side and said, "Yes, it was me. I couldn`t sleep because of Tessa`

She frowned, pushing me away. `You promised you wouldn't mention her name ever in this house or when we`re together. Are you sure you didn't love your ex-barren wife?`

I chuckled, trying to hide my displeasure. I was the only one allowed to call Tessa barren, but I couldn`t reprimand Ava because it would only make her suspicion right. 

`I am not in love with her, Ava. I have told you several times that you`re the only one that matters to me. Tessa was just a tool to become the family heir, I promise. Seriously, how can I love someone who couldn't give me a child or make me happy?`

She huffed, `That's what you say, and here, you`re having sleepless nights because of her! Are you sure you want us to get married?`

Right. She had to bring up the marriage issue.

I replied, holding her stiff hands, `Of course, I want us to get married, Ava. You aren't having doubts about us, right?`

She shrugged. `I don`t know, Kyle. You`re keeping things for me. You can't even tell me why you were thinking of Tessa.`

`Fine, `I raised my hands in defeat, `I trust you, Ava, and the reason why I couldn't sleep is because I felt what we did to her; taking the money back was wrong and awful.`

She sighed, falling on her pillow. `You`re such a softie, Kyle. She didn't deserve that amount of money, and you know that. Your company also needs more than her, so throw away that guilt and think of how your proposal would be selected for the Robert project.

I muttered good night before falling on my side of the bed.

If only it were easy to thrash the guilt.

The meeting started at nine o`clock am and ended at four o'clock pm. There were deliberations, arguments, and various suggestions on how to win a spot on the Robert family project. I created a team and made Xavier and Ava team leads. I would supervise the activities. Some employees didn`t want Ava on the team because she hadn`t been active in the company's day-to-day activities, but I was quick to reprimand them and remind them that she was my fiancee and they needed to respect her.

After everyone had gone, I had a word with Ava, which didn't go as I planned.

`Ava, I am sorry about my employees. They don`t know you yet and still miss Tessa,` I said, taking her right hand.

She whipped her hand off immediately. `I don`t need your pathetic apology, Kyle! I told you to tame your employees, but you didn't listen. Now, they are questioning our relationship and comparing me to that ugly thing you called your ex-wife!`

`Come on, babe. I have already apologised on their behalf. No need to start the name-calling, okay? I promise this won't happen again.`

'Fine, but you need to properly introduce me as your engaged fiancee soon, or I will tell the world what you did to Tessa!` She threatened, walking away.

I yelled, punching my fists in the air. This wasn't going as I planned. How can she threaten me with that act? How could she? I dialled Xavier's number and informed him to return to the board room immediately.

I didn't need this kind of drama at the moment. We had a chance of getting selected, and if Ava goes ahead with her threat, no company or client would want to have anything to do with us. I had to find a way to make it up to her before we started creating the proposal.

Xavier showed up after an hour. His Asian features gave him this bad guy look, but in a nice, comforting way. It was no surprise that girls floored around him anytime we went out. I am still amazed that I got married before him.

`What`s up with that look, bro?` he asked, dragging a chair. `I am sorry I got here late; your girlfriend almost fired one of the team members.`

I gasped, `What? She doesn't have the authority to do so.`

`Well, you officially introduced her to the employees as your fiancee, so it was expected that she would be the CFO too. I don`t know, Kyle, but I think you made the wrong decision by putting her on the team.`

`Honestly, I didn't want to, but my mom insisted I do because of our relationship and her past experience as a productive and result-driven business strategist. We need someone like that on the team, so I couldn`t resist.`

He shrugged. `You and never standing up to your mom. I hope this works out well for all of us. You know how much I put into this project. I don't want to lose it, Kyle. `

I nodded. I understood what he meant. Xavier had helped with ten million dollars to pay some debts I owe and the taxes. I had promised to pay him immediately after I got selected for Robert`s family project.

`I haven`t forgotten my promise, Xavier. Right now, I need your help. Ava has threatened to reveal that `Tessa Heist` if I don't announce our engagement officially.`

He stared, looking lost. `But you already did that at the meeting. What else does the woman want?`

`A grand engagement ceremony, and I can't afford it at the moment. I have some savings, but it's for the execution of the proposal project and employee salaries. I can't use that, bro.`

`Well, you've got to think of something, or she would sing like a bird.`

Damn! This was all Tessa`s fault, I thought suddenly. If she had been fertile, he would have managed their marriage and tried to be happy with his child, but no, she chose to be barren. I cursed under breath, taking my phone. There was only one person who could solve this issue. My mom. Mrs. Dahila King.

I ignored Xavier`s curious gaze and dialled her number. She picked it up immediately. 

`Mom, we need to talk, and it's important.` I said this without responding to her greeting. 

She replied coldly, `Alright. I just received a distress call from Ava. She complained about your employees attitude towards them and their disrespect. I thought I told you to resolve this before introducing her to the staff.`

I sighed. Ava could exaggerate at times.