CHAPTER 19

Geneveive Tessa Robert

Why did I feel like James was about to deliver some bad news? I clutched my seat belt as a some sense of protection and waited as he switched off the car engine.

`Okay, Kyle`s sister, Katherine and her husband would be attending mom`s birthday party. Trust me, I didn't want to send them an invite but her husband is one of our top clients and it wouldn't be great if we decided not to invite him.

I laughed, breathing normally now, `Oh, that's fine. I can handle Katherine if she comes looking for trouble. You know for a second, I thought you were about to deliver a news about the death of a loved one.`

He chuckled, `No. I know you don`t like Katherine and preparing you for arrival was the least i could do, so that you won't attack me viciously later.`

`Yeah, right. Thank you for the heads up,` I replied, walking into the house. 

Finally , home sweet home.

Ten minutes to four o`clock, Dad ushered everyone into the limousine for the birthday party. I couldn`t protest even though I wanted to. He had made me leave the  fruit salad Santiago prepared for me, all in the name of arriving early at the party.

Mom wasn't so pleased but she didn't say anything. She wanted a grand entrance but now, arriving early would mean no grand entrance. I chuckled softly, she shouldn't blame Dad, she had chosen to marry him after all.

`Hope Vera is coming? She shouldn't miss this like she did last year,` Mom said suddenly.

Vera would be coming late as usual. She wasn't known as the most punctual person among her family and friends. I could bet that she would come late on her wedding day. I couldn't tell mom that though or else, she would be more angry at me than Vera.

`She will be coming, mom. By the way, I wanted to discuss something with you and dad. It's really important.`

James had advised me to bring up Robert`s family project before the party started, so that it could bother them till the end of the day. I hoped it worked. I really hoped it worked.

Dad sighed, `Can`t we talk about it after the party, dear?`

I shaked my head negatively, `It's about the Robert`s family project. I would like to jump in on the project and help with selection. I am tired of staying home and doing nothing. Also, since you guys are still considering my job option, i think being a supervisor for the project would be a nice fit for me.`

`Alright, I think that's fine by me. I need help on the selection processes and your beautiful insights would be welcomed,` Dad replied, smiling.

I squealed with joy, `Thank you so much, Dad. I am grateful.`

Mum snapped, ending my short moment of triumph, `No, hun, we aren't allowing her to do anything stressful. She's carrying my grandchild and you remember what the doctor's orders. I don't want to be a careless grandmother and mother, please.

Gosh! As James predicted, she was the one I needed to convince and not my Dad. I patted her birthday present and hoped it would work.

The limousine suddenly stopped and  Dad ushered us out. I never knew the drive could feel so long in a limousine. Before I could take in the beauty of the red carpet, Mom grabbed me and James there and soon, we were posing for the photographers.

Then, she dragged me to meet her close friends and some family relatives who didn't know I was around.

`My poor child! I`m glad you left that scumbag. He didn't deserve you!` One of mom's friends said, holding my hands. `I hope you got your share of everything ?

I smiled stiffly, moving to the next person. I wondered what she would say if I told her I didn't because Kyle saw me as a worthless barren woman. Even the shares, i fought for, the cheat took from me! I was still pained.

`Darling, I missed you,` my favourite Aunt Louisa pulled me in for a tight hug, `I am sorry I missed the special family dinner, i was in Costa Rica for vacation. I hope you`re settling well?`

I smiled, feeling warm, `Yes, Aunt Louisa. I am getting comfortable with Arizona and it`s environment. How was Costa Rica?`

She giggled like a teenage girl,`It was everything i imagined it to be. Darling, you should come visit me one of these days. I`m sure your cousins will be glad to have you around and also, you can heal properly from the thing!`

I felt her disgust as I promised to call in and inform her when I would have time to visit. After the hellos and numerous questions on my new life, pregnancy from my close aunties and dislike of Kyle King, I settled on one of the couches and grabbed the fruit salad Santiago had secretly placed in my hand bag. I was slowly becoming an eater.

I watched mum dance with Dad as they played the Happy birthday song by Stevie wonder. It was one of her best hits. Then, the D.J switched to Celine Dion, then  Dolly Parton before pausing on Kevin Rogers. Mom and country music. They were like her own cure to sleepless nights. I scanned the crowd for Katherine but didn`t see her. Probably, she decided not to show up to avoid the hostility, if people knew about her relation with Kyle.

`Hello, babes,` Vera said, almost making my heart jump. `I hope I am not late?`

`Damn, Vee. I have told you that creeping stuff is so scary. You know I am carrying a child right? I don`t need an heart attack at the moment.`

She grabbed the fruit salad, `Of course. I am sorry, babe. So, gist me, what have I missed so far?`

`You didn't miss anything. Okay, Dad agreed to my request but mom is being stubborn. Also, James invited Kyle`s sister: Katherine. You remember her?`

`Oh, that bully! I remember her. She was never nice to you in college as a senior not to talk about being a great sister-in-law. Is she here already?`

I scanned the crowd again, `No, but I am sure she will come. That lady loves parties and anything to draw attention to herself. You know she is pregnant right?`

Vee scoffed, `Yeah, i know. I feel for her husband. He's such a nice guy who ended up with a bully! Anyway, did you bring the necklace set? I am sure your mum would change her mind immediately she sees it.`

I laughed. Vee had never liked Katherine. Even though Vee wasn't in my department, she had known about Katherine and her gang of bullies. They always had mean things to say about me or Vera whenever they saw us. I did everything to avoid her in college and it worked until I found out she was Kyle's brother. I tried becoming her friend but her attitude towards me didn't change. 

`I brought it. I will give it to her once the guests have gone. Oh, she's here,` I sneered, watching Katherine walk into the hall with her husband. I could spot her little baby bump in that flowery gown she wore.

`I still wonder what Ethan saw in her. She's so proud and arrogant,` Vera hissed, focusing her drink. `You said something about twins when we spoke over the phone. Did your doctor tell you will be expecting twins?

I smiled, Take it easy, dear. No, the doctor didn't tell me that. I had a conversation with a family friend earlier today and she told me about her surprise scan which revealed she was expecting twins. Then, she talked about her husband`s support and how she was able to survive raising them. `

`That's great. So, why are you still brooding about her story? Are you scared you won't be able to take care of the babies if it turns out you will be expecting twins?`

`Yeah,` I swallowed. `It's hard to admit it, babes but what if I made the wrong choice by not fighting for Kyle? I don't want my children growing up knowing that their father divorced me because he saw me worthless and useless. He even had the audacity to steal from me.`

She stood up, settling near me, `You think too much, Tessa. I`ve told you several times, that we are going to make Kyle pay everything he did to you and don't you worry about the amount of babies you will be producing because you`ve…`

A feminine voice interrupted Vee. `Hello, Mrs. Tessa who is no longer a King.  How are you doing?`

I knew that voice. Katherine. I rested my eyes on her plump proud eyes. She was definitely proud of herself.