CHAPTER 64

Kyle King

 

The hospital reminded me of the times I brought Tessa for tests and consultations with the doctor. Now, I was here because of something that troubled me. The letter that Ava brought. There was something wrong with it, and I knew why. I had a low sperm count issue, although I started private treatment after the first consultation with an old general practitioner. 

I had threatened him not to reveal anything, Tessa. So, all the years we visited the hospital, I collected the results and kept them from her eyes. Tessa believed every word from me, and sometimes I tweaked it to fit her questions. Now, Ava was playing a similar game. I knew she didn’t run any tests. A confirmation from Doc. Brown told me all I wanted to know. I scheduled an appointment to run another test and discuss it with him. 

The nurse on the seat was a new face. She looked like a high school leaver, but I could tell she wasn’t from the way she talked. She mumbled some words when I informed her about the appointment. I held my tongue and settled on the empty seat left. Three women occupied the rest, and they were gisting over a cover page. I peeped, and my heart sank deeper than before. It was Ava again, but fully clothed in a see-through dress for an event I told her not to attend a few days ago. 

She never listens to me.

I picked up a similar magazine and read through it. There were some real estate ads and a lot of medical articles. I glanced at the magazine title. I had picked a health talk magazine. I dumped it and noticed one of the women was staring at me and nudging at their friends. I felt irritated immediately. Was this my first time seeing a handsome man? 

One of them was a blond-haired woman with full lips and a little bump. I could tell she was pregnant. She smiled at me and cleared her throat. 

‘Hello, you are Kyle King, right?’ She asked, ignoring her friends' whispers.

I smiled. There was no harm in answering the curious ladies. I could also guess where the questions were leading. Ava.

‘Yeah, is there a problem?’

She shook her head. ‘No, we were just wondering if you were the same Kyle that’s married to Avaline, the supermodel and designer. You're the same, right?’

I nodded. ‘I am the same person. Ava is my wife. Do you women have a problem with that?’

‘Not at all. She has been trending these days in magazines that are inappropriate for a married woman. I am sorry if I sound offensive, but don’t you have control over your wife? Your ex-wife did better than this.’ she said, looking defiantly at me. 

I stared at her, holding the yell in me. They were strangers, not people I should get angry at. They weren’t worth it. 

 

I replied, picking my words carefully but ensuring they held a tone of warning: ‘Firstly, you should know that you don’t poke your nose in other people's businesses, especially celebrities. It’s not your place to judge them because you don’t know what is going on behind the scenes. Ava is a model and a fashion designer. You must understand that her line of work expects her to do certain things, and I give her permission to do them. So, please, there’s no need for comparisons or condescending words; thank you.’

The lady in the middle, with pink hair with curls and small lips, chuckled, ‘Indeed. You aren’t man enough, like the media says. You were only man enough for Miss. Tessa, but Ava? It’s obvious you are scared of her. Don’t you know that everyone is observing your marriage? I mean, your second marriage? There’s no child yet, so fingers crossed.’

 ‘Just mind your business, ma'am, and stop poking into other people’s marital affairs. I bet your marriage isn’t as perfect as Ava's, so please understand. Let’s behave like civilized humans.’

The blond lady replied, ‘Forgive us for the intrusion. We didn’t mean it to be this way. Enjoy the rest of your day.’ 

I glared at them and walked towards the nurse. I wanted to get out of here and forget what the two gossips had said. 

 ‘Is the doctor available now? My appointment is right now.’ I said, showing her the time.

She picked up her phone and dialled his number while going through some files. I was almost losing my patience, all thanks to the women and Ava! If Ava would just listen and drop those modeling activities, these intrusions wouldn’t be happening. Mom wasn’t helping matters either. She had returned to Ava’s lovely side after Ava purchased a $50,000 Deluxe wristwatch for her. She blames me now for anything Ava did and won’t listen when it was Ava’s fault. 

I didn’t know if I was her child anymore. Ava had suddenly taken my place.

‘Doc. Brown would see you now, Mr. Kyle.’ the nurse said, staring fully at him.

‘Okay, thank you.’

Doc. Brown had aged since the last time I saw him, and that was three years ago. We communicated mostly through phone conversations and emails. I didn’t want anyone to know about our private appointments.

He was still athletic and looking young. One look at him, and you will think that he was in his early twenties when, truly, he was the same age as me: thirty.

‘Good to see you, old friend. How are you doing?’ he asked, hugging me.

I grinned, ‘I am great. How’s the medical world? Treating you fairly?’

He smiled, releasing me,'I can’t complain. Things have been fair and not fair, but we have been doing great. Can we get started? I have three patients to still see, and I scheduled a doctor’s seminar meeting.’

I nodded, following him out of his office. He asked about family and other activities. He also congratulated me on the new company and promised to stop by when he was less busy.

I entered the examination room with Doc. Brown, who was still joking about his youthful face. I hoped the results would have changed, and then I would focus on Ava’s deceit with a clear conscience.