CHAPTER 74

Geneveive Tessa Robert

 

I paced the room, disregarding Vera’s questions. She had arrived in California last night while I was at the party. Her boss had chosen her to complete a job for a client. It was urgent, and Vera was the only expert who could deliver it in two weeks.  She didn’t want to come, but her boss was very convincing and offered a sweet offer that Vera couldn’t say no to. I'm glad she didn’t change her mind.

I had foreseen this happening. Seeing Kyle unexpectedly and reliving everything he did to me. Thank goodness that James gave me a heads up; if not, I wondered if I could have challenged him like I did last night. I could still feel his hands on me. The fool! He had the guts to tell me he wanted to ask for forgiveness after four years of silence! I wish I had slapped some sense into him, but I didn’t want to spoil the mayor’s party. 

‘What’s going on in your head, Tessa?’ Vera asked, getting up. ‘Your pacing is making me nervous. Did something bad happen at the party?’

I stopped, settling on the bed. ‘I saw Kyle yesterday, or better yet, he approached me at the party, grabbed my hand, and was pleading for forgiveness. I can’t believe the audacity of that idiot! After four good years, you are trying to make peace? After he stole from me, destroyed my parent’s grant plans, and turned me into a laughing stock, Vera, you should have seen how pathetic he looked!’

Vera settled next to me, surprise still written all over her face. ‘But, babe, I thought he was in Nashville? How did you meet him at the party? Don’t tell me he has been stalking your movements because that will be creepy.’

‘No, he wasn’t following me. According to the mayor, he came for a three-week A.I.A.I. workshop. They invited him to the party because of the mayor’s friendship with his late father.’

‘Oh, alright, but that doesn’t solve anything. We have to make sure he doesn’t discover this place. He will see the kids and start snooping around or foddering them. I am certain you don’t want them to meet him, right?’

I nodded. I have been evading questions about Kyle from the twins. Every time a classmate speaks about his or her dad, they will return home and start interrogating me about who their father is  and why he wasn’t staying with us. I already told them that Kyle left me before they were born, but they didn’t believe me. Hope had even called me a liar. A little four-year-old who knew nothing about this world was now an expert on who was a liar and who wasn’t. 

Nevertheless, I didn’t want them finding out about Kyle or him getting to know them now. He wasn’t worthy to be their father. 

‘I just need to round up this project as soon as possible, and we can return home.’ I replied, staring at her. ‘I know I can’t run forever, but right now, I don’t want him around me or my kids. He’s still with Ava, and I don’t have the strength for unnecessary drama.’

‘I understand you, dear. I hope he stays away until you are done. I would hate to see him show up unexpectedly.’

‘Same here. I have to go to the hotel, though. We just completed the major part of the project, so I need to supervise the team to ensure they don’t rush the remaining phases. Would you like to come, or does your company's client need you?’

She smiled and said, ‘I will check up with you once I am done with the client. Thank goodness, it’s just a rebranding phase they need me for. Once I am done helping resolve this, girl, I am going to be spending my remaining days shopping with the twins and Estella.’

I laughed. ‘You haven’t changed, Vee. I thought you wanted to use the extra week to rest?’

She was given two weeks for the rebranding phase, but she demanded three weeks because of the complexities of the product. As always, they had to agree with her terms. 

She scoffed, ‘Don’t be a joy killer, sis. Shopping is a kind of relaxation, and, you know, it’s been a while since I came to the United States! Three good years! I have missed my father’s land, girl.’

‘Alright, have fun, and please stay safe when you are out with the twins. I don’t want Kyle to know they are his children yet.’ 

‘You don’t have to worry, Tessa. California is a huge place.’

I sighed. It was definitely a huge place, and yet he found me at a party. I hoped he would remain scarce until I returned to the United Kingdom. I didn’t want to think of the money I had created years ago to repay everything he did to me. 

                               ***

 

There’s time for everything. Time to plant and a time to harvest. Today was one of those days when I harvested my good fortune at the Cauldron Bank. Seven years ago, before I divorced Kyle, Cauldron Bank was selling government bonds to top CEOs and high-end consumers at an interesting rate. I informed Kyle about it, but he wasn’t interested and warned me against investing. I didn’t listen because my dad had invested in some during his younger days, and the interest that came with the payout was what built the Roberts empire.

 

So, I discussed it with James and my parents, and they agreed I should go for it. I am certain everyone forgot about the bonds because of the year attached to them. I almost forgot too, but Cauldron Bank kept reminding me of my monthly mail, and today they sent a mail informing me that my bond payout was ready. I ensured every task I had with the team was completed before driving over. Now, I was seated with other bond beneficiaries. 

 

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on my payout. What is the good thing about everything? I had acquired forty percent of my initial payment for the bond, and this update increased my financial status. I was probably on the top ten list of the richest women in the world, unofficially for now.

‘Miss. Robert! Oh my! It’s truly you in the flesh!’ A lady yelled, walking towards me.