CHAPTER 75

Geneveive Tessa Robert

 

She looked very familiar, but I couldn’t tell where I had met her before. Her blond ponytail gave her full face a strange, familiar look. Probably an old high school friend who decided to add weight?  

‘Good afternoon, Miss Tessa. It’s been four years, and you still look the same. I wish I could say that for myself.’ She breathed rapidly, taking the empty seat beside me.

I smiled a little and said, ‘Yeah, four years. I don’t think I recognise you, though, but your voice is familiar. Could you please help me out?  Where did we meet?’

 

She looked horrified. ‘Wow, I must have added a lot of weight for you not to recognise me. It’s Imogen? Your secretary at the King’s company?’

What? I looked at her again. She looked different from what Imogen I used to know. Her eyes were still the same dark brown colour, but her facial features had changed. Was this what obesity did to one? 

‘Good heavens. Imogen! How did you get to this stage? I am sorry if I sound offensive. I am really shocked.’

She smiled, waving it off. ‘It’s alright, Miss. Tessa. It’s still Miss Miss, right? You didn’t remarry after leaving Kyle?’

I shook my head negatively. ‘I didn’t. I had other goals to achieve, and jumping into another marriage would have put a pause on them. So, how did you get to this stage?’

‘That’s a smart decision,’ she replied. ‘ After Kyle fired me, all thanks to Avaline, I fell slowly into depression. I changed my phone lines, moved out of Nashville to my parents home here, and fell into a funny eating disorder. I couldn’t stop myself from eating, no matter the therapy I attended or the doctors I saw. I just stopped trying and ended up like this:

‘Wow, I tried to reach you, and according to a source, you got promoted as executive manager at Kyle’s and became a big item. I sent emails, but they bounced back, and I stopped, believing you wanted nothing to do with me.’

She gasped, ‘No, that was all Kyle. He made me change my email addresses after I got the promotion. I didn’t even last long there because Avaline complained that I kept comparing her with you, which was a big, fat lie anyway. She just wanted to get rid of anyone who didn’t agree with her position as CFO. I am sorry I didn’t reach out after you left. A lot of events happened, and I got occupied.’

‘Indeed, Imogen. It was nice to meet you again. I wish you the best in all your endeavors.’ I replied, getting up. There was something wrong with her, but I couldn’t tell. Vera had been certain she had been the one who ensured I couldn’t reach her. Vera had asked a lot of employees back then, and they said Imogen had changed since her promotion and did everything to stain my character. I didn’t want to believe it then, but now I think they were right. Kyle could be a callous person, but telling someone to change emails wasn’t his line of work.

Also, he didn’t just fire his best employees like that. Imogen was probably trying to save face. Well, good luck to her. I was done listening to her sad tale.

She called, ‘Miss. Tessa, can I get your home address or cell number? I would like to keep in touch.’

I sighed, putting on a disappointing look. ‘I am sorry, dear, but I don’t stay in California. I just came to visit and will be returning today. I could give you my office lines so that you can keep in touch. Would that be fine?’

‘Yes, that’s fine. I will give you a call, Miss. Tessa. Take care.’ she replied, taking the card.

I smiled and walked into the customer care department. Something made me stop. Imogen was making a call, and I could hear my name. That confirmed my suspicion. Kyle must have sent her. But how did they know I was in Cauldron Bank? I groaned. I had taken a picture, posted it on my page, and tagged it ‘Cauldron’s bank day’. I had made it easy for them. Anyway, if Kyle’s plan was to meet up with me again, he was clearly a fool.

The customer care rep was so nice to me that I felt like crying. She helped me calculate my payout accurately and ensured it was paid into my account. There were also forms to fill out and documents to finalize the end of my bond contract. It was a seamless and less stressful process. I left the bank feeling like a billionaire. Thoughts about Imogen and Kyle seemed to have dissolved, so I concentrated on my next line of action: dropping by the restaurant where the twins and Vera were enjoying lunch time. I was so hungry.

I boarded a taxi instead of calling the mayor’s chauffeur to pick me up. I didn’t want to feel entitled and give the mayor the impression that I couldn’t take care of myself.

A few minutes later, I got out of the taxi and walked into the restaurant. The kids were at the far end of the restaurant, and I smiled, waving at them. Someone stopped me. Kyle again. I glanced angrily, and then fear filled me. He would see the kids. I had to make a story up for him not to get the idea that they were his children. After all, I was the barren ex-wife. 

I put on a stoic expression. ‘Why are you following me, Kyle? I thought I warned you to stay away from me.’

Kyle sighed, ‘I wasn’t following you. My class just finished a few minutes ago, and the restaurant is close by, so I decided to get lunch here. I am sorry about what happened at the party. I couldn’t control myself, and I promise it won’t happen again.’

I hissed, ‘Of course. It won’t happen again. Please, excuse me. My kids are waiting for me!’

‘Kids? You remarried and had children, but you were... He paused, watching as Hope ran towards me.

I hugged her, smiling widely. 'Barren, right? Well, it turns out my husband doesn’t have issues like yours. Enjoy the rest of your day, Kyle King!’ 

I laughed, enjoying the stupid look on his face. He would start regretting his actions now, but that wasn’t my business. Right now, I need to find a husband to prove my point.