CHAPTER 82

Kyle King

 

‘Honestly, Xavier. I shouldn’t have listened to your advice! You need to see the way she treated me in the presence of her husband. Like I was some trash not worthy to be in her presence. I was embarrassed and felt so stupid.’

 

Xavier chuckled. ‘Don’t blame me, man. You were the desperate ex-husband, and I jumped in to help out. I can't predict what will happen when you get there, so you shouldn’t blame me.’

I glared at him, ‘Of course. You were the same person who claimed your instincts were always right. How come Tessa served me breakfast?’

‘She didn’t. You served her first, remember? Besides, you still haven’t debunked the claim that the children aren’t yours.’ he smiled. 

I scoffed, ‘She is married, Xavier, and I saw her husband. He is real, and the kids are his, not mine. He was defensive and wouldn’t even let me speak to Tessa privately. I wish I hadn’t gone to their house. I would have saved myself from the ridicule.’

He replied. ‘All hope isn’t yet lost, Kyle. She’s coming for the certification ceremony, right?’

I nodded. 'Yes, and she’s bringing her husband. Don’t suggest anything, though. They are so much in love, and I was disgusted. They wouldn’t even keep their hands to themselves. If you’re thinking I will be able to speak with her at the ceremony, drop that idea because nothing will happen.’

‘You know your problem, Kyle? You are hasty and never listen. If you truly want to find the truth or at least seek her forgiveness, you will drop your ego and meet up with her.’

I waved it off: ‘I am not working on baseless logic, and as for seeking her forgiveness, I will try my best. If she doesn’t listen to me after tomorrow, I will move on. I can’t keep holding on to a lost battle.

Xavier whistled, ‘My instincts never lie, bro, but it’s your choice. Have you spoken to Ava?’

Ava. I had almost forgotten that I was married to a woman who was waiting for me in Nashville. She had sent me a text message saying that she had important news to tell me. She pleaded, or better yet, ordered that I book the next connecting flight to Nashville by Monday. I tried calling her after receiving the text, but I couldn’t reach her. Xavier tried on his end, but nothing.

 

I was able to reach my mom, but unfortunately she was in Peru for a friend’s son's wedding. She promised to call me in case she got any updates from Ava. Strangely, I wasn’t as worried as I should be, and I knew why. I was getting attached to the presence of Tessa in my life. Xavier's question made me feel guilty, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was beginning to complicate things.

‘I haven’t been able to reach her. Her parents aren’t picking, and the company said she hadn’t shown up since I travelled. I hope she’s okay.’

Xavier looked worried. ‘What about the house and the doctor?’ Did she show up for her appointments?’

I nodded. ‘She did on the assigned days, and the housekeepers said they didn't know her whereabouts. According to them, since I left, she had shown up in the house twice to pick up one or two things and left.’

‘That’s strange, or is she planning a surprise welcome-back party for you?’

‘That’s true. She might be. You know she sent me a text about having something important to tell me. I think she’s planning a surprise party for me. If not, why will no one know her whereabouts? They must be in on it.’

Xavier hummed, ‘Probably, Kyle. Let’s hope that’s what's going on. When are we leaving California?’

‘By Monday. I couldn’t close the deal. I kept getting distracted during the Skype meeting last night. Uncle Daniel hasn’t stopped sending deadly messages to me. He feels I am the worst nephew ever.’ I chuckled, bringing out my phone. ‘Read the messages. That man sometimes forgets his place in D.K. tech.’

Xavier whistled, returning the phone, ‘But he has the right to be angry. Do you know how hard it is to get clients like that? It takes a lot, and I am certain Uncle David had big plans for the profits. You should know your uncle by now.’

I sighed, ‘I know him, and I am aware that I did badly, but it’s not like I didn’t try my best. This week has been tough, and with Tessa on my mind, twenty-four? I haven’t been myself.’

‘Can I ask you a sensitive question, Kyle?’

I stared at him, trying to guess the question. I knew it was going to be something that would trigger my already pissed-out mood. 

‘ Go ahead. What is it?’

‘ Were you ever in love with Tessa? Don’t cut corners this time around, Kyle.’ he warned, observing me. 

I knew it! The funny thing is that I have asked myself this question several times, but each time I disagreed with the answer. My heart only belonged to Ava, and the reason I was desperate to see Tessa was because of the way we ended things. I also wanted to settle her fairly. I told Xavier that much.

‘I wasn’t ever in love with her but with Ava. Tessa was just a tool to get what I wanted, and when Mom informed me that Ava was relocating to the States, I knew I had to shoot my shot. If Tessa had given me kids, maybe I wouldn’t have divorced her. I could have cut off ties with Ava and focused on managing our marriage. That’s the truth.’

He nodded. ‘That’s interesting. So, why are you desperate to see her? Why is she still occupying your thoughts?’

Another question I didn’t want to answer. ‘I am a man who was once married to her for five good years. Of course, I am allowed to think about the memories we shared before our divorce. I am also allowed to seek forgiveness from the one I wronged. I know you don’t understand me, but I am a guilty man, and until she says the words, ‘I forgive you’, I won’t be at peace with myself.’

‘You have said a lot of things, Kyle, but I feel you are still lying to yourself. Look at how you behaved when you discovered she was married. You sounded jealous and entitled. You feel she shouldn’t have loved anyone else but you. I know you don’t want to admit it, but that’s the truth. Anyway, if Tessa finally forgives you, I hope you learn from her and not repeat the same mistake with Ava.’

I groaned, ‘You are saying two things at the same time. Do you want me to leave Ava for Tessa or want me to make things work better with Ava?’

He stood up from the long couch and said, ‘I want you to follow your heart and stop acting like a jealous fool.’

‘Ouch’ I yelled, ‘I am not a jealous fool but a guilty man. Our last test is at two o’clock. Are you prepared?’

He started to say something but changed his words: ‘I am more prepared than you. Let’s drop at the cafe, grab something to eat, and return to the workshop. Sounds good?’

 

I nodded, silently thanking my stars that he didn’t continue the conversation. I hated to admit that what he said was right because I was still trying to process everything that has been happening to me since I met Tessa in California. Her plump lips on that dude! I wish I had slapped Kanebi and cautioned him for being an annoying pest. That would have been the most stupid decision because the woman he was fighting for didn’t want to have anything with him. She hated him like he was the devil’s aide.