Genevive Tessa Robert
The weeks passed quickly, and the next month came. I still hadn't started showing signs of pregnancy, i.e., that bump, but the cravings were there, and the chef, Santiago, was always available to take care of me.
Vera had also become a regular visitor, and even after pleading with her to move in, she refused, insisting that my parents were overly nice. She had a feeling something was up. I gave up after that and accepted her visits like a child receiving his first Christmas gift.
I stood up from the bed and strolled into the kitchen. Santiago was preparing his special chicken soup and other dishes I knew nothing of but had a good feeling about my baby, and I would be able to take them.
`What're you thinking of, Madame?` Santiago asked over a pot of boiling chicken soup.
`Nothing really. I`m just wondering how my parents survived staying in this big house after I left. I am sure a lot of times they travelled because, knowing the Roberts, they treasure exotic trips.`
He giggled. `Yeah, they travel a lot but aren't always bored. Your brother kept them company and brought a lot of girls. Also, most of the time, cousins or nephews showed up and stayed for months before their parents came to get them. Trust me, the house was always lively, but I knew your parents longed for you. I could always feel it in their words.`
James and girls. Little wonder, mom and dad were so eager to let me move into the house. I was also glad that they weren't lonely while I was locked away in a fake marriage with Kyle King. Yes, I was still bitter about it.
`That's really nice, Santiago. I am happy they were well taken care of. About my parents missing me, did they say something or did you notice?' I asked, wanting to feel that triumph that my parents actually missed me.
`Tessa, they mentioned it once or twice, but James was always quick to remind them that you chose to leave them and forced their hands to disown you. I tried to talk to your parents to change their stance, but they refused to listen. I am sorry I didn't reach out while you were in Nashville; your parents refused to give out your address or phone number,` he sighed, lowering his gaze.
I smiled, hugging him. `It's alright, Santiago. You`ve always been a good friend of the family and also my favourite person in the house. Thank you for also trying to stand up for me while I was away.`
He replied, `Thank you, Tessa. One question, though: you haven't asked about James since you returned. Still holding grudges against him?`
I bit my lips, avoiding his gaze. It wasn`t as if I didn`t miss James, but I didn't want any of his negative energy disrupting my flow. He could be so rude and irritating at times, and now that I was divorced, he would derive joy from that and taunt me until I probably broke down and cried.
It was best if he stayed wherever he went. I wanted nothing to do with him.
`I am not holding any grudge against him, but you know how James can be at times. I don't want his bad energy to disturb my positivity, so he should just stay wherever he is. I can always call him over the phone and inform him about my change of environment, even though I know mom and dad would've told him already.
He chuckled. `Well, I am sorry to break your heart, but James is returning tonight from a long business seminar and training. Your parents sent him there to study and be responsible. For your benefit, he wasn't given any monthly allowance apart from his last salary.`
I giggled. James was sent to study. That's really cool. He had dropped out of college after a huge fight with mom and dad. He refused to return, even when our relatives had promised to sponsor him. Then, I got engaged to Kyle, and being the opportunist he has always been, he returned to college and completed a course on business administration and a crash course in project management.
It was a smart move, and my parents fell for it. They immediately made him the head of some of the regional offices and deleted me from the family files. Little wonder, I was missing from the family pictures.
I watched Santiago arrange the pancakes in such a way that my stomach rumbled. I was really hungry. Wait, he said James was returning tonight, which meant trouble and trials were coming, arriving in a full human package.
Mom invited Vera, some relatives, and friends. I thought it was going to be a family dinner, but not when the Roberts` announced an upcoming junior Robert and the arrival of their son from the United Kingdom.
I picked up an evening dress Kyle gifted me on Valentine`s Day and threw it into the trash bin. It held bitter memories I wanted to forget, and wearing it tonight would awaken them. My phone beeped. It was a message from Vera. Her office called her to deliver a job, so she will be coming late.
Oh, great, I thought. I have to find a way to survive through the questions everyone is going to throw and the personal ones about my divorce. There was James, too. He was going to be the life of the party once he started telling stories of his studies. I hoped he would ignore me tonight because I wasn't ready for him.
I picked another outfit. A gift from Vera. It was a long red gown with tingling lace around the shoulders and little openings at the waist and sides. Mom might not approve, but Dad would be happy I was looking radiant.
He was a bit worried that the conversation they had at the hospital concerning Kyle would weigh her down, but she had assured him that it was nice revealing what she faced in Nashville. He also advised her to go out more often and promised to get a private chauffeur for her.
I dabbed my face and did some light makeup before stepping out. If James returned to the regional offices, my parents would have no use for me, and destroying the King`s family would be the duty of my dad. I had to discover a way to make peace with James and convince him to speak to Dad on my behalf. I knew if I went directly, they would shove it off and remind me I was two months pregnant and therefore needed to rest and stress their grandchild.
The table was set, and the dishes welcomed me. Everyone was seated, including James. I didn`t know when he arrived, probably when I was locked in my room, going through my outfits and thinking about Kyle and our failed marriage.
`Hello, Evie,` James smiled, giving me a side hug as I settled beside him. `I am sorry I didn't announce my arrival when I came in about two hours ago; you were busy with Santiago. I hope you`re good?`
Why was he behaving nice to him? Did Dad inform him about my pregnancy? Or the divorce? Probably, but that would only make him gloat and taunt me, but he was doing otherwise.
I helped myself to a nice bowl of chicken sauce, enjoying the delicious scent while thinking of the best tone to respond to James, who was studying my facial expressions now.
`It's nice to see you too, James, and don't apologise, dear. You had a long trip and needed rest so we could catch up after dinner. I have missed a lot in your life.` I replied, smiling broadly.
`Yeah, you`re right. I also heard your husband got tired of you and awarded you a divorce. Is that right, Evie? He winked as conversations stopped.
Everyone was listening. Apparently, he had said it a bit loudly to draw attention to us and, most likely, him.
I clenched my fists and silently prayed Vera would return before I stabbed James for being an inquisitive idiot who didn't bother about other people's feelings. Everyone was still waiting for my reply, so I thought about the few answers I had prepared mentally, and I found my voice.
`You`re right. Kyle divorced me after five years of making me dedicate my life and dreams to him. I went through a lot, and I am glad I did because it made me realise the kind of family I left behind. The nice and kind Roberts stood by me even when I disregarded their advice. Anyway, I am glad I'm home, James.`
He sneered, `Right. Welcome back, Evie, and I hope this time around you stick around and learn properly!`
`Shut up, James!` She's not your mate!` mom yelled, glaring hard at him.
Genevive Tessa Robert`I didn't mean to disrespect her, mom. I am just reminding her of her place in the family. She might be the elder one, but I am the one who remained and stood by you and Dad.` James replied, gaining the approval of other people on the table apart from my parents.I breathed hard, trying to suppress the anger rising up. I am carrying a child. I don't need this kind of negative feeling, but somebody needs to put James in his place. Thankfully, Dad came to the rescue.Dad raised his right hand, silencing everyone. `James, you`re right, but do I need to remind you about your failure as the company's head of operations? Your exorbitant parties that sucked our profits? The investments you made that made us lose investors and shareholders? If I hadn't sent you that seminar, maybe we would be sleeping on the streets at the moment.`James stuttered, `But, Dad, I apologised for the mistakes and went to the seminar because it was the right thing to do. Also, I don't know wh
Kyle KingIt's been two months since Tessa left and Ava moved into the King's family. Ava had been so nice and kind to me, and I was grateful I made the decision to let Tessa go.However, there was a little problem. Ava had suddenly turned me to her money machine, and my mom had approved it. She didn't care that the profits of the company were reducing since there wasn't any reasonable business idea or strategy to use to draw in customers. A message popped up on my laptop screen. A notification mail on a business proposal was submitted to one of our crucial clients. I hurriedly read through the document and paused when I saw the usual apology I have been getting all week from other clients.I needed to think outside the box; if not, the company would crumble and my dad`s relatives would be on my neck.I started reading through the latest business projects when I came across a headline talking about my divorce from Tessa. The article reviewed the progress of the company while Tessa wa
Genivive Tessa RobertJames had spoken to my parents, but I had yet to get a positive response or a meeting, so I decided to focus on changing my wardrobe a bit and get some dresses that would fit as my stomach grew.Due to Vera's persistence in determining the gender of the baby, I scheduled an ultrasound in the next two months. It was an early decision, but I wanted to be organised and be able to make plans without waiting for a father figure.At night, I still thought about Kyle, but with disgust and hatred. According to Dad, the KIng`s company was slowly losing customers and investors due to our divorce. That served him right. He was in a hurry to get rid of me but forgot that in the business world, a bad rumour could ruin your reputation. Also, every now and then, some strange journalist would call in for a statement and clarification of physical abuse, but I wasn't ready for that publicity yet. There will be time for that, and Kyle wouldn't see it coming. Checking my outfit—a
GENEVIEVE Tessa Robert'Stop crying, babes. You will get through this. Don't forget your family background and mine too. We've got all the resources to deal with Kyle and his family.’I sniffed, trying to stop the tears. “I know, babes, but I am still hurt. How could he do this? I am so worthless that I don't deserve some sense of happiness.”She smiled, lifting my chin. “You're worthy of every bit of love and happiness, Tessa. Don't let Kyle's dislike for you and disregard make you think otherwise. He's not worth it, nor is he worth your tears, okay?”“Okay, thank you for the pep talk. You're the best friend ever. Also, thanks for saving my ass at the store. You saved me from fresh gossip.”She grinned and said, “You're welcome, babes. There's one question, though. Why did you insist on buying the necklace set? You know your mom wouldn't approve of you spending a lot on a birthday gift.”She was right. Mom wouldn't be so excited when she discovers how much I paid for it, but she will
Genevieve Tessa RobertI nodded, mapping out my plan. Dad wouldn't resist me when I used his grandchild as leverage. If he agrees, it will remain, mom. Yeah, her birthday gift will do the magic.“Okay, I feel your idea would work; thank you,” I replied, gathering the dishes. He patted my shoulder and said, “Sincerely, I am glad you're home. I kind of missed your competitive and dark glares.”“Really, James? I thought I was the senior sister who stole your shine. I am really surprised you missed me. Really surprised,” I emphasized.He grinned, his brown eyes glowing. “Ola, you're still that sister that stole my shine, but I forgave you after your marriage. I finally got what I wanted, so having you wasn't worth it anymore.”Little wonder he was nice to me when I arrived.“Alright, James. Thank you for your kindness so far. If it makes you feel better, you know I also missed you too.”He smiled, giving me a tight hug and walking away. My dear junior brother had finally grown up.The ni
Kyle KingsI know I shouldn't have listened to my mom and Ava when they brought up the idea of logging into Tessa`s account and retrieving the money. Reading through the mail I sent her now, I felt awful, but I pushed through the feeling. I needed the money more than her at the moment, and she also didn't quite deserve anything for me since she didn't give me a child. It was unfair, but life was unfair too.I picked up my phone and sent a message to Xavier. We needed him during the meeting. Something made me pause. The mail I mistakenly sent to Tessa. I hoped she wouldn`t inform her parents not to allow me to participate in the project. She wouldn't dare do that to me. Besides, through a friend in Arizona, I knew she wasn't part of the family business, which meant her parents were yet to forgive her for leaving them for me.Tessa. I scrolled through the mail she sent and imagined how furious she would be now. I sighed. My conscience was doing a great job, making me feel guilty. I sho
Kyle King`Mom, when will you be available?` I asked, cutting her short. `I am already at your house with your fiance, Kyle. Get here immediately, you close from work. Please don`t bring Xavier with you, alright,'she replied, hanging up the call.I sighed, picking up my briefcase, `We will meet at the club house after I am done with Ava and my mom."`Xavier stood up, glancing at his wrist watch. `I thought we were supposed to meet at your place by seven o'clock? Never mind, I will call you once I get to the clubhouse. Good luck solving your mother`s issue.``Wait,` I called out. `Do you think I should return the money to Tessa?`I still felt guilty, even though everything in me tried to justify my actions, but my conscience was unstable.`It's up to you, bro. I told you it was a stupid idea, but you listened to your mom as always. I can`t give you any advice because you won't listen to me. You know, bro, you should stop involving me in your family affairs because, according to your p
Kyle King`Mom, you know the company hasn't been too well, and this project we`re able to apply for is going to consume the little resources we have. I can't risk the company's future just because of an engagement party. I can`t.` I said, raising my voice a little.Ava chuckled, `Then I will sing like a bird, and the world will know how lowly you can be!`I snapped immediately, `You would do nothing, Ava. We planned everything together, and I remember you took a certain percentage to take Mom for a spa session. So, if you sing, we will go down together, alright?`She jumped up instantly, glaring coldly at me. `If not for your mom and the love I have for you, I would have walked out of your life earlier today. Just be grateful; I am still here, okay?`I chuckled. Why was she changing the topic? She should be defending her threat. I decided to push her a little.`So, are you backing down on your threat and agreeing to the engagement plans? Or you want to sponsor it because of the love y