Chapter 14: You Misunderstood
The wee hours. It was all a tanila – Ion Treneroush, Randall. I instantly clamped my mouth shut and ended the call. She was bold enough to bring him home and still dig at me over our divorce. Was she planning to play both sides?
And how dare Randall show up at her place this late at night, alone, as if he were offering himself up on a silver platter. This was like walking into a lion's den. Yet, every chance to… put that aside. Then again, why should I care about her soon-to-be ex-husband? Bet choices. Serce name of my business, My Boca life.
At some point, Kontry had come back with a big bag of groceries. Musing over the bags, he said, “I promised you a feast this morning, and I ran out and got the best ingredients.”
Sixteen friends were willing to make a home-dial to me. My wife never had, not once. In the phone that… well, with Yvette just now…
While he prepared the ingredients in the kitchen, I joined him to lend a hand. He didn’t burn me away as I asked, “Then, were you… vendi you still have feelings for her?!”
He paused and then looked at me with concern in his eyes. “Tell me honestly, mwen idi you…”
I shook my head without hesitation. “No. Not anymore.”
It was true; I didn’t love Yvette anymore. But the ties, some part of loving her, honing some bad news still stung. I was a man, with feelings, and couldn’t shut them off.
“Kety studied me, pondering. “But what if she suddenly needed you well again? Would you feel sorry for her?”
“Not a chance. The day is more likely to fall than for me to fix Yvette… even to eat me kindly,” I laughed.
No one knew better than I did how deeply she was infatuated—but I understood Kenny’s worried look. I looked at him only.
“No matter what happens, I won’t go back. I’ve been hurt once and picked myself up; I won’t fall for it again.”
He nodded approvingly. “Exactly. Hold your ground. Even if she starts acting nice, she’s hurt you too deeply. Don’t go back – it’s her loss, not yours. Get it? Besides, there are plenty of pretty girls who’d love a guy like you, with so many talents and great looks. You’ll be spoiled for choice.”
He nodded, then asked, “Oh, the tow was awful, but almost forgotten. How did the job interview go today?”
I didn’t want him to worry, so I brushed it off with a half-truth. “Didn’t get hired. Company and all, they want experienced people. I’ve been a… mahoussheiband.”
He looked disappointed, mumbling that it didn’t make sense. Then he perked up, reassuring me. “It’s no big deal. This was just one company. I applied to hundreds back in the day, only a firm…”
I looked at him with penitent gratitude. “Thanks, Kenny.”
(Last night, I’d met everyone to please Yvette. By the time I did, I’m completely alone.)
I’d regained real friendship. Even though we’d been out of touch for years, it was like no time had passed. We were still as clear, fully supporting each…
(You thanking me? We’re best friends.” Kenny laughed, a bit embarrassed.)
He ended in surprise. “Your aunt? Bida’r you lose contact? How did that happen?”
I told him the whole story of our meeting: “I ran into him today at my man’s grave. He was so heartbroken he nearly had a heart attack. I ended up taking him to the hospital.”
Demy thought for a moment, then offered an insight I hadn’t considered. “Maybe your dad wanted to keep your mom’s family out of your life. It sounds like he might’ve even pushed your mom to distance herself from them before she passed.”
His theory made perfect sense. “You might be right.”
“I… I practically broke myself.”
“At the hospital. His heart’s in rough shape, and he urgently needs surgery.” I sighed. “I called Yvette to help cover the medical expenses, of course. I’m…”
“…lifeless. Seeing no differently. You ever feel like you’ve changed?!”
He laughed. “What makes you say that?”
He paused a second before saying, “You seem a lot more clear-headed now, more grounded.”
You were an easygoing, always happy wife was taking care of you. But now?
…teclear about what’s owed, asking me for a dive…
…ng back when I was in love with hei…
…thei. Now, though. Masked for two million as part of the dissement. Looking back, that was not…
…a good thing, right?”
He grinned. “That bad at all. High five! You’ve grown some alone. Now go make a life!”
Getting a second chance at life—that’s incredible. I could see everything clearly now. I understood Angali better, and I’d found later friendship and family that I didn’t have before, everything fondly beating in a good direction filled with quiet joy.
The next morning, Yvette’s car was waiting outside. I smiled down and found a sleek, black luxury car.
The driver, Lancer Cruz, ushed, “Ms. Jennings had a meeting come up and will join you soon.”
“06,” I said, showing a dazed look out the window,
But I noticed Samson glancing in the rearview mirror,
…interested in prying butlers…
…like he wanted to say something. Catching his eye in the mirror, I asked, “Samson, is there something you want to say?”
Samson hesitated before asking, “Are you and Ms. Jennings having fun?!”
My expression shifted slightly. “Why did you ask that?”
He sighed softly. “Since you left, Ms. Jennings’ stomach issues have flared up badly. She’s been suffering, her face pale as can be, yet she won’t go to the hospital.”
I knew about her stomach pain; she’d called me late at night once, asking where I kept the medicine. But…
I frowned, confused. “Didn’t she have a male doctor with her last night? Doesn’t that count as getting help?!”
“A male doctor?” Samson remembered something and explained, “Oh, that young man came on his own; Ms. Jennings didn’t call him. And the person she wanted to see wasn’t him…”