CHAPTER 25

Geneveive Tessa Robert

 

Everyone had little beginnings they treasured in their hearts. I had one too, and when I was desperate for a memory that could comfort me, I would take it out of my memory playlist and play it.a

Today, I needed that memory not because I was desperate but because I had been accepted fully into the family. Dad had also ensured no one spoke to the press about the annulment of my disowned status. He didn't want wagging tongues to disturb him or be the topic of certain gossip. I was happy with the decision because no one would know the roles I played in the family henceforth.

I scanned through the first page of a proposal before closing it and relishing the memory of my little beginnings. I had just entered college when Dad advised me to apply for a student grant project. I wasn't sure I could build a business idea that could get me the grant, but Dad had so much confidence in me. I started doing a lot of research, and soon I knew what I wanted to present for the grant project.

I came in second, and Dad made it feel like I won the highest award. His words were, `Never despise the days of your little beginnings.` I never forgot that statement till date, and now, sitting with my dad, I feel his love and pride in me once again.

`What do you think about this proposal? They want us to restart the food project in high schools, but they didn't explain how we would fund it or the processes.` Dad said, peering at the content. 

`I don`t think the food project would work because the government started a similar programme last month, and according to reports, the percentage of students that have keyed into it is more than thirty percent.`

He dropped the proposal, smiling, `You`re right, Tessa. It would be a waste of resources to invest in this. So, we will be saying no to this proposal. Please write the company's name among the rejected list.` 

I nodded, scribbling the name. So far, we have rejected almost twenty proposals with ridiculous ideas, and none of them belonged to Kyle King. James had hinted to me that he saw Kyle`s submission but couldn`t read through it. I had scanned through most of the files before printing them out, but I couldn't find them. It was probably among the spam files we had yet to sort out.

`I am happy you`re doing this with me, dear. I was confused about how to sort out everything, but look at us right now and the progress so far. I am amazed, Tessa.` 

I smiled, dropping the proposal I was reading through: `I am glad I could be of help, Dad. Even though I had to try hard to convince you and Mum to let me work.`

`Well, you won't blame us. We were looking after you and our grandson. I personally know what you went through in the house, and yes, I know you aren't ready to talk about it, but your mom and I know you are still healing. So, we didn't want to stress you.`

I smiled and said, `Thank you, Dad, for looking out for me and my baby.`

`Yeah, right. By the way, when is the doctor's appointment? I will be taking you there.Your mom went last time, so it's my turn.` 

`Dad!` I chuckled, `I can see you're enjoying your grandfather's duties. Anyway, the appointment would be next Tuesday, and you have a crucial meeting on the said day and time, so I guess Mom will be the one taking me there.`

'No, he checked his phone, `I will be adjourning the meeting to  the evening. I am the CEO, and I can hold meetings at any time, but missing my turn to be with my daughter and granddaughter will be wrong.`

The sweet sacrifices of my family. My dad was someone who would rather lose a contract than miss his children`s important life activities. I remember when JMaes had his first major soccer game and Dad was supposed to travel for a crucial meeting. He had cancelled his flight, drove to the field, and waited until the match was over. Luckily, Jmaes was the star of the game, and Dad was so thrilled that he ended up taking the soccer team on an expensive but fun trip. 

If he said he was going to cancel a trip or meeting on your behalf, he was going to do it.

`Thank you, Dad. I gave him a side hug. `I think we still have twenty proposals to check before calling it a day.`

The drive to Vera's house was slow and boring due to the heavy traffic. According to the traffic update,  the express road was blocked due to flooding, so the traffic wardens and cops were redirecting vehicles to use an alternative route that led to Vera`s estate and other important places. They didn't know that the same route was used by school buses and taxi drivers. This was another reason why I hated Nashville. 

Finally, the chauffeur drove into her driveway. She had texted earlier that she wasn't feeling too good and needed my company. I couldn't say no to a good friend, even though Dad advised me to call an ambulance or the family physician. I declined, knowing she wasn`t that ill but wanted to chit chat and drop an update on something.

`Hello, babes. I thought you said you were sick and couldn't get up from bed,` I asked, interrupting her video game.

She dropped her pad, drawing me into a hug. `I am not sick; I am just on leave and lonely. I wanted to drive over to your place, but I don't have enough gas in my vehicle, and Uber is so expensive these days.`

`Alright, babes.' I wriggled out of her hug. `What`s up with you? Do you want to go out or stay home and play some games?`

She hummed, checking her phone. `I think we should go out, but first, let's talk about Ava and Kyle`s engagement party. Did you see Ava`s outfit? It must have cost a lot of money, and the hall too. I thought your ex-husband was losing profits. So, where did he get all that money to waste?`

I sighed, `I don`t know, Vee, and it's not my business at the moment. If he decides to throw the most expensive engagement party in the world and be wasteful, how's my business?

She hissed, `Really? You know it's your money that paid some of the bills for the party?`

`I know, babe, but at the moment, it's not my business. Let him enjoy life to the fullest and spend it however he likes. When I start with him, he won't know what hits him. Just trust my plans, okay?`

`Alright, I trust you. Let me get dressed, and then your chauffeur can take us to Madison`s bakery. I need a lot of sugar in my body, dear, so please don't judge me,` she laughed, taking the stairs.

Vera and sugary meals. It was her weakest point. You wanted to bribe her? Just present a carton of chocolate cupcakes and fresh orange juice, and she will do everything you requested. I logged into my email to check for updates on my account statement, but I saw something else. It was a letter from the real estate agent who is in charge of a small condo Kyle and I bought during the first year of our marriage. We had decided to leave it for our first child, but when the childlessness issue started, I angrily gave up my rights to the place. 

Although I didn't sign any documents, I stopped talking about the place, and Kyle never brought it up again. I didn't even think about the cando when I demanded compensation on the last day of leaving his house. I had erased its existence from my memory until today. 

 

According to the mail, Kyle had handed over my right of ownership to Avaline, and I was expected to sign some documents to complete the process. The agent also noted that my approval wasn't necessary because I contributed just ten percent to buying the property. So, even if I refused to sign it, they would still proceed with the transfer.

 

What? I couldn`t believe Kyle. I remember adding more than ten percent to the purchase of the condo, and therefore, my signature was very important. I couldn`t believe Kyle was doing everything possible to ensure I didn't get anything from him.

 

Vera walked in, mumbling about something, but paused. `Are you okay?`