CHAPTER 36

Kyle King

 

I returned home after a week in Paris. Ava made every moment worth it. I visited a lot of places and checked in at the best hotels and resorts. I did some shopping there and ensured I bought items for my mom. The trip was worth every dime I spent, and I promised the manager of the last hotel we used that we would be returning soon. He was grateful because I gave his staff a generous trip, and the casino bloomed twice as much as expected when news got around that the famous kin`s family from the United States were in the hotel.

 

To avoid unnecessary phone calls from Xavier, I changed my line to a private number, which I could use to text Christine and relay orders. She had sent several text messages about Jmaes visiting the company to know the progress of the project. I was a bit scared about his visit. He wasn't supposed to come until today for the general meeting. I had created a new report that covered my personal expenses and the profits I had gained so far. Thanks to my long years of experience in accounting, I was able to safely move the profits to my account and report them as miscellaneous expenses. The business hadn't been doing well, so they shouldn't expect a miracle.

 

After changing into a black suit and trousers, I grabbed my briefcase and instructed the chauffeur to stop by at a cafe so I could buy some doughnuts and coffee before driving to the company. I was prepared for the meeting. 

 

Xavier was waiting for me in the office when I walked in. His knotted eyebrows showed that he was angry. I placed my briefcase, coffee, and box of doughnuts carefully on the table before sitting down.  

`What the heck, Kyle? Why wasn't I able to reach you throughout last week?` he yelled, staring hard at me.

I smiled, which I noticed irritated him, but I was not caring. `I went for a vacation to rest and take a break from the activities of the company. I also told you not to call me but to meet Christine if there was an emergency. Thankfully,there wasn't anything except for Jmae's unexpected visit, and according to Christine, you took care of it. So, I don't understand why you`re so pissed.`

He scoffed. `Really? You`re so full of yourself, Kyle! You left me in charge but didn't bother to inform me that you sent a report that showed we lost profits when we didn`t. What did you do with the money? Don`t lie to me.`

What? How did he know I took the money? James must have suspected something, or those annoying team members had opened their gutter mouths! I will deal with them later. 

Right now, I had to appease an angry bird before he went crazy.

I started calmly, `Whatever James told you is a lie. The report I sent was from the beginning of the project, not recently. I have that with me, and according to this new one, the profits were used for miscellaneous expenses. I won't steal from the Roberts. You should know me by now.`

He chuckled. `Kyle, I don`t know you anymore. You won't steal from them, but you stole from Tessa. Anyway, that's not the case right now. I hope you can explain the reports when James, his dad, their team, and their lawyer come, because I won't be there to help you. Welcome back from Paris, bro.`

He walked out before I could ask him to follow me to the meeting. I read through the reports again and made some calls to the suppliers and Ava. I also had a meeting with the team members, but they weren't saying anything, even when I promised I was going to increase their bonuses. They had made up their minds to tell the truth about the project. Nobody wanted a part of my mess. 

I called my mom, but she wasn't in town at the moment. She travelled for a friend`s wedding but promised to check up later on the meeting outcome. She reassured me that Robert`s family wouldn't ask about the money I took because it was chicken change to them, and I believed her.

The meeting started at exactly two o`clock, and thankfully, Xavier showed up. James and his father were quick with the reason the meeting was held, and I was called to deliver my reports. 

They collected it and passed it to the lawyer, who nodded. I was pleased. They had approved the report, or so I thought.

The problem started when James asked about the former report I sent, and I couldn't defend myself because he kept finding potholes in my story. Xavier`s advertising campaign was shared around, as was the target it was expected to reach. Another report was shared around this time, this time, which showed that the campaign hit the target goals and pedestrians and transporters used the service twice as much as before for two weeks. 

Mr. Robert wanted to know what happened to the profits, and I made up an excuse about maintenance for the vehicles. The last straw that broke my cover was when the lawyer asked about the one hundred thousand dollars I had collected to boost the campaign. I couldn't defend myself. Xavier tried to explain but was shunned.

I was given a letter summoning me to court, and they left without listening to my pleas. James returned while I was staring at the letter. I thought they had changed their minds, but I was proved wrong.

`I told you not to fail us this time around, and you did. Did you think you could outsmart us? he asked, staring coldly at me. 

I swallowed, standing up. `I didn`t outsmart you and your family. I was just trying to ensure everyone got the best of the project.`

He chuckled. `Indeed, Kyle. Anyway, we will see you in court and get ready to lose your fancy house and cars because we will be going hard on this case. You broke the contract agreements and stole from even your employees. How can you do that?`

I glared at him. I wasn't going to let him talk to me like I was nothing. I am still the CEO of King`s Company, and I had to remind him.`

`I can do whatever I want with my employee bonuses! I am the CEO of this company, and I am going to do everything to keep my house and cars. You won`t turn me and my family into laughing stock.`

He smiled. `Whatever, Kyle, the CEO, I hope you can maintain this boldness when you are served. Have a great afternoon.`

I cursed him under my breath and left the meeting room to look for Xavier. He was the only one who could help me out at this point.

`I told you not to drag me into your mess, so, please, don`t bring up that embarrassing situation that happened a few  minutes ago here.` Xavier warned, returning to his television screen.

I was in his house after looking for him in the company and didn't see him. I had guessed this was the only place he would be at this hour, watching his favourite sitcom.

I settled next to him. `I don't know what to do, bro. They might take my house and cars from me, and that will be the end of me. You have to help me.`

He  hissed. `It's none of my business, okay? Call your attorney and let him take care of everything. I have no say in this matter. Thank God you paid my money before you went off to squander the money on Ava and your luxurious lifestyle. I warned you, but as usual, you didn't listen.`

If someone had told me there would be a day when my best friend would leave me alone in terms of trials, I wouldn't have believed them. I persuaded and pleaded with Xavier, but he didn't budge. He wanted me to learn my lesson, and if it meant losing some of my property, then that was fine with him.

 I left his house and instructed the chauffeur to take me to Attorney Smith's office. He promised to read through the contract and lawsuit and see how he could help, but the chances of me going scot-free were slim.

 

How did I fall into this mess?