CHAPTER 9

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.