CHAPTER 7
She was going through some papers when Greg started blabbering as usual — only this time, he wasn't talking about his pet's medical talents.
"Do you and Sir Kai know each other?" He asked. It seemed the question had been on his mind for a while.
"Yeah, isn't he the one who wanted to buy shares?" Brenda replied, a little smile tugging at her mouth.
"Not like that… you know what I mean. Like, were you two acquainted before his meetings here?" He focused hard on her expression.
"Why do you say that?" She lifted her eyelids.
"Nothing. It's just the way he looks at you. If I knew better, I'd say he's into you!" Greg said, chewing on his pencil's eraser.
That made half of Brenda's body heat rise, while the other half stayed cold. She didn't say anything because she didn't know what to say.
The rest of the day was spent signing papers and granting financial access to the company's accounts.
Everyone left the office except Brenda. She had a few papers to finish and forgot about meeting Kai. It was around half past nine when she remembered.
"Holy heavens!" She tried not to cuss as she grabbed her keys and dashed to the elevator. She didn't have Kai's number, but luckily the Red Bowl was just three blocks from her house.
She arrived at the restaurant before heading home. Her eyes scanned the occupied tables, hoping to spot Kai, but he wasn't there. He must have left after waiting so long.
She drove home, and as she pulled into the garage, she noticed someone sitting on her porch.
Who could that be? she wondered, standing at a distance.
"Who are you?"
"Belair! It's Kai!"
She sighed with relief and walked to the door, opening it.
"You didn't go to the restaurant!" He pointed out without missing a beat.
"I just came from there. I got a bit tied up and forgot about our meeting!" She sank onto the couch and closed her eyes for a moment.
"Tired?" Kai asked.
"Yeah, drained." Her eyes still closed. Then she felt strong hands massaging her head. She opened her eyes. Kai gave the best massages. She didn't resist and let him be the masseur.
"Thank you, that's okay." She laid back on the couch. He sat beside her, and an eerie silence settled between them. It felt like they both had a lot to say but no way to say it.
"So, you said you wanted to clear the air between us… so I'm listening." Brenda broke the silence, bored of the tension.
"Yes, Belair. I just wanted to know if you still love me, because I still do. I never stopped."
"It's been more than fifteen years, Kai. Fifteen! You were the only man I ever loved. But you left and now you're back, still claiming to love me — with a fiancé, for that matter!" She tilted her head slightly, waiting to hear how Kai would justify himself.
"I know how messed up that is, but… please, Belair, I really do love you. Just give me a chance, and you'll never regret it." He promised with his whole being.
"You're intending to make me the other woman, aren't you? I'm an aging woman with no husband or kid. I'd rather find a man to marry me than play hide and seek with you!" She snapped.
"I can marry you if you let me."
"And leave Simone? Uh-uh. I'm not that heartless, you know!"
"Then let's be together and leave the rest to the universe."
With those words, Kai came closer and kissed her. She fought the emotions she couldn't contain any longer. Ignited with passion, she kissed him back, melting into his skin.
---
The next day, she woke to Kai beside her, awake and watching her. She stretched and focused her eyes on him.
"Slept alright?" He asked, tucking her hair behind her ear. She nodded, smiling brightly. She had Kai back — even if she'd have to share him with Simone.
"I gotta take a shower. Care to join?"
"No, I'll do that later. Not going to work today, so I'm lazing around for a while." She rubbed her eyes.
Kai got up, revealing his back to her. She saw black inked lines—tattoos—and her date of birth on his lower back.
"What are those black lines for?" She asked, running her fingers over them.
"You remember when you first had sex with me and you scratched my skin?"
Brenda nodded.
"Yeah, I tattooed the lines so I'd always remember your mean touch." He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"Uhmm… what about my date of birth?"
"I tattooed it because I wanted to. I also have another one here." He showed her a tattoo on his lower abdomen:
BRENDA BELAIR
It was a tattoo of her name. Brenda didn't want any more tattoos,she had one and was content.
Without a word, he smiled and went to take a shower.
Brenda waved as he drove off. Now alone, boredom crept in. She wasn't really into movies—she was a bookworm. Through books, she could teleport to the author's world. Romance and dark fantasy were her favorites, but today she wanted to read something new. Greg had told her about a short crime book he'd been reading, and he'd said enough to make her curious. Its cover also caught her eye, but she'd forgotten the title—so she called Greg.
"Madam?"
"Yes, Greg. How are you?"
"I'm well. You're not at work today."
"Yeah, just had some things to sort out. By the way, about that book you were reading yesterday — I forgot the title."
"BRANDI. You can find it on Amazon or Patreon, if I'm not mistaken."
"Thanks!"
Click.
She purchased the book and started reading it on her tablet. It was short but gripping — exactly what she needed.
She picked up her phone.
"Nella!"
"How are you, girl?"
"I'm alright. Just missing your spontaneous visits to my place." She chuckled.
"Oh, I miss your wine collection! Got any new brands?"
"Keep my wine out of your head, girl! But I just got your husband three bottles of the Scotch we recently launched — instant hit."
"He'll love that... Anyway, gotta go! Don't miss me too much!"
Click.
She smiled to herself and drove to the soup shop she owned — her little sanctuary where she fed the less privileged three times a week. As the doors opened, the familiar faces lit up with joy. The crowd gathered outside, ready to sing their usual chorus.
"So today, our menu says..." she paused, letting them finish the line.
"FRIED RICE, PORK CHOPS WITH LEMON ZEST, A VEGETABLE AND FRUIT SALAD!"
"And for dessert?"
"VANILLA CUSTARD WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND A SLICE OF FRESH CAKE!"
Applause echoed as the women hurried to serve. Brenda sat beside Kenny, a woman she always helped feed personally — unable to eat on her own.
"How's my young, beautiful, strongest lady today?" Brenda asked warmly.
"I'm good, thanks to you." Kenny smiled.
"That's a little formal. Couldn't have done it without your blessings." Brenda returned the smile and began feeding her.
"Any news from the doctors? Any improvements?"
"They say my legs are getting stronger... see?" Kenny moved her once crippled limbs, laughing through the small victories.
Brenda hugged her tight.
"I'm so proud of you, Kenny."
"If it wasn't for you, I'd still be stuck. You've changed my life — thank you for being you. God will bless you forever."
"Amen."
"Hope you find a husband too!" Kenny teased.
Brenda's smile faded a little. She hoped, too — but not with Kai. If she wanted real love, it would have to be someone new. Yet those feelings for Kai tangled deep inside her.
As the others finished, leftover food was packed and distributed to the crowd. Brenda took two packages for herself, closed the shop, and headed home. The people she helped had become her lifeline — their love and gratitude her true wealth.
Late that night, as she heated her food, a voice startled her from the stairs.
"Where are you coming from this late?" Kai's tone was sharp.
"What the fuck? You scared me!" She clutched her chest, heart pounding.
"That doesn't answer my question, Belair. Where were you?"
Brenda stared. Did he think they were married? So much for being the other woman.
"I don't owe you that answer. Only married people have to explain themselves!" Her voice was firm but cold.
Kai descended the stairs and stood a few feet from her.
"I have every right to ask. You're my girl!" he barked.
"Hold on. Calm down. I'm a grown-ass woman, not your girl. I'm nobody's business. Just because I let you fuck me doesn't mean you own me — no!" The words escaped before she could stop them.
"I do! I have every claim there is to you!"
Neither would back down. Brenda fixed him with a hard look.
"Get out of my house."
Kai didn't move.
"You'll find your way out." She grabbed her car keys and headed for the door.
Kai stopped her.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Since you won't leave, I'm leaving for you."
"None of us are leaving."
"Okay."
She went upstairs and locked herself in her glass-walled room, determined not to let his nonsense ruin her mood.
Kai pounded on the door, his voice rising with every shout.
"Alexa, play Carol of the bells. Volume — max!"