19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
K endra
As I walked with Tina toward the parking lot, the scorching sun beat down relentlessly, turning the asphalt into a shimmering sea of heat. Each step felt like a chore, but Tina seemed completely oblivious, chattering away about the new recruit in the media team.
“Can you believe it? She thinks she’s some hotshot photographer just because her dad’s buddies with the MD!” Tina scoffed. “I mean, I’ve seen her work. It’s laughable. She can’t even frame a shot properly!”
We stopped beside Tina’s sleek black sedan, and she unlocked the doors with a quick beep. The sudden blast of air-conditioning as we slid inside was a welcome reprieve.
“I swear, Kendra, it’s all about connections these days. Talent doesn’t matter; it’s all about who you know.” Tina shook her head, exasperated. “I’ve seen her fumble with the camera settings, and yet she gets to cover the mayor’s press conference.”
As Tina started the engine, the smooth hum filled the car, but I barely registered it. Tina’s voice faded into the background as my thoughts were elsewhere, drifting toward Antonio.
Tomorrow marked our one-month anniversary, and the thought sent a flutter of anticipation through my chest. Our whirlwind romance had swept me off my feet, leaving me dazed and giddy.
His deep laughter, the way his eyes softened when he looked at me, the way he melted into my arms after a long day—like I was his solace… Everything about him made me ache with happiness.
“Kendra!” Tina’s sharp voice jolted me back to reality. “You gotta be kidding me… You’re spacing out on me, girl.”
I blinked and turned to her, forcing a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I was just… lost in thought.”
“So you didn’t hear a word I said?”
“Not really… Sorry.”
Tina’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What’s going on? You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Trouble in paradise?”
I hesitated, then took a deep breath and blurted out, “Tomorrow’s our one-month anniversary.”
Tina’s face lit up. “Aww, congrats! I had no idea. You’ve been keeping that quiet.”
I shrugged, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. “I didn’t want to jinx it. Besides… it’s really something to be happy about?”
Her smile faded, turning thoughtful. “You know, sometimes, I forget the… situation you’re in. I want to be happy for you, and then I remember…”
“I want to be happy for me too,” I murmured softly.
As if on cue, my phone vibrated with a text from Antonio. My fingers tremble slightly as I read his message, and the troubled look on my face deepened.
“What is it?” Tina asked, her features mirroring my concern.
“Antonio wants me to meet his family.”
Before Tina could respond, a knock on the passenger-side window startled us both. Mr. Thompson, my supervisor, stood outside, his expression serious. The harsh afternoon sunlight only deepened the creases in his forehead.
Tina rolled down the window. “Good evening, Mr. Thompson.”
“Hello, Tina.” He nodded briefly, but his gaze remained fixed on me. “Kendra, can I have a word?”
I sighed inwardly, my stomach twisting in knots. I knew what this was about.
I stepped out of the car, and we walked a few feet away before he turned to me, his tone curt and impatient. “How much longer until we get the story?”
“Soon, sir,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Don’t give me that, Ms. Ryan. You’ve already had over a month for this. If we don’t publish soon, it’ll lose its relevance.”
He was referring to me by my last name—he was furious. “Sir, the thing is—”
“What are the most important qualities of a good news story?”
“Sir?”
“I’m sure I did not stutter, Ms. Ryan.”
“Um… relevance, clarity, timeliness…”
“Timeliness. That’s what I wanted to hear.” His eyes bored into mine. “You have one week, Ms. Ryan. One. Week. Am I understood?”
“Crystal, sir.”
“Good. I’ll see you next week.”
With that, he strode off. I stood there, feeling the panic welling up inside me, making it hard to breathe. I wanted to let out a long exhale, but my lungs felt tight and constricted. Instead, I turned on autopilot and walked back to the car.
Tina’s worried gaze met mine as I slid into the seat. “Kendra, what happened?”
I shook my head, a sob building in my chest. Before I knew it, Tina had wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close.
“Let it out, girl,” she whispered.
I crumbled, tears spilling over as the weight of Thompson’s ultimatum crushed me. All the frustration, fear, and guilt poured out in broken sobs, Tina’s quiet reassurances washing over me like a balm.
***
Later that evening...
Antonio’s sleek black sports car wound its way up the driveway of the Michaelson estate, the grandeur of the sprawling mansion coming into view. My jaw dropped as I took in the sight.
The setting sun bathed the estate in a warm, golden glow, highlighting the majestic turrets and manicured lawns that seemed to stretch endlessly.
“Wow,” I breathed, turning to Antonio, eyes wide. “Your family owns a castle , and yet you chose to live in—I can’t imagine why?”
He chuckled softly as the gates swung open. “Welcome to my childhood home.”
As we stepped out of the car, a butler greeted us, taking my bag. A slender woman, dressed elegantly in a champagne silk gown, emerged from the entrance, her smile warm and welcoming.
“You must be Kendra. Darling, it’s lovely to finally meet you,” she said, pulling me into a light embrace. “I’m Vivian.”
“Lovely to meet you, ma’am. Your home is beautiful.”
George Michaelson, Antonio’s father, approached next, his eyes twinkling with humor. “You’re even more beautiful than Antonio described,” he said, kissing my hand gently.
I blushed as Antonio shifted uncomfortably, a shy grin on his face. As we entered the living room, Damon, Antonio’s brother, bounded over grinning. Hi Kendra! I’m Damon. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
I soon found myself surrounded by laughter and light-hearted conversation. The opulence of the place was overwhelming, but Antonio’s family made me feel like I belonged, welcoming me with open arms.
But beneath the warmth and smiles, my heart tightened with guilt. If they knew the real reason I was here... would they still smile at me like this ?
"So, Kendra, Antonio's never brought a woman home before," Damon teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as Antonio shot him a warning glare. “You must have really made an impression.”
"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Vivian leaned in with a knowing smile. "From what I hear, he’s never even had a girlfriend. Isn’t that right, honey?"
“Absolutely,” George chimed in, chuckling.
Antonio's face flushed crimson. “What is this, some kind of intervention?” he muttered, feigning exasperation as his family laughed.
Vivian turned to one of the staff. "Please take Kendra’s bag upstairs," she instructed gently. Then, with a warm smile, she gestured toward the stairs. "Let’s get you settled in and freshened up before dinner."
As we ascended the grand staircase, I couldn’t help but marvel at the splendor around me. Everything from the chandeliers to the intricate woodwork felt like stepping into a bygone era.
I had my own room, right next to Antonio’s, according to the housekeeper who showed me the way. I was almost tempted to ask how many rooms this mansion had—Twenty? Thirty? It was hard to believe people still lived in such sprawling estates.
About an hour later, just as I was getting comfortable, there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in. It’s open.”
Antonio stepped inside, his presence filling the room. He came up behind me and began kneading my shoulders gently. “Is everything to your liking?” he murmured.
I leaned back into his touch, my body melting under his strong hands. “That feels amazing,” I sighed softly. “And yes, everything is perfect.”
He placed a tender kiss on my neck, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. “Dinner’s ready,” he whispered. “Everyone’s waiting for you.”
I nodded, giving him a grateful smile before following him downstairs. At dinner, the conversation flowed naturally. George shared anecdotes about the family business, while Vivian recounted stories from Antonio’s teen years, each tale more embarrassing than the last.
Damon leaned closer, his tone conspiratorial. “I’ll give you the full tour tomorrow, including the vineyard. You’ll love it.”
I smiled back, feeling genuinely touched by their kindness and warmth. But beneath the surface, my guilt churned. How could I face these wonderful people once they knew the truth? When I did what I had to do, would they still look at me with the same welcoming smiles?
“So, Kendra,” Vivian said, her voice cutting through my thoughts. “T.O. tells us you’re a writer. What kind of writing do you do? And where do you work?”
The question landed like a dart to my chest, making my heart skip a beat. I had been enjoying the delicate herb-crusted salmon, savoring each bite, but now a grain of rice seemed lodged in my throat. I swallowed, but it stuck fast. My lungs tightened as panic set in.
I tried to breathe but couldn’t.
The room fell silent.
"Kendra, are you okay?" Antonio’s voice cut through the fog, his face a picture of concern.
I nodded frantically, my eyes wide as I struggled to catch my breath. Antonio sprang from his seat, pouring me a glass of water. The condensation on the crystal glass shimmered under the dining room lights as I grabbed it, gulping down the cool liquid desperately.
The water dislodged the stuck grain, but my coughing fit continued, each spasm racking my body. I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, eyes watering as the room blurred.
"Easy, Kendra. Breathe," Antonio murmured, rubbing my back gently.
The coughing finally subsided, leaving me drained and embarrassed, my face burning. George leaned forward, his expression softening. “Perhaps we should leave the questions for after dinner,” he suggested kindly. “Let Kendra enjoy her meal.”
“I’m so sorry,” I managed, my voice hoarse.
“There’s no need to apologize, dear,” Vivian said, waving away my concern. “Take your time. Just focus on eating.”
Antonio handed me a napkin, his eyes filled with worry as I dabbed at the tears gathering at the corners of my eyes.
Please, just drop it, I begged silently. Don’t ask again.
My pulse hammered, and sweat trickled down my spine as I forced a smile, trying to act calm. But my thoughts were spinning. How long could I keep this up? How long before they saw through my facade?
Mercifully, Damon changed the subject. “So, big bro, think we should show Kendra the vineyard tomorrow?”
The conversation shifted, and I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. For now, I was safe. But as I glanced around the table, I knew I was balancing on a razor’s edge, waiting for the inevitable slip.
The evening eventually wound down. As we made our way back upstairs, Antonio caught my hand, his gaze soft and intent.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered, his voice a caress. “I love you, Kendra.”
His words wrapped around my heart, squeezing painfully. What was I doing? Could I really go through with this when I was falling for him?
“Yeah, me too…” I whispered back, the lie burning on my tongue.