Page 30 of A Forever Love
As always, my reply is a tight nod, and then I leave.
8
CARTER
I drive through the iron gates, and even before my car comes to a halt, Tomas is at the front door.
“How many times do I need to remind you not to wait up?”
The retired vet, who’s in his mid fifties, responds with his characteristic smile. As we enter the living room, I notice a dinner setting on the table. Fuck.
“I ate with Uncle Connor. Birdie is out of town for some charity concert, and we decided to order in.”
Tomas works as the estate manager of this property. He moved here with me four years ago, following my mother’s passing. He now oversees the staff. After a gunshot left him unable to speak, he chose to lead a civilian life, and I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with him.
“I’ll be in the right wing.” I don’t miss the way his lips purse, but he doesn’t sign anything.
I step into my mother’s room, left unchanged throughout the years. I don’t hold any particular sentimental attachment to this property. As far as I can remember, I was always more interested in spending time at Kings Security with my uncles and their friends. Those men became my role models, and I aspired to be like them.
I was seven when I told Uncle Connor I’d have loved to be his son rather than offspring of the asshole who cheated on my mom. The next Christmas, he asked if I still felt the same way. And when I nodded yes, he showed me the adoption papers.
Soon after, I officially became a King.
I perch on the edge of my mother’s bed, and a collection of pictures from past years surrounds me, including the one from that Christmas. Sinking against the headboard, I flip through one of her many journals. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve delved into these pages, desperately seeking any clue about the individual who ruined my mom’s life. Yet, it’s as if someone has sifted through these pages before, deliberately excising the fragments of her life that would connect to him. I close the leather-bound journal and bring it close to my chest. The hint of jasmine triggers a rush of memories. Mom was obsessed with the scent of the flower.
My phone’s ring pierces through the nostalgia, abruptly bringing me back to the present moment. A twist of unease coils in my gut as Jena’s name lights up my phone screen. She’s the last person I want to talk to right now. But I also know if I don’t reply, she’ll keep calling the whole night.
“Jena.”
“Hey, where are you? I’m outside your apartment.”
My teeth clench in irritation. “How many times do I need to tell you I don’t like people lingering around my place?”
“Okay, don’t be so upset. I just wanted to hang out,” she whines in an irritating fashion. “I barely see you now that you’re the CEO and all. You’ve changed.”
“The moment my role changed in the company, I needed to change too. Besides, I’ve been in Cherrywood all morning. I was there to drop off Merida.”
Why the fuck am I explaining this to her?
“Merida? Keith Adams’ daughter?” There’s a noticeable shift in her tone, undoubtedly surprised by Mere’s sudden departure, just like everyone else was. “The girl who used to stick to you like glue and would transform into a ferocious wildcat whenever anyone dared to touch your stuff?”
I don’t even try holding back my smile recalling Merida’s protective antics. “Yeah.”
“She must be all grown up by now.” Jena’s voice is still serious, and she repeats something she used to tell me all the time before Merida left. “You know she loved you, right?”
“She was a kid and I was her best friend. How many times do I need to tell you this?”
“So you’re saying you never had any feelings for her?”
A jolt of discomfort pierces through me, rattling my core. “Is there a reason behind this nonsense? She’s eleven years younger than me, for heaven’s sake.” But Jena’s words, her tone, have struck me in a way that tells me it’s time to address something I should have long ago. “I need you to stop dropping by my place, Jena, and I definitely need you to stop using the King name to cash in on benefits around St. Peppers. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out that you ask hotel owners to upgrade your room to a presidential suite, lying that you’re related to the Kings?”
She gasps softly, followed by a forced clearing of her throat. “That was just a one-time thing.”
“Trust me, I have a record of your ‘one-time things’ over the years. I simply didn’t want to have this conversation.”
“What do you mean? Are you breaking up with me?”
“Breaking up?” I scoff, determined to rip off this Band-Aid. “What gave you the impression we were together? I can’t even recall the last time I saw you. Did you also think I wouldn’t know you’re sleeping with other members of my staff?” I push through her gasp, laying it out plainly. “Honestly, I don’t care, but this needs to stop. If you’d like to move on from working at Kings Security, I’ll understand. We can hire a new receptionist as of tomorrow and provide you with a fair severance package. We’ll even assist you in finding another job.”