Undying Devotion

2 5 || Business

          K A Y D E N

The week started smoothly , I kept thinking about my encounter with Audrey at the hospital . Things about her keep getting blurrier every day , and it was making me furious

First I learned that she didn't finish college , she used the money she got from selling my gifts for god knows what reason

Despite being in a dinner , with my parents , in a restaurant, with Halle and her father too , that woman lived in my head rent free

Halle's father , Benjamin Crawford , was my father's friend for years , they worked together too and made profits along side each other , Benjamin was also the friend my dad told me he could get me into Harvard

Not that I needed any help to get in , I got in with my full effort

We sat , Benjamin talked with my father , Halle with my mother , I was fazed and dazed . Suddenly , Benjamin had to get up to answer a call , two minutes later Halle went to the bathroom

Oh boy , I was alone with the lion and the cheetah

My father coughed before wiping his mouth with a napkin , my mother sat back and looked at me , we were sitting across each other while my father was at the head the table ;" Kayden honey , we need to talk"

This was never a good start of a conversation

" yes mother ?" I answered as I returned to my plate
" your father and I were talking lately about-" She started but I interrupted ;" for a divorced couple you two are too chatty with each other " I joked , well not entirely , mostly because I wanted to change the subject

I knew where this was going

" Kayden " my father said in a warning tone , I sighed and sat back , looked at them both , bring it on .
" what is it ?" I asked , impatient

" your father and I are wondering why haven't you gotten married yet ? You're twenty nine now , going on thirty , when I was your age , I was already a mother , and before you speak about your work , I managed to balance between you and my career perfectly , your father did it too " I almost laughed

" mother , if you're comparing my construction company to your acting career , I have some news for you , it's not the same , my work is much harder " I stated

She stayed quiet as she looked back at father , until he finally decided to speak ;" what your mother is trying to tell you , is that we want to see you settle down with a family of your own , we also deserve some grandchildren " I stared at the both of them , in shock , they actually sounded like they were still a couple , I sometimes forget why did they even get a divorce ;" marriage and kids are not my priority right now " I answered , my father frowned with a look of disappointment

" we're not asking for much here son , you don't even stay with the same girl for more than two months , as the news says , you never brought anyone for us to meet , gosh I think the one time I ever met one of your girlfriends was like , nine , ten years ago ? You were still in college and you brought her to my party , though I did not like her very much , but I was glad you brought someone and introduced her to me "

The memory of that night came across my mind when my mother brought it up , the same night Audrey and I slept together for the first time , the same night she wore one of the dresses I bought her and looked gorgeous in it

The same night I knew that I loved her

My jaw tightened at the hurtful memory , just when I finally get her out of my mind , something brings her back ;" what happened with that girl anyway ?" Mother asked again . I titled my chin with a sarcastic dry grin and looked at her ;" well , to summarise what happened , she was using me and lying to me , and most women are the same , no one is gonna love me for who I am" I said defensively