Professional Heir

Chapter 16

Kimberly.

Bad news is never good to hear. Whether it be about you or someone close to you. For two days I stayed in bed. I refused to see anyone. Anyone except my husband. I wore jeans to bed and a large jumper. I slept in my bra, refusing to take off that little piece of armour that I wore.

Robert had been asked a million questions. He thought I didn't hear them. The things they were saying. I heard a few from the other side of the door. I could imagine the rest.

Why would he do that?

What are you going to do?

He's not like that.

He wouldn't.

You're lying.

She must have led him on.

Evil.

Attention seeker.

Slut.

Robert had asked me what I wanted to do. He said it was completely up to me.

I can have him killed. You just say the word.

And yet, for some reason, I didn't. I told him no. Why?

I felt betrayed. More betrayed than ever before, yet I didn't want him punished. Maybe I deserved it. Maybe I did lead him on somehow. Goodness knows men think differently than women. maybe I had said something to give him the idea that I wanted him.

But to drug me... If he thought I wanted it, why would he go so far?

Other than Robert, Jenkin was the only other person that had seen my face for two days. He lay on my chest as I cried to myself. I was glad he was too young to understand sadness. Robert had disappeared today. I didn't mind. A bit of quiet was nice. Quiet was safe. He said he had a few things to sort out. As I said. I didn't mind.

A knock on my door. I hesitated. "Who is it?"

"Ella and nanna."

"Come in."

She slowly pushed open the door and poked her head in. I gestured for the two to come in and close the door. Nannahad clothes in her hand, and a slice of cake. Ella's face held a close-lipped smile. They were hiding their sympathy - not very well - I appreciated it.

Cathy took a seat on the edge of my bed and put the chocolate cake on my bedside cabinet before taking Jenkin from me to put him in his cot. "Your favourite." That was all she said.

"You made your cake?"

She nodded.

"Thank you."

She slowly reached out to touch my necklace. "I know it's not the right time, but you look like your mother."

I shook my head. "Gracey looks the most like her."

My Nan cracked a small smile, before rubbing my cheek with the back of her hand. "Maybe, but you've got her strength."

I sniffed, rushing to wipe away my tears before she could see.

"You need a shower," Ella spoke up. "We brought you new pyjamas, and we're going to sit outside so you feel safe."

"Why?"

"Anything to help." Was all she said before disappearing into the en-suite.

"Now eat your cake."

"Thank you." I wasn't sure what else to say. What could I say? My family still knew me as the sad little girl that needed to move away. The little girl that fought, cried, screamed and swore she hated everyone around her. Damaged.

They don't know who I am now. I am Kimberly May Mitchell. Robert and I were one of the wealthiest families in the whole of Europe. I was a...crime lord? Is that even the right term? I have killed someone. Yet there I sat, sobbing into my grandmother's cake. The same cake she had made for me since I was a child. While my aunt ran me a shower, my Nan looked after my son.

Suddenly I felt like that damaged little girl once again.

*****

A shower did me good. I stayed in there for a whole hour. When I got out, there sat Cathy and Ella on my bed watching television. I sat down at my vanity and towel-dried my hair. Ella was quick on her feet. She grabbed my hairdryer and a brush and began doing the chore for me. I hated drying my hair. I watched her through the mirror as she concentrated.

The two left once my hair was dried and they were sure I didn't need help doing anything else. I was thankful, I truly was. It was nice not putting up a tough exterior for them, even for a short amount of time.

Jenkin and I laid in bed for the next couple of hours as I googled if babies could eat whipped cream. The answer is no. Which was rather sad as I thought he might have enjoyed some leftovers from my cake. He slept most of the time. I would have too if I hadn't slept most of the previous two days away.

Then there was another knock on the door.

Savannah poked her head into the room before I could answer. "Hiya, sugar."

"Hey."

"I have something to show you." She didn't move, just stayed like a floating head at my door.

"What is it?"

"You'll have to come and see." Her hand slipped past the door, offering me to take it.

I eyed her cautiously. "Do I want to?"

"I think so. Katherine is also going to take Jenkin for the night." The door opened further, showcasing my mother-in-law standing behind her.

Kath smiled. "go see it, sweetheart."

And I'm glad I did. She dragged me over to the staircase, taking us all the way down to the bottom floor. She took us to the pool room. A projector was set up, taking up the whole of the back wall, and paused at the beginning of mean girls. The lights were dimmed, just the water illuminating the room. It wasn't just us. The professionals all stood in front of me in their swimming costumes. "What're you doing?"

Robert smiled. "We thought you could use some time with some friends."

"Though I didn't get the memo of trunks." Cole pulled a towel away from his waist showcasing an illuminous yellow speedo.

"You haven't seen the best bit," Savannah commented.

Cole turned around, the speedo went right between his ass cheeks. In fairness, they were nice cheeks.

"Sexy." Sav slapped the blonde's ass.

Elijah rolled his eyes. "You don't have to, we just-"

"Thank you. So much." I opened my arms, shyly - and silently - requesting a group hug.

"I grabbed you some snacks." The familiar sound of my grandmother's voice caught my attention. She stood with a basket in her hand and a smile on her face.

Savannah whispered her thanks as she took the basket from Cathy's hands. But my grandmother didn't leave. "I've not seen enough of you." Her eyes were glued to Elijah. He was the tallest and had the best build-out of my three favouritemen. Though Robert would forever deny it.

Elijah offered his hand. "I'm Elijah. Kim's bodyguard. We haven't formally met."

Cathy leant to the side to look at me before whispering, "I've got a quivering quim."

"Jesus, Nan."

But after I had shooed the woman off, we relaxed together. We all sat in the hot tub watching a few of my favouritemovies. Cole pulled at my toe every now and again, just for me to kick him in the chin. Elijah shushed us all whenever we spoke - he hated talking when watching television - while Savannah commented on everything that happened the entire time.

But my husband, you ask? He just held me.

And things began feeling okay again.