Calming the storm {Kaylor}

Chapter 8

The next morning was rushed. As Karlie woke up, she didn't feel a weight on her shoulder anymore, and discovered that Taylor was already up. She met her in the kitchen, when she said: "Good morning Tay, sleep well?"

The singer answered, "well, your shoulder was actually quite comfortable", as she laughed. "But I'm a little bit in a rush. I'm supposed to meet Jack for a songwriting session, and need to meet with him in about..." She looked at her watch, and her face turned red. "Actually we were meeting at 10 and it's now 10.15 so I really need to get going. Help yourself to breakfast, I'll text you. Can you lock up on the way out?" She walked up to Karlie and touched her arm in passing. And with those words, she headed off.

Karlie quickly cooked up some vegetables and an omelette for her breakfast, and sat down. Taylor's apartment was really spacious, and it felt very 'home-y'. I wouldn't mind coming here more often, Karlie thought. She finished her breakfast and looked at her calendar. She had a meeting at 2PM. Plenty of time still, so she decided to finish some emails.

Her eye fell on an email Alex had sent her yesterday, with contact information for a P.I. She decided to email the P.i.:

*Hey, I got your information from my manager. I need you to shadow my friend's boyfriend for a few days. He's been acting shady lately and I feel like he doesn't have her best interest at heart. Let me know if you're up for it and we'll talk about further details.

Karlie Kloss*

Just as she finished her email, she got a call from a familiar number. This number did not put a smile on her face, on the contrary, as Karlie's mood immediately dropped.

"Joshua. What do you want, this time?"

"One meeting, Karlie. Just let us talk it out, and not over the phone." Josh didn't sound as mean as he did the previous days, and sounded quite calm. Processing that, she agreed.

"Okay, we'll meet. I have a meeting at 2, I'll come over after. Happy?" Josh agreed, and their phone call ended.

///

It was a few hours after the phone call and Karlie had just finished her work meeting. She went over to Joshua's place, well, the place they used to share, before they separated. He opened the door and smiled: "Hi, come on in. I've already made coffee, just the way you like it."

Karlie was surprised at Joshua's kindness. It was different from how he behaved over the phone during the past weeks. She had always known him as a kind person when they were together, but that had all faded away since their fight and separation. It did feel like a breath of fresh air.

After they caught up a little on pleasantries and chit-chat, Joshua got to the point:

"Karls, I wanted to meet up so we could talk. Since our separation I haven't felt the same. I want you back with me and back with my family. Come home. It's lonely without you here. I know we weren't really in love anymore, because it got kind of stale, but I still miss having my friend around. I hope we can work something out. Please."

His speech had gotten Karlie a little choked up. She was surprised at his kindness and moved by his sweet words. But, she reminded herself of all that had happened. Joshua's family had disrespected her and he hadn't stepped in. Josh, and his family, support ideals Karlie did not stand for. And they did not only disrespect her, but her dear friend Taylor as well. She sat in silence for a little while, making eye contact with Josh, but then she opened her mouth and spoke:

"You know, it's always hard. It's not easy for me either. We were together for a long time, and even if it's not the most loving marriage possible, we were in each other's lives for a while. But that it is hard does not mean it should be avoided." She paused for a little bit. "I've come to realise that your values do not align with mine. Your family disrespected me and you did nothing. I would never do that to my partner, personally. And your family, oh don't get me started, they're not good for me, and not good in general. They're extremely conservative, condescending and don't like basic human decency. I can't stand for that. And since you want to be so involved with your family again, I can't do it anymore-"

Karlie wanted to continue, but Joshua interrupted her. He seemed furious, and his earlier sweet tone had hardened. "You just don't understand! My family is important, I need to be close with them. And they were apparently right about you: You are not up to standard."

She scoffed at Joshua's comments, and said: "Jesus Christ, you sound just like your father. And I mean that in the worst way possible. You're just a coward at the end of the day, not even wanting a life of your own. And now you *also*, like your dad, go around disrespecting everyone who doesn't agree with you? Like me, or like Taylor." She felt Joshua's eyes widen at the mention of Taylor. "Listen Josh. I don't want this anymore. I'm filing for divorce. And with or without you, I'll fight for what I find important. So that means: women's rights. I won't let you, your family or other relatives get away with disrespecting me, a friend or another woman unpunished again. And since you won't help me, I know someone who will. And her name. Is. Taylor"

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A/N

Hey guys, this chapter took a little longer than expected and it's not super long either. I'm going to be real busy with university the upcoming weeks, so I'll still update regularly and stay consistent, the amount of updates might drop a little. Happy reading!