The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) (12 page)

Kaya wanted to flee but she knew it wouldn’t solve anything. She glanced at the clock, neither one of them had time to delve into this conversation but she was tired of running too. It was time he knew more about her past. Maybe he would understand why it was so hard for her to accept kindness. She finally spoke.

“I grew up very poor Max. My grandmother and I struggled to make ends meet. Most of my clothes came from thrift stores or from charity organizations. I never really looked or felt like girls my age. I was called so many names that I stopped counting.” He clearly recalled the oversized clothes she wore during high school and how kids would tease her.

“It seemed like every time we got one step ahead my mother would resurface with her drug addiction.
My grandmother couldn’t stand to see her only child on the streets begging, desperate for drugs so we went hungry in order to feed my mother’s growing need.” Kaya had never spoken a word about her mother before. He looked at her intently.

“We were always just one dollar from being tossed on the streets. One dollar away from not having the heat turned off or one dollar away from being homeless. It was rough.” She was shaking. The pain was written all over her face. She continued, “But my granny knew I was smart, very smart. She focused on me and my education. She made me promise to finish school and depend only on me.” Max wanted to grab her in his arms but she was revealing her deepest thoughts so he stood still.

“We learned how to stretch everything and waste nothing. We couldn’t afford the movies or entertainment parks so we would spend our weekends at the local libraries reading books and living out our wildest fantasies and adventures through words.” Tears overwhelmed Kaya. She had never spoken about this to anyone, not even to Ms. Roy. “I guess I decided to be a nurse at a community center because I wanted to help those just like me. My granny died from a common cold that went untreated.” She paused and in between tears she spoke again, “I don’t care about money Max, I only care about you.” Her tears were ripping him apart. He needed to hold her tight and soothe her pain. He knew she didn’t care about his wealth. Most women he dated had already requested diamonds, expensive vacations and luxury bags. She hadn’t requested a thing.

Max spoke, “Fine baby, you don’t have to take my money. Just don’t cry, please don’t cry.” She held him tight and looked up.

“You’re right, I shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s a hard transition but I promise to try!” They held each other tight until she calmed down. Then he kissed her passionately. When Kaya finally got into the shower and the water trickled down her body she felt a sense of relief, but more importantly, she felt as though they were finally building trust with one another.

Max dialed Eric and informed the security team of Kaya’s schedule change and then grabbed his briefcase. Before he left for the day he opened the shower and laid a few small farewell kisses on her face, he was visibly smitten by her.

“Kaya, please be safe today.” Max hoped that their earlier chat had provided some change in her attitude about him taking care of her.

“Yes sir!” She stated sternly with a smile on her face.

He let out an exasperating sigh and rolled his eyes as he closed the shower door.

“Max wait,” she stated.

He opened the door again, expecting another verbal jab, but instead her eyes stared at him lovingly, “I’ll miss you today, I’ll miss you terribly.” The words fell from her lips with ease. He cleared his throat, hoping his emotions wouldn’t trap his words.

“I’ll miss you too.” His heart ached and he longed to be back in her arms already.

CHAPTER TEN

Angela Bridgeport was hyperventilating in her dressing room. Her curly blonde tresses were straight and sleek today, showing off her perfectly angular face. She wore a deep cut, red Armani dress with a black jacket and metallic “So Kate 120” Christian Louboutin heels. She looked like a million bucks but felt like a dollar.

Her assistant opened the door and announced that Kaya had arrived. Angela tossed her script on the floor and dove into her best friend’s arms.

“I can’t do this. I can’t!” Angela shouted while breathing short, ragged breaths.

“The hell if you can’t! I didn’t get all dolled up today for you to bail on me,” said Kaya looking like a Vogue model.

Angela was speechless. She’d tried for years to get her to shop at expensive stores in the city but Kaya had refused. Now today, she was standing before her in the latest Versace masterpiece looking stunning. It was just the distraction Angela needed.

“Where in the hell did you get this from?” Asked Angela, spinning Kaya around in a circle to get a 180 view.

“Max!” She giggled with happiness.

“What?” Angela needed details.

“I’ll tell you everything later but now we need to get you ready.”

***

It should have been a sin for Kyle Parker to look so damn good. He stood tall at six feet three inches. His silky, oval-shaped walnut eyes, masculine square face and dark oak hair made women swoon and men envy his graceful strides. He ran at least 6 miles a day, and it showed. His tight rear end and lean, fit thighs fit perfectly in his Gucci midnight black suit. From every angle, he looked perfect, a stunning site to behold.

Today, as usual, all eyes were on Kyle, but he was oblivious. He was nervous. Angela Bridgeport was somewhere in the building and her mere presence was driving him mad.
Get in and get out. Don’t establish long periods of eye contact with her! Kyle, keep it friendly and clean.

He was fairly new to New York, having lived in Los Angeles since graduation, he happy to be back on the east coast, near his three brothers. It was time. Kyle needed a slower pace of life, he was getting older and he was tired of fast West Coast living. Today’s interview was exactly what he needed to promote his new line of luxury condos. Kyle was ready for New York. The competition in the Big Apple was fierce but he hadn’t singlehandedly created a multi-million dollar empire sitting idly back and letting firms pounce on him.

Kyle’s eyes darted from corner to corner in the studio waiting Angela’s arrival. The last time he saw her, she was a nerdy little girl spilling her heart out to him. It was his biggest regret in life. Kyle had broken her heart ten years before, and unbeknownst to Angela, he was still wearing the battle scar. His friendship with Angela and Kaya had meant the world to him during college. They were inseparable, best buds. But he needed Angela in a different way in, a way that made his groin tight every time he saw her. The more he tried to deny his feelings the more fire burned between the two of them. The night she poured her heart out to him, Kyle wanted to pull her into his arms but deep down he knew he was damaged goods. Instead he walked away and spared both of them years of torture.
He just never knew how long the pain would last
.

***

Growing up in a dysfunctional family Kyle had been responsible for taking care of himself and his three younger brothers. In and out of foster care, he had vowed never to let any woman get close to him.
His mother had caused enough damage
. She was a worthless woman with a revolving door of men, men who would eventually force her to place Kyle and his three brothers in the system. Those years had been rough and Kyle had promised himself he would never trust anyone again, including Angela.

***

His thoughts were interrupted the moment Angela Bridgeport glided into the studio. He stood lifeless. She was stunning. His cock began to grow, he shifted his weight and forced himself to calm down.
What the hell was happening? Kyle could have any woman he desired so why did this one turn him on so badly?

“
Kyle, oh Kyle,”
Kaya shrieked as she ran towards him and left Angela near the door. The happy scream from his estranged friend Kaya distracted his erotic thoughts causing his eyes to shift away from Angela. He was grateful for the mental breather.

“Kaya Hanson, you are stunning. My God it’s been too many years.” He stated as he hugged her tightly.

“I know. I know. I told Angie I couldn’t wait to see you today. You look fantastic, absolutely wonderful. I can’t believe it’s been ten years…ten years since I stalked you outside of Wilson Hall.” She chuckled hysterically.

“So, what’s new with you…” His words trailed off the moment Angela approached them. Damn, she wasn’t the same shy nerdy underclassman anymore. No, Angela Bridgeport was a sex goddess and he wanted to drink her in, sip by sip.

“Mr. Parker. How are you?” She stated, cold but not rude.

“Angie!” He stepped forward to greet her with a hug but she moved away.

“It’s Angela, Mr. Parker and I’m doing well. Look, our audio engineer wants to do a quick sound check and then we can begin the interview. Please have a seat on the set.” She stated pointblank.

Kyle wasn’t good with commands and he wasn’t good being near her. Kaya could feel the tension and tried to break it up with a joke.

“This interview should be a cakewalk Kyle. Angie has been known to bring men to their knees.”

The comment forced Kyle’s eyes to devour her body whole. He impulsively shifted his body closer to Angela’s. It felt like an eternity before either of them spoke again. “Really? Well, I would like to be brought to my knees by you Angie.”
Ouch.
His sexual response made Angela blush. She turned bright ruby red but not from lust from unadulterated anger.

Kaya felt the countdown to impending doom start.

Suddenly, Angela’s right hand smacked Kyle clear across his face. The intense slap was heard from every corner in the room. Angela’s producer was mortified. One of her top reporters had just attacked one of their biggest primetime guests. Ratings and advertising dollars were on the line and from the look on her producer’s face so was her job. But Angela didn’t flinch, he deserved it and she was ready to do it again.

“Okay, I deserved that,” he stated shaking his face in a wagging manner to relive himself from sting of the forceful smack.

“You sure in hell did,” she stated firmly, with her hands squarely on her hips. Kyle adjusted his facial expression, straightened his suit, then walked towards the sound engineer but not before announcing loudly. “I am so glad I picked News 14 to do my exclusive. You all have some fiery talent here. Let’s get started.”

Angela took in a deep breathe trying to control her anger. Then Kyle turned around and smiled brightly, relieving the tension in the room. His eyes locked in on hers. “Angie, I hope you are ready, it’s Showtime!”

“Damn, I really hate that smug bastard,” she mumbled under her breath then marched on the set ready to grill him hard.

***

Kaya breathed a sigh of relief the moment the interview was over. She smiled proudly. Everyone in the room knew it was gold in the can and this would put Angela on the national stage, network news for sure. Angela’s probing questions were dirty and deep. Kyle answered willingly, providing intimate details about his life that no one knew about, at least some details. Her producer was elated. She had already dialed the General Manager of the station and told him that the viewer ratings were going to be higher than the O.J. Simpson Murder Trial. It was money in the bag.

Angela removed her microphone and placed it on the chair. She reached her hand out to shake his and he responded in kind. His hand was firm, warm and masculine. A shot of electricity fired off. Angela stepped back.

“Angela Bridgeport, I am going to be in New York for a while. I would love to have dinner.” He said looking at her intently. The blonde beauty smiled. She was finally getting her revenge.

Without a second thought, she pivoted on her Jimmy Choo heels and walked away with her hips swinging.

She still wasn’t done.

“Kyle Parker, you fooled me once you’ll never do it again. I wouldn’t dine with you if you were the last man alive.” She scolded as she disappeared behind the set.

Kaya apologized for Angela. She didn’t know what else to do. She felt horrible but Kyle didn’t look too bothered. He was on a mission to claim Angela Bridgeport and everyone within eyeshot knew it.

Angela would be his, period.

***

Kaya hardly had a minute alone with Angela after the interview. Every senior executive at NBC 14 was chomping at the bit to get a minute with her. She was going to be an overnight sensation but Angela wasn’t happy and Kaya needed to know why.

“Later Kaya, I promise we’ll talk about it later,” she uttered and pressed a warm kiss to her cheek. Kaya didn’t peruse the conversation because they both knew it wasn’t the right time or place. Instead, she gave her best friend a stern look that meant they needed to speak soon.

“Okay mom!” Angela tried to brush it off but she knew Kaya wasn’t going to let it go that easily.

***

Kaya’s entire day had so many highs and lows that she desperately needed another high to balance out her day. Her mind immediately went to Max. Of course his trust fund had set him up financially for life but Max was also an accomplished lawyer. Kaya had a burning desire to see him in his element. She leaned forward in the limo and told Eric to take her directly to his job, and to remain discreet no matter what. She was going to surprise Max King but first she needed to make one quick stop. She giggled in delight.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Bradley, Meissen, Cooper, and King.

Max’s last name sat proudly, along with his partner’s names, outside of one of the most well-known law firms and buildings on 42
^nd
street in Manhattan. Kaya was taking an emotional risk showing up announced. What if he had another woman in his office? What if he wasn’t happy to see her? What if he was too busy to see her
?
So many ugly scenarios surfaced in her mind as she entered the building.
Just breathe!

Earlier that morning, she had promise him she would make a concerted effort to try to let her past and insecurities go. So why was she scared as hell now? Maybe it was because no matter which way she turned, everyone she saw looked like they had just stepped out of Vogue magazine.
Max was way out of her league. He deserved someone better. What in the hell was Max doing with her? She was just a poor girl from South Philly who didn’t belong here.