The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) (21 page)

***

Kyle was beside himself in anger. “Damn those reporters, how dare they show up in Charleston? Can’t I have damn ordinary life without the paparazzi watching my every move?” He shouted as he slammed his fist on the marble bathroom counter in his luxury hotel room. Of course the paparazzi had caused a lot of pain but it was his cold, calloused words to the reporter that signed his final death certificate.

He was such a fool. At the time, Kyle thought lying was the only way to protect Angela. In hindsight, the lie had only fed the paparazzi more bad information, causing an even greater rift in their already fragile friendship. He stared at himself in the mirror and without thought crashed his fist into the pane, shattering the glass into a million different pieces. The glass ripped into his hand, slicing his flesh open. Kyle couldn’t feel a thing, the pain in his heart was too intense.

If only he had a chance to explain, to make things right, but undoing the damage at this point would be an uphill battle. The reality was, Kyle had destroyed any chance of reconciliation. The look on Angela and Anne’s faces was going to haunt his thoughts for a very long time. He needed to get out of Charleston. He had no right being there. Max had fled days ago and he should have done the same. He wrapped a towel around his bleeding fist and began tossing his clothes into his new Louis Vuitton suitcase.

“I’m done trying to make things right with Angela.” He mumbled to himself picking up the glass shards from the bathroom floor.

As much as he didn’t want to accept it, their time had come and gone. It was silly to think he could actually right a wrong that could never be corrected.
So why did he feel so horrible?
Why did he want to storm inside the beach house and kiss her ravishingly until she forgave him?
Why did he want so desperately for her to understand why he lied?

He cussed and mumbled more insults under his breath, “Anyone else would have given me the opportunity to explain. Why in the hell is she so consumed with her anger? Didn’t she understand I was trying to protect her, that’s why I lied?” But deep down Kyle knew he had destroyed her trust.

When he had finally had managed to pack everything he frantically dialed the front desk and requested a cab take him to the airport immediately. Unable to squeeze his injured hand into his coat sleeve, he tossed his coat over his shoulder and headed for the door. Just then, the phone rang, it was Max.

“Dude, I was watching the news. What the hell happened there today? You okay?” Kyle was actually glad to speak to Max. He needed a friend. He needed someone who understood his predicament. Kyle’s mind drifted to his younger brothers. He could imagine what they must be thinking about his latest so called “escapade.” He would have to call them soon so they didn’t think they had an idiot for an older brother.

“I’m heading back to New York Max, I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help to you but I think I’ve caused enough damage here!” He paused before speaking again, “After today’s fiasco, Kaya isn’t going to welcome me back into the beach home. At least not while Angie is still fuming mad at me,” he angrily explained.

Max knew his only link to Kaya was now gone. They both sat on the phone quietly. Two single multi-millionaires, wealthy as hell but penniless when it came to love. Max had a million thoughts swirling around in his head but the one that kept resurfacing was that he needed HIS family. How long would he allow his parents to control his life? He was a grown man who needed to make his own way and chart a new path for the King name. Maybe it was time to honestly rethink what Ms. Roy wrote in the letter. “
It seems like your entire life has been filled with questions and fears. Why? Why do you keep holding back on life? Why do you keep questioning your past? Money can’t make you happy, I think that’s the one thing you’ve always known. So go out and find out what makes you truly happy.”

The letters, the garden and Anne coming into their lives had all been signs, signs he had been too stupid to notice because of his own selfish needs. He could feel the weight lift from his chest and the final ice melting from his heart. Ms. Roy was right, Kaya was his heart and nothing made sense without her. He also knew that he did love Anne. He loved her from their first meeting in the garden. Now that everything made sense, there was no way he would allow any other person to care for his child but him. Everything was making sense at once. He just hoped it wasn’t too late to rectify all his mistakes. Max needed his family; his entire family, Kaya, Anne and the new baby.

“Kyle stay put, take care of my family. I’m on my way to Charleston. I’ll be there tomorrow for the grand opening of the garden, I promise.”

Kyle was hesitant to get involved, he didn’t want to cause Kaya any additional stress. He had already severed one tie and wasn’t about to lose Kaya and Anne too.

“Man, I am here for you but I will kill you if you hurt Kaya and Anne.”

Max could hear the seriousness in his voice. Kyle spoke again.

“I know I’m one to talk, especially after what I did to Angela and Anne today but I need your word that you are going to make this right. She’s trying to remain strong but I don’t know if she can deal with another heartbreak.”

“You have my word Kyle, I love her. I will be there soon. I just have to do one thing before I leave.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

The grand opening of the garden was magnificent. It was everything that Kaya could have imagined. A small, red wooden sign hung high from the entrance. The title read, “
The Edna Roy Community Garden”
. Kaya’s eyes sparkled with joy, then two single tears streamed down her face. Her promise to Ms. Roy was now satisfied. Small tiny handprints encircled the entrance sign, inscribed on each print was the name of the child and the first vegetable or plant they placed into the rich soil. Anne squealed with delight when she saw her name tucked away near the word “community”.

The garden was packed. A sea of people, from all walks of life filled the once unruly patch of land for the groundbreaking. Children, community activist, the elderly and the young all came to take part in the reclaiming of their community. Anne kept close to Kaya, she didn’t like large crowds. Who could blame her after all she’d been through? Kaya ran her fingers through her short cut, and pulled her close. She loved Anne deeply, the truth was, she probably loved her from the moment she first saw her. They had already formed an unbreakable bond; and hopefully within the next year, she would be her daughter. The thought sent waves of happiness through her. She needed it since everything else in her life seemed hopeless.

Earlier that day, Mr. Kingsley, had arranged for their second court appointed visit with Anne’s psychologist, Ms. Middleton. Ms. Middleton was amazed at how bright Anne was. Kaya smiled like a proud mother when she learned that Anne’s cognitive, fine, social and emotional, self-help, and spiritual skills all soared into the 97 range percentile for her age.
Ms. Middleton also reassured her that with a lot of love and the right support systems, the events that had transpired wouldn’t leave lasting scars. She said Anne would heal and grow into a beautiful young woman. And Kaya would do just that, help her to heal and grow. It was the biggest responsibility of her life, one that she wouldn’t fail at. She would be, both mother and father and give Anne the life she deserved. Anne’s little eyes twinkled with delight when Kaya finally explained to her that she would one day be her child forever.

“Forever! Wow, I get to live with you and King Max forever?” Kaya shook her head hopelessly and melted her face into her tiny hands. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the heart to tell her the news that he was gone and not returning.

The psychologist recommended a stable environment to raise Anne. New York seemed like light years away now. Part of Kaya wanted to return to the hustle and bustle of the North but once she realized how difficult and expensive it would be to raise two children on her own, her mind was made up. Charleston would be their home. When she was with Max it made sense to return, but alone she needed something slower and more structured in order to survive and raise healthy children. The hardest part about leaving the Big Apple would be Angela, but she promised to visit once a month. In return Kaya would come for all the big holidays. It was the right decision, the only one that made sense. Her thoughts drifted back to the clinic she so dearly loved, but she knew it would survive. Just as she would.

Things were already looking up for Kaya. Mr. Kingsley was turning into her personal saint. He had provided her with several possible job leads, including lead nurse at a local, community clinic that was very close to the garden. Kaya felt confident she would land the job, with her impeccable qualifications and big city work experience she was a shoe in. Plus, Mr. Kingsley was one of the clinic’s most generous donors. He promised Kaya that he would nudge the hospital administrator to make the right decision.

Her final step to bring everything together was purchasing the beach house. She couldn’t think of anywhere else she would rather raise her children. She had called Mr. Fox, multiple times to inquire about the property but his answer was always the same. He said, “At this time, the house is not for sale.” When she asked when the house would be for sale he refused to provide any additional information. He would only say, “If and when the property becomes available, you will be notified.” Mr. Fox seemed like a reasonably nice guy but his evasive answers were driving her mad. They wouldn’t allow her to move forward. She had no idea how long she could remain in Ms. Roy’s beach house before she was evicted. The garden was now complete so the promise didn’t have any other attachments or arrangements to it. She needed a good lawyer but her funds were limited. If something didn’t happen soon, she would have to start looking for another place to live. The mere thought made her sad.

Her morning sickness was improving but the pain of losing Max wasn’t. Most nights, she cried herself to sleep wondering how their love had slipped through their fingers again.

***

The sound of the trumpet filled the air calling everyone’s attention to the small, makeshift stage at the garden entrance. The moment had finally come, it was time to cut the ribbon and unveil the garden. All the local reporters and even the mayor, were lined up in front of the entrance taking photos and patting themselves on the back for a job well done. Kaya sat in the background reflecting on the last several months. The best months of her life. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t recognize the familiar voice over the intercom. An unusual silence ripped through the crowd.

“Hi everyone, I’m Max King!” She froze it couldn’t be Max. He was in New York.
What was he doing her
e? She couldn’t fully make out his face because the crowd was so dense but his voice, his reassuring voice, was tempting her to listen. She shifted her body to the right but still his image was blocked by all the spectators there to bask in the joy of the garden.

He continued, “Nearly a year ago, in a letter, Ms. Edna Roy asked myself and a woman that I had hurt nearly fifteen years ago to come here to Charleston to revive this plot of land and create a garden.”

She walked further back, hoping that she could see him from afar. Unfortunately, an army of people had converged to the site for the historic groundbreaking making it nearly impossible.

Then she froze. Panic ripped through her. She couldn’t spot Anne. Her body began to spin, her body felt weak. Her eyes feverishly scanned the crowd.
Anne?

Then she heard her voice.

“Hi King Max. Hi King Max.” Her eyes followed the voice to a nearby tree. She breathed. She could clearly see her little one standing close to Angela.

“Hi my precious girl, how are you?”

“I’m great!”

The crowd laughed. He continued, “Well, you can imagine that she didn’t want to come to Charleston because of our past. Could you blame her? I was an arrogant, self-centered jerk back then who only cared about status and myself. I am sure she would tell you that many of those old qualities keep showing up.”

The crowd laughed again.

Kaya could feel the tears bubbling up in her eyes. Why was he there? Why was he confessing all of these things to strangers? She drifted further back into the crowd, this time trying to hide from his words and him.

“I never really did deserve someone like her. She was beautiful, confident and always knew what she needed. I was egotistical, selfish, and always questioning whether I was good enough for her…. When she needed me the most I wasn’t there. I fled like a coward.”

He paused. The crowd looked at him intently wondering what his next words would be.

“But if she would give me another chance, I would never ever let her go again. How could I, when she’s the love of my life. Kaya Hanson do you hear me? I love you!”

The crowd parted leaving Max in full view. Kaya felt naked and vulnerable. She didn’t want him to see her but it was too late. His eyes had zoned in on her. Max felt his heart collapse. She was beautiful. Her midnight locks were blowing in the wind and the black wrap dress she wore hugged her breasts comfortably, causing him to ache in many places. He needed her desperately and wasn’t going to leave the garden today without his
family
.

Now he spoke directly to her. The audience’s eyes shifted with his, they needed to see who this remarkable woman was too.

“Baby, you brought this garden back to life with your bare hands, cultivating the earth with your love and nurturing the soil with your gentle touch. Kaya, you brought life and purpose back into me. I was lost. I said some stupid things but the worst thing I did was let you and my family go.”

The crowd was tense.

He moved off the stage and approached her. The moment she saw him move her heart began beating rapidly in her chest. His words weren’t true, he only wanted her.
What about Anne? What about their baby?
She wanted him to stop, there wasn’t anything he could say at this point to make her return. She wasn’t going to change her mind. Didn’t he realize that she could never leave her children?