Chapter 66

Frederick POV


The moment Ivy asked if she could call Lois to come to pick me up and drive me down to Millicent's, my mood twisted immediately. I knew she said his name to spite me. And to remind me that I chose a low life, a maid over her.


I ignored her. I had not gone into the office for a while and I decided to blame it all on Kharis. Asides from the fact that she cheated, she also has been a major distraction since she came into my life. I shook my head. The news was all over the gossip blogs in New York.

'New York's youngest billionaire gets heartbroken by his ex-maid and girlfriend'.


I couldn't stand touching my phone. I got lots of notifications and was tagged in almost every post related to me. On Twitter, the trending topic was #heartbreak. It was crazy. I didn't want Kharis out of my life but she had already done more harm than good. I stood up from the bed and hit my foot against the table.


"Frederick", Ivy yelled.


"It's about time you left my house and bedroom", I said harshly.


"We are getting married baby", she said.

"Very soon", she said again, looking into my eyes from where she sat on the bed.


"Let's do this, together", she sounded desperate.


What did I have to lose? I thought. Ivy was beautiful, famous, and elegant. My family and friends loved her but why couldn't I?


"No problem, let's go on with the wedding", I said, unsure of what I even wanted.


"Really"? she asked and took gentle strides towards my direction, smiling so hard.

"You are not trying to lie or deceive me", she said while I took some steps backward as she kept moving toward me.


"You can reschedule with Millicent. I'll meet up with her so she can fix my suit", she said.


"Who's going to be your best man? Have you thought about that", she asked, folding her hands.


"Ivy, that is not what is important. What is important here is getting married to you. That can work with or without a best man right", I asked her.

I wasn't interested in anything big or fancy. I planned to show up at the wedding, and perform all the wedding routines that included waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle with her father, exchanging vows, etc.


The thought of me giving Ivy a kiss freaked me out. I wasn't sexually attracted to her and I knew that even if we got married, I'd still cheat with women I'll be sexually attracted to.


"Okay then. I'll call Millicent right away", she said and walked back to the bed to pick up her phone.


I couldn't stop thinking of Kharis. Where would she stay? Would she go back to that den of torture originally known as her parents' house? I didn't know if I should blame her. I was going to protect her, fix her and take care of her. Only if she had given me a chance.

What could Lois possibly give her that I couldn't", I wondered. It made me sad, knowing that I wasn't enough for her.


I looked at my phone several times to see if Kharis was going to call me.

'But what if she called, begging for a chance? Would I say yes, I asked myself?


I shook my head at the thought of that. It was already too late. Ivy had begun the wedding plans properly. I was getting my suit done. The cake was getting prepared and worked on. The venue decorators had been given a go-ahead.

I blinked twice and staggered to a seat.


I plugged in my earpod and listened to James Arthur as he sang quite miss home.


'I'm in the kitchen while you smoke outside

You're careful not to let the smoke inside

I always tell you it's poison

But I know it helps you take the edge off the day

We get a drink before its closing time

The one on high street with the blinking sign

All these memories feel poignant

I won't be there to see the snow melt away


Oh

Yeah, I been gone on business

I gotta make some money

I really feel the distance


And I quite miss home

And I miss you telling me

To leave my shoes at the door

'Cause you just swept the floor

And the dirt drives you crazy

Yeah, I quite miss home

'Cause it feels like poetry

When the rain falls down on the window

While you're in my arms

And we're watching the TV

Yeah, I quite miss home

Yeah, I quite miss home


I smell you cooking from the living room

And then I tell you that I love your food

I know it doesn't come easy

But you know it reminds me where I'm from


Whoa

I'm in another city

I got nobody with me

And it just really hit me


That I quite miss home

And I miss you telling me

To leave my shoes at the door

'Cause you just swept the floor

And the dirt drives you crazy

Yeah, I quite miss home

'Cause it feels like poetry

When the rain falls down on the window

While you're in my arms

And we're watching the TV

Yeah, I quite miss home

Yeah, I quite miss home'


Kharis was home and I missed her so much. I missed having to wake up to little notes from her or my favorite pancake cooking on the burner or her lips. I missed her baby rants. I missed her telling me to eat the most important meal of the day every morning. I wanted her in my arms one last time no matter the cost.


Ma Cleopatra called again for almost the fifth time today. I didn't know if I should answer it or ignore it but the thought of her having a piece of important information about Kharis or our relationship pushed me to tap the green call button showing on my screen.


"Kharis is on the next flight to America", she said.


"America".


"Americaaa".


"Americaaaaa", I said thrice in a loud voice, in different tones.


"How do you know that"?

"What is she going to do in America"?

"Who really is Kharis Carter?"I panicked and kept asking the questions.


"You really do love her still", I heard Ma Cleopatra say.


"No, I do not", I answered hastily.


"Well, she's coming to stay with me. She has nowhere to go and she promised, she'll tell me everything that happened.


I rubbed my head in frustration. She should be in New York with me, not America.

I was fine with Kharis being with someone I trust, mM Cleopatra.