CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

TAMARA

Even though it had been three days since the anniversary dinner, the memory of Mr. Kingston kissing me lingered in my mind, making me regret this stupid deal that I knew from the start was a bad idea.
It appears that the more intimate we act, the more emotionally vulnerable I feel around him, which will almost certainly end badly for me because giving your heart to a man like Damien Kingston will only result in me being hurt, and he wouldn't even care because the only people he cares about are his grandfather and mother.
Our phony honeymoon is over, so we're flying back to New York in one of Mr. Kingston's private jets. I haven't spoken to him since I ran away during the party three days ago. It's not that I'm afraid or embarrassed to talk to him; it's just that I don't know what to say after running away like a teenager who just got her first kiss.
He must have made up some lie about my being sick after I ran away from, because Mr. Tony came to see me the next day to see if I was feeling better. I felt bad lying to Mr. Tony because he was one of the few friends I made at the hotel, but I couldn't tell him the truth because I couldn't tell him that I ran because my fake husband kissed me in front of so many people and it felt so real that I choked and ran, Fuck! It's been three of the most stressful days of my life.
"Once we arrive, we'll pay a visit to my grandfather and mother before heading to my house to reassure them that everything is fine between us." Mr Kingston said, and I just nodded, not knowing what to say. "And the next time I kiss, don't run away, it's quite rude, and it's better you get used to it because it will happen more often," he said, and I was slightly annoyed by the tone he used; he seemed to be scolding a child rather than speaking to an adult.
"Perhaps next time you should've informed me ahead of time rather than taking me by surprise; what if I slapped you instead of running?" I hissed. Why can't we just have a normal conversation that doesn't devolve into an argument? I thought to myself as I watched him turn to face me with a slight frown on his face.
"That's quite extreme even for you, Tamara; from what I've heard, I'm a pretty good kisser, so your reaction was just a little excessive." Mr Kingston said smugly, adding to my already simmering rage, I really want to choke the life out of this man, but I'm going to let it go, he's not worth my anger, time, or worry.
"Whatever, just let me know when you next want to kiss or even touch me," I simply said as I turned away from him, hearing him chuckle before he spoke.
"Noticed, Tamara," Mr Kingston said, as silence enveloped us as we continued our journey. When we arrived in New York, we went straight to Mr. Kingston's family home. After a short drive to the house, the gateman let us in, but his grim expression told me something wasn't right because he was usually preppy, but Mr Kingston didn't seem to notice.
After packing the car, Mr. Kingston helped me get out and led me to the front door. He rang the bell, and a woman who was a little older than me answered the door with an expression that didn't exactly inspire confidence. This confirmed my suspicions that something was wrong.
"Good day, Mrs. Hill. Where are my grandfather and mother?" Mr. Kingston inquired, and Mrs Hill appeared to be on the verge of tears.
"Mr Kingston-" Mrs Hill tried to say something as Mr Zane approached, his face grim.
"It's good to see you both, but the situation isn't ideal."
"What's the matter, Grandfather? You look terrible; where is my mother?" Mr. Kingston inquired, a frown on his face.
"You and Tamara just returned, Damien; you need to rest first." Mr. Zane tried to persuade Mr. Kingston to come in, but he refused, his frown deepening.
"What's going on, Grandfather? Please answer me." Mr Kingston inquired for the second time, his voice slightly raised this time.
"Damien, your mother's cancer has relapsed, and she is in the hospital after fainting in her room."
"What!" Mr Kingston yelled angrily, and you could hear the anger in his voice "Why am I only hearing this now? When was she admitted to the hospital?"
"Three days ago," Mr Zane replied, "Grandfather, my mother's cancer has returned, and you didn't think I should have been informed?" Mr Kingston said, looking furious, that while his rage is understandable, he is currently being extremely rude to Mr Zane.
"You were on your honeymoon, and your mother didn't want to deliver such sad news because it would have ruined your time together, so she promised us not to tell you, so my hands were tied," Mr Zane explained, but Mr Kingston showed no sign of interest in his explanation.
"What happened to her?" Mr Kingston inquired.
"At the family hospital,"
"Tamara, stay with my grandfather, and I'll go see her."
"Is it okay if I accompany you? I want to see her as well "I asked, hoping he'd let me see Sarah.
"I said stay here Tamara," Mr Kingston said firmly, leaving no room for argument, then he dashed towards his car and was out of the mansion before I could say anything else.
We may only be married on paper, but I still care about Sarah; why doesn't he want me to see her? "God, I hope she gets better," I murmured under my breath as I turned to face Mr Zane, who had a sad smile on his face.
"Please don't take Damien's behavior personally; he doesn't care about anyone or anything else when it comes to his mother."
"It's okay, Mr. Zane; I understand he's hurting; I've been in his shoes before."
"I'm sorry this must bring back bad memories."
"Yes, but it's nothing I can't handle, Mr Zane; let's get you inside because it's quite chilly out here, and I don't want you to get sick as well."
"I'm not that frail young lady," Mr Zane mumbled. He seemed tired, which made him appear vulnerable, in contrast to the hard stern man I know.
"Yes, Mr Zane, you're far from weak, but you can still catch a cold, and Damien will never let me hear the end of it if you get sick too," I urged, and to my surprise, he agreed and walked into the house with me, closing the door behind us.
"Would you like some tea, Mr Zane?" I inquired. "Yes, Tamara, Tea would be wonderful." Mr Zane responded, and we both walked towards the kitchen, the silence surrounding us.
When we arrived at the kitchen, a woman I had never met before was cleaning it. She smiled as she noticed us.
"Hello Mr Zane and Miss Kingston, it's a pleasure to finally meet Mr Kingston's wife, even if it's under such awful circumstances," the older lady said, a sad smile on her face.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, but I don't know your name." I inquired, hoping I wasn't being impolite.
"Silly me, it's Adele Miss Kingston,"
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Adele, and you can call me Tamara."
"Give up child, Adele will never call you by your name, she thinks it's disrespectful, I've tried getting her to call me by my name since Emily was still alive but she is as stubborn as a mule" "I'm not stubborn Mr Kingston," Mrs Adele said with a smile.
"See, I told you so, stubborn woman," Mr Zane said quietly, but I heard him because I was standing next to him.
Mrs Adele let out a short laugh as she looked at Mr Zane, whose expression was quite amusing; it didn't take a genius to figure out that they had a good relationship.
"Silly me, what did you two want?" Mrs Adele asked, her smile still on her face.
"My daughter-in-law wants to make tea for me, so go away," Mr Zane said proudly.
My heart bled and warmed all at once because he had just recognized me as his daughter-in-law. I felt terrible for lying to all of these people.
"Aye-Aye sir, I will leave you two, Miss Sanders, the tea is in the left hand drawer and the kettle is on the top shelf," Mrs Adele instructed, as Mr Zane sat at the counter, mumbling something I couldn't quite understand.
Mrs Adele stopped beside me as she was about to leave and said, "He might be acting tough, but Miss Sarah's cancer returning is hurting him, so give him something to smile about, he might not show it, but he is really glad to have family here with him."
"What is that lady saying to you? Tamara, don't believe her "Mr Zane sighed audibly as he cast a playful glare at Mrs Adele, who simply laughed at him.
"She just told me how lovely you are, Mr Zane."
"Adele has never called me lovely in her 50 years of working with me, Tamara, so she must have said something bad if you're lying for her, Adele," Mr Zane said, making Mrs Adele and I laugh at his statement and annoyed expression.
Mrs Adele left a few minutes later due to Mr Zane's protests, and I went on to make tea for Mr Zane and me, which didn't take long because all they had in the kitchen was instant tea.
I sat beside Mr Zane after serving him and myself. We didn't say anything, but just as I was about to, he spoke up.
"Can you tell me about your mother?" Mr Zane asked.