CHAPTER FIFTY

TAMARA

Due to my circumstances with my family, I was a very light sleeper, so when the door opened, I immediately sat up to see who had entered the room without knocking. Perhaps it was Mrs. Adele? But to my surprise, it was Mr. Kingston who had entered, and he appeared to be very worn out. In contrast to the well-groomed Mr. Kingston I knew and despised, I actually felt some sort of remorse for him, even though he is the biggest asshole on the planet, because I once found myself in his shoes and understood how he felt—lost, alone, and stressed—because there was nothing he could do to relieve the suffering his mother was experiencing.
"How is she doing?" I asked, drawing his attention to me, and he looked surprised, as if he hadn't expected me to be here.
"Oh! I had no idea you were still around "He mumbled, his tired eyes on me.
"Where else will I be?" I asked, my brow furrowed at his stupid statement, did he expect me to leave when he was the one who told me to stay with his grandfather, and even if he hadn't told me to stay, I couldn't have left Mr Zane alone.
"With your family, weren't you the one dying to get rid of me as soon as you got to New York?" he said, taking off his tie after struggling with it for a while, he then went on to sit down on the chair right in front of the bed. His gaze still focused on me. His intense gaze on me started to make me feel uncomfortable. Why did he like to stare at people like some creep?
"Why would I leave when you specifically told me to wait with your grandfather after running off without saying if you were coming back or not, you left him alone after being quite rude if I may point out, he didn't deserve the way you treated him yesterday, in fact, no one does?"
"Tamara?" He called out his neutral expression.
"Yes"
"I'd like you to mind your own fucking business on things that don't concern you, the way I treated my grandfather is none of your concern because they are my family, not yours, you're nothing but a pawn at my disposal, so do what pawns usually do, stay quiet and do as you're told."
"I see Mr. Kingston, then I would have to apologize for acting like a human and caring about your family even though I have nothing to do with them, but let me tell you something no matter what the relationship between the two of us is, I would never abandon Mr. Zane or Miss Sarah because they are both good people and my friends," I said as I got up from the bed and headed straight for the bathroom. I wanted to get away from him before I listened to my intrusive thoughts and did something stupid like throw the lamp beside him at him, but before I could, I felt his presence behind me as he forced the door shut and pressed me up against it.
"Friends! Please do not make me laugh. Tamara, you have a wild imagination if you think my grandfather and mother are your friends; if you hadn't married me, you wouldn't have even been able to stay in the same room as them; you're nothing more than a pawn, and don't forget that "He laughed mockingly as I felt my face heat up in embarrassment.
"Mr. Kingston, kindly let go of me." I asked, trying not to sound afraid.
"I'm sure your so-called friends wouldn't think twice if they found out why you married me, you are the daughter of a greedy man who sold herself to me to save her father's company, which indirectly makes you a prostitute because that's what prostitutes do, they sell themselves to the highest bidder to get what they want," Mr Kingston said, and I felt shame, anger, and pain all at the same time, he doesn't get to speak, I took it from my father all this years so I will never take it from him.
I slapped him before I realized what I had done, and his shock could be seen in his eyes. "I understand you're upset because of your mother, but that doesn't give you the right to talk to me like that, Mr. Kingston," I said, surprised by my actions. Despite this, I stood my ground and stared at his stunned expression before darting into the bathroom before he could respond.
Fortunately, there were extra clean towels in the bathroom, so I didn't have to go back into the room and confront Mr Kingston after I had just slapped him for insulting me. Gosh, why did I do that? I don't like violence, but I was just so enraged at him for daring to call me a prostitute because I would do anything to save my mother's company from bankruptcy. How insensitive can he be? I know he doesn't like me, but why does he have to constantly make me feel worthless? I really don't want to be here; all I want is for this pain to end so that I can live my life the way I want.
I considered going back into the room and seeing Mr Kingston after my bath, but I didn't have a change of clothes in here, so I had no choice but to face him.
I finally mustered the courage to open the door and walk out of the bathroom; thankfully, Mr Kingston was not present, so I took advantage of the opportunity to quickly change into the extra clothes I packed in my carryon bag; the dress I chose to wear is a simple blue summer dress with a pair of black ballet shoes; I decided to pack my hair into a simple ponytail before gathering my belongings into my bag.
Mr. Kingston then entered the room as I was gathering my belongings. He appeared to have just finished taking a shower and had changed into a fresh set of clothes that included a black shirt, a pair of black dress pants, and a pair of black Converse.
He remained silent, so I carried on with my packing. When I was finished, I placed my bag next to the bed and turned around, thinking Mr. Kingston had left the room, only to see him sitting in the chair and watching me.
"Do you need something?" When I asked, he frowned slightly and continued to stare at me.
"You owe me an apology, Tamara"
"For what, Mr Kingston?"
"For the slap you gave me," he stated matter-of-factly.
"I don't have to apologize because you deserved it," I said with a slight shrug of my shoulders.
"How did I deserve it if I was telling the truth?" Mr Kingston said, and I could feel myself getting worked up again, he wasn't worth it, I repeated in my head to calm myself.
"I'll pretend you didn't just say that Mr Kingston, if you'll excuse me, I'm going downstairs because arguing with you seems to give me nothing but a headache," I said as I turned to leave the room, and Mr Kingston said nothing as I walked out.
I had no trouble finding the kitchen because we had dinner there the day before, so I simply followed the same path I had taken the day before. Mrs. Adele was already there preparing breakfast when I arrived.
"Good evening, Mrs Adele; I hope you had a restful night." I greeted her with a smile, and she returned my greeting with a huge smile.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kingston. I had a wonderful night's sleep. What about you?"
"I slept well, Mrs Adele, thanks for asking." "That's wonderful, dear."
"Has Mr Zane come down yet, I wanted to say hello?" I inquired, and Mrs Adele smiled mischievously.
"The old grouch has been pacing back and forth in the living room waiting for you to come down from your room, I think he really likes you Mrs Kingston," Mrs Adele explained, and I couldn't help but laugh at her joyful expression. Mr Zane then came in while we were talking, and his eyes brightened as soon as they landed on me.
"Tamara I didn't realize you were down yet; how was your night?" Mr Zane asked his smiling face to focus on me, but then Mr Kingston walked in, and Mr Zane's smile faded as his gaze moved to him.
"It was lovely, Mr Zane, I hope you slept well as well."
I guess so," said Mr. Zane as he walked to the counter and sat down next to me; I had thought he would go sit with Mr. Kingston.
"Hello, grandfather," Mr. Kingston said, but Mr. Zane ignored him and began eating his breakfast.
"Tamara, when are you going to Damien's penthouse?" Mr Zane asked, still ignoring Mr Kingston, and for some reason Mr Kingston’s angry gaze was directed at me, what did I do this time?
"I don't know yet, Mr Zane; it all depends on Damien."
"Hmm, I see; Sarah would like to see you today if you have nothing else to do."
"Oh, I'm free today, I'd love to see her," I replied, a huge smile forming on my face, I get to see her, and Mr Kingston won't stop me this time.
"That's not going to happen; she's not well enough to see anyone today, so grandfather Tamara can wait until she is," Mr Kingston said, interrupting Mr Zane.
"Damien!"
"Yes, grandfather?"
"I've tolerated your rude behavior since yesterday because your mother is ill, but don't think I'll continue to tolerate it." Mr Zane said you could tell he was annoyed by his tone.
"But, grandfather," Mr Kingston says,
"Enough from you, Damien," Mr Zane said, his voice slightly raised, he had never raised his voice around me before so it came as a shock to me.