Chapter 16 — Effects

Kyle's POV:

"God, mom! That was unnecessary!" I whispered yelled at my mom as we both sat in the car.

"I don't need to remind you that you're getting married," she shot back, and I mumbled something to myself.

"Did you fall in love with this girl?" my mom asked with disgust in her voice while examining my face.

"You say it like it would be a bad thing," I answer her.

"It would actually be a disaster if you did. I'm really glad you are finally moving on from your past, but I wish you moved on because of Penelope, not some girl we know nothing about."

"But that's something that can be fixed, right?"

"Kyle, stop it. Penelope is your future, not Mackenzie, okay?"

"Whatever."

"Listen, your happiness matters a lot to me, so I suggest you make yourself fall in love with Penelope so we can keep the peace in our family. You and your father have been getting along these past years, don't throw that away for that girl, or I will be forced to make difficult decisions."

"Difficult decisions?! Are you threatening me!?"

"Take it how you want. If you don't create distance between the two of you, then I will fire her. Don't test me."

This is the worst.

I took out my phone and sent a text apologizing to Macy. The text was delivered, but no reply.

I kept silent the whole ride. How can she tell me to make myself fall in love with Penelope! If it were that easy to forget someone, I wouldn't have been obsessed with Alexis.

Years ago, I let Alexis go because I was immature and didn't know what to do. But now that I've found someone that takes my mind off Alexis, why should I let her go?

This time, I will fight.

The weekend flew by, with me staying with Ash and Brian at the penthouse. Unfortunately, they flew back this morning.

"Good morning, sir. Coffee?" Lisa's voice broke me away from my thoughts.

"Yes. Black."

"The same color as your soul," she muttered to herself, but does it really count as muttering if I heard it?

"Lisa," I called out to her, and she slowly turned to meet my eyes.

"Sir?" She answered in a hushed tone.

"A piece of advice even if you didn't ask for it. If you're going to mutter something, do it quietly; otherwise, speak in your head."

"Oh, sir, I—"

"Save your pathetic explanations, get out of my office."

She left my office with her head down. Just because I said nothing doesn't mean I don't know what my employees say about me. They must not have enough work to keep them busy because they spend most of their time gossiping about me, and when I enter the room, they all go silent. They have no idea that I actually have ears and that I'm not deaf.

I was interrupted from my thoughts when the office rang, and I immediately answered.

"Sir, the private investigator is here. Should I let him in?" Lisa's voice asked from the other side of the phone.

"Of course you should, Lisa." I rolled my eyes as I answer her stupid question and hang up.

What does she ever do right?

"Good morning, Mr. Matthews."

"Good morning." I smile and take his outstretched hand.

"I've got news," he announced and went silent.

"Well, spit it out!" I say, gradually becoming agitated.

"Alexis Coleman doesn't exist anymore. I mean, there are no traces of her. It's either she's using another identity, or she's gon—"

"What do you mean gone! You mean she's dead?!"

"I'm not sure, but it seems very odd that she fell off the face of the earth." He replied, fidgeting with the hem of his suit.

"So what now?" I ask with a sigh.

"Maybe if you could give me another clue? Something relating to her?"

"Sophie!" I thundered.

"Sophie Coleman? I did search for her also, and it says that she's in New York right now. She works for a model."

"Why did you not mention this before!?"

"Because I didn't get any valuable information from her. But think, maybe there's something that we're missing."

What could it be?

"Mackenzie! Dig on Mackenzie Poiner! She's a famous wedding planner."

"I've heard of her. Okay, sir, I'll start investigating. But may I ask a question?"

"Go ahead."

"You're engaged, and the whole world is talking about it, but you're on a hunt for a former sweetheart?"

"You shouldn't ask about my private life! Get the hell out of my office!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Matthews, I'll take my leave."

When he left, a sense of guilt began to hit me. Penelope is such a wonderful girl. I'm betraying our relationship by looking for my past. But Penelope knows that I don't love her.

I raised my left hand and stared at the diamond ring on my third finger.

Should I be doing this?

I couldn't love Penelope after years of us being together, but Macy came into my life, and I can slowly see myself falling deeper for her, but I'm engaged to someone.

Someone you don't love.

I can't do this," I say to myself and grab my suit from the hanger and left my office. I drove straight home and went directly to my bedroom to rest.

"I can't afford to run mad because of two women."

"Sweetie," A voice called as my door slowly opened.

"Mom, I'd like to be left alone," I demanded.

"Long day?"

"I don't want to talk about it. I want peace and quiet. Please just leave me alone?"

Without a single word, she left my room, and immediately silence filled the air, and I relaxed.

What do I do now? Why did his words have this much effect on me?

My phone buzzed, causing me to pick it up.

Macy: It's okay. Did your mom scold you much? She looked pretty pissed.

Me: I'm not a kid she can scold, but she was mad. She's relaxed now, though.

Macy: Phew...And you? How are you?

I could feel my heart skip a beat when I read that message. This girl could do things to me, make me feel certain types of things.

Me: I'm great. You?

Macy: Fine, gotta go!

Me: Bye!

The message was delivered, and she didn't reply. Was that a sign? How did she know that I needed to talk to someone?

My phone buzzed again, and I immediately pick it up to see what she had replied, but disappointment overtook me when I saw Penelope's name instead.

Way to mess up the sign!