Visiting Zyliah

Visiting Zyliah
CHAPTER 183
SAYGE'S POV
"What do you need, Sayge?" Kevin asked me; the surprise that had spread through his features upon sighting me was still there in the crook of his brow.
"I was told we used to be play buddies when we were very little." I said, deciding to begin the conversation like this. "I don't remember it."
"Yeah. I also don't remember it that well. I was only told by Mama Charlotte that we played a lot as toddlers." His response was calm, and...that could be friendliness I heard in his voice.
"I know we're not friends as adults," I quickly added. "But for the sake of our toddler-stage friendship and your relationship with my grandma, I'll need you to please help me with Zyliah."
"What?!" Fynn stepped forward, disbelief and anger turning his ears red, his expression contorted.
This guy was becoming more of a nuisance and annoying the hell out of me. But because I wasn't here for trouble, I ignored the bastard.
On my way here, I'd gotten to think about whatever my plans were. Kevin was the guy Zyliah was currently seeing, and I figured if I could get Kevin to leave the relationship, Zyliah would finally forgive me and accept me—I hope.
Zyliah's relationship with Kevin was still new. It would be easy for Kevin to break things off to give me the opportunity to start over with the girl I truly and sincerely loved.
To my surprise, Kevin burst into laughter.
Annoyance and some bit of embarrassment clogged my chest. What was funny? Why was he even laughing at me?
"He's here for Zyliah. You're here for Zyliah. And I'm the fortunate man who has her...no, that came out wrong." He said as an afterthought. "She's not something to possess. But basically, you both want the same woman I'm lucky to be in a relationship with. For Fynn, it's never going to be possible; I've told him."
"She will come around. You're just a bad person who likes to take what's not his and place a possessive stamp on it," Fynn raged.
His angry outburst made me wonder what had transpired between him and Kevin. If I was right, he was on his way out when I'd been stepping in.
"Who is he to you?" I wanted to know, directing my question to Kevin.
"Amigo." Kevin answered honestly. "Just like you, but the difference is as babies and as adults. Different stages of friendship growth."
I wanted to ask how Kevin was friends with someone like Fynn, but I decided against it. That wasn't why I was here.
I needed Kevin's help and was hoping to get it.
"So what do you say?" I could almost hear the plea and desperation in my own voice.
At this point, there was nothing to really be ashamed of or be embarrassed by anymore.
He turned to Fynn. "You need to leave now."
As he spoke, his phone pinged with a notification. He brought it out. After a second, he typed quickly on it, then slipped it back into his pocket.
"I was on my way out. I have a date with Zyliah."
My heart thumped painfully. I couldn't lose Zyliah, no, I couldn't. "But..."
He lifted a finger, cutting me off. "She just texted me. I promised to pick her up from her home. So you and I, we'll go to her place. We have some things to discuss on the way." He flashed me a quick grin. To Fynn, he said. "Fynn, come by next time so we can have a drink and probably talk about a new love life for you, is that good?"
"Fuck you, Kevin. I love Zyliah, and I'm going to have her. I don't know the games you two bastards are playing, but I'll surely deal with..."
Fury hardened Kevin's eyes; he moved closer, calmly, dangerously, to Fynn. "What did I tell you..."
I blocked his path. Knowing with that amount of rage in him, he might snap Fynn's neck. "I'd love to deal with his pathetic ass as much as you do. The guy's annoying. But he's not worth it. Let's go, please."
That 'please' was because I anticipated meeting Zyliah. I couldn't wait to confess everything to her. I'd even sent a message to the news house on my way here, informing them of the truth behind the thievery of my documents—and as promised, leaving Sara's name out of it—with an instruction to upload it before an hour is up.
"Hm." Though his eyes still raged, he listened to reason and stepped back. "If I meet you here by the time I get back, Delson, I'll harvest your liver, have my chef grill it, and make you eat it." The threat came without heat. In fact, it was delivered in terribly low degrees, and it gave Fynn whiplash. To me, he motioned respectfully towards the door. "Let's go."
This guy Kevin was a complex human. That night I'd punched him; I'd been ready for a fight, but all he'd done was leave. No retaliation.
I wouldn't lie; that had me viewing him in the perspective of a man who deserved to be respected and with unshaken dignity.
Minutes later, he was heading to Zyliah's residence. I was in his car, upon his insistence. He said that he wanted us to talk. So my car was back at his place.
"Thank you for doing this," I said.
"It's nothing. Why now?" he questioned.
My brows furrowed. "I don't think I'm following."
"I mean, you and Zyliah. Why did you suddenly decide you want her now?" He cast me a glance, waiting for my answer.
I blew a breath. "I've always wanted Zyliah. Even though our first few meetings were tough, she intrigued me. It took me some time to fully understand my feelings for her, but I was too stupid in handling them."
"Oh. Hm."
"Why did you help me? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're helping me, but if you have feelings for her, I was thinking you'd be shutting the door in my face by now."
He let out a small, mysterious laugh, his eyes glued on the road before us. "Your grandma wanted me to help you and Zyliah realize how much you both love each other. Don't tell Zyliah that."
My eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"
"Yes." Another chuckle. "When you thought she didn't care about you anymore, she was busy trying to bring you and Zyliah together. Although, she said she specifically wanted you to realize it. Zyliah was already aware of her feelings and was probably ready to come back to you. But when she saw you and Claire, she figured that was over for her."
Oh my. So my grandma was still helping me even when I didn't deserve it? God, that woman was the best.
"So all those kisses?"
"We're a show for you. Now don't get me wrong, I really like Zyliah. She's beautiful and the kind of woman I would want to do life with, but I have a job to do, and I couldn't disrespect my godmother that way. So, yes, I enjoyed the kisses a lot. But I was careful not to let it get over my head. I noticed you that night you punched me. I saw you watching and decided to kiss her."
"I'm sorry for hitting you. That was uncalled for."
He averted his gaze from the road just enough to flash me an unoffended smile. "I understand jealousy when I see it."
"Was that why you didn't hit me back?" I had to know, relief in finding the truth swamping me.
He shrugged. "Partly. I tend to overlook some actions sometimes."
"You also spotted me coming down the second time you kissed her at the house?"
He affirmed. "Yes. Although to prove to you that I also kiss Zyliah because I have feelings for her, we shared some kisses on dates and all."
He entered an estate. It was nice, neat, and tidy. And it spoke of wealth too.
He soon drove into a compound as the electric gate slid open. "We're here."
"Alright."
Nerves attacked from all sides. I tried to stop the attacks by mentally calming myself. I unbuckled my seatbelt, taking a deep breath.
"Are you ready?" His eyes held understanding.
"Yeah." Even though I appreciated his sympathy, I couldn't let him know how nervous I was.
As a man, I had my dignity to uphold before a fellow gender.
I spotted Zyliah emerging from the building. Kevin was already stepping out of the vehicle, so she was yet to see me. She had on a big smile, going to embrace him. She was dressed casually in a blue dress that had my heart reacting foolishly.
She was beautiful and obviously ready for their date. She kissed his cheek.
I kept my jealousy in check and stepped out as well.
She spotted me, and immediately, every smile vanished. She whipped her head to Kevin, her eyes accusing. "What is this, Kevin? Why did you bring him to my house?”