Chapter 86 Eighty Six
AMELIA XAVIER
The drive to Kayla's estate was more like two buses from Owen's place. I stared out the window watching as the trees and people passed by as Owen drove.
The sun shone brightly outside and the clouds were clear.
I bubbled with excitement at finally fulfilling my mission.
“You’re excited,” Owen noticed and I blushed bright pink. “Well, I'm going to get done with my mission and spend the rest of my time with you,” I cheered watching a lady scold her daughter.
Owen shrugged, he didn't seem happy going to Kayla's place.
“I can tell you don't look pleased about going there,” I accused sinking into the seat. “I'm not. Kayla owes me a favour-” he made a quick turn before continuing.
“I can't really explain the details but I escaped poisoning from her… I think she has this deadly crush on me, you know, when you like someone so much that you want them dead,” he explained, his eyes not leaving the road.
I cracked my knuckles processing Owen's words. Kayla had a weird crush on him and owed him a favour probably for not retaliating after poisoning him.
He didn't start a fight because he knew she would come in handy. I scoffed.
Everyone was a pawn in Owen's game which sometimes made me wonder where I stood in this game of his.
“At least you're not dead,” I joked and he chuckled dryly.
Silence ensued between us and it was getting rather uncomfortable so I decided to start a conversation. But as I opened my mouth to speak, he stopped in front of a large gate.
The gate had Rodriguez written boldly on it and I knew we were there.
Owen made a quick call and the gate opened slowly. He drove in and after some minutes, he stopped in front of a large building.
“So she lives here,” I muttered, taking in the sight of the surroundings.
Suddenly, someone came running towards the car shouting in french.
“Sir, you shouldn't park here!”
He reached us still screaming, but once he sighted Owen, he stopped, bowed and left.
“That was weird,” I commented and he shrugged.
“Kayla is so vigilant, I'm sure she's been told of our coming already,” he said, coming out of the car and opening the door for me.
Owen held out his hands for me and I took it gently stepping out of the car. I assessed his face; his eyes were normal and his lips were pursed. The muscle in his chin twitched.
As I parted my lips to speak, the door flung open and Kayla marched out walking towards us. Her hair was in a messy bun and smelled nice. Unlike the Kayla I had known — the world had known, her dressing looked different. She wore a blue crop top and some oversized shorts.
“Owen, it's nice of you to visit!” She squealed, leaping on him. He caught her midway and gave a weak smile.
“It's nice seeing you too.”
His arms dropped to his side, but she stuck to him like glue and not to lie I felt green with jealousy and Owen noticed because he pleaded with his eyes.
“Come on in, welcome to my humble abode!” I wondered why she was this excited in seeing Owen and I remembered his words — that woman liked him so much that she to the extent that she wanted him dead. That didn't make any sense to me but who was I to judge?
The moment I stepped into her home, I didn't have to look up the meaning of extravagant in the dictionary because it was staring right at me.
It seemed she was obsessed with art and flowers because they were everywhere.
Biting my lips in envy, I decided it was best to focus on my mission instead of staring in awe at a former Xavier's estate.
Owen suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. “Actually, Kayla, I came here for a favour,” he said gazing intently into her eyes. I just realized that Kayla never recognized me since we came, not that she didn't know who I was, but she didn't care.
“What favour?” She asked, crossing her arms and I felt her eyes boring holes in my face.
Why glare at me when I did nothing wrong?
“Well, let's start with the poison you gave me, and insulting my guest here-” he gestured towards me.
“That alone could cause a fight between us, but I don't intend to do that… for now,” he said, his tone icy and rigid.
I saw her lips tilt into a frown for what looked like a second, before she glowed up. “I'm sorry, Owen. I thought that was a secretary…”
“Kayla?” He growled trying to remind her who had the upper hand.
“Okay okay, I'm deeply sorry-” she turned to me and brought out a hand.
“Amelia Xavier. I don't think we've ever met, but I speak with your father every now and then. After all he married me off for a peace treaty,” she said sarcastically, her tone held mockery although she smiled.
I took her hand and replied, “I'm sure he had his reasons. If he hadn't done that, you'll be at grandmother's house wallowing in sorrow and regret.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but shut it realizing arguing would do us no good.
She turned to Owen with a smile on her face. “So by favour, you mean her? What does she want?”
“I'll excuse myself. You should be nice to her too, I might take matters into my hands if you don't — and you know what that means,” Owen said and walked out.
Kayla faced me with folded arms, not too happy that I was here.
“What do you want?” She asked bluntly, but I wasn't going to take her arrogance.
“I've been sending emails to you seeking an audience and you've been rejecting them.”
“I know. It's just… I didn't want you to get it easy. Your father, Dylan worked his ass out to get to where he is and I — I suffered the same, abuse, failure and here I am, the don of the Rodriguez. Everyone knows I murdered that man, but they can't say it, do you know why?” She didn't wait for an answer because she kept talking.
“Because I have power!”
She paced back and forth as she spoke and I just watched. She was right. Father went through so much to get to his current standing and she, Kayla Xavier… Rodriguez, suffered especially after being married off at such a young age.
Owen murdered a lot of people to become an heir to his house and I… I had done nothing.
I needed to brace myself and stop feeling pity. Maybe I was just lucky or maybe my trials and tribulations were still yet to come, but for now I needed to stay strong.
“Everyone has something that pushes them to their limit, Kayla. Something that ignites their survival instinct and their need for power. I understand you went through so much to get here, but I too have gone through things unimaginable,” I said, locking eyes with her.
“Like what?”
“Being controlled, used, manipulated and looked down on. My father doesn't even think I'm worth becoming his heir, he thinks I'm too fragile and I don't blame him,” I answered and she broke eye contact with me. I knew I hit the right spot because she smiled a little.
“I guess we have so much in common, then.” I laughed and she joined in.
Kayla walked up to me and held my shoulders. “Tell me what you want?”
“Your alliance. Your loyalty to the Xavier's, that's why I'm here,” I stated blandly.
She smiled.
“Then you have it. But can I ask a question?” I nodded and she hesitated a bit before throwing the question.
“Are you pregnant?”
The question rather threw me off guard. She noticed my stomach and that surprised me? I scoffed, regaining composure.
“Yes, I am.”
“Who's it?” She seemed interested and for once I felt at ease talking to another woman about my condition, so I told her everything. From the time I came to Paris till now. Something told me it was a mistake telling her everything, but I shrugged it off.
Maybe I trusted her. She was Xavier after all.
“Owen? He's all grown now…”
“Am I not?” Someone asked and we spun around in unison.
Owen stood, arms folded, and face as handsome as ever.
“You want to go now?” She asked and he nodded, walking to take my hand.
“Let's have a drink or…”
“No. We're leaving,” he said with finality and she sighed.
“We'll discuss details later, Amy!”
Amy.
As we drove home, Owen was silent as ever worrying me. He acted unusual today which of course was unlike him.
“Owen,” I called.
“Pumpkin…” there was an edge in his voice and he knew I noticed.
“I'm sorry I acted that way, but alliance or not you shouldn't trust Kayla Rodriguez,” he said and this time I was confused.
“Why?”
“She's more snake than human, sweetheart. I told you she likes me right?” I nodded and he continued, “She already knows you're with me… she has ears all over Paris. Once she finds a weakness, she'll use it against you.”
I thought hard about what he said and it all made sense. She asked about the pregnancy to be sure it was Owen's and I foolishly gave her every detail. My hunch was right. That bastard was worse than a snake.