CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CRAIG's POV

I could still feel the metallic taste of blood that had filled my mouth the day I saw that article. My feelings were a cross-match between betrayal and vengeance. Betrayal because I felt that the woman I loved forever and never stopped even when she left could do what the article said she did.

Vengeance, was the stronger emotion, the one that made me taste and see blood. I had sworn to find out who it was that released that sort of information about a woman I was in love with and married to. I just needed legal evidence and I'll show them that if they went six feet, I would go lower.

We had left the Maldives in a hurry, a large percentage of that I had attributed to how angry I had been. No matter how I tried to convince myself that all these happened a long time ago, I couldn't help how angry I had become.

I saw Kim's effort. At first, she had tried to talk me around, trying to convince me how that had been a one-time event that never repeated itself. I couldn't stop thinking about how Jason was home with God knew who while Kim had gone on a date with an absolute stranger whom she had met on a hookup site.

As though on cue with my thoughts, my phone started ringing. One glance at the caller ID confirmed it was my mom. She and my dad were due to visit the mansion today.

"Hello Mother," I greeted, trying to infuse as much warmth as I could into it, but she wasn't fooled.

"You're all set for me and your father?" She queried. Her voice gave the 'you better be ready because if you are or not, that wouldn't change anything' tone.

I ignored her tone and went on to give her all the details of their arrival.

"Yes, we should be there in about an hour. It may be more comfortable if that wife of yours makes herself scarce."

I visibly held myself from reacting. Anything I said now may have damaging effects in years to come, so I decided to take the high route.

"Ok then Mother, see you soon." Without waiting for her, I hung up and proceeded to prepare for their coming.

I called the ground floor to remind everyone what my parents could be like in case they forgot from the last visit. I honestly wanted to limit their meddling to their daughter-in-law. I doubted I also wanted to deal with their problems with my staff.

Soon the house was awake with a flurry of activities. I was unintentionally looking for Kim but I couldn't find her anywhere. I kind of wanted to give her a heads-up even though we weren't close anymore. My other immediately present concern was My son Jason.

I had recently fallen back on my alcohol addiction and I had been unable to be in his space like I used to. The events, all of it mashed up together were threatening to chase sanity away from my mind and drinking has been my safe space. I hated myself for falling back, especially because it was fucking with me and Jason's relationship but I could hardly help the demons eating out of my mind.

"Your parents are here. You may want to come downstairs." I had dozed off when I heard her voice.

It sounded like it was coming from a very far place. The voice was soft, alluring, sounded familiar, and like something I was craving.

I dragged my mind away from the edges of sleep, rubbed my eyes open, and saw Kim standing there looking ethereal and otherworldly.

It had been such a long time since I laid eyes on her and I had forgotten the effect she had on me. As I stared at her I felt all the blood in my veins flow straight to my groin. Kim had bewitched me and no matter what was happening between us, I had never been immune to her charms.

For a second, I had the driving urge to run her against the wall and take out my anger in unimaginable ways. I craved to taste her lips again, to get her opinion on everything, to be buried inside her, to see her spending time with Jason.

I shook my head and just as they came, all the thoughts flew away. I couldn't dwell on those kinds of thoughts after everything that happened.

"Yeah I'll be down shortly," I said briskly, giving away none of the feelings she evoked in me. Without making any efforts at further conversation, she left the room and softly closed the door

I was on my way downstairs when I started hearing the commotion.

"...No, but to think you're good enough for my son, that's the greatest problem of all time. So you used to hook up with men? And now you think you can have my son just because you have a child for him. I'm dead sure you roped him into that one too." My mom was biting off more than she could chew and I was furious.

"The problem here is not my wife's mother. The problem is you coming into my home and thinking you can talk to my wife anyway you wish," I raged. At this point, I had no concern for the fact that she was my mother. I just wanted her to sit down and know her place for once.

"This is her home and not yours," I continued. "If you want to have opinions then I suggest you go to your husband's house and do just that."

"You now speak to me that way because of this thing you call a wife?" She did come prepared and she was gradually pulling out all her weapons for war.

I didn't want to do this with her. I wanted them to make a perfunctory visit of a couple of hours and go back home. So I decided to change tact.

"How are you father? Would you guys like to sit at the table? Lunch has just been served," I said, trying to curry my father's favor instead.

All the while, Kim just sat there looking at a loss for words on how to best respond. It dug up all the desires to protect her. Somehow I just wanted to throw my arms around her and have her just rest.

Instead, I led everyone to the dining. My mom wasn't so happy but at least she wasn't throwing wild shades at anyone.

Lunch was a mild affair and conversation was minimal. About ten minutes into it, Rhona announced her return as dramatically as she always did.

"Oh, mommmmm!!! Daddd!" She cooed. She exchanged pleasantries with each of them and proceeded to do something that would shock me for days.

"Heyy my princess."

My princess? The only other female at the table was Kim and Rhona didn't speak to Kim. Rhona and Kim were not friends! I was further shocked when went over, gave her an air kiss, and held for a minute before going to her place on the table.

All the while I could see the disbelief flitting around mom's eyes. She was in as much shock as I was and obviously didn't know what to say because she got really quiet and made more effort to continue with her food.

The food was amazing, but I was more focused on the dynamics at the table. My mom was gently speaking about something to Dad while my sister was enchantedly drawing a picture of something that happened at her most recent shoot to my wife.

I was still trying to figure out when they became best buddies when my mom beat me to it.

"I see you and your brother's wife are now best buddies," she opined in a sarcasm-laden voice.

Trust mother to speak out of turns and act as though she did nothing.

Rhona was clearly stunned because she stopped talking and fixed my mom with a 'tell me why you can't mind your fucking business' stare. "Mom, you don't know Kim. If you did, you both would be best buddies by now too."

Somehow, I felt proud of Rhona. I still hadn't gotten the memo to her sudden interest in my wife but I didn't mind at all.

Thirty minutes and little or no drama later, lunch was over and my mom mentioned they had to leave, something about it being time for my dad's medications. Among the many mysteries of the evening, I wanted to crack the one of my father saying nothing the whole evening. It was as if they had an agreement that Mom was going to be in charge of the talking for the Day.

Eventually, they said their goodbyes and headed out without further drama. The day had stretched on. All I wanted was a warm bath and a game night, throw in Kim's company and it was perfect but that wasn't something I was willing to pursue anytime soon.