Chapter 18 — Confessions

Kyle's POV:

A week had gone by since I last saw Mackenzie. It has been sad, but a few things also happened during the past week.

First, Ashton brought good news. He told Brian and me that he finally decided to settle down and found someone he thought he had lost forever.

Then, a few days ago, Penelope called me, and we hung out and had a couple of drinks. I can't remember much, just that I woke up without my clothes. But I'm certain nothing happened between us.

And, finally, Emily graduated from Harvard two days ago, and she now claims to be ready to go into the family business. Although my dad couldn't make it to the event, he made sure Brian attended so she could feel the presence of both guys she considered her brothers.

I remembered that Brian had had a crush on her when we were younger, but he got over it and how calls her his sister.

Although not a lot happened, it felt like a lot because I also didn't talk to Mackenzie (so my mom would relax). But it had been too long since I heard her voice. So I came up with a plan.

I knew that if I told her to come to my office, she'd bluntly refuse, so I decided to use Penelope's phone to text her, and as predicted, she agreed immediately.

The ring of my office phone made me come back to reality.

"Sir, your wedding planner is here. Should I let her in?" Lisa's voice echoed through the office.

"Yes, Lisa," I said while rolling my eyes.

I adjusted my tie and fixed my hair when I heard a slight knock on the door, which immediately opened after.

"Good morning, Mr. Matthews," she greeted me with a grin.

"Are you still gonna use a formal tone with me?" I replied cockily. She let out a sigh.

"Where's Miss Stewart? She said there would be three of us in this meeting."

"Oh, I'm sorry, she won't be able to make it."

"Then I think I should be leaving."

"Wait," I called out, and she turned to meet my eyes. "I wanted you to come here because by this time next week, I'll be a married man, and there is something I need to tell you before that happens," I continued.

"Then go ahead."

"Listen, Mackenzie. I really, really like you. I think I might even love you. I've only felt this way once, and you are making me feel it again. I just wanted to get how I feel about you off my chest."

"What about Penelope?"

"I think I've told you that I really don't love her. We're just friends, that's all."

"I really don't know what to say to you, Kyle. I like Penelope. She's a really good person. I don't want to hurt her like this."

"I'm not saying we should have an affair or anything. I know that would end badly for us both. But please, just this once, tell me how you really feel."

"I really don't know. I'm very confused. Excuse me," she said and ran out of my office, looking scared.

At least I had gotten that off my chest.

I decided to actually get some work done, but a phone call interrupted me. I saw the ID, and it was my mom.

It was a call to remind me that we had a dinner party later today at Penelope's house. For some strange reason, we've been having a lot of parties recently.

After working till evening, I went home to get prepared for the party. But I got a call from the private investigator, and he informed me that he had some information.

My family and I got to the party, and we were rendered speechless by the decorations. We were greeted by Penelope and her parents, who were all smiles throughout the party.

Later, he called for everyone's attention and introduced the event planner who had made all the preparations. It turned out to be Macy.

It seemed that fate just wanted to bring us together.

She looked very confident and flashed a smile to the camera. I caught myself staring at her. Who wouldn't? She looked absolutely stunning. Her hair, her eyes, her body—everything was just perfect.

"You seem to like how she's looking tonight, right?" a voice made me redirect my gaze.

"What…? I wasn't staring at her. I was staring at your dad," I lied to Penelope, who chuckled in response.

"That's okay. How've you been? I haven't seen you much since…"

"I've been around. Emily graduated, which I assume you already know, and I had a lot of work to get done."

"Penny, come here!" her mother called, and she disappeared into thin air.

I walked around and noticed a familiar black dress. I took a deep, long breath and walked towards her.

"You look stunning, Macy," I said in a low tone, and she smiled.

"Thank you. You look handsome, as always," she replied, and I let my lips bend into a smile.

"So, did you think of your answer yet?" I said, looking into the crowd.

"Can you please not? There are a lot of people here."

"Just say you feel the same way I do, and I'll let you go. That's literally all I want."

"Okay, Kyle, I l—"

"Can I have your attention, please?!" someone called out to everyone from the front.

The room fell silent as its inhabitants. Everyone paid attention to Mr. Stewart, who was back on the podium.

"The real reason I called for this gathering is to make an announcement. I believe you all know my daughter, Penelope, and her soon-to-be husband, Kyle of Matthews Corp. I'm proud to say that Penelope is now pregnant, and they will soon be parents to a wonderful baby." He paused, and everyone began clapping.

I was stunned. I was confused. I turned my head to face Macy to explain, but all I could see was the hurt expression on her face as she walked away toward the garden.

I tried to follow her outside, but everyone who saw me kept stopping me to congratulate me, so I couldn't catch up to her. I decided to search for her, and I found her walking to her car. I jogged over to her.

"Macy, wait! I can explain!" I said once I had reached her.

"What's there to explain? I mean, she's your fiancé. There's nothing to explain."

"I owe you one because you are the woman that I l—"

"Stop! I don't want to hear it! Don't like me anymore. I can't bear it," she said, her voice breaking.

"I'm not lying to you, I swear. I do lo—"

"Stop! When will you stop lying to me?"

"When you decide you want to stop lying to me too."

"What?"

"I didn't lie, but you did."

"I lied?! When the hell did I do that?"

"In the beginning. Why did you lie to me and say that you weren't Alexis?"

"W-What?"