The board members present in the room all looked up to see the intruder and frowned. Few of them knew about her return and ambition to bankrupt Alvin.
Thus they sneered resuming their conversation with Alvin whose eyes were on the lady in front of him.
The woman that is giving him sleepless nights.
The board members urged him to continue with the meeting but he seems to have been engulfed in staring at her, waiting for her to say something.
" I want to speak to you. It's up to you to decide if it should be privately or publicly" he rolled his eyes at her insolence but replied nevertheless.
" That's all gentlemen. Meeting adjourned" he stated which didn't sit too well with them.
" You'll choose this betrayer over us? Do you know what she has done to us? The damage she has caused is just because of personal issues. Something she would have settled in your home? Kate's eyes darted to the man who said such words.
" Maybe I should do the same to you" that was enough to shut him up as Alvin chuckled.
He was going broke and had no choice but to accept it plus he was certain Kate will change her mind eventually.
Let's say he has learned his lesson.
" Gentlemen please. Don't bicker words with her. She's a pro at damaging properties now" they glared at Alvin then took their leave one after the other while Kate huffed staring daggers at him which wiped the smirk off his face in realizing she was mad.
" What's the matter?
" Did you know Louis was sick again? His eyes narrowed then stood up, trailing to her standpoint.
" What are you talking about?
" How could you keep something like that from me? I'm his family. You know I did everything for them. Now he's going to leave me and my poor mother in grief? She yelled which had him softening as he approached her with the purpose of explaining.
" Kate, there's nothing you could have done. He isn't going to die. I have kept him alive for years now and it'll remain so. It's not his time to die yet" he assured her.
" Is that why you told him to come over?
" He's running some test. It's fifty-fifty chances of survival. I know he'll be fine Kate"
" Why didn't you say something? They're my family not yours. I'll take care of my brother. Stay away from my family Alvin" her statement vexed him as he gritted his teeth closing the space between them.
" They're not? Who do you think took care of them when you were busy whoring around with David huh? Have you seen how healthy your mother is? I took care of them. Don't you dare say that to me again" she poked his chest in anger wishing it was a knife.
" And whose fault is that? Who abandoned me to rot in jail for a crime I didn't commit? Who killed a child I was dying to have? Who drove me nuts? You Alvin Reagan. You're guilty of all accusations because of your selfishness and ego. Fine I cheated on you and so what? I'm not remorseful about it anymore because I wouldn't be alive had he turned out to be like you: a monster. Dante was ready to be Simon's father even though he knew you were responsible but you, what did you do? You killed him and you have the perfunctory to speak to me about family? Do you know what family means? Have you ever sacrificed anything just to see the smile on their faces? His eyes reddened from her judgment then sniffled taking two steps back while holding the urge to kneel in front of her for forgiveness.
She was right. He knew nothing about family. She tolerated him for them. She loved him for them.
" Then teach me, Kate. I'm ready to learn. Teach me how to love and cherish you" Kate's furious eyes shrunk to that of utmost surprise. She was confused.
" God knows I love you wholeheartedly. I was hurt Kate" she huffed in annoyance
" You had a funny way of showing it" he approached her again with pleading eyes.
" You don't know how I felt the day I watched a video of you ridiculing my love and attraction for you. I know I overdid everything. I should have confronted you but as hurt as I felt I never slept with those girls. It was the only way I knew I could get back at you. I have realized my mistakes and I'll do everything to make it up to you. Your family is my family too. They've always been Kate. Could you stop treating me like I did it intentionally? Someone wasn't handling his confessions well as she tried processing everything he said then sneered disappointed at her vulnerability.
" It changes nothing. What video are you talking about? I ridicule you? Really Alvin? This is the best you could do? She giggled Folding her hands above her chest as if urging him to rants some more.
" You think I'm lying? He suddenly snapped startling her as she frowned.
" Don't raise your voice at me, young man. I'm not your employee or some ragdoll. I don't believe a thing that leaves that fucking mouth of yours and to think I once trusted you repulsed me to the core"
" I have proof Kate"
" Oh yeah? Like you can't make one to have me in your grasp again. Read my tongue. Over my dead body. Shove your proof in your ass" she tells him peering into his red puffy eyes as he nods swerving around to give her space.
" Louis is my responsibility. My promise to my wife and I'm a man of my words. He's under my care. You can have him when he's finished with his treatment" she balled her fist.
" He's my brother. I have a right to know what his ailment is or he's leaving town" she warned.
" Very well then, can you handle it? You know your asthma isn't an allergy but an attack. An attack triggered by your emotions and you're so damn emotional. So forgive me if I wanted you to live longer because I found out things about you that you kept a secret from me"
" I can take care of myself"
" It's not my place to tell. I'm sure Louis does. So ask him"
" He won't tell me"
" And why is that? I wonder"
" Don't act so giddy around me. You made me this way" he tsked his tongue brushing his hands on her cheeks.
" I'm myself when I'm around you and I don't pretend"
" What kind of a game are you playing? It won't end well believe me cos in the end you're going to grant that divorce so that I can be rid of you" he gritted his teeth offended by her words.
" Perhaps this will change your mind" he stated turning his laptop towards her to see for herself.
After all, Seeing is believing.