The anger I felt swirled inside me like molted hot lava! "The nerve of him to Strutt in that nightclub with another girl on his arm! I'm so disgusted and hurt! How often have I asked him to come out to be with me? And every time, he's given me some flimsy excuse about him working late! How could I have been so naive to think he was sincere? I refused to accept a man lying to me! This could never be a happy marriage! What made me think things would be different for me! Kenneth Cole has sadly fooled my parents and me! This is so unfair! I had feelings for him. I was so silly to think he would be different!"
Once I got home, my eyes were filled with tears as I unlocked the door and closed it behind me. I leaned against it. I felt too weak to move or breathe. "That Kenneth Cole is so heartless! I never imagined tonight would be my first time seeing him face-to-face in a predicament like this! His eyes looked like he wanted to put my lights out when I told him I would tell my father!
I went into the kitchen and flipped the light switch on. And what do I see staring back at me? A pair of dark eyes locked on mine.
"Oh my God, you scared me! What are you doing in my house?”
"You see, Kita, your parents trust me. Your father told me to ensure you are safe while they are out of town for the weekend."
"They did what? Well, you can't stay here."
"I told you we have unfinished business."
"Kenneth, we have nothing to talk about!" I screamed out as I turned to walk away.
He slid in front of me, blocking my exit from the kitchen as he coldly stared at me. He was holding this calculating expression as he spoke in a low tenor.
"I told you that you are misunderstanding what you saw!"
"I know what I saw, and this is over between us!"
"Kita, I was with a client and wanted to meet you in person. So, I invited her to come along."
"That's a Lie! I didn't tell you I was coming to that club! You didn't want to meet me! But if you intended to surprise me, it certainly worked!"
"Come on, stop being so jealous-hearted. She meant nothing to me. Now, you owe me an apology."
I chuckled, trying to hide my nervousness as I stood my ground. "Look, I suggest you leave! Better yet, I have an idea for you! Go back to the girl you were with at the club! You must have gotten her house mixed up with mine!"
Oh, I could see my words hit a nerve. But I stood my ground and tried not to show a hint of fear.
"I told you are misunderstanding my relationship! The girl means nothing to me, Kita! You are about to let your jealousy mess up everything for the both of us!" He yelled in my face.
I shook my head, swallowed fear, and said calmly.
"Has your ego always been this bloated? I said, pushing against his shoulder to move him out of my way. Hoping he would let me pass."
When I pushed against his shoulder, he grabbed my arm! "Girl! I'm trying to talk to you, for real! We are not through!" he said, pulling me to him as my hands landed on his broad chest.
"Let me go!"
"Just hold up and listen for a minute. I need us to get an understanding here! You are not going to mention any of this to your dad. We will go through with this marriage to me because that's what I want, and that's what your dad wants. I'm going to be your husband, Kita!"
"Are you insane! I won't live a miserable life or be stuck in some miserable marriage! Everything we discussed over the phone all those months has been a lie! I deserve to be respected and not lied too! Let me go!"
"You're being a silly spoiled girl and not a woman right now!" He shouted.
"I hate you! Let me go!" I yelled, shoving him aside but unable to break free from his tight grip on me.
Don't say you hate me when I'm looking out for you! Where are you going to find another man like me? You won't! You'll marry some old man who will never satisfy you!"
That's when I felt his hand underneath my shirt touching my skin. I desperately pushed his hands away! But that didn't stop him from touching me! Admittedly, it felt good, but my pride and anger overpowered my desire or feelings for him. Before I knew it, I slapped him so hard across the face! I could feel the sting in my fingers. And it seemed for a second everything froze.
"Don't touch me!" I yelled as I was now able to break free of his hold. I backed away from him into the dining room as far as I could.
"Don't you ever slap me!" And before I knew it, he rushed toward me furiously, grabbing me to him again.
"No! Get out, we are through!"
I pushed Kenneth off me, but he grabbed me again. I pushed him away from me harder.
"I mean it, get out of my house!"
In the wee morning hours, with too many conflicting emotions and pain. He stood staring into my face with a smirk on his. "Alright, but you must pay for what you have done. And remember these words. You are going to be my wife, Kita. I don't want anyone else but you." He slips his hands from around my waist as he walks toward the kitchen door.
"You are so arrogant! Get out! I don't want to ever to see you again, Kenneth Cole!"
"Oh, you will see me again." He winked and shut the door.
I locked the door. The look on his face was anger. So, I placed a chair from the kitchen table under the doorknob to keep him out in case he returned. Then I walked through the rest of the house, locking the doors and windows before turning off the lights. I had to take a shower. As I bathe, I let my hurt and tears, mixed with the shower water, slip quietly away. At least, that's how I visualized it. It seemed to help me to calm down. Who says you can't catch feelings for someone by just communicating over the phone for months? I certainly had feelings for Kenneth. I towel-dried my skin off and slipped into my soft chenille stripe black and white pajama set. Afterward, I climbed into bed, too exhausted, and hurt to think any longer about it.
I closed my eyes. The house was so quiet. I glanced at the alarm clock; it was past 2 a.m. Now that I was wide awake, I decided to double-check the doors and windows. I moved cautiously through the house to the living room to check the front door. Yes, I was beyond nervous. He is a very wealthy man and always gets what he wants. And Kenneth looked very upset! I don't want him to think he can just march up here anytime he feels like it and I'll be waiting to accept him.'
I closed my curtains and left the living room feeling much safer. I get myself a glass of water. 'Ooh! I can't believe my dad gave that man a key to our house!” I slumped down in one of the kitchen chairs. “Dad is going to be so disappointed when I tell him it’s over.”
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I can't worry about that now; I'll think about it in the morning. I stayed in bed the rest of the weekend until my parents returned home and my mother entered my room. "Honey, are awake! We made it back. Kita! I saw so many beautiful gowns for the wedding." I didn't respond to her enthusiastic disposition. "Is everything okay? How are you feeling?" "I'm okay." I lied. I felt sick to my stomach. I wish I could just throw up and be done with this feeling. "Kita, what do you think about this dress?" "Oh, Mom, I have a horrendous headache this morning." I didn't even get out of bed to do my morning exercise. I didn't feel like it. For the first time in two days, I walked around my room to try and strengthen my weak body. I picked up the bottle of ibuprofen and down three tablets. The headaches, sore shoulder, and general feeling of fatigue still existed. I was still trying to recover more from my horrific experience. Every time I think about it, my heart twists tight in my chest. "Mom
The day I left my parents' house and moved in with my friend Candance's family for a month, I knew I couldn't stay there for long because her family was much like mine. No sooner than I returned from job hunting. Candance's mother was waiting for me to enter the door. "Hey, Kita, can you come and take a seat." "Good evening, Mrs. Lyons.' "What are your plans? Are you going back home to your parents?" "Well, no. I plan on getting my place." "Why would you do something like that? Your parents care greatly about you and only want the best for you, young lady. I'm going to have to ask you to go back home. This town is too small to keep you here when I disagree with this rebellious behavior. I can barely look at your poor mother's face. She is so broken-hearted over you doing this to them. I hope you understand. I don't want Candance to think this rebellion is the proper way to behave toward your parents." "I understand. I'll pack my things, Mrs. Lyon's, and I'll be gone by morning."
But I couldn't tell her what was in my head or my heart. I didn't want to disappoint her. So I ignored that expression and shared with her what I thought she wanted and needed to hear me say. "Girl, I feel so accomplished. I feel so comfortable now in my skin. That's how I would describe my life and this journey for the past two months. Charmaine, I need to think about where I will live and the career I want to start. Would you agree?" "Yes, but what about your intimate life? You were one of the most romantic people I know." "Right now, I'm interested in doing things I haven't done before. I want to travel and see other parts of this island and the world I haven't seen yet. And Charmaine, you wouldn't believe this: for the first time in a long time, I won't have to worry about the man my dad will pick for me to marry! That's a big relief! Now, I'll do whatever I desire and be with who I want and choose. Doesn't that sound like fun?" "Well, a little. It seems scary, too. Kita, I've
IT WAS MONDAY MORNING. AN UNNERVING AND OVERWHELMING feeling hit the pit of my stomach! I walked into the cold building clad in all marble. It looks as menacing on the inside as it does on the outside! I was met with alarming glaring eyes and stares from people. I had known these people all my life, as I grew up in this tiny Town. Wow! They honestly do believe firmly in the sanctity of arranged marriages. I hadn't anticipated that many people would miss work to be present. Or had they given the townspeople the day off from work so they could see me be made out of an example? I could feel their every emotion, too! Their anger, disappointment, disgust, and especially disdain! I could tell in the people's eyes I had already been judged and condemned! The mothers and fathers from my hometown were determined to make an example out of me! So that none of the other citizens' daughters could ever think of doing what I had done! But what had I done that deserved this kind of venom? I, Kita Ari
Five minutes into the drive, the car was filled with silence. There was a heavy silence. Jeff, Mr. Cole's driver, asked timidly. "Sir, would you like to hear some music?" Their eyes met in the rearview mirror. Jeff quickly averted his eyes; he knew his boss's temper was pitch-fire high! He got no response, just a glare he hadn't seen or experienced from Mr. Cole before since he'd been working for him for the past five years! "Pull over and get out of the car, Jeff!" "But, but Sir, this is the freeway. "Pull over now and get out!" He said in a deeper voice than usual. "Yes, sir." Jeff quickly pulls over onto the narrow shoulders of the highway as cars zoom by! Most are going seventy miles or more per hour! "Get out! I want to drive myself." "Yes, sir." Jeff cautiously opens the driver-side door but then feels a firm jerk as it opens wide with Mr. Cole standing there. Jeff hurries and gets out, bracing himself nervously against the car with his eyes bulging as an eighteen-whee
I woke up hearing voices. I barely open my eyes. I see this man insisting that he talk to me. He is well-dressed and looks trustworthy. "Doctor, you can let him in the room to see me." "Do you know who he is?" "No, but he looks trustworthy." "Mr. Cole! Oh my God! What happened to your face?! Is it you, Sir?" "What do you mean?" "You look different." "Oh, I was told I was in a back accident." "Yes, you were very upset that day." "Why?" "Why? You don't remember, Sir?" "Not yet. But I would like to know." "First, how are you doing, sir?" "How am I doing? I'm great! I have a new face, and I'm alive! That's something to be thankful for, don't you think?" "Sir, are you joking?" "I don't know. I guess I am?" "But sir, you don't joke?" "I guess I do now. Why don't I joke?" I asked curiously. "I can't say exactly. But I assume it must have something to do with your childhood. You've lived a highly stressful life." "What do I do?" "You are a famous person in t
Baha Mar Resort The young, beautiful, and intelligent but very impressionable Kita Arie landed her first real job after leaving her small hometown some two years ago. Now, for the past six months, she's been promoted to a manager's position over the front desk clerks at a lovely hotel/resort. Mr. Klein thought Kita's image was perfect for his new resort here in Baha Mar Nassau! He had become very fond of Kita during her first year at the resort as a clerk. She was incredibly professional and friendly when handling customers, but he also liked her no-no-nonsense attitude. Her poise and professionalism landed her the next promotion that came up as head clerk! Kita had excelled far above the other women in Mr. Klein's eyes who had been there for the last five years when his resort opened! Despite the gossip and nasty rumors that flew around, Kita kept focused. That level of maturity got her that promotion! She worked hard and did whatever she could for the continued success of the new
"Good morning, I'm Kita Arie, the manager of clerks and the front desk." "Good morning, my name is Lilly Tanner." "Yes, let's begin your training this morning, Mrs. Tanner." The morning was going smoothly as I got Mrs. Tanner all trained and ready to start her duties of answering the phones that would soon be ringing off the hook! Later that evening, things were busy, and it was my first time in complete control of it all without my boss, Mr. Klein, being in the office or town for the weekend. **** "Welcome to Baha Mar hotel and resort. How can I help you?" “Reservations for Lyle Sever,” (Ken says,) looking at the row of young women faces at the counter. He glanced down at his phone, having only the side profile of a picture of the girl he was told that he was supposed to marry. He sees one girl who might be assisting another guest in line. But he wasn't sure. Just when he went to look at his phone again, the young lady behind the desk said, "Okay, sir, you said Lyle Sever, c