Chapter 59

***Kenya.***

I sat in the café across *J'aime*, my eyes absently watching the men, as they fixed the building.

My coffee was already running cold, but I didn't mind. My eyes barely registered the movements carried out by the construction workers. My husband's construction workers. They had helmets and gear, bearing STA Construction's. My heart ripped to more shreds as memories of the previous night and earlier in the morning crossed my mind.

A night that had actually turned out remarkable for me, given the intentions I had harbored, somehow felt wrong now. The victory I gained in the end, hollow. I sat down, the words he had thrown at me, when I walked to the bathroom, eating me inside.

*'So last night was nothing but a fucking Trojan Horse? The calm before the storm?'*

I instinctively shut my eyes tight, to the memory of those words. Banishing them intentionally, so that I wouldn't feel the guilt that threatened to buckle me.

Despair, threatening to engulf me at the pain I had heard in Levi's voice. A pain I had never heard from him before. Like the night had actually meant more to him than I could have imagined. As if the passion we had shared had travelled deep into our souls.

When I had returned from the bathroom, I had been greeted by silence. Disappointed that he had left the room, without another word. I had dressed up and come down stairs, only to find him already heading out of the house. The sound of the monitor, announcing Levi's departure, reminding me of the night before and the heated passion.

Staring at my phone screen, which I hadn't checked all morning, due to my distracted thoughts, I replied to the messages. A couple of old messages from Alan and Amanda. Alan's informing me to come by to finalize formalities for my new movie role and prepping for our business partnership. Amanda's to discuss the business partnership as well.

There was an old one from Andrea and K.C as well.

***Andrea: Will be there late. Have to grab some lists from Mike at work.***

***10pm, yesterday.***

***K.C: Hi, beautiful. Sorry I have been very busy with work. I hope you are doing well? The last time we talked, you told me you had a fight with your husband. Has he been a good husband since then?***

***2am, today.***

"Hey babes. What you doing staring at your phone, as if you are out of this world." Andrea's voice, rang from beside me. Jolting me out of the misery that distracted me, from responding to K.C's message.

Grateful that I didn't have to respond to that message about my husband. A message, where another man, I didn't know, called me beautiful. A message that had just stared back at me, reminding me of my guilt and agony. Of my betrayal. Of the depths I had finally succumbed to. It was like I had a war within me.

I wasn't this kind of person. I was a good person. But somehow, my marriage to Levi turned me into something I wasn't.

"Am fine Andy. Am just tired." I sighed, keeping my phone away and rubbing my forehead in frustration. It was 12:30 pm.

"You don't look fine, girl. You look like" Andrea trailed off, watching me as she sat across. Her blue eyes, steady on me. She was as beautiful as she was perceptive, her gaze always analytical. It was difficult hiding things from her.

"I look like what?" I pressed. Sipping my already cold coffee. It tasted bland.

Andrea reached a hand to mine, her olive skin, flushed from the July heat outside. Her hair, cascading down her shoulders, Andrea continued.

"You look terrible, Ken. For someone married to one of the most handsome and wealthiest men in the world, you don't look good. It's like there is something hidden there. Is marriage not treating you well?" Andrea searched my eyes, her expression, encouraging.

Shaking my head and averting Andrea's gaze, I replied. "It's nothing, Andy. Am just exhausted. All thesetransition to owner and co-partner, is just weighing on me."

Andrea considered my words for a moment, before she nodded. Beckoning to a waiter, who arrived, shortly, Andrea ordered some coffee and hot rolls. I equally ordered a fresh cup.

"So, I have here, list of dancers, who are interested in working with you at J'aime, once it reopens. I equally have list of parents, who want their kids enrolled in the school. But there is one problem." Andrea laid the papers before me, her fingers highlighting important sections. "The guys at Byron's are unconvinced about embarking on this new project with you."

"Why?" I asked, my cup held in midair.

Andrea shrugged. "They informed Mike that with Byron, they have safety. With you, their income is uncertain. What if you fail? That was their concern." Andrea bit into her roll. I eyed her awkwardly, wondering where all the sweets Andrea ate, went to.

"What?!" Andrea asked, her mouth stuffed. I smiled in amusement.

"Where the fuck does all that junk food go, Andrea. You do know you would have to be in top shape, to be a director of dance." I reminded.

Andrea rolled her eyes, teasingly and smiled. "I'd burn it out in no time." I nodded, my mind mentally assessing Andrea's revelation about the potential dancers.

I had met some of our colleagues, after concluding things with Claudine. And with Dave's permission, I had informed them my need for new dancers. Dancers who would work shifts, bringing in new ideas for the growth of the school. I had even informed Dave of my ideas, which he had welcomed. Happy that I had become a partner. He had been completely impressed.

However, if they didn't want to work with me, for fear of uncertainty, I couldn't press them. They were the best I knew at Byron's and I couldn't force them out of their comfort zone, to uncertainty with me.