Kevin had come home from his business trip flying higher than a kite. The business was expanding and the new investors were building an office in Atlanta. They deplaned and headed to baggage claim. Corey was already on his phone with Ashley and planning his evening with her. Kevin and Rebecca walked hand in hand to retrieve their bags.
As they neared the carousal, Kevin spotted his first and lifted it off.
“Rebecca,” he said as he turned to her, “I know that this hasn’t been the most romantic trip we could have taken but I want so much more with you.” he said just as he turned back to pull her first bag from the carousal.
“This wasn’t meant to be romantic. This was for us to push our company to another level.”
“You’re right but I wanted to spend some time alone with you, and I never get the chance to do that. I want you to know that I do love you…”
“I know.” She interrupted.
Kevin rolled his eyes because that was the one thing that he hated about her. “Let me finish before you start being rude.”
She smiled at him and let him finish.
“Like I was saying, I just want you to know that I do look at this like our company and I want you to feel that it is your company too.”
“Not to interrupt you but my other bags just went around.” She said as she pointed to the bags disappearing behind the wall and walked over to the furthest end of the carousel.
He followed her and as she pulled one of her bags from the belt, he grabbed the other.
She sat her bag down and wrapped her arms around him before she spoke.
“Honey, I know that you love me and whatever our lives hold, you know I will always be there with you. I took this ring to show you just how serious I am about you.”
He hugged her tightly and let the moment take the stress from his shoulders. He knew at this moment that he wanted her to be a part of his everyday life. Kevin knew that Corey didn’t like the idea and refused to talk about it in Atlanta. Kevin knew it would be a fight with Corey, who felt he was moving too fast but he wanted Rebecca to know he was serious so he presented her with a two carat pear shaped diamond, as his promise that in less than a year she would be picking out her engagement ring.
He came home and noticed the yellow roses on the counter. He didn’t tell them two dozen.
“She don’t deserve that much,” he said to the air around him.
Cheryl wasn’t home, but he could care less. He didn’t feel like dealing with her bullshit just yet. Although he had just left Rebecca, he had to hear her voice. He went to his office and called her.
“Hey sexy.”
“Hey yourself.”
“Miss you.
“Miss you more.”
“Love you.”
“Love you more.
“You know, we can’t have an entire conversation like this.”
“Yes we can.”
“I want to hear that sexy voice of yours.”
“I can barely talk now. My throat is so dry. You can’t keep doing this to me.”
“I do not know what you are talking about.”
“Really, having me beg and scream until the neighbors hear…I think you know exactly what I am talking about.”
Yeah, but that is what turns me on. I can’t get enough of you. It feels like I am going to explode.
“Well, each time you bring me to climax, it gets better and better.”
“Yes, I noticed.”
“Oh, did you now?”
“Yes I did.” Kevin turned in his chair to see Cheryl’s Expedition turning into the driveway. “Babe, I gotta run. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She said before hanging up.
He heard the familiar chirp of the kitchen door telling him that someone had just entered. He heard her footsteps in the kitchen and then walk through to the living room. He waited for her to make her way to his study but that never happened.
“Just as well; I am in too good of a mood to have to deal with her today.” He said as he turned back in his leather office chair and pushed the silver button on the hard drive waiting for his computer to come alive.
The week progressed with cheerleading practice for Kayla, Donnell was at his friend’s house and Cheryl wasn’t talking. At least not directly to Kevin.
Kevin was in his office looking for files that he thought he had placed on the corner of his desk but couldn’t find. He opened his office door and yelled up the steps.
“Cheryl, what did you do with my damn files that were in my office on my desk?”
“What files?” she shouted back.
“The ones that were sitting on my desk; the ones that were in the bright fucking orange folder.”
“I don’t know.” She shouted back. “I didn’t touch them.”
Still shouting Kevin began walking up the stairs “You must have. I see you been in here cleaning, when I specifically ask you not to.” He was now standing with her in the kitchen.
“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you to let the damn cleaning service do it. At least they know how to leave shit alone.”
She whirled around and slammed the towel on the counter, “well if you don’t want me cleaning your office, say so. I swear I have to pick up after you like you are a teenager.”
He grabbed her by the arm and she snatched away from him.
“What is your damn problem?” he asked her but she was already moving away from him.
“Nothing.”
She moved into the living room and began pushing the vacuum around the floor.
He yanked the cord from the wall and she stepped on the pedal. She turned and saw him holding the end of the plug.
“I’m trying to clean.” She said as she walked up to him and snatched the cord from his hand.
He grabbed her arm and spun her around.
“Kevin, what the hell do you want?”
“You better get ahold of yourself before I do it for you.” He said as he let her arm go.
“Look, you have walked around here for damn near a week and haven’t opened your mouth to me and the first time you do it is to ask about some damn files.”
“You are the one walking around here with your fucking ass on your shoulders.”
“And shouldn’t I be. You call me from wherever and tell me you want a divorce! What am I supposed to do? Jump for joy? Well, I will tell you this, don’t push me too far Kevin or you will be on the losing end of it.”
She turned to leave but Kevin grabbed her by the arm and spun her around.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Get your damn hands off of me.” She said while taking a swipe at him.
“Don’t you ever, in your small little life, threaten me, do you hear me?” he said and slapped her as hard as he could.
She slapped him back, more out of reflex than a purposeful act.
“Fuck you Kevin. I am not threatening you; I am merely saying the truth.”
“Don’t fuck with me Cheryl.”
“Psst, if you only knew.” She mumbled.
“What did you just say?” he said as he grabbed her by the throat.
“Nothing.” She said as the act caught her by surprise and grabbed his hand.
“No, repeat what you just said little miss smart ass.” His hands were getting tighter and tighter.
Kayla came to the door.
“Mom?”
Kevin loosened his grip and Cheryl started coughing.
“Yes sweetie.” she said as she opened the door and rubbed the spot that Kevin had just released.
“See what you did” Kevin said while pushing past her.
“What I did? You the one acting all macho, grabbing all on me. You knew she was upstairs.”
“I’m going out, and when I get back, you better believe we will finish this discussion.”
“Whatever.” she whispered.
After Kevin left she went into the living room and grabbed the cordless phone.
“Hey, can you talk.”
“For you, anytime.” Matthew said.
She considered Matthew to be a friend. He always listened when she called and needed an ear. She could talk to him openly about anything that bothered her and he always had encouraging words for her.
After she took a breath he again told her about leaving and how there were programs to help ‘someone like her.’ Although she knew he was right, she didn’t want to subject Kevin to the humiliation of the bad publicity that would surround him if this ever got out.