KAI's P.O.V.
I dashed into my car and sped through the gates of my penthouse. I never imagined that I would ever lay hands as aggressively as I did on Nevea. I may not have hit her, but I was this close to. She was hurting after the decisions I made and I nearly hit her for getting angry.
I sped through the dark streets until I was pulling up in front of a bar, coming into an abrupt stop.
This was the only place I knew I could clear my head. I was feeling too many emotions at the moment.
Inside the car, I felt trapped and the air suffocating. I couldn't get the tears on Nevea's face out of my head.
I've always liked Claire since the first day her father invited me to his home, requesting for a position for his daughter in my company. That was before I met Nivea. Even still I've never pursued a relationship with Claire until Nivea came along.
I may have liked Claire for a long time but I respected Nivea. Maybe my decisions had been a little bit off the hook.
Claire was one of my devoted workers. After she called me this morning, asking for my assistance, I hadn't expected that she was hurt. She had phoned me with a certain note of desperation in her voice and id thought she was in danger. So I hurried to see her only to find her getting strapped to a stretcher just outside her yoga class.
I couldn't leave her alone so I went with her, forgetting about what today was. What it meant to Nivea.
I knew we have been straining away from each other since the past few months but it was no excuse for what I did.
I do not understand why she was so upset.
I pull out my phone and decide to check the company group. I remember noticing the tons of messages when I heard my phone vibrate and I saw Nivea's message earlier but I hadn't had time to check it out.
I'm shocked when I see all the pictures Claire sent into the group and all of the pity and love the other members showered on her.
I grit my teeth as I saw one of the pictures she shared where I was standing over her as I tried to help secure her on the stretcher before the medics carry her away.
I read the caption and felt angry. Why would she lie like this, making people believe that I was with her for other reasons than to make sure she was alright.
Was this why she had asked me to stay longer with her, coming up with lies after lies each time I demand to leave? So she could tell everyone that I am taking care of her, in the process leaving w different message?
I run a hand through my hair. I wished Nivea would understand. As the CEO of ALPHA MEDICS, I am responsible for a every single person's well being. Alpha medics goes beyond just some company, it is an organization whose name speaks for.
Still, the guilt gnawed at me.
Before I step out of the car, I texted my friend , Ivar.
At the bar, I order for my favorite Martini, careful not to finish a bottle before it's too late.
"Kai." I hear my name from ahead and I look from the compelling glass of alcohol to see Ivar walking up to me. "I got your text."
Ivar orders his own drink and takes a seat next to me.
"I messed up Ivar." I confess to him as I finally look from the half filled glass.
"Take it easy, Kai, I heard everything that happened."
"Yes," I nod "now Nevea's pissed."
"She shouldn't be. You need to stop feeling guilty because you did what you had to do."
"Yeah by putting Claire first..."
"No, you put the company first. You did what you had to do."
"I cancelled our engagement to go meet Claire, Ivar...."
"Trust me, you did what you had to do. You know how the company's society is when it comes to their employees. If you hadn't been there take care of Claire, you would be facing a panel. You know how the company's secrecy works, they wouldn't want their names out there. You know who you're dealing with here, Kai, it's Claire fucking Colton."
"Yes but Nevea wouldn't see it that way. And I cannot even blame her. I stood her up yet again. I don't know Ivar but it just feels like I'm losing her. I've been so focused on the company lately, it feels like there's been a huge gap drawn between us, like I'm losing her..."
Ivar sets down his now empty glass from his lips and turned fully on his seat to face me.
"Listen man, you don't have to keep beating yourself around. You did what was best for the company and saving yours ass too. Anyone in your place would have done what you did. Nivea is just upset because today was supposed to be a big day for her, you know how extra women can be."
I strain my eyes towards the window, watching the dark night. Ivar was right. But I just needed her to understand my intentions.
Sending my dilemma, ivar holds my shoulder and says "you did the right thing, Kai..."
"I don't know.... I love Nevea and.... I really don't wanna lose her. “I just… I don’t want to lose Nevea,” I whispered.
“You won’t. Nevea loves you. That’s why this is hitting her so hard. But she’ll come around. You’ve been together so long to be ruined by just a simple injury."
I let out a long breath, feeling some of the tension in my chest loosen. Ivar was right.
The ALPHA companies is the most important thing to my family and lineage right now and it is my job to be where I am needed above anything else. I know I called off the engagement but I couldn't have been in two places at the same time.
"Thank you, Ivar... I needed to hear that."
Ivar and I pathed ways after sharing a few more drinks. The weight on my shoulders reduced as I pulled up into the compound. Now I needed to find a way to make things right with Nevea.
As I walk out of the elevator of my penthouse, I felt a strange surge of loneliness engulf me.
I call out for Nevea but there's no response. My heart skipped a beat as I imagined scenarios where she had hurt herself because of the pain I caused her while I was out drinking with Ivar.
If she hurt herself, or worse killed herself while I was away, I would never forgive myself.
Calling her once more, I strode into our bedroom to find our shared closet open, her side empty.
She has removed all of her belongings and left.
She has left me.
I sink into the floor, pain tugging at my chest.
