CORNELIA LOVE

Chapter two

Rafael had slept the whole night and waking up, he showered and dressed and like his new habit, went out to have his breakfast. Not finding Kyler on the dining table with breakfast ready, waiting for him was a scene that didn't greet him that morning. He had made sure to always walk past her just to rub it on her face that he had anew woman. For some reason the pain in her small hazel eyes made him fill like a king. It made him feel superior, richer than her in happiness if not money and wealth. It was cruel but he never gave it a second thought.

 That day not finding her there made him wonder but thinking she was just angry and was still in bed, he went out to take breakfast. He drove to the cafe outside his company where he had an espresso and was later joined by Jane. Luckily for them the cafe had very few people in the mornings, and they kissed good morning shamelessly. A call roke them off and Rafael seeing his PA calling, he immediately knew that something was definitely wrong.

"Johnny?"

"B... Boss. The shareholders are holding an urgent meeting. The...they are saying that some shares have been sold without their knowledge. Sir you're needed now."

"Okay..hang on in am on my way"

"I'll do my best boss"

Rafael had no time to explain anything to Jane, he stood up hurriedly and was almost running to the CEO's personal lift. He couldn't imagine anyone seeing him looking like a scared cat. In his office he removed his coat and used some wipes on his face to reduce the heat and then recomposed himself and got ready for the impromptu meeting. Where the heck was his wife if the others were here? She was the one who could have known about this before the others. He wondered.

"Johnny, look at the latest transaction files and find out who's trying to go behind our backs. Bring the files to the boardroom, okay?" he ordered as he scrambled out his office to meet the old men and women who didn't like being kept. Outside the room, he breathed in and out and straightened his already straight clothes and entered. All eyes were on him as he walked to his chair at the end of the long table. Before he could even greet them, the old Mr. Lincon started.

" We all received a notification yester night at around midnight that the majority shares were withdrew. As a good subordinate body, we gave you the 7or 8 hrs to follow up and intel us but that didn't happen. This morning, we followed up and we think you were trying to cover up for your wife. As you see you didn't even come with her care to explain these things and clear the air?"

 Rafael had been hit directly on the face. What were they talking about? His wife had done this? Why? He didn't even know the answers to his own questions leave alone the ones this people were asking? As if things were not yet worse, his PA knocked and with a worried look walked straight to him and gave him a confirmation that his wife had withdrawn her shares and left for Australia. That was a shock that explained her absence in the morning. Looking at the documents on his hands he felt his world, his company, his life at large crumbling down. This realization hurt and he felt like crying but he had to hold back. This was neither the place to breakdown nor show his vulnerable side.

Breathing in and out just like before he composed himself once again and gathering himself, he stood up.

"[clears throat]...I stand in front of you to be frank. I had no idea of all that you have said nor of the fact that my wife had left the country. My phone had died last night, and I was so tired that I didn't plug it to a charger, and I sincerely apologize for that. I promise to follow up on everything that has happened in those few hours, and I would like to take my leave now. My apologies." he said and exited ahead of them.

 In his office, he slumped on his swivel chair feeling older than he was. It was like the world was falling on his shoulders. He knew that he had made empty promises. He also knew that there was no going back for him. All he had had been because of Kyler . She had transformed him from a struggling hustler to a rich CEO. He regretted his affairs, he regretted all that he had done to Kyler, all that she had done for him was love him through thick and thin. He hated himself.

That day he cancelled all his appointments and sat in his office feeling the fear of being poor again drive him crazy. He locked himself and, in the evening, hid himself ashamed to be seen. He knew soon the company would be bankrupt and he was to blame. Arriving to his house, he found Jane waiting for him in the porch, smiling from molar to molar. He descended his car and matched directly to the main door.

"Babe, am so happy for us" she said hugging him from behind. 

"Why are you not answering me, your wife gave us space am so proud of you" she added.

"I have a surprise honey. I gave you what your wife couldn't.."she added rounding him to the front and grabbing his large hand, kept it on her stomach, "You're a daddy now" she shouted.

Rafael's world was about to explode. What! Now he has a child!

"How? This is not the right time Jane." he said sullen and grim. "I can't have you and the baby .I don't even love you the way I love my wife" he said.

Slap! "How dare you have the guts to say that. I hate you. You're such a jerk! But you know what? No one plays with me and goes off so easily, so you like it or not am here to stay and you better go carry my bags into the house. Okay darling ...I also don't love you. It was just acrush that led as here you were not contented so you came to me and now it's this. The thing is I can't raise a child alone while the father is alive and rich. With or without the company you must have enough saved already. "She said that and snatched the house keys from his hand.