Chapter 31: Chapter 31

NEMESIS

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CALEB’S POV

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The drive to Sheraton Hotels and Towers was the fastest I had ever driven in a long while probably never. I wanted to see Angela again, there was something about her that tugged in my heart. It felt like a Deja Vu, and I loved it and wanted to relieve it. Maybe my heart was still hurting from my experience with Sophie and trying to cling to any memory or person, only time will tell.

I wanted to forget the night with Sophie, it was of utmost importance that I do.

I let the car windows down and allowed the night breeze to caress my skin while I listened to rhythm and blues. I felt free, no worries, no skimming, no heartbreak. Just me embracing peace.

When I arrived at the hotel I was immensely impressed by the ambiance. It spoke of great wealth and deliberate planning. Sometimes I forget how rich I've become and tonight was one of those nights. I was starstruck by the dignitaries at the hotel, and also some celebrities having dinner with their partners. It had taken an unexpected inheritance to bring me to this level and put me in the same stage with high-caliber men and women.

As I walked past a celebrity couple, I remembered how the matriarch of the Fernandez empire had embarrassed me before John Travolta, the anger built up again, and my resolve to humiliate them came back with full force.

Stepping away from them,  I walked towards the hostess who was putting on a silky cream shirt and had a short scarf tied loosely around her neck. She was wearing a smile which I believe she wore for all the hotel's clients.  "Did you make a reservation sir.” the hostess asked me as soon as I reached her.

“No, but I'm here to meet a lady, her name is Angela; she must have made a reservation,” I replied I wasn't so sure if coming here was the right idea.

“Any surname to go with the name,” she asked as she scrolled through the computer before her.

Now I felt stupid, I should have listened to my instinct and stayed home.

“Just Angela.” I tried to describe her, but all I kept saying was how beautiful she was.

The hostess checked again, I watched as her brow furrowed into a frown. “I'm sorry sir, there is no Angela in my records.”

“It's okay.” I smiled at her but my stomach churned from defeat. I wanted to meet her again.

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The ride back home was a solemn one, I drove in silence pondering over my life woes. When I arrived at the beach house I noticed a small red car parked in front of the house.

“Angela.” my heart leaped with joy. I ran towards the house and opened the door. The moment I had been waiting for, Angela was standing before me, though her hair was not as full as it was the other night and she looked thinner today. I walked towards the figure, she was holding a glass of water, I wasn't too sure it was angela anymore but whoever it was I had to find out. I touched her shoulder gently and she turned so slowly it felt like a slow-motion film.

“You.” I stepped back from her, it felt as though I had been punched in the pit of my stomach and I was temporarily out of air.

“What are you doing here,'' I managed to say when I recovered from my initial shock.

“I came to see you,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

“Why? and how did you find me.?”

“To apologize to you.”

“And how did you find me?” I repeated

“I went to your house, and….”

“You went where? And my mum told you where I was.`` I said, tightening my fist, trying to control the anger building up within me. The nerve she has to search me out after almost ruining my life.

“No, nothing like that happened.” she waved her hands in a quick gesture. “Your mum asked me to leave her house. I only saw you while driving home and decided to follow you.”

I stared at her, she had lost some weight but she still looked beautiful. But the love I used to feel for her was gone. At the beginning of the trouble she caused me, I used to be so angry and hated her for framing me up and throwing my love for her to my face; but now as I watched her, I felt no emotions towards her. I just wanted her to go far away from my life for good.

“Since you are here, what do you want from me, Zoey?” I crossed my hands over my chest and waited for her response.

“I'm sorry for everything I did, please forgive me.” her words were inaudible from her sobbing.

“What of your lover and partner in crime?” I asked, I was curious to know.

“We broke up.” she didn't elaborate but I saw an untold pain flash her eyes and disappear.

“I'm so sorry Caleb, it was all my fault.”

“You are right about that Zoey, you betrayed me; you broke my heart and tried to destroy me,'' I replied, the memories of it all still fresh in my mind.

“I'm so sorry Caleb. Please forgive me.” she sobbed.

“I forgive you, now leave.” I turned to go to my room.

Zoey held my hands refusing to let me go. Please forgive me, Caleb, I was stupid and callous. Please, I've lost everything, my job.., my home, my dignity.``

Wide-eyed I stared at her in disbelief, however, I wondered if my grandfather's lawyers had anything to do with what happened to her. She didn't look like her old self. As I looked at her I felt some pity towards her. I also wondered what would have become of me if I didn't have a wealthy grandfather.

“There is nothing I can do for you Zoey, but I genuinely forgive you.” I started walking away and stopped. “You can spend the night here as it is late already. You can leave tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you,” Zoey whispered.

I only nodded without saying another word and walked away. Once I got to my room, I changed into my pajamas and sprawled on the bed. I was exhausted, more emotionally than physically.

That night as I slept, I dreamt of Sophie telling me to come home that I was going to be a father soon. I woke up perspiring all over, I poured some water into a glass cup and gulped down.

Getting up, I left my room and went downstairs. I had forgotten about Zoey so when I saw her sleeping on my couch, I was momentarily shocked. Glancing at the clock on the wall I knew my chef would be done with making breakfast.

Kenneth came in and when he saw Zoey he gestured with his hands to his me, who she was.

“An old acquaintance,” I replied dismissively and when I saw a smile curve on Kenneth's face, I continued. “Wake her up so she can have some breakfast, then come to my room. I have a job for you.