by Alexa Shaik
PREFACE
Kyra stared at the sky, from her bedroom window. She had done this every night, for four years now. It was her only getaway, the only way she could clear her mind. She remembered her mother’s voice, when she was young:
Just look at the sky, darling. And take it all in. Cause someone else is counting the stars with you.
She had held on to that for as long as she could remember. It had been a hard four years. Trying to get over the heartbreak... and now she had Kendall and he always reminded her of him. His eyes, his curiosity, his smile, his laughter, the way his eyes caught the light... how could she forget him when he was right there?
She downed the glass and fiddled with it for a while. She had a life to tend to... people to take care of, her job. And she wasn’t going to wait forever for something that wasn’t simply going to happen. She was going to push him from her mind as far enough as she could. Until he was a distant memory. Or better, forgotten.
CHAPTER ONE
Kyra Sparks parked her sleek convertible right outside the company and got out. A wide grin spread in her face as her hazel eyes wandered around. She walked into the company, head held high. After waving to the receptionist Ms. Cruz, who was seated at her desk, she headed to her office. She tossed her purse on her desk and went over to her chair to sit. She picked a couple of files and started going through them. After a few minutes, the phone rang and she picked it up. “Hello, Ms. Sparks,” Ms. Cruz said, “There’s someone here to see you.”
“Send them in.” she placed the receiver back and continued working.
There was a knock on the door. “Come in, please.” She said without looking up. “How may I help you?” she was still studying the files.
“Ahem.” She heard the person clear their throat. She looked up and in an instant, her eyes were filled with shock. He, Keith Gorbachev, was standing right there in front of her. Why had he come back? She thought she would see him no more after that fateful day he had decided they part ways. So why was he back?
“What can I do for you, Mr. Gorbachev? She tried to sound calm but he had seen the shock in her eyes before she had tried to hide it. He knew he wasn’t welcome here but he had to face his mistakes. He’d come to reconcile with his past. No matter how hard.
“Kyra, I need to talk to you.”
“About what? We have nothing to talk about.”
“Please. It’s important.”
“More important than disappearing? Besides, I’m too busy so leave my office.”
“Kyra…”
“I said get out!” he noticed the change in her tone, held her gaze for a while, turned to the door and left.
She let out a deep sigh. She had never thought that he would have the nerve to come back but seconds ago, he’d been there. Stronger, more handsome. More masculine. His gray-blue eyes had looked at her sadly and she had noticed that his nicely-combed hair had now been ruffled. She shook her head. She wouldn’t let him interfere with her life. Not after how much she’d gone through.
Ms. Cruz looked up as he passed by the reception. The look on his face explained that things hadn’t gone well. She bit her lip. He mumbled a low goodbye and left.
“Damn!” he cursed as he opened the door to his Cadillac. He knew she’d reject him so why had he come here in the first place? He turned on the engine and left.
He parked right outside the house he’d just bought. He got out and slammed the door to his car. Once he got inside the house, he grabbed a cold drink from the fridge and threw himself on the couch. Memories from the past flooded before his eyes. He’d tried to get rid of them for five years but they wouldn’t stop taunting him. They had become a part of him. He shut his eyes, hoping they’d leave him for just a moment. Just once.
“So, how are you doing today?” Keith was lying on the couch in his therapist’s office. He had been here since the nightmares started coming back. He knew they’d reappear now, that he was trying to mend things.
“I can’t stop having the nightmares. I’m having them during the day now.”
“Sounds serious. Anything new about them? Or same old?”
“I don’t know. I seem to wake up just before I see something new.” He paused, “I saw Kyra today.”
“How was that?”
“She was shocked, then angry. But I don’t blame her, you know?” he gave out a wry laugh.
“You miss her, don’t you?”
“More than anything.”
“Well, you have got to fix everything. Starting with her. Otherwise, your nightmares will continue to haunt you.”
“Yes, sir.”
CHAPTER TWO
“Mommy!” Kendall jumped on Kyra as soon as she hung her coat by the door. “Oh, my little man!” she said, picking him up as she stepped out of her heels and headed to the kitchen. It was 6:30 pm so she had to start making dinner.
“Where’s Uncle Ian?” she asked Kendall, who was hanging on her hip as she looked for supplies from the closet.
“Here!” she heard her brother Ian say from behind. He was wiping his hands with a paper towel. His white T-shirt was greasy and his blue jeans stained with grass.
“What happened?” she asked, kissing his cheek. Ian took Kendall from her hands as she walked back to the kitchen.
Ian was a full five inches taller than her 5’5”, masculine, blond hair and hazel eyes. She still wondered why he was single. She smiled to herself. He would at least have a string of ladies on his list for sure.
“I was mowing your lawn and it died. I had to fix it,” he said, lifting Kendall in the air and bringing him back down. “You should really buy another one, sis.”
“I will… soon,” she said, taking out packets of noodles as she put a pot on the stove and added water for it to boil. Keith’s return was still playing on her mind and she had so many questions. Why had he come back? What was so important he had to come to her office and talk about? And why he had gotten more attractive? He was the same Keith she knew…same accent, same walk, same husky voice, same…
“Mom!” Kendall screeched but before she could react, the boiling water jumped and landed on her hand. She winced loudly, as she turned the stove off and rushed to the sink.
“Mom, you okay?” Kendall asked, his face turning into a frown.
“Yeah, Kyra… is it okay?” he shifted Kendall to his side and went to take a look at her hand.
“It’s okay. Just a little pain. I should go dress it,” she closed the faucet. Ian looked at her worriedly. She did not look okay and he felt it. After all, they were twins.
“Why don’t we go out for some Chinese? My treat,” he said.
“Yeah, okay.” Kyra said, avoiding Ian’s eyes. “I’ll get ready.”
A few minutes later, they were seated at Gourmet Dumpling House, the best Chinese place in town. The place wasn’t packed and she was glad.
“You wanna tell me what’s going on or do I have to force it out of you?” Ian said, looking into her eyes. Kendall was playing in the parking lot, and they could see him from where they sat. She sighed and looked at her bandaged hand.
“He came into my office today,” she said slowly.
“Who?” he asked, patiently. She looked up at him.
“Keith,” she whispered as tears gathered in her eyes. Ian winced and moved to hug his sister.
“What did he want?” he tried to sound calm but clearly, he was upset. And he had reason to be. He had left Kyra so desperate, abandoned her when she needed him most, scared and pregnant.
“He wanted to talk. But I sent him away,” she said, her voice, shaky. Ian pulled away and looked at her. She was trying to be strong, but he could see past the masquerade she was letting on. He saw a scared woman, hurt and confused.
“As long as I�
�m alive, I promise you won’t have to go through that again, ever. You understand?”
She smiled and hugged him. “Yeah, okay. I love you.”
“Love you too, sis.” He said, squeezing her shoulder. Keith better not try to hurt her again, he thought, or else…
CHAPTER THREE
Keith parked right outside Gourmet Dumpling, craving for some Chinese. He’d get take-out since he didn’t feel like eating out. His mind was on Kyra and the whole day. He breathed her name into the cold night. Suddenly, a little boy, say four-five years old, bumped into him. The boy almost fell but Keith held him before he did.
“Sorry, mister,” the boy said, looking really sorry.
“It’s okay, little fella,” he said, stooping down to see him eye to eye. He was shocked. The boy had the same gray-blue eyes and dark hair as him. He reminded him so much of Kyra he actually stopped breathing for a moment.
“You talk funny,” the boy said, grinning.
“Yes, I do. That’s because I was born in Russia. You know where that is?” he grinned too.
“No… Madagascar?” he answered, looking confused. Keith laughed and ruffled the boy’s hair.
“Kendall,” the boy heard his name and turned to Keith. “I have to go,”
“Goodbye,” he waved as the boy ran off into the restaurant. He was scooped up by a tall man at the entrance. He couldn’t see his face because it was dark, but he felt as if he looked familiar. He then looked inside and he saw the man and the boy and… Kyra.
It all came back to him so hard he almost fell over. The tall man was Ian, Kyra’s brother! He walked back to his car. He didn’t feel hungry anymore. He drove off, as confused as ever.
He ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled deeply. The child could not have been Ian’s as he was blond. And single for as long as he could remember. And he reminded him so much of Kyra. He had the same features as him. That could only mean that…No! He shook his head. It could be any other dark-haired, gray-blue-eyed guy. But even as he crossed himself out, he knew he was in denial.
Kendall was four or five, give or take. He had left Kyra five years ago, not looking at all pregnant. And he had been Kyra’s first. His gut told him he was right. But he wouldn’t believe it until he confirmed it from a reliable source. So, he turned and drove to the only person he trusted after Kyra, all these years. The only other who knew him so well: Kyra’s mother, Lydia.
He parked right outside Lydia’s house. It was the same way he’d left it, five years ago. He got out, with flowers he’d gotten for her and walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. It was opened by a short woman in her early fifties but looked younger. She has brown hair with a few whites, and blue eyes.
“Keith?” she gasped in surprise. Her eyes watered as she went in for a hug.
“Hey, mom.” His eyes were welling too, happy to be reunited with one who understood him. “I got you flowers.”
“Thank you. Where have you been? I missed you so much,” she said, pulling back and accepting the flowers. Keith looked as her and couldn’t help but see how much he loved her as if she was his own mother. She was wiping her cheeks and she led him into the living room.
“Sit, sit.” She sat beside him and held his hands. “Why did you leave just like that? And not just me, Kyra. You know how much she loved you,” she rambled.
“I’m sorry. I wish I could take that day back. But I had to…” he paused. “But… I have to know something first.”
“You’ve met Kyra?” she guessed. He nodded. “But she didn’t want to talk to me, I don’t blame her. And Ian too, he’s changed.” He said, remembering the dorky 21-year-old he’d left behind.
“Yes, he has. He hit the gym more. And ditched the glasses. What do you want to know?” she asked, curious.
“I… does Kyra… is she… was the little boy, Kendall… who is he?” he asked finally. Lydia squeezed Keith’s hand and smiled, a smile displaying pain and sadness.
“Kendall, he’s… he’s your son, honey.”
Keith’s got up slowly and walked to the window. He… had a son. Kendall was his son. He ruffled his hair.
“When you left, we found out Kyra was almost a month through. She was so devastated… she didn’t want the kid… but she decided to keep it. Then, Kendall was born. A little you,” she said, behind him. He felt his whole body go numb. Five years was a lot and he had missed out on a lot.
He swallowed back his tears. “I wish I wouldn’t have left. But… I had no choice. I just wish Kyra would understand that…”
“Sh... you’re here now. It’s time to make everything right.” She said, leading him back to the couch. He leaned into her.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Mom, where’s Russia?” Kendall asked as she tucked him in. She froze, then shook her head to clear her thoughts.
“Russia is in Europe. You know where that is?” she asked, pinching his nose. He laughed. “Madagascar?” she laughed. “No, not everything is in Madagascar. You should pay attention in class, buddy.” He laughed. She shook her head, “Now get some sleep, you’re going to Grandma’s tomorrow. Goodnight, baby.” She kissed his forehead and switched off his night lamp.
“Night, mommy. I love you,” he said, drifting off to sleep. She smiled as she closed the door to his room.
She wondered where she could have been without her son. And to think, she wanted to give him up when she found out she was pregnant. She was hurt, by Keith and she wanted to take it out on the baby. But... she was glad she had kept him. He was her motivation and she loved him. And... she had held on to him with the hope that Keith would return but she had given up on that four years ago.
Oh gosh, she thought, changing into her pajamas. She got in her bed and tied her hair in a loose bun. Keith was back and she had to find a way to face him. But... she wasn’t letting him hurt her again. But... even as she drifted off to sleep, she recognized a feeling she’d kept locked away for a long time.
She was still in love with Keith Gorbachev.
“Settle down and finish your breakfast,” Kyra kissed Kendall’s forehead as she smiled.
“Sorry, I’m just excited to see grandma. Don’t forget we need to take her cookies.” She chuckled. She grabbed his coat and hers and headed to the car. Kendall came out a few minutes later, and got in. She turned the engine on and drove. All morning she’d been thinking about Keith. She knew that if Keith found out about Kendall that he’d try anything to be in his life. She looked over at Kendall, singing along to a song on his iPod and smiled. She wouldn’t let Keith hurt him. Or her.
Kendall grabbed the cookies the minute they arrived, got out and ran all the way to the door. “Careful, buddy.” She warned him as she got out. Lydia opened the door to a smiling Kendall. “I brought you cookies.”
“Oh, my boy,” she lifted him up and hugged him. Kyra walked over to them. “Hey, mom. Your grandson could hardly contain himself during breakfast.”
They walked to the living room. Kendall ran to the playroom to play. Lydia sat beside her daughter. “You don’t look good. What’s going on?”
“I’m just a bit tired, I guess.”
“Kyra, I am your mother, what happened?” Before Kyra got a chance to answer, the doorbell rang. Her mother got up.
Kyra glanced over her back to see who it was. Her eyes were wide with shock. She inhaled deeply, trying to compose herself. Standing next to her mother, was Keith himself. He knew how to make quite an entrance. Her eyes quickly changed from shock to anger. “Why are you here? You stalking me now?” Lydia suggested they go to a room where Kendall couldn’t hear them. “I’ll be in the living room if you need me.” With that, she closed the door.
Kyra was filled with rage. “What are you doing here?” she was clenching her teeth.
“I was over at your house a while ago and figured you’d be here,” he sighed deeply. “I want to see my son.”
Kyra scoffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Kyra
, I know everything. Kendall’s my son.”
“Oh no! Kendall is not your son. I’m the one who changed his diapers and stuck by him. You shouldn’t even have the nerve to call you his.” She was pacing around the room, throwing her hands.
“He’s still my son.” Kyra threw him a look he’d never seen in her.
“You will never be a part of Kendall’s life!” she stormed out of the room.
Lydia met her halfway, sobbing. She led her to a sofa and let her cry. Her mind went back to the day Keith left Kyra. She had cried like this. She knew her sweet daughter didn’t deserve this, but life happens.
“He had the nerve to approach me, mom. How could he?” she asked, sobbing quietly. Keith appeared from the room they’d been in and looked at Lydia, holding Kyra. He was hurt, knowing he was responsible for all she’d gone through. Lydia shook her head and he got the message. He walked out, feeling torn inside. How could he hurt her like that? Maybe it was wise to stay away from her and Kendall for a while.
“Sir! You left your keys,” Kendall said behind him. He turned to see him run towards him, keys in his hand. He bent to get them and smiled, “Thanks, buddy.”
“Hey...” Kendall said after some scrutiny. “You’re the guy from yesterday, aren’t you?”
“I am,” he answered, getting up. Kendall looked like him when he was that age. It was remarkable how alike they looked. “Bye.”
“Bye,” Kendall waved and ran back to the house. Keith stared as he ran. Give that up? He thought, starting up his car. Not a chance. He would do anything to get his son and the woman he loved back.
CHAPTER FIVE
Kyra walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Sleep wouldn’t come to her and she was thirsty for a glass of milk. What a day! She took out the carton and poured the milk into a glass. Then she went out to the patio. Sighing heavily, she sat on one of the chairs and sipped her milk slowly. She had survived five years trying to get over Keith. Five. Now he was back with more drama.