Chapter 43: Twist?
Kyle had concluded his meeting with Mr. Jones, and, as expected, Jones was eager. He understood what this opportunity meant for him and his family. This reaction was exactly what Kyle had anticipated. Jones trusted him enough not to ask probing questions, but lawyers would undoubtedly be involved to draft the contracts that formalized their agreement.
Kyle stayed a while longer, chatting with Jones. Despite the struggles of his life, Jones always carried a sense of gratitude. He had a way of finding happiness even in difficult circumstances, refusing to waste time complaining about how hard life was. Instead, he made the best of his situation, and Kyle admired that about him.
"Kyle, have you ever thought about getting married?" Jones asked suddenly. Kyle respected Jones for never prying into his personal life or asking how he came into his money. He also admired how Jones had never asked him for a handout, despite struggling.
"Marriage? I don’t think I have," Kyle answered bluntly. "There’s no advantage to it."
"Haha! No advantage? Of course, there is!" Jones exclaimed with a hearty laugh.
"How so?" Kyle asked, genuinely curious.
"You have a witness to your life," Jones said with a fond smile. "Someone to see the good and bad, to watch you grow or stumble, and to stick with you through it all."
Kyle frowned, unconvinced. "That’s a stretch. Divorce rates are sky-high for a reason. I’d rather live for myself than for someone who might not feel the same about me."
Jones looked almost disappointed. "So, you don’t plan to get married?"
"I just haven’t thought much about it," Kyle admitted. Then he shifted the focus. "You’re married—are you happy?"
Jones paused before answering, his expression softening. "Yeah, we are. Like any couple, we face challenges, but we share the same goal: giving our kids the best shot at life."
"So, it’s your love for your kids keeping you together, not your love for each other?" Kyle asked, his words lingering in the air.
A heavy silence followed before Kyle broke it with a small laugh. "I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable," he said. "Think of it this way: imagine two friends writing a book together. Even if they fall out, they’ll put their differences aside to nurture that book because it’s something they both created and love."
Jones smiled, shaking his head. "You’ve got an interesting way of looking at things."
Kyle nodded, grateful the conversation hadn’t soured. His perspective on relationships was unique, and he knew not everyone would agree with it.
"Do you want something to eat or drink?" Jones asked, realizing he hadn’t offered anything since Kyle arrived.
Kyle glanced at his watch and was surprised to see that an hour had passed. "Time flies when you’re with good company. I’m glad we made progress today. Let’s continue this conversation later at work," Kyle said, preparing to leave.
Jones nodded, understanding. While they had ironed out many details, there was still more to finalize.
---
Meanwhile, Calista hesitated outside Lucas Rossini’s hotel room. This wasn’t like her. Normally, she would seize an opportunity with both hands, regardless of the consequences. But something about this meeting felt different.
She sat across from Lucas, a glass of wine in front of her and a half-empty bottle on the table. Lucas chatted with her, but his words quickly turned suggestive. It became clear that this meeting had nothing to do with her talent. She hadn’t been chosen for her skills—she’d been chosen for her looks.
This realization hit her hard, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She had dreamed of making it big in Hollywood, but she hadn’t expected it to come at this cost.
Lucas leaned forward, placing his hand on her thigh. His touch was warm but unwelcome.
"You know, Calista," Lucas began, his tone dripping with false charm, "I could make you a star—the biggest name in Hollywood. Calista Wave, the face of every brand."
His words were nothing more than a fantasy, and Calista knew it. Lucas might have some influence, but he wasn’t nearly as powerful as he claimed to be. His hand slid further up her thigh, and Calista felt her disgust rising.
She placed her hand firmly on his, stopping him from going any further.
"What are you doing?" Lucas asked, his voice tinged with irritation.
Calista felt insulted that he thought this approach would work on her. The lavish place Kyle had taken her to made this resort look cheap by comparison.
"If this is what I have to do to get the role," she said calmly but firmly, "then I’m afraid I have to decline."
Her heart raced as she stood up. She knew this decision could end her career before it even began, but she couldn’t bring herself to stoop to this level.
Lucas stared at her in silence, his expression unreadable. He withdrew his hand, and Calista walked out of the room.
For a brief moment, she feared he might try to stop her—force himself on her, even. After all, she had agreed to meet him at a hotel, and everyone would assume she had known what to expect. If he crossed the line, no one would believe her.
But nothing happened. She left the room unharmed but filled with dread. Had she just committed career suicide?
---
As Kyle walked out of Jones’s office, he felt a sense of accomplishment. For once, he wasn’t just thinking about himself. Helping Jones save the building wasn’t just about keeping up appearances; it was about doing the right thing.
He thought about what Jones had said earlier about marriage, about having someone to witness your life. Kyle wasn’t sure if he believed in that kind of connection, but he couldn’t deny that Jones’s words had stayed with him.
Kyle sighed as he got into his car. For now, he had more pressing matters to deal with—like figuring out his next step with the building renovations.
As he drove off, he couldn’t help but think about Calista. He hadn’t heard from her recently, and part of him wondered if she was okay. He didn’t realize it yet, but their paths were about to intersect in a way that would change everything.
