THE HOTTEST LOVE

Kendal

It was a chilly evening as it had just rained heavily in the city, and there she was, sat up in her bed in the middle of the night, lost in thought. The recent happenings in Kendal's life has prompted her to review her life choices, casting doubt on the memories she once held dear. Taking a deep breath, Kendal picked up her phone and dialed Karl's number, each digit making her heart pound heavily.

Karl's cheerful voice echoed through the line as he picked up, blissfully unaware of the storm about to hit.

"Hey baby, I was just about to call you. What's up?"

"Hey, Karl."

Kendal's heart fluttered as she thought about the impending revelation. The simplicity of Karl's greeting clashed with the complexity of her emotions.

"I was thinking about us, about everything."

"Oh, yeah? What's on your mind? I have being thinking about us too. Will you go first or should I?"

Kendal cringed, moving the phone from her ear as Karl's excited voice pierced her heart the more. A voice that once brought joy to her heart, now causing so much pain, each word cutting through the hope she had for saving their love.

"I was thinking maybe we could go on a vacation to Maldives or anywhere you desire" Karl said.

"Uhmm Karl, I...."

"No No Babe. Do not worry about the expenses. I will take care of everything. Just tell me where you want us to go and we are there" Karl said.

Kendal paused, feeling Karl's offer to take her anywhere came with an unspoken guilt, even though he seemed unaware that she knew about his actions. His confidence left her torn and uncertain.

Images of whispered promises and shared laughter flashed before Kendal's eyes. She wondered if every 'I love you' had been genuine or just a well-rehearsed line.

"Karl. I need to tell you something." Kendal insisted

"Something important than picking a vacation spot?" Karl asked, surprisingly.

"You know, all those times you said you loved me. Did you mean it?"

A brief pause lingered in the air, tension building with each passing second.

"Of course, Kendal. You know I care about you."

Kendal's hands tightened around the phone, the truth she'd been avoiding now demanding acknowledgment.

"I need you to be honest with me, Karl. Have you been faithful?"

Stammering and hesitation colored Karl's response, confirming Kendal's worst fears.

"What? Where is this coming from?"

"I saw you, Karl. I saw you with her. I saw you with Nancy"

Silence descended, the weight of truth settling in the space between them.

"Was it all a lie, Karl? Did you ever really love me?"

Karl's attempt to explain felt feeble against the backdrop of Kendal's shattered trust.

"Kendal, it's not what you think."

With anger in her voice, Kendal confronted the painful reality.

"How long? How long have you been lying to me?"

"Kendal, please, let me explain."

But explanations couldn't mend the broken trust, and Kendal felt tears welling up, her heart shattering like fragile glass.

"I can't do this anymore, Karl. I can't be with someone who doesn't value me. Someone who betrays me."

"Kendal, don't do this over one mistake. We can work through it."

"Over one mistake? Did you say one? You think am not aware this has being going on for a while? Just because I decided to keep quiet? You think I am dumb?. Yet, you are still lying after being caught. Karl you are loser and I regret the day I met you." Kendal gasped for breath.

As Karl pleaded, Kendal became even more angry.

"This isn't just one mistake, Karl. This is a pattern of lies. Of all the ladies in this world, you chose to cheat on me with my bestfriend. My best friend!!!! . I hope you rot in hell Karl, including that bitch."

The click of the hung-up call reverberated in the room. Alone, Kendal stared at her phone, and cried her heart out. 5years of love gone just like that.

***********************

Later in the evening, after so much crying and reflection, Kendal decides to step out of her room to get something to eat from the kitchen. Unknown to her, her parents were having a conversation she had being trying to avoid for a while.

As Kendal stepped into the living room she noticed a heavy grin on her Mom's face which seemed a little weird.

"There you are!! My baby" Mrs Doyle exclaimed.

"Hello Mom" I responded coldly.

"Kendal, please take a seat. We need to talk to you," Mom said. She gently pat's me as I sit beside her. Father, sitting across from me, wears a deep frown, looking frailer than ever. "I know this is a topic you usually avoid, but it's high time we address the challenges on our hands."

"We must save your father's failing business." We have talked about it for a while now and we have decided it was high time we let you know our stand on this. We believe it is time for you to meet Trey Dennis"

I became so furious and slightly disappointed. It irks me anytime my parents think they can just have a meeting behind my back and decide what they think is best for me without even consulting to me. Come to think of it, it's not like they care about me that much, all they care about is the company that is dying and I am just a collateral in case things do not go well. Only the thought of this saddens me a lot.

"No, Mom" I say sharply, startling her. I turn to face her squarely. "Mom, Dad, please don't get me wrong. I really want the company to thrive again, I do, but one thing i am not willing to do, is trade my life and future for the company's success. Dad, I am sure there are many other ways to go about this. I do not even know this Troy Dennish or whatever his name is. "

"Will you shut up your mouth you this ungrateful child." Mr Doyle shouts at Kendal. "Do you think you have a choice uhn? Kendal, you have no choice. This is not about how you feel or what you want, this is about what is best for the company and this family." Mr Doyle declares, firmly.

"Dad and you think getting married to someone that i barely know is the solution? What if i don't survive the union? What if I die in the process? I don't even know if he is a monster or an abuser. Dad I am not doing this." Kendal voices out.

There was a silence in the room for a bit and Kendal continued.

"More so, what do you want me to with Karl? Uhn? Throw him out the window? I have a boyfriend for crying out loud" Kendal lied.

"Is it that scumbag you are referring to as your boyfriend? Now i see where the rpoblem is from. I had some doubts initially, but now I am convinced that some nuts in your head are worn out" My Dad hailed at me.

Even though I am no longer with Karl, I was a little bit furious that he was referred to as a scumbag. I felt it necessary to defend him but then I thought again "Isn't he a scumbag for cheating on me with my best friend? Fuck you Karl"

"I'm not interested, Dad. Please, let us put this debate to rest. Please!"

"I won't let you speak to my husband that way, you silly girl," Mrs Doyle yelled forcefully, her hands slipping from my thighs.

Why is she defending her husband? Wasn't it this same woman who wanted to bring down the roof last night when she was yelling at her husband? Now she is pretending like she cares when we all know that all she is concerned about is how to keep getting the cash flow to fund her luxurious and wasteful lifestyle.

Mom is finding it extremely difficult to adjust to this new lifestyle, and she has been having problems with my father ever since the company went bankrupt.

Mom broke the silence again. "Is it that you don't miss the good life? When last did we go on a vacation? When last did we go for luxury shopping? uhn? Look outside we have sold 4 cars in the past 2months just because we couldn't maintain them. Is the life you want? And now we are telling you to get married to a billionaire family that is ready to help us out, you are telling us you have a boyfriend. Listen, if you push me too much I will get that your so called boyfriend arrested."

"You can't do that Mom, You can't." I yelled.

"Okay, try me and see" Mom yelled back

"Also, maybe you should speak for yourself Mom because I am fine without the vacations and the luxury shopping. Yes I am. Maybe the company should remain the way it is, if that's only why you want it to thrive again." I said.

" Honey can you hear your daughter? Do you see how she is talking to me?" Mom nagged.

"Okay okay. That's enough from both of you" Dad cut in.

"Kendal, even if you don't want the luxury lifestyle what about the future of the company? Sooner than later, this company would be yours."

"Well, Mom, Dad, I have a BOYFRIEND! So I do not see how this is going to work with me having a boyfriend"

"The same one who is always cheating on you with other girls?" She retorts back sharply, standing up to my height.

What? How did she know about Karl's cheating?

"That idiot that keeps hurting you?" My mother's voice is raised. "Do you even know what you are doing? He always cheats on you yet you keep accepting him back?"

Who told her this? I ask within me, tears threatening to fall down my eyes.

Was it Nancy? Yes it must have been Nancy, no one else knew about it.

But why would she tell my mother about Karl's cheating? Anyways now I see why. Now I see why she always advised me to leave Karl, and why she was so invested in our relationship. She had always disapproved of him and urged me to leave him. Mom rose from her chair, ready to exit the room. Then she declared, "We're offering you a good life. This guy is handsome and wealthy, the youngest billionaire in New York. What more do you want?"

"What do I want?" I retorted, pointing my index finger at her. "What I want is for you two to stop interfering with my life."

My response took her by surprise. "You are getting married to Trey, whether you like it or not, Kendall. You two have been betrothed since childhood, and I won't let you make a wrong decision when he's obviously better than your cheating boyfriend."

"We'll see about that, Mom."

It was a quiet morning, with Kendal standing by the curtain, staring through the window. The words of her Mom and Dad, from the night before, echoed in her mind. They strongly believe that Trey Dennis is the right one for me because he is a Billionaire that can save the family's heritage, but I do not think so.

The frustration and anger from the night before, lingered till now, because I can't just Understand being pushed into a marriage with a man I barely know, let alone loved. The weight of my family's expectations is pressed down on my shoulders, and the thought of losing control bothers me.

I think I know what I am going to do. I need to prove to my Mom and Dad that Karl is responsible. So I am going to go to his house now and make up with him so that we can get back together.

I grabbed my car keys and headed to Karl's house. I needed to mend the rift between them, to salvage what we have left, before my parents ruin my life.

Within the hour, I found myself standing at Karl's doorstep. As I debated whether to knock or not, the memory of my mom informing me about the betrothal hit me once more, reigniting my anger. Before I knew it, my fists were banging on Karl's door.

After knocking, I slip my hand back into my jacket, waiting. There's no response, and I wonder if he isn't home yet. He usually finishes work at 9 pm, and now it's already 11 pm. Where could he be?

Sighing deeply, I take out my phone to give him a call. It rings for a while, but he doesn't answer. Frustrated, I knock more loudly and aggressively on the door, which is thrown open immediately.

"Where the hell have you been? I've been..." I said.

"Hey, Kendal," he interrupts, shirtless as he pulls me into a quick hug.

"Oh Kendal? Not "Babe?" I can see that you have adjusted quickly" I said.

Anyways, why Are you sweating like this. What is happening?" I call out when I notice him avoiding my gaze. Leaning against the doorframe, as though to block me from entering his apartment, I sense something is up. This is unlike Karl. He loves it when I visit. Even though I broke up with him, isn't he supposed to fight for me and want me back?

I am here because I want us to reconcile and settle our differences but it seems he has moved on.

"Kendal, what are you doing here? I was just about to give you a call," he says, staring up at me with a huge smile on his face. I fold my arms around my bosom. My heart is sinking. Karl is acting strange, probably it's because of the break up.

Without permission, I push past him into the apartment. I shouldn't give his betrayal any thought at the moment. My major concern should be spending the night here. I can't go home tonight. I want my mother to realize her mistake and change her mind about this betrothal nonsense.

"Kendal, Stop. We are not together anymore, remember?" Karl calls behind me and grabs my arm, spinning me to face him.

"So you don't want me back? You won't fight for me?" I asked in disbelief.

I can't believe he's doing this, stopping me from coming into his house. I turned around to sit.

Then I saw clothes are sprawled on the living room floor-about five pieces and a pair of high heels. A low gasp escapes my mouth as my gaze shifts to the staircase leading upstairs, and I saw a wig lying on the base of the staircase.

"Kendal, it's not what you think," he said, appearing in front of me, attempting to defend himself.

"Karl, again?" no words formed in my mouth. I didn't know what to think or how to react.

I can't believe this is what Karl was dong while I was hoping he'd fight for our relationship.

I am such a fool for thinking this guy would fight for us.

"Karl you are such a coward and looser, and you know what? Just watch how your life unfolds. From now henceforth, you will struggle and toil with no rest. Your helpers will continually distant themselves from you. Bastard" I screamed, with tears rolling down my cheek.

"Where is the bitch. Where is the bitch!!!! Come out let me see you see you. " I shouted

"Kendal stop this. You broke up with me, not me with you. Remember?" Karl said.

"What!!!! Can you just hear yourself? Its not even up to 24hours and look at what you are doing? You just a looser who doesn't deserve me or anything good in life." I said louldly.

At this point, I could no longer hold my anger. When I caught him with Nancy, I left quietly, without drama. Now, look at me, with my emotions all over the place, cursing, and throwing stuff.

This shouldn't be happening. Nothing is going the way I planned. I should be warmly welcomed by Karl. He should be on his Knees apologizing for all the pain he has caused me. But look at me, suffering from more pain.

Karl is a lying, cheating bastard.

Picking up the heels, I throw them at him in a fit of anger, but he dodges them as he jumps over the sofa. Just then, a figure suddenly appears from behind. I realized that might be the woman he's cheating with, I force myself not to look, pushing back my curiosity.

I grab my phone and walk to the door, hugging my jacket to myself and not bothering to wipe the tears on my face. Before I can turn the doorknob to leave, a voice stops me.

"Hello, Kendal," a familiar voice calls out, and I turn slowly to see a triumphant smile on her face.

No! No! No! This can't be" I thought to myself.

"Nancy? You again? "

"Yes it's me. Who else would it be?" She said, arrogantly.

"I curse the day I met both of you" I said with a shaky and teary voice.

I made the wrong choice by dating him. I thought I could win him over and not give Nancy the pleasure of losing him to her. Now I know I've lost this battle. I can never win this because Karl doesn't even deserve it. He has the opportunity to choose me over her right now, but he isn't doing that, he has decided to go with my best friend.

To win this, I need a different approach. For the last laugh, I should probably meet up with this so-called billionaire and have my revenge.

Without a word, I open the door and dash out with tears streaming down my eyes.

Trey's POV

"It's been five minutes already. Being late upsets me so much that I truly can't take it. If she's not here in five minutes, I would take my leave. With the time I've wasted waiting here, I could have accomplished a great deal of work back at the office.

After nearly ten minutes of waiting, I take one last glance at the restaurant door and sigh deeply. I started to think about the big changes that will be happening in the next months."

I initially wasn't happy about the whole arrangement, but then I had to embrace it at some point.

When I got to know about the betrothal and the fact that I have to be married soon to inherit my grandfather's construction company, I was shocked because I had felt that my hard work would be just enough to inherit the company.

That old man knew I was never going to get married and he did this on purpose. Also, my father didn't inform me all this while and that's one of the reasons why I am infuriated.

"I wasn't forced to come here. I just thought it would be a good idea to meet the person I'm going to marry in the next few months. Even though I don't like the idea of an arranged marriage when I'm old enough to choose my own partner, I still feel like I should give it a try and se how it goes."

"She's my grandfather's choice. Obviously, my Mom likes her, judging by the way she gushed about what a good girl she is. Marrying her shouldn't be a big deal then. We don't necessarily need to be in love with each other. My parents didn't consider this before arranging our engagement, so getting married out of love shouldn't be a problem. I am doing this because I want to inherit the company, and I am sure she also has her reasons for getting in to this marriage as well"

The longer I sit alone in this empty space, the deeper my frustration grows, and the less interested I feel to endure this arrangement.

I am cool with the idea of Betrothal and all that but If she thinks for a second that I am desperate and can not find a partner on my own terms, then she is messing up big time. I have no desire for a self-absorbed individual who lacks punctuality whenever we need to go out or attend an event.

I am beginning to rethink my decision about this whole betrothal nonsense.

There are a lot of beautiful and respectful women around me, I just need to find one of them to be married to.

Honestly, this is bullshit!

I rise abruptly and pick up my phone, turning to go when the guard at the door throws open the transparent door and a lady steps in.

Her appearance was far from what I w expecting.

This is not the person I was anticipating, my mother portrayed her as a sophisticated and beautiful lady, so I had assumed she would appear all glammed up.

Is that a tracksuit I see? I stare at her as she gets closer, furrowing my brow in doubt.

Who wears a tracksuit on a date with a man they're about to marry?

Something about this lady just seems weird.

She doesn't look lovely, most likely because her outfit is inappropriate for this outing, and on top of that, her makeup isn't done properly.

She somewhat looks like a clown. I am not impressed at all.

If I wasn't already irritable, this would be enough to make me so.

"Hey," she says sheepishly when she gets close, jolting me out of my reverie and intensifying my rage.

I can't seem to construct a word, which is probably due to my rage. The expression on my face said it all.

She ignores it, and then it dawned on me that are actions are deliberate. The emotion on my face is not something she should ignore. She should come here to impress me, not the other way around, which she isn't doing.

Obviously, my dissatisfaction with this arranged marriage is not pertinent to me alone, she feels the same way as well. so I guess she coming on a first date, dressed like a crown is her own way of expressing her displeasure and anger.

Following several blinks and a puzzled stare to check her out, I regain my voice and let out a harsh roar. "What in the world is this?"

The grin on her face fades and is replaced by a scowl. She is no longer shy; she exudes confidence in both her unorthodox behavior and the outfit she has chosen.

" Excuse me, What are you talking about?" She asks back innocently but her looks say otherwise.

She isn't innocent. She knows what I am talking about and she knows what she is doing.

Choosing not to unleash my pent-up anger through barking at her, I eased myself into the seat, determined to rein in my nerves and maintain composure. I crave her presence-Mother holds her in high regard, and Father, bound by Grandfather's enduring wish, won't oppose it, despite the old man being long departed. They all insist on my marriage, and I find myself utterly powerless to alter their stance.

"This engagement holds immense significance for them, particularly Grandfather. If it weren't crucial, Father wouldn't broach the topic at this moment. He would have simply advised me to seek out a suitable match on my own.

There's no benefit in losing my temper with this foolish girl and reporting to my father. None whatsoever. I shake my head once more; my frustration is difficult to contain. I'm on the verge of shouting aloud. Firstly, for her tardiness, making it an unproductive wait, and secondly, for arriving in such a foolish attire."

"Is she without shame? Before I can ponder that, she takes a seat across from me, sporting yet another fake smile.

"Hi, I'm Kendal Doyle," she introduces herself, extending her right hand for a handshake after placing her small purse on the table between us. My gaze stays fixed on her face. She appears amusing, and I'm certain I would burst into laughter if this were my sister doing it, and not the girl I recently discovered I'm about to marry."

She's intentionally doing this, and knowing it is unsettling. Without grasping her hand, I lean back with folded arms. She lets her hand fall with a disappointed expression on her face, which is also feigned.