Undeniably His(75)

~~~

I notice the security team Kalin has following me from across the road that leads into the restaurant parking lot. I can see why Lia didn’t want them around everywhere. They’ve tracked my every move and are intimidating as hell with their earpieces and black SUV’s.

Madison smiles at me and waves, and I find it almost impossible to believe that this beautiful young woman with so much promise had anything to do with setting Kalin up for something so horrendous. My mind refuses to believe it, but I don’t let my guard down. I pretend to pick up where we left off, while intentionally planning to ask a few probing questions along the way.

“How was your meeting, Annabelle?” Her bright smile matches the warmth in her eyes. My heart pounds in my chest and I’m suddenly not sure if I’m talking with a friend or a psychopath. I imagine a red button under the table that I can push to call for help if she lunges at me.

“Lots of legal stuff. Boring.” I laugh inside at the irony of it all, which helps me to put on a convincing smile.

“Let’s get to it.” Madison whips out her iPad and shows me the survey results. “Almost every large client we had left because Kalin was no longer with TALVIS, and it showed in the company culture and in the customer service. More clients meant more money, according to the new TALVIS. As account managers took on more clients, they were spending less and less time with our most valued clients who had been with the company for years. A few clients’ comments crystalized the change:

‘What had been a rewarding relationship was quickly reduced to a series of business transactions in Kalin’s absence. No thanks.’

‘Your new management has no interest in our business. All I could see in their eyes were dollar signs.’

‘When Kalin returns, give me a call. Otherwise, don’t bother.’

“Ouch,” I bark while trying to stay focused on the task at hand.

“Kalin’s going to love seeing these. When he comes back, all of these clients will return, especially if he fires the management team.”

“Knowing Kalin, that’s exactly what he’ll do.” I smile. “Madison, can I ask you something personal?”

“Sure sweetie, what is it?”

“Did all these changes take you by surprise? I mean, you’ve been with this company for five years, and now I get hired. He hires me for a position that you’re much more qualified for than me. Are you okay with all of this?”

“Sure. I mean, it’s Kalin’s company, not mine. If he hired you, he sees something in you that he likes. I don’t question him anymore. After all, he built this into a multi-billion-dollar company from nothing. He obviously knows something I don’t or I’d be doing it.” She chuckles.

“And now we’re seeing each other. It just seems like a lot. Are you okay with all of this?”

“Sure. Kalin’s single. You’re single.” She shrugs. “It’s only natural,” she says with a glint of amusement.

“I’m serious, Madison. We haven’t talked about it before, and I was hired out of the blue. Kalin gave me this great position, and then everything just happened so fast. We haven’t really talked about it.”

A flash of warmth blushes her face, and she places her hand on my wrist. “Kalin knows what he’s doing. He went through a period of uncertainty when he didn’t know what he wanted. When he came back from Europe, he looked so lost. I wanted to be there for him.” Madison takes a deep breath. “I’m sure he told you we became more than coworkers then.”

“You…you were together?” I stammer.

“Yes. He didn’t tell you?”

“No, he didn’t tell me.” I feel my forehead tighten, and my eyes drift to the side.

“Annabelle, sweetie, this was before he knew you. This was before he even met you.”

Suddenly I forget that I may be in danger sitting with Madison, and I want to kill Kalin myself.

“He just wasn’t ready, Annabelle. He broke my heart. I admit it. But I’m over it. I just want him back with the company now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought Kalin would tell you when the time was right.” She presses her hand over mine.

“Well, he didn’t.” I frown.

“This shouldn’t come between you two, Annabelle.” She angles her head to try to make eye contact with me, but I’m staring at the floor.

“Were you in love with him?” I lift my eyes slightly.

Madison takes a deep breath and smiles at me. “Kalin’s easy to fall in love with, Annabelle.”

“Was he in love with you?” I finally pick up my eyes to study her face.