Checkmate

Chapter 9

Kade

She took my breath away showing up and doing the presentation, but more than that she truly knew how to work and talk to people. By the end of the meeting our contract with the new company was signed and the deal would be pushed through. She knew things about my company I had no idea she did, and she knew exactly how to negotiate, at the end we all walked out winners. She even got us a better deal than I initially thought we would get, she was incredible. When we left the boardroom and made our way to the office, I just stared at her. Her hair was the complete contradiction from her outfit and I could see from a mile away she was extremely uncomfortable with the attire. Even if it fitted her like a glove, “you were incredible” she gave me a small smile “thank you, am I forgiven for the slight mishap on Saturday?” I had to grin at that especially since she walked closer, she was so close I could smell her perfume and the coffee on her breath. Only her eyes were focused on my lips, and I could barely think straight. “Yes, all forgotten.” She moved closer and went onto her tip toes.” Great, so I’ll see you tonight?” f**k, yes. But all I could do is nod “yes, I’ll be home tonight.” She turned and walked halfway out of the door before she turned around and looked over her shoulder, “don’t be late.” And there was no way.

Collin showed up a little while after “and did you tell her yet? She needs to know before she finds out in the tabloids you left the club with a whore.” No, I didn’t tell her. How was I supposed to, she just saved my ass? How was I supposed to tell her I cheated on her? There was just no way. “No, she just saved my ass how ma I supposed to say that I woke up next to a w***e. I cheated and that all on its own is more prove that I do not deserve her.” He stayed quiet,” she needs to be prepared man, if it all goes down hill for both of you, she needs to know what to do.” Well, I hoped they don’t post the story but I also know that these fuckers never gave up on a story and would do anything to ruin people’s reputations, relationships and everything they worked hard for, even if it was purely a mistake they didn’t care. They got their paycheck at the end of the story and they made their earning.

I made my way home that night and walked into our place, but the smell of cooking and her made it a home. The place was spotless and smelled incredible. She stood in front of the stove and her body swayed from side to side, with the sound of music. It was already night time even if I left right on time. And by the temperatures going down during nights, we all knew winter was approaching, even if it was hot as hell during the day, you could feel the difference. The lights were turned on and gave a romantic feel, I stood for a second and took everything in. She started singing with the song and my whole body lit on fire, I had no idea she could sing like that. Her voice was angelic and I could swear the heavens just opened up. She turned and poured a sauce of sorts over a dish and the amount of concentration she put into it was the cutest thing ever. She bit her lip and poured; her hands covered in mittens. I took a second to study her features, she truly took my breath away each time I saw her. After pouring she tilted the pan back up and looked my way, she gave a small smile “hey, your home” I locked the door behind me and walked over towards her. “I’m sorry I’m late traffic was a b***h tonight and made it clear she hated me.” Her eyes lit up and her smile brightened the entire room, “that’s okay, I just finished the last dish. You can go take a shower while I set the table.” I moved closer and gave her a kiss against the forehead, but when I looked down into her eyes. There was something I have never seen before, “thank you, I’ll be quick and it smells incredible in here.” Her smile widened “thank you, I thought your wife should show off her cooking skills.” I gave her another kiss, not even trying to hide my own smile. She was doing me in, and I have no idea what she planned next, but it would be worth it. I ran upstairs and grabbed the fastest shower in history, I had no idea I was so damn hungry until I came in here. After making my way downstairs the whole dining table was set, beef roast, mashed potatoes, fresh garlic bread and salad. f**k I could get used to this, I turned looking at her and she smiled. “You hungry?” Is she kidding me right now “f*****g starving” She started chuckling the sweetest sound in the world did not cover it. “Then sit down tiger, let’s eat” She grabbed two cold beers out of the fridge while I dished up. After taking my first bite I knew there was nothing better I have ever tasted. “You are the best cook ever.” And I meant every single word.” Thank you, my Nanna told me how to cook and bake, there’s dessert to.” My eyes widened and she started laughing “that good huh.” All I could do is nod and stuff my mouth, after living off of pizza and take aways this was heaven baby. “So how was your day?” I struggled to swallow the mouth full of food I just stuffed my face with, “great because of you.” She smiled again “what’s up with that by the way, you don’t look like the type to be nervous or struggle to talk in front of people” I stopped eating and I knew that to, it wasn’t the people it was the pressure.” I’m not, it's hard if your parents place the bar way to high.” She looked at me and gave me a sad smile “yeah, I know. For years I was scared to disappoint my parents, having them setting the bar way to high. I feared never be good enough. Or disappointing them.” How can she even think that, she’s super smart and intelligent and there was no comparison? “But I realized that I am not like one of them, and I’ll never be. I always wanted to be a surgeon like my mom. But I knew I would be a great surgeon when it came to advice, but losing patients. I’ll never feel like I am good enough, I take losses straight to the heart. Plus, I have no ambition to become a CEO like my dad. So, I do just me, and that’s good enough for me.” She would be an incredible CEO after seeing her today there was no doubt. But we were a lot like each other in so many ways, the only difference between us is she is much more grounded in her roots. I don’t have any roots. I looked at her and every single small bite, warmed me inside. “The truth is, you are you Kade. And you need to do just you, just be you. You don’t have to fill your dads’ shoes. He fills them himself, just be you and do you. At the end you are unique and special all in your own right and the company is yours now. You run it the way you seem fit, find your voice and identity and live a little. You can’t take your money with you when you day, you do however leave behind the memories and people who love you.” She was incredible, I turned towards her “I was raised to take over the company Keira, I don’t know who I am without the company or ever spoke to my inner voice before.” Her eyes lit up like I just sparked something to life “yes, you do. You joined the Navy; you have been making head lines Kade. Just turn it into something positive, somewhere down there, there’s a small boy reading the magazines and looking at your picture thinking one day I want to be like Kade Collins. And what type of example are you setting for that boy who sees a hero. Step up and be the change you would like to see in other peoples lives. And even though it might seem like a huge responsibility it’s a chance to make a change in someone’s life.” I couldn’t imagine anyone would like to be me, live my life. “There’s so much pressure I wouldn’t tell anyone to become me.” But once again she blew the wind out of my sails “No, you pressure yourself trying to be someone you’re not. Have you ever heard people say I don’t lie because it’s to much work to remember and keep up with the lies? That’s the same trying to be someone you’re not. Pretending. That’s pressure, you’re smart and intelligent, charming and you could be whatever you want. But if life gives you lemons you make lemonade. Even though you are a CEO now, let your voice be heard. And you’ll see you were born for this.” She gave me a lot to think about and I admired the advice because for years I didn’t want this, yet here I am and now I try to be a boss like my dad. But I’m not. “Speaking of which, you might want to be a leader instead of this boss exterior thing you have going on?” I shook my head not knowing what she spoke about. “I don’t know what you mean.” She smiled “well, first of all you served your country and you of all people should know by now it’s best to trust your team instead of trying to do everything yourself? The thing is Kade, people don’t realize this but we all have a role we play and at the end every single role counts.” She took a sip of beer and continued “take the cleaning crew, if they resigned you have no one to do the cleaning and yes, you could hire a new crew but at the end they do important work. If all your employees resign tomorrow there wouldn’t be anyone left to do the work. Your company will fold like a card house, value each and every single one, this would show them appreciation and the will to work harder. If you treat them with the respect that they deserve you wouldn’t have to wonder if each of them is doing what is expected they wouldn’t want to disappoint the boss. With that you would be a leader, leading by example instead of delegating tasks becoming a boss.” I sat there staring at her, what the f**k. I mean this was not in business school. This was all her, and she spoke the truth. My mom always says treat people the way you would like to be treated. And I had to admit, this was the truth. After making more small talk I helped her clean the table and clean up the kitchen we had our dessert and the conversation kept flowing. From our friends and how she wanted to invite them over, yet the place was a mess. Hence the reason she started to clean up, I knew it annoyed her. There was no way she could live like that. Neither could I, I asked her for a dance after we ate and I saw something in her eyes as I spun her around, she laughed carefree and I have no idea what was passing between us. But I really wanted to talk more. We ended up talking until we both fell asleep, getting to know each other. She fell asleep on my chest as I drifted into a dream, her different color hair all over my chest. I knew I had to tell her, but I didn’t want to ruin what we just started. Because this right here felt like home, perfect. My beautiful wife fitted me like a missing puzzle piece, and I refused to lose this. No matter what it took.