TWISTED SHADOWS

Kyle Martins, 23yrs old business man, rich, famous, amazing, intelligent, brilliant, handsome, charming, loving, proud, bossy. He had everything he could ever dream of-fame, wealth, success, value, and the most beautiful thing that gave his life every meaning-Kayla Smith. Everything about him was in place. His social life was intact. He had no special talent cos he was an all rounder, flawless, handsome and intelligent-every girl’s dream. And, he had the perfect love story. With an impeccable romance life, dating the daughter of the famous owner of CRL bank...what more could he need?

Kayla, 23yrs old model, beautiful, gorgeous, loving had all the charms, how could he not fall in love with her. For with every breathing moments, everyday, for eight years...they grew in their love for each other. Starting as childhood sweethearts, they blossomed into grown up mature men and women who were ready to face whatever life threw at them...so they thought.

Match-made from birth, both families eagerly waited to the joining of the two love birds so they could become stronger with the merging of the family...typical love story right...

Everything was in place for dinner. The maids were on her high alert not to provoke their boss on such special occasion. They were having the Smiths over and Christina Martins was not one to settle for a modestly simple dinner having a competiting family settle for just OK though there was never an opportunity to voice out how much she loved having them over. All out preparations were made to impress the Smiths and host this life changing occasion.

Wyder, the dutiful patriarch of the Martins family came home from work, worked out as the usual. Though his efforts showed in the increase profit margin of the company, keeping the company afloat in its high raising state required twice the efforts. Kyle came home earlier than usual bobbling with excitements. As Wdyer saw him going up the stairs, he could only nod in approval of his excitement.

Kyle was almost at The door of his room when his phone beeped and a message popped up on it. “Alicia.” ‘Come over, please..’ An uncontrollable sigh escaped his lips and he dumped his briefcase on his bed and turned around, approaching the first car he saw and jumping into it. He drove to her apartment, wondering what could have happened to her for her to call so urgently. She worked as the manager of the Martins company as the manager and was a very close friend of Kyle, even though she’d longed to be so much more than a friend for a while. Truly she was an appealing woman from a very good background who just wanted the best for him, even if the best was not her.

Getting to her apartment he found her laying lifelessly on the floor with pills scattered all over like they’d been tripped from the bottle. Shaft of shocks breezed through him as he pondered on what to do, finally calling an ambulance to her aid. Memories of his first encounter with her when she started working in their company as the manager flashed through his mind. He didn’t really know much about her family even though they were close. He only got as far as knowing she had a younger sister who lived with her and parents who were over sea. Watching as medical personnel roamed the halls of the hospital while he waited patiently for her, he sat in the waiting room, while doctors pumped her system. After the doctors came out with goods news, he headed straight for her room not sparing any words for scolding he could muster making her regret her action more than the reason she did it. He made a call to her parents who also piled up the bundle of scolding she’d got for her actions while they also sympathized with her begging her not to do such again. Their consideration of coming over made her assure them she wouldn’t try it ever again. Even after all attempts of scolding, the reason for her attempted suicide remained a mystery to Kyle. He was talking to one of the doctors when he realized he was 2hrs late for dinner and he was so dead. Dinner of the century -missed!

With the fear of his mother finishing him off for being so late if there was still even dinner made him rush to his car, starting it and driving off in an alarming speed that spoke emergency. His rush to get home soon almost got him in an accident and he’d managed to slide through it.

He eventually made it, and opening the front door the looks on faces almost made him turn back. He’d secretly wished inside his head for the ground to open up on him, but being faced with the reality that it wasn’t gonna happen, he slowly walked towards the dinning room with one brightening intention in mind, the only thing keeping him from ditching them all and throwing their reprimanding looks inside the gutter. As he approached the dinning room, Christina oh-but-so-welcomingly pulled his ear all the way to the dinning room, scolding him non stop for coming so late to dinner. And to add to his misery he got such special sermons from Wyder and Lucas Smith, Kayla’s father.

He was eventually allowed to sit for dinner in a company of 6, his parents, his twin sister Renata, and Kayla and her father. Dinner was already cold and turning sour and emergency provs had to be brought in. With an already guilt ridden mind, the look on Kayla’s wasn’t encouraging either. Dinner went an awkward smooth. And everyone got ready to leave with disappointment on their faces, especially the helpless lover Kayla. Just as they were leaving Kyle finally summoned some courage, after the whole dinner show case.

“Can I have Kayla’s hand in marraige”, he said almost to fast to be captured but loud enough and get everyone turning around. He’d feared the worst giving how dinner went and expected...

“Finally.” Christina and Wyder were almost bursting out of joy while Renata hugged Kayla excitedly. “We finally get to be sisters, twin in law”, Renata said, dancing around Kayla while Kyle watched them, smiling happily. He wished for the moment not to end.

Kayla tried effortlessly to avoiding Kyle’s eyes blushing so much her face was bloating pink. Kyle pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight, so tight, he wanted to shut out the world cos noting else mattered. After relishing in each other’s embrace, they received blessings from both parents, hugging everyone. Kayla left with her father while promising Kyle secretly to meet him very early in the morning at the old bridge. With all the excitemen tgone as Kayla and her father left, Kyle turned to face two angry pair of faces who looked like they might lash him some more.

“If you are gonna say anything about the dinner, pls don’t. I’m very tired and I had a worked up day. I really don’t want to vent out all my frustrations, please.”

Kyle voiced out, not bothering to look back at Christina and Wyder as he went up the stairs dragging himself to his room. Renata, taking advantage of the situation, stole her way out and brought out her phone, dialing a number. Christina and Wyder shared samingly disappointed looks and went up to their room, not bothering to put up a fight.

Kyle sat on his bed, all freshened up thinking about his childhood sweetheart Kayla, reminiscing all the beautiful moments they’d shared together. A particular memory graced his mind as he went back to rainy night on the beach near a beach house. Kayla had just gotten back from UK, and they were so overwhelmed by the need to be with each other. It was a slow, memorable night for them and they kissed a sparky kiss that turned the world on fire and left them, without breathes.

Beautiful, successful, rich, well lived-that’s Kayla. Trending as one of the top models and fashion designer in the country, she walked the runway from time to time. Couple of days after the dinner, she walked the runway on a glamorous night. As she walked the show, she noticed a flashy light in her direction. Just then, a woman covered in a cloak approached to stab her from the back, but she got saved just in time by Kyle who dragged her away from the target point into his arms. Just as that happened, a misfired gunshot hit the woman and she fell down. Panics rose in the hall and everyone ran helterskelter scared for their lives.

Kyle had all his thoughts and mind focused on protecting Kayla he didn’t bother about the fired shot. Police soon raided the place with an ambulance, and on her death bed, Kayla recognized her as on one of the co models who was just jealous of her and wanted her out of the way.

“It’s ok Kayla. Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone hurt you “. He hugged her so tightly he didn’t want to let go. She relax a bit in his arms before seperating herself.

“Yea, let’s go home. I’m...tired”. He smiled at her with understanding and as they were leaving, she noticed the flashy lights again. “Kyle...” she looked around to show him but saw nothing.

“Yea beauty?” She smiled hearing his nickname for her and almost forgot why she called and as she felt certain waves of relief and was brought back to reality when he called her again. “Nothing. I...I’m sure I’m just stressed. I saw something twice and it disappeared.”

“You sure beauty?” She nodded and shaked it off as they approached her car. He smiled before opening the door for her and closed it. She gave him a confused look and he smiled more. “What??”

“I know what can cheer you up”. He grinned, mischievously.

“No thanks. I want to go home. I just want to get on my bed and sleep the night away ”

“You’re no fun. How on earth did I fall in love with you?” She winked at him and blew him a kiss and he scoffed.

“I’d prefer an actual kiss you know “, he said, pulling her close, with his hand firmly on her waist and the other caressing her face. “I have something I want to show you”.

Kayla barely registered anything he was saying. She was so gone, lost in his eyes, and in a fantasy world of them, her fairytale dream, like the fairytale live she’d been living.

Having gotten used to the idea of not having a mother, she got all the support she could from her father and brother, and Kyle, who came like a Prince charming into her life and always fulfilled his word on giving her all the happiness he could. Well, he had given her everything, and yet everyday he always found something new to give her.

He opened the door for her and as she got in she wondered what would be of their live now at this point they had gotten to. He got into the car breaking her out of her thoughts, smiling sheepishly at her making her anxious and a bit worried inside. They drove out to a familiar beach house-the beach house where they sealed their love with a very passionate night.

“Kyle...”

“Remember this place... ”

She smiled as the memories of their childhood flooded back, every beautiful moment. “How could I forget? It’s my favourite place in the world. It’s where I...”

“You what??...” He looked at her expectantly as he held her hands

“It’s where I first experienced....love”. Her words hit him like a wave he wasn’t expecting. Not wanting to get all emotional on her as he watched the Sun set, he took her into his embrace, staring at the sky. “It’s beautiful” She smiled, feeling so secure.

“It reminds me every night that I have something more beautiful, more precious than its moments-You”. She looked up at him and smiled, unable to control the waves of emotions rushing through her face. He smiled back at her and she kissed him, light, short, but meaningful. After watching nightfall for a while, they both got up from the sand they had been sitting on, relishing in each other’s embrace. He dragged her on to a dinner setting out on the beach, something which looked like dinner for two with candles and green lights lighting the whole place, a cake beautiful baked at the center, with the inscription : ‘will you marry me?’ on it in white, two plates set up like a dish with covers, and wine glasses set in places. Kayla hands involuntarily came to her face to cover up her shocked expression and when Kyle went on one knee a mariachi band came out playing from where Kayla hadn’t noticed.

“I know I’ve asked your parents and done all other formalities. But as we both know, I’m a man of tradition and I love doing things the old fashion way. Kayla, my life has never felt more complete as when we were together. I’m not a poet so don’t judge my poor choice of words” At this point Kayla was laughing in tears, not at Kyle’s sillyness, but at his charmingness, especially the one where he went on and on and would still say he didn’t like talking much. “I love you Kayla Smith, and I could never be more happy than to live the rest of my life with you, till death do us apart. Amen”. They both laugh and even the mariachi joined them then continued playing. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you beauty. And I want nothing more. Will you marry me?” He looked up at her and she looked him with emotional eyes. “You don’t have to say yes. It’s completely your choice. I’ve lived on fine without you in my life. I’m just asking for asking sake. I’m not begging you or anything. I just want to know out of curiosity. It’s really not important. I’m sure there are other guys more of your standards since you can’t meet up to mine. I’m deciding to pity you...”

“Shut up already. Ugh! My ears are aching.” She said tearily as he smiled warmly at her and she pulled him up and hugged him, whispering ‘yes’ into his ears. Not wanting to scream in her face, he took deep breathes, moving with her slowly according to the rhythm of the music and whispered “thanks” in her ears. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, as his hands curled in her waist, and she rested her head in chest. They continued like this getting lost in the moment while she felt too peaceful. “Kyle, do you think anything could ever separate us? I really want this. This happiness. But it all feels...”

“Too much?? This is nothing. And no. Nothing can ever separate us, not even death. I hope you weren’t taking what I said about death doing us part seriously. I was just joking.” He stroked her hair, as he patted her back resting his chin on her head. “Right now, death isn’t doing us part. So nothing will”

Lucas fumed in his office at the guts of the cops, to raid his house, his car, even his company, everything. He was gonna have a word with the chief of police at the insolence displayed because of an undisclosed investigation. After finding nothing, chief Police Officer Pablo headed straight for Lucas’s office to apologize for any inconveniences caused. While Lucas got ready to lash at him for the insult, an anonymous letter came which was meant for Kyle and Kayla, written boldly on it in red letters: GET READY??!. Lucas looked very puzzled and the chief of police who happened to be there also got suspicious. As he left, Kayla and Kyle strolled in looking like two hopeless love birds arm in arm to announce the date of the wedding. After agreeing on three months, Lucas let them go, but not before promising to give them a grand wedding against their wishes and also give them the letter that came in for them. Kyle and Kayla stared at each other puzzled before waving it off and exiting, while Lucas sat back on his seat, lost in thoughts.