Kaleb POV
Things has been hectic for the past days. Everyone has been busy preparing for the opening night. After the incident I’ve been quite uneasy, Denlian had gone back to the city to investigate more but will be present at the event, Kimberly surprisingly had been doing better than expected, she’s been handling the arrangements perfectly fine although I know it’s all a sham to evade everything she’s going through.
Melinda has not done anything suspicious yet, but I’ve kept her in arms reach. I know she’s definitely planning something stupid hence I tightened up the security. No one uninvited can come into the hotel without proper clearance.
I watched Kim from where i stood by the bar as she directed some of the workers. She looked fiesty and sexy at the same time. She turned to my direction and acknowledged my presence as she waved at me.
It was almost 6pm. The event was to begin soon, important dignitaries and personnels were already arriving. Miaka my sister was also on her way with Dan even though I told her there would be no need but stubborn as a mule she insisted.
I walked back to the suite to get ready. I had already made preparations for Kim to be primmed up, although she refused at first but after giving her puppy eyes she hesitantly agreed.
I took a quick warm shower. Came out and dressed in a Blue Armani suit, and a pair of brown Louis Vuitton. I combed my hair and observed myself in the mirror, I looked good. I took my phone and walked straight to Kimberly room. I was nervous to go in. I wondered if she’ll like the way I look.
“Kim are you ready?” I asked outside her door.
“Yeah, I’m coming. Just a second”.
I heard footsteps as she made her way to the door and opened it. She came out and stood at the door shyly.
She wore a blue gown that sweeped the floor, and her hair was packed up revealing her shoulder line. She looked like an angel, my angel.
“Are you going to say something?” She asked
I cleared my throat. “You look like an angel, for a second there I was loss for words” I took her hand and kissed it.
“Now let’s go, they’re waiting for us”. I took her hands as we walked out of the room.
We got to the ballroom just in time. The reports and paparazzi were already present. I let go of Kimberley hand as we got into the hall to greet some business men and women. Whilst Kimberly went to attend to other guests.
I was speaking with some of the guests when someone tapped me.
“Hello brother”, I didn’t need anyone to tell me who that voice belonged to. I turned around and hugged my sister.
“I was wondering when you were going to come”, I said as I disengaged from the hug.
“Oh really, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see you”, she said smiling brightly. “So where’s the woman who’s stolen my devilish brother heart?” She said nudging my hands.
“She’s attending to some guests right now, she’ll be here soon”. I looked to my side and saw Kimberly walking to my direction.
“Hey babe,” Kim said and gave me a short kiss.
“Kimberly meet my sister Miaka, Miaka meet Kimberly”.
Denlian walked in and we all keep ourselves occupied until I was called to give a speech on the stage.
I kissed Kimberly before walking gracefully towards the stage.
Kimberly POV
When Kaleb knocked on my door, I was nervous. What if he doesn’t like the way I look. I finally mustered up the courage and opened the door.
He stood at the door looking like a Greek God, he wore a blue Armani suit which matched with my blue gown, we looked like a couple. He kept on staring at me and I was beginning to feel anxious. Why was he staring at me that way? Don’t I look good?
I cleared my throat and spoke up.
“Don’t you have anything to say”, I asked
He jolted out of his hands and took my hands kissing it.
“You look like an angel”, he said
I felt giddy. He took my hands and locked them in his as we made our way to the ball.
I needed to attend to some guests so I separated from Kaleb and went the opposite direction.
I was talking with some guests when some called my name.
“Kim!” I looked back and saw Kieth walking towards me.
Every since the argument we had at the pool he had kept his distance which I was grateful for, things would have been too awkward between us. So why does he want to talk now and in this event.
“Kieth, what are you doing here, aren’t you supposed to be by Trevina?”
“I came to talk to you Kim”. He took my hand and held it tightly. “Let’s elope together now, I know you didn’t agree to be with me because Kaleb was on your shoulders at that time, but now he’s occupied so he won’t notice if you escape. Come with me please”.
I looked at him perplexed. Is he really serious right now! “Kieth for the last time, I’m not going anywhere with you!” I said angrily and walked away.
I walked back to where Kaleb was standing and saw him talking with another lady.
After exchanging pleasantries with the lady who i found out was his sister, Dan also came in and we all sat at the table.
Kaleb was called up the stage to give his speech. And just after he began all hell broke loose.
Shots rang in the air as pandemonium broke out. Everyone began running in all directions looking for safe place to hide. As foolish as it was I ran towards Kaleb screaming.
“Kaleb!” I yelled
“Kimberly, get down!” He ran to me and shoved me down behind a table. “Stay here, and don’t move until I say so!”, he commanded.
The security guards were all lying dead around the room, including some innocent men and women. The hall was deserted and only Miaka who was right beside me, Kaleb and Denlian were the only ones left.
Denlian came and stood side with Kaleb. The front door blew open and a group of men all masked and all on black marched in. The had guns in their hands as they aimed towards Kaleb and Denlian.
The leader stepped forward and removed his mask. I gasped. “Dad?”
It was my father who I had seen at the boutique, he was here very much alive in flesh and blood. He took another step closer to Kaleb and stopped.
“Where is my daughter! Bring her out now!” He roared.
“Your daughter?”, Kaleb asked. “So all this commotion was just to see your daughter?”
My father took his gun and brought it to Kaleb’s head. ” If you don’t bring my daughter out in the next second I’m going to pull the trigger, and don’t think this bullet can’t kill you, cause it will” he said in a dreadful tone.
‘I need to do something” I thought to myself, or else dad might really kill Kaleb. Without hesitation I came out of of my hiding place.
“Dad?” I called out in a petty voice.
He turned towards my direction and I saw sympathy flash before his eyes. He walked to me and engulfed me in a hug.
“Oh my pumpkin! I’ve missed you so much”.
I was still in shock trying to process what’s happening until he took my hands and began dragging me along.
“Let go of me!”
“You’re coming with me, Kimberly. I’m taking you home to your mother where you will be safe and away from these blood sucking demons”.
“What do you mean by that, Dad!. You can’t just come into my life after 18, years and force me to do something!” I said still trying to let go of his grip.
“I’ve been in your life, Kim. I’ve been watching you from the side and watched you grow. I was at all your graduations and birthdays parties, I was there, Kimberly. I saw you the day you got the job to work at Bluebird and when you began working at Reefwood for these demons.” He let go of my hands and looked at me in the eyes.
“Pumpkin, do you even know who these people are? They’re demons for goodness sake! And one day they’re also going to drain your energy and leave you to die too! They’re evil!”
“Enough dad! They’re not as bad as you think they are. It’s not their fault they were mad that way. And I’m not going anywhere with you. I need to stay by kaleb’s side, he needs me”.
My father scoffed in disgust. “What have they done to you, they don’t need you. You’re just human, what could you possibly gave to them? And what do you mean by Kaleb needs you? What’s your relationship with him?”
“I’m his girlfriend, dad. We both love each other. And I’m not going to leave him”. I went and took Kaleb’s hand and placed it in mine.
Dad looked at me surprised. “You mean to tell me you love someone like him?”
“Yes Dad, and if you claim you love me, you won’t take away what makes me happy” I said crying.
“Oh pumpkin, I love you with all my heart. If this is what you want, then so be it”. He gave another hug but this time I reciprocated back and cried on his shoulders.
“Okay that’s enough!” We all turned and looked at the direction in which the voice came from.
Melinda walked in with anger evident on her face.
“What is the meaning of this? This is not what I planned for!” She spat out angrily.
She turned towards my father “you were supposed to kill him” she said referring to Kaleb. “And you, you’re supposed to have ran away with your dear and loving Kieth”, she said with mimickry in her voice.
“So what the hell is happening here!” She thundered.
“So it was all your plan, Melinda. I knew you had hands in my shooting, but this is far more than I expected” Kaleb said enraged.
“Oh yes, you humiliated me Kaleb in front of the entire council. I had to come down to earth to escape the mockery I was receiving. While you kept on living your life as the mighty Prince. You have to pay for what you did to me. So when I found out that John here was Kimberly’s father, the idea struck me. What better way is it to kill you than by a father who was convinced that he’s loving daughter is in the hands of a monster like you. I didn’t do much all I did was put the pieces where the belong. So why isn’t everything going according to plan!”
She faced me and screamed. “It’s all because of you!”
Balls of fire started shooting out from her hands in my direction. Denlian ran to hold her down while Kaleb tried securing me from the attack.
Melinda kept on shooting fire from her hands and in a swift minute Kaleb was shot down by one. He groaned and fell to the ground, my hand began spinning and the last thing I heard was “Kimberly no!” as Melinda shot me with a light that sent me into darkness.
*
*
*