Burned by Passion(34)

***

The day she was discharged, Kira dressed up in her own clothes which Blake had been kind enough to pack for her. To her surprise he was nowhere to be seen when it was time for her to leave. He’d come by every day for two weeks and now he was a no-show?

Kira pushed that thought aside as she was shown into Dr. Samuel’s office minutes later. She liked the easy-going doctor because he didn’t ask questions, though she guessed there was probably a lot he already knew.

“I’m glad you’re looking so well,” he said with a warm smile.

“I feel great, too,” she said, her smile just as warm. “You’ve all been so good to me. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. It’s our job after all. And Mr. Blake Carter has been giving his full support which we’re grateful for as well.”

Kira could just imagine what support and felt her jaw clench. However her smile didn’t slip as she nodded and said, “That’s very nice of him.”

“Indeed,” Mr. Samuel nodded. “And he assured me he’ll see to it that you’ll be extra careful this time. It’s not just you to take care of now you know.”

“Yes,” Kira breathed, though her eyes darted as his words sank in. “You didn’t...tell Blake about the baby, did you?”

Dr. Samuel assured her that he did not. “But whoever got you in this condition; whoever he is has a part to play too. No matter what you feel,” he said kindly and Kira wondered once more just how much he knew. Had he been talking to Blake?

And then she sighed. “Maybe you’re right, doctor. A child is a responsibility one shouldn’t tackle alone if there’s a choice. I guess I’ll have to consider my options.”

“Good idea,” he said, his smile spreading as he rose.

Kira stood up and accepted his outstretched hand. “Thank you, Dr. Samuel. I know you mean well,” she said wryly, not in the least offended by his probing. It felt nice to know someone cared enough to give a friendly word.

When she finally made her way to the exit, her eyes widened in surprise to see Chase, her boss’s driver waiting for her. She was so taken aback she didn’t argue when he took the small bag she carried.

“Hello, Kira. It’s great to see you’re much better,” he said with a nod and a smile. “Mr. Carter told me to pick you up. He wants you to have lunch with him at his home if you’re feeling up to it.”

“Oh. Um...okay,” Kira said slowly. She followed Chase out to where the car was parked. Chase held open the door and after a slight pause, Kira went in.

Soon they were well on their way and Kira forced herself to relax against the luxurious seat as the delicious air-conditioning enveloped her. When she let herself think of why Mr. Carter would want to see her, her composure was shaken. It would be the first time she would meet with him since she was in hospital and she couldn’t help but wonder at his thoughts. Could he be angry with her? Had she disappointed him somehow with what had happened? He’d never really liked Terry and this incident would probably show her up for the bad judge of character she was.


But then Kira thought of Blake telling her not to blame herself for what happened. How no matter the provocation, Terry had no cause putting his hands on her.

Kira had chosen not to press any charges and Blake had seemed ready to hit the roof when he found out. But the last thing Kira needed was a scandal or anyone finding out about how stupid she’d been – especially when she thought of the parties involved. If people found out she’d slept with and got impregnated by Blake Carter, the only son of Bretton Carter...well, the story would be fodder for the gossip freaks which Kira didn’t want.

What she wanted was to move on and that meant putting a lot of what had happened in the past few months far behind her. Now she couldn’t wait for the rest of her life. Whether she was going to face it alone remained a mystery even to her right then.





***

“Kira, my dear it’s good to see you,” Mr. Carter said once Kira walked into the spacious living room. To her surprise, he embraced her warmly and kissed her cheeks.

“Come, sit with me,” he told her, leading her by the hand to a couch and settling beside her. “Would you like anything to drink? Something cool?”

“No thank you, Mr. Carter. And I appreciate you sending Chase down to get me.” She smiled, feeling awkward as she sat close to her boss.

“I only hoped you wouldn’t feel like I was rushing you by asking you to come here so soon after you left the hospital.”

“Oh no, not at all,” she assured him. “I’m glad to have this chance to see you.”

“Me too,” Mr. Carter said deeply, before adding without preamble, “Blake told me you fell ill with something and had to be admitted to hospital. Now why don’t you tell me what really happened?”

Kira swallowed with difficulty. On one hand she was glad that Blake had thought to keep the whole truth from his father until Kira was ready to tell him. She’d been so sure he’d have heard all about it by now and maybe even made the move to see Terry arrested.

And yet Kira felt reluctant to simply blurt out the facts. “Why would you think what he told you wasn’t the truth?”

Mr. Carter rose to his feet and went to pour out a glass of brandy from the bar. By the time he turned to face Kira, his expression was shrewd. “I’m not an idiot, Kira. I knew Blake was hiding something from me or downright lying.”