Chapter 24

Ardal

A workout is just what I need after everything that happened with Kadeem. With the babies safely in bed for the night and Hannah looking after them, I figure I should make use of my time at the gym. Maybe I can even imagine the punching bag is Kadeem’s face.

I still can’t believe him. I know that he can be cunning and wicked, but this has reached a whole new level. I never could have imagined he’d kiss me like that and show no remorse.

He has a girlfriend. He has a child on the way.

And he threw away what we had years ago. How can he just suddenly have a change of heart?

Because he doesn’t know who you are, I think as I walk into the private training room. I sigh as I toss down my bag, opening it up to get out my gloves.

It’s true. It has to be true. Kadeem hasn’t asked me any questions, showed any hints that he suspects I’m Ardal.

Although, that still doesn’t explain why he decided to kiss me in the first place. Or why he’d be willing to kiss me despite his relationship with Susan or his unborn child she’s carrying.

Instead, he’d seemed more concerned about my babies as he demanded to know why I had five sets of children’s clothes hanging from my balcony. But why? Why does he care?

Walking up to the punching bag, I stretch my arms a little, take a few settling breaths before I take my stance.

I still don’t understand his urgency either. He’d seemed so eager to find me, which I had originally assumed was because I blew him off over the phone.

But then he’d been on my doorstep, seconds away from discovering the babies tucked away inside.

The thought of Kadeem coming into contact with one of the quintuplets immediately causes me to throw a harsh punch at the bag, and then four more. One for each baby that he could have seen.

Furrowing my brow and gritting my teeth, I continue to hit the bag as I let out a few more bites of anger.

He’d been out of line - completely out of line. I know he’s technically my boss, but that doesn’t give him the right to just show up at my house.

I throw a few more blows at the bag.

And the questions he’d asked were anything but professional. I’d tried my best to wave him off, but he’d been so resistant to leave until I threatened him. I’m just glad that worked.

Or at least worked for a little while.

I blow out a rush of air as I swivel my body a little, bouncing my shoulders before I strike the punching bag again.

I had sworn he’d been planning to turn back, deciding he didn’t care about my warnings and trying to press answers out of me again. But then he’d completely thrown me off as he stormed away.

Straight to the lake.

I pause then, my eyes shutting and my breath heavy as I imagine Kadeem swiftly making his way down the street. Then I can practically feel that squeeze in my heart, the panic that had my skin pinching as he reached the lake’s edge.

I can even sense the rawness that had been in my throat as I’d screamed his name. Or the ache in my legs as I ran as fast I could to get to him. Even despite everything…I’d still gone to him.

I’d still been drawn to him - stopping at nothing to save him. And maybe that was the thing…maybe even through my disguise, the tracks I’d been trying to cover - it was inevitable that Kadeem would be drawn to me too.

Maybe that’s why he kissed me.

My arms tense at that idea, my eyes squeezing tighter.

No, that can’t be possible. That can’t happen. Kadeem and I together is a disaster waiting to happen - in every way.

If anything, this was just a moment of passion…one that he’d planned.

I snap my eyes open then, shaking my head.

He lied to me. Maybe not at the beginning considering I don’t know what possessed him to jump into the lake in the first place. But after…

He’d pretended to be unconscious, allowing me to drag him out of the water and nearly succumb to tears as I discovered his stilled heart. He’d played a silly game just so he could kiss me.

And I’d let him.

Jumping into action again, my hand meets the bag with enough force to nearly make the whole stand topple over. But I don’t care - I just throw another blow as the bag swings back toward me.

I punch over and over, feeling sweat gather over my skin as I try to get Kadeem out of my head. Those strong hands, his beautiful lips against mine, the noises he’d made when I’d pulled at his hair.

No, no, no.

Kadeem is a liar. He’s a trickster - just as bad as his girlfriend. He was playing games so he could get underneath my skin.

But I won’t let him. I’m going to show him he can’t get the best of me and instead focus on my training. That way, I’ll be better prepared then next time we fight together.

“Goddess,” I breathe, stopping suddenly again as I hang my head.

Fighting with him…training with him. As much as I want to get away from Kadeem, he’s making it impossible. I should have never taken his stupid deal, but I had to do what was best for my babies.

Huffing again, I tear off my gloves, deciding to move onto another workout as I’m feeling restless. I toss my gloves to the side before I lower to the floor, getting on my back so I can begin swift crunches.

I count in my head, using the numbers as a way to distract my thoughts as I feel a fire beginning to build in my core. However, I can’t help but notice a prickle that also settles at the back of my neck.

It shakes me, makes my blood run colder as I ignore the need to shiver. If I didn’t know any better…I’d swear I’m being watched.

Finishing my set, I slowly bring myself into a sitting position, trying to be as casual as possible. I wait to see if the sensation disappears, hoping I’m mistaken - but I can still feel eyes on my back.

Clearing my throat, I smoothly get up from the ground, not turning back yet. And still, I feel a gaze continue to follow me.

Who could be watching me? The gym had been fairly empty when I’d come in, and I know that neither Susan or Kadeem are here. They’re the only two who I would assume would watch me so closely.

Finally, my curiosities get the best of me, causing me to quickly turn so I can catch the culprit in action. Only, there’s no one standing at the doorway or even behind the windows.

Still unnerved, I walk toward the door, swallowing as I finally reach it. I open it, sticking my head out as I look one way and the other.

But everything appears to be normal. People inhabit the main room, but they’re either busy with their own workouts or engaging in private conversations. Nothing is amiss.

Air softly exiting my nose, I step back, slowly closing the door again before I shake my head.

Paranoid. I was just being paranoid.