The forgotten groom

Chapter 17

Max

One week later

Its morning and Kish is making breakfast. At least he's half back to himself. These last few days have been tough! I know for a fact that Lucas has been trying to find him.
And I was right, he had already checked out all our  friend's homes and also possible hotels. Coming to Nik's was a good thing. He had airtight security. There was no getting to his penthouse. I didn't even know he had security all over the place.

"Hey, breakfast is ready!" Kish hollers

"Coming" I say pausing the television in the living room and heading to the dining. After I'm seated, I dig into the delicious breakfast.

"This so good" I say stuffing my mouth with more. Kish laughs and adds me some more on my plate.
We eat for a few minutes in silence then I say,

"I have to go back to work soon, so many unfinished things that need my attention" I tell him

"I know, I have to carry on, this was a nice break" he says

"So we go home?" I say

"Yeah, home it is" he says smiling at me.

He looks better, he'll be fine when he starts working again, it will get his mind off Lucas and the shock.

As I'm still getting more juice, we hear a knock on the door and look at each other in surprise.

"Who could that be? Kish asks

"I don't know" I reply going to the door and checking the camera feed.

"Marcus?" I say opening the door

"Hi Max, can I speak to Kish?" He asks coming in

I turn to look at Kish and he comes slowly towards us. Marcus opens his arms wide and Kish hurries to get a hug. He sighs wearily as Marcus pulls him back to look at him,

"I'm so sorry" he whispers defeated

"Its not your fault" Kish says leaning back against the counter

"I can't help but feel responsible, I never thought Lucas would do that you know, and also mum and dad keep asking for you, please come see them" Marcus says

"I...uh" Kish says looking conflicted

"Please, they keep blaming themselves even before Lucas turned up, they feel they should have kept you home with them but you left and keep your distance" Marcus pleads

Kish turns to look at me and says,

"I know, I didn't want to go there because it would remind me about Lucas, but I can't leave Max here alone, he needs my support" Kish says

"Kish, its fine, I know how much you miss them, they are like your parents, go see them, you need all the love and support you can get, I can always visit" I say

"Will Lucas be there? Because I don't want to see him, not right now" Kish says

"I promise he isn't there, everyone is pretty mad at him at least for now, we really grieved for him" Marcus says

But Kish still looks at me undecided. I nod my head to him and he accepts

"Okay fine, but for a short time" he says as Marcus smiles and nods

We clean the dishes and straighten up the place as we pack our things to leave. I get my phone to call Nik to tell him we are leaving but its not going through. Ventura told me they were going to Greece, so maybe there was a time zone difference. I leave him a message and grab my bags.

On the ride home, Marcus and Kish catch up and have a lot to talk about. I just drift mindlessly thinking about what Nik had said. I can't believe he kept thinking like that all this time.

Where did that leave us? How long would he be gone for? Ventura sent me daily updates and photos but Nik was quiet. She even told me Nik wasn't entertaining her at all and she was super bored!

As we reach home, we get in and relax trying to watch television as Kish finishes parking. I was going to miss the company so much and he promised to call and talk to me everyday.

As I'm still contemplating this issue, I receive a message from Nik,

>>"Sorry Max, we were sleeping, I'm here if you need me" it says

>>"Its okay, just wanted to say we left your penthouse" I reply

>>" Is everything okay?" He types back

>>" Yes, thank you for the house" I reply

>>"Anytime Max, Whatever you need" he replies.

I put my phone back just as Kish is finished packing.
We get up to help him with his bags and he's holding my waist, his head on my chest as I lead him out.

"You're always welcome here, you can even come back tomorrow, I'm always here for you" I say

"I know Max, this would have been harder without you" he says as we reach the car
He tightens his hands on my waist as Marcus opens for him the car door.

"I'll miss you" I tell him as he nods and let's go of me.

I continue waving as they drive off. I realize I'm still in sweats till now but I shrug and go back inside. I think I have some ice cream and wafers in the fridge.
I hurry excited to indulge when I see a man putting something on my house and another in a suit carrying a file.

I hurry to see the sign and notice its a "FOR SALE" .

"Hey, what are you doing? " I ask plucking if off and throwing it away

"We have been instructed to put this up for sale" the man in a suit says showing me the papers

"How is this possible? I inherited the house from my mother! " I say in shock that's numbing my body

"Yes, the deed is in your name but the house was gifted to her and it had a clause saying that the buyer can revoke ownership anytime" he explains

"Who gifted her the house?" I ask dread filling me up to my core.

"Harold Demakide" he says as chills run down my spine

"Grandfather?" I gasp

The man just looks at me and nods.

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