THE RETURN OF GENERAL KAI

Chapter 8

Kai had just dropped Sarah off at her apartment that morning, “you know you can come in right?” Sarah asked, “It’s not like there are spies watching.” She added, urging him to step into the apartment.

Ever since she started living alone, Kai had adamantly refused to remotely step foot in the house. “I gave my word.” He always said and Sarah chuckled, “to who? My mom? Oh, come on, Kai. What is the matter with you?” She asked, placing a hand on his cheek.

“Nothing.” He brushed her off, breaking her heart a little bit. Sarah noticed that he had been off for a while now. “Is it work?” She asked.

“No.” Kai said, turning around to leave, “get some rest, Sarah.”

“Is it the migraines?” Ignored. “The nightmares?” Ignored.

As she watched her husband walk further away from her, she yelled, “Is it me?!”

That would usually get him to turn around and reassure her but this time, he didn’t. He just yelled in response, “No!” Before taking a turn out of her line of vision.

Sarah stifled a cry. He usually got in such moods every now and then but never for this long. She hoped that whatever it was he was going through, he would beat it soon. He had to.

~

“Here are the keys mr…” The building manager asked.

“Just Kai.” Kai replied curtly, “no last name huh?” The manager tried to make conversation.

“No.” Kai lied. He had a last name, Rylan, but it was unnecessary to go by it now. When he met Sarah and her family all he knew was his name and he intended to keep it that way. There was no use suddenly announcing to all his employers and most importantly, Sarah and her family that he now knew who he was.

“Not a talker.” The manager trailed off, “the usual. No parties, no leaving the water running or the lights on. You got this place for a steal my man, there were like a hundred people vying for this place.” The manager said as he gave Kai a pat on his back, walking away.

Kai internally scoffed. It was a deadbeat studio apartment with old paint, nothing compared to his mansion in Nexarath, well, his former mansion. He was sure his men would have built a new one by now, one more fortified, his thoughts trailed off.

His men. His army, the most feared of all. The last head count he could remember, they were over two million men all loyal to him.

Kai was angry and had been unable to understand his emotions ever since he tied his nightmares and migraines to his being Kai Rylan. He wanted answers but for all he knew, Nexarath might be no more. It had only been about three years but no one had come to look for him, not even his insufferable betrothed, Adoni Vaughn.

The thought of her almost doubled his annoyance, He truly, truly despised her. As he drifted off to sleep in his new shabby apartment, he dreamt of his and Sarah’s unborn child. 

The next morning, Kai woke up bright and early to drop Sarah off at her doctor’s appointment.

“Are you not coming in? I thought the courier’s office wouldn't open till ten?” She asked him, holding his eyes.

He turned his eyes from her, “Kai, baby, what’s wrong?” Sarah asked. “You’ve been so distant these past few weeks. Did I do something wrong?”

“No. I just..” Sarah turned his face to look at her, “what? Just what? Do you want a divorce? Is that it?”

“No.” He responded, his eyes still not meeting hers. “Then what is the issue? Did my grandfather threaten you?” “No, Sarah. I just…I just need my space.” He finally said, the words Sarah never thought she would hear.

“Fr…From me?” Her voice broke. Kai wasn’t meeting her eyes. He always met her eyes and she understood. He was dealing with something bigger than her, bigger than their baby.

“Okay.” She said, dropping her hands to her sides. “I will call Lydia to come pick me up. Do what you need to do. I’m here.”

“Thank you.” Was the only thing he could say. Sarah flashed him a sad smile and kissed his cheek, “I love you forever.” 

Kai walked away from Sarah and she watched his back retreat. That had been their routine for the past month since they left her family’s house. It was always her watching him leave.

Sarah dried her tears before she chinned up and entered the clinic.

In the courier office, Kai arrived and quickly got to setting the office up for today. He got tipped generously by the early morning customers and the money did help in his savings for a new house.

“Why do you even bother with this?” The voice in his head asked. “Go home.” The voice rang again and Kai shook his head, ignoring his own thoughts.

The truth was, he had no idea why he was not returning. He had a home there, he was wealthy, he never had want for anything, he had a million men and their lives at his disposal. He was their god and yet, he was vacuuming a cramped office.

After he got done vacuuming, Kai brought out the dust box and headed for the back of the building where the dumpster was. He walked past a man who was smoking and he kept his head down just in case it was an addict or a drunk. He learned the hard way not to stare.

Kai felt the man watch him as he did his business and headed back for the office. It was best not to make eye contact and so he quickly grabbed his packages for the day, hoping to get out before his insufferable manager, Karen arrived at the office.

The door opened, “sorry, we’re closed.” Kai said, still picking up his packages and not looking up to see who had just entered.

“Heavens be praised! Is that you, my liege?”