Kage's Revenge: Not All Are Forgiven

8: You will be okay

chapter 8: You will be okay 

 "Mr. Kage, breakfast is ready" 

 Another Monday dawned bright, a rare day off for Kage. Roseanne, as the de facto chef, had prepared a light but nutritious meal – a walking or not, he still needed to maintain good health and fitness. It was the first week of October, no crime having a fit body goal.

 He sat at his large dining table, overlooking the sprawling city vista from his penthouse mansion, casually scrolling through emails on his laptop while enjoying his lunch. A low chuckle escaped his lips as he read the latest message from Allen Creed Pharmaceuticals; the satisfaction of secretly managing his own empire still brought a thrill.

 "Really? From my own hospital" he laughed.

  John entered, his presence a quiet interruption to the peaceful afternoon. He lingered in the corner, almost appearing shy. But looking at him, it was hard to believe he was timid at all. His height was a sweet 6'6—the dude was a friendly giant. practically towering over Kage by a good two feet.

 “Mr. Kage, Mr. Alfie is here to see you.” he announced.

 Kage turned to look at him. His suit, arm behind and his eyes straight. John was more of his security than his driver.

 “Did John had lunch yet?” Kage asked, his voice even, his attention still fixed on his laptop.

 “I’ll get something later, sir,” John replied, and as usual, he stood by the side of the dining table, waiting for instructions. 

 There was something about John that Kage just couldn't grasp. He exuded a calmness and understanding that was almost comforting, yet there was an underlying intensity that felt intimidating. At least, not to Kage. Deep down, Kage sensed there was much more to John—layers yet to be uncovered.

 “Join us. Have a seat, you too John,” Kage said, his attention remaining on his laptop. Roseanne placed the food in front of him.

 From the corner of his eyes, he watched Alfie take a seat beside John. Roseanne served him, her usual smile on her face. He could tell she really loved her job.

 “Don’t forget the smoothie, Roseanne," he said, "something to keep me fit.”

  Roseanne smiled. Her motherly tap on John's face cracked a small smile from him, and with a nod, he began to eat. Was he actually waiting?

 As usual, she waited for him to try the mean. The satisfied look on John's face made her smile. 

 "You know I started cooking at the age of 8" Roseanne bragged to John. She smiled more as she noticed Kage listening too "That was in a dream" 

 John choked with laughter. His expression almost turned grave as his gaze roamed and met with Kage's. A little reassuring smile from Kage eased the tension.

 "I burned two kitchens on my way to cooking school" Roseanne continued.

 This time Kage chuckled. He was already wondering how she managed to be such good cook, then she continued.

 "But see now, I am good" she shrugged "Cooking school helped. My kids and Mr. Kage can testify," she added in a whisper.

 He sure could testify. There was something about her cooking, like she added her passion, her whole life into. This made Kage want to know more about her but he wouldn't ask. He knew she was 56 from Portland and two kids.

 Once his lunch was cleared, Kage moved to a spacious penthouse seating area overlooking the city. The perfect view reminded him of how he would sit there almost every night 7 years ago. 

 Alfie, his lawyer, joined him moments later.

 "So, Alfie, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Kage asked, his tone relaxed.

 Alfie’s expression was grave. “It’s about Clara, sir. She’s been messaging the university again, demanding a meeting with her anonymous sponsor. You?”

 “And their response?” Kage adjusted, quite invested.

 “The same as before, sir,” Alfie replied. “The agreement was anonymous and must remain so. They also suggested that her poor academic performance might be grounds to revoke the scholarship.”

 Kage chuckled, shaking his head. "I bet they already did, but she refuses to accept it. I know that woman. How can someone be so consistently dreadful of a PhD program they brag about endlessly?”

 He signaled a housekeeper, a young woman who moved with quiet efficiency. "Bring us something to drink, please."

 Once the housekeeper had left, Kage turned back to Alfie. "Alfie, I need a personal assistant, and I need em soon. I’ve got another email already.” A low laugh escaped him. “Seems I’ve received a complaint about my performance. I guess I need to fire myself.”

 Alfie raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like Clara.”

 Kage laughed. His amusement wasn't just the fact she went far to report him; he had expected that since he resumed. His amusement was the hope he was going to give her. Her small victory like she did get him fired from his own hospital.

  “Precisely why I’m planning to do it,” Kage confirmed with a smile. “I need to consolidate my companies; I'm going to be working out of Bridge Hospital.”

 “Bridge Hospital?” Alfie asked, surprised.

 Kage nodded as the housekeeper returned with a bottle of chilled champagne. “It's one of mine. Yes. That's the next project.”

 Alfie poured them both a glass. “You know you could just say the word, Kage. Clara and Matt would be crushed.”

 Kage smiled, a slow, deliberate curve of his lips. He was enjoying it so much to stop. “Where’s the fun in that, Alfie? Revenge is best served with a smile.”

 A brief pause settled between them. Kage then changed the subject. “How’s life, Alfie? Married?”

 Alfie shook his head. “Not married, sir. Two kids, though.”

 Guess not everyone wanted a perfect life. Not long ago, Kage thought he would have a picket fence with Clara and maybe kid. No regrets, he was happy he ended things already.

 "Not everyone is god enough. I am not good enough and I know," Alfie continued.

 Kage nodded, contemplating. “We don’t know what the future holds, but we'll figure it out. You’re smart, Alfie. You’ll be okay.”