12 Sticks and Stones

JP gave Kyle a once over, totally ignored him after that and walked over to me. He held my face and pressed his lips on my forehead.

"Ma petite chou fleur. I came as soon as I heard!" he exclaimed. " Which animal did this to you? I will tear them apart limb by limb and feed them to the dogs!" He was so dramatic.

"So I guess I'm no longer needed here," Kyle broke in.

"Don't worry as long as I'm here she doesn't need anybody else,"JP answered on my behalf, not taking his eyes of me and raining kisses all over my face.

I felt bad for Kyle but JP was just too dominating and had this commanding presence. It was difficult to win an argument with him and I was just too weak to put up a fight right now.Kyle turned to look at me before he walked out and I could see he was crushed but I would try and explain everything to him later. Much later when I had the strength.

The nurses brought my food and JP shooed them away and insisted on feeding me himself.

"Darling, let me," he persisted, "I already feel bad that I wasn't able to protect you. I'm not letting you out my sight until you get out of this place and safely back in New York." He continued.

"I still have business to take care of. I just can't leave," I protested weakly.

"No, I need to take you for a vacation as soon as the doctor gives me the go ahead," he argued, raising his hand. "You work to hard my angel you need to take a break.Yes?"

"We will talk about this later. I don't have the energy right now,"I said quietly.

"I've got the nurses to arrangean extra bed right next to yours, in this very room" he said, "I''ll be spending the night with you, so I can keep a close eye on you. Let me just inform my bodyguards and driver" he stated before walking out.

I felt Kyle's presence before I saw him leaning against the door.

"Come in Kyle," I said.

He hesitated and then stalked angrily towards me.

"I thought we had an understanding," he said his voice laced with pain, "I thought we were at the start of something beautiful," he cried out, hurt and angry.

"Kyle," I sighed tiredly, "I told you that this is who I am. This is what I do. I hurt people," I cried, "Hurt people hurt people," I said sadly, not able to look him the eye.

"Soyou and JP are together? All this time I thought it was only you and me..and you didn't think of mentioning that small detail to me?? You had no qualms kissing me and allowing me get attached to you?!" His face twisted in anger. .

"You came onto me! You were the one moving too fast! You are the one that ripped my clothes off and then pushed me away like-like I was one off your desperategroupies!"I shouted back, wincing in pain.

"Oh please forgive me for wanting to treat you like a lady when quite clearly you're not!" He shot back, "Not everything has to be about sex! You can't be mad at me for not wanting to tear off your clothes and having sex with you?!You couldn't even have the decency to kiss the guy when I wasn't in the same room! You're unbelievable!" His was face red with anger.

"He's the one that kissed me. Now I knowwhy I prefer JP. He understands that I need to see other people. Not like you that wants to be whiney and clingy like an overprotective husband! BESIDES last I checked you were the one that pushed me away and now you got your knickers in a twist because someone else wants me?!Because I want to keep my options open??! " I retorted angrily, "You know what?! I want you to leave. Get out!! Just go!!" I pointed towards the door.

"Sure I'm going..I can't stand the sight of you anymore. ." He shook his had sadly, "I'm sorry but I will never accept you dating me and another man at the same time! It's all or nothing Maya! I'm all for women's empowerment but not like this..I can't! I just can"t!!He turned at threw me a dirty look.

"Now I know why the media labelled you The Ice Queen. But they were actually being nice. You're no better than a slut!" He lashed out. I gasped in shock but he continued the onslaught, "At least a slut does it for money. What's your excuse huh?" he said giving me a look of pure disgust before he stormed out.

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After Kyle left I demanded a sedative from a nurse. I just wanted to pass out instantly. I also gave them strict instructions not to allow any visitors, no matter how rich or powerful they were. I felt like JP was smothering me and I just wanted to be alone.

I couldn't believe what just happened yesterday. The conversation kept playing over and over in my head. How could Kyle say such vile things to my face? How dare he insult me like that? How could he blame me? Even after I tried to explain to him that I didn't do relationships he kept persisting-and pushing and pushing.But at the back of my mind I knew that I was wrong.Kyle had made his intentions very clear to me and I was being evasive. He had been nothing but kind to me.He went over and beyond and this is how I showed him my appreciation for all his efforts. I was a bad person. I hurt Kyle and he didn't even deserve it. Why was I this person??

A nurse walked in to inform me that Andrew wanted to see me urgently and I permitted her to let him in.I needed to get out of this place. I just wanted to go home. Back to New York.I was enough of this place. I'd have to tell Andrew to make all the necessary arrangements.

"Good morning Miss Walsh," Andrew said too cheerfully and opened up his IPad as he sat down next to my bed..

"Hey Andrew," I said,"Fill me in on what's been going on,"

"I managed to get back the title deeds from the attorneys and you are now the proud owner of a prestigious Capetown beachfront property. " He smiled proudly.

"The shop is almost ready and the contractors assured me that we can open shop in about two weeks. The offices have been set up and I have set up the interviews for next week. I also managed to purchase your Jaguar SUV-in red-and your helicopter has been ordered and should arrive next week." He reported.

"Which means we're stuck her for another month?" I said without enthusiasm. " Can you please arrange for my bags to be moved from Kyle's to the new property?" I said as an after thought.

"Sure thing Boss," he said as he stood up to leave, "I'll check in with you later,"

"Thanks. See you later Andrew,' I said as I sank back onto the pillow.

"Good morning Miss Walsh, " Dr Cohen and two nurses breezed in, "Are you ready to go home?" He asked smiling broadly.

"Yes!" I said smiling back.

"Okay, I will get the paper work ready and do one final exam then you will be free to go," he said as he put on his gloves.

He did a very thorough exam and seemed to satisfied with the outcome. He asked the nurses to get the paper work ready and then he was gone.

I noticed JP and bodyguards hovering outside. As soon as Dr Cohenleft JP made an entrance.

"Good morning darling. You seem much better today. Yes?" He said as he took my hand and kissed it.

"Yes. Yes I am," I said.

"The doctor says you ready to go home so I'm here to pick you up," he says smiling.

"No that won't be necessary," I said softly as I pulled my hand out of his grasp.

"But you need someone to take care of you. Let me?" He said pleading with his eyes.

"Jean Pierre, I need you to give me space okay? I feel like you're smothering me," I said firmly.

"Okay, okay. Fine" he said, his hands raised up in surrender. "But I'm taking you home. No negotiation there," he said with finality.

"Fine," I said in defeat.

"Good girl," he smiled as he leaned towards me and brushed his lips against mine-and Kyle chose that exact moment to walk in.