Page 76 of Abigail's King
Chapter Thirty-Five
Abigail
Mateus had called me last night, saying he wanted to introduce me to a few of Kye’s friends. I had been a little hesitant when he first mentioned it, but the more I thought about it, the less nervous I felt. The fact that I was going to meet Davi, the only friend that Kye had mentioned, actually quite excited me. I wanted to know as much about Kye as I could. I hoped that I would be able to get some insight into his life and maybe find a way to bring him back to me.
Since I had returned to Madeira, I had found my sleep had greatly improved. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was able to relax away from home, if having Kye’s family around me eased my worries, or if it was just the fact that being close to Kye was helping my anxiety. I had never been a very anxious person. Always managed to stay calm in most situations. But after the situation with Bianca, then my split with Kye and finally finding out I was expecting twins, I found myself becoming more anxious as time went on.
Being back here in Madeira, I felt calm most of the time. The twins also seemed to enjoy being here. Even though they were only around seventeen weeks, I could already start to feel flutters of their movements every once in a while. I wouldn’t be able to hide them anymore. It was obvious now that I was pregnant. I remembered seeing Kelsey when I returned home and she was only just starting to show. The fact that I was carrying twins meant I was showing more than most at this point in the pregnancy. One reason why I was glad was that I had given up modelling.
Jo was quite happy to continue to run the agency whilst I was pregnant. Then once I had returned from maternity leave, I would start to take the reins more. We had already put everything in place to rename the agency, although we were just adding to the name. When I took it over, it would be the Robinson Starlight and Goddard Special Modelling Agency. The current models at the agency were already aware of what was happening and were more than happy to stay on, especially as they would be able to gain invaluable advice from me now that I would be there permanently.
Jo had already started to look for models for my side of the business. I wanted to give something back to the industry. To help those models who were often overlooked by the big names. Whether they were physically disabled, had Down Syndrome, pregnant…I didn’t care. I knew there was a market out there for these people, and I was going to allow them to do what they loved. I knew I was using my name as an advantage, a way in, but what good was my name if I didn’t use it?
Mateus turned up as he’d arranged just before ten o’clock, and we were currently heading towards a community hall where Kye’s friends were going to be. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I met them. Would they see me as a woman who was just trying to tie him down with kids, or would they see me as a victim of Kye’s depression? Until I got there, I probably wouldn’t know.
“Stop overthinking things, Abigail. They will love you, I can assure you of that. They are not going to think anything of you being pregnant. I will say now, though, that I haven’t told them that you are a model. A couple of them may recognise you as soon as you walk in, so be ready for that.”
The nerves I’d thought I had gotten rid of suddenly returned with a vengeance. If Mateus was trying to make me feel better, he wasn’t really doing a good job of it.
“Thanks for that, Mateus. I was doing okay up until then.”
I took a few deep, slow breaths to calm my nerves. I had, of course, brought some ginger tea bags with me and wished that I had some hot water right now to ease the sickness I was starting to feel. After a few breaths, my heartrate started to calm and I felt a little calmer. The twins felt as though they were doing somersaults in my stomach. Either that, or butterflies had joined them.
“So, what are they all doing at the hall, then? Is it like a clubhouse or something?”
“No. They often go there to practice. They are the other members of the band that Kye used to belong to. If you hadn’t guessed, he used to play the piano and sometimes sang. But mainly it was Davi that was the lead singer.”
I could see Kye being a member of a band. Well, a rock band. A sudden thought came over me that made me start to laugh.
“What’s wrong?”
“I was just thinking how funny it would be if the band was some kind of New Romantics group. Please tell me it was a rock band. I’m not sure I could handle Kye singing Spandau Ballet or Duran Duran songs.”
Mateus sat there and roared into laughter. “Oh, my God, that would be so funny. Having seen the guys play, thinking about them singing ‘True’ by Spandau Ballet would be hilarious. No, they sing rock songs. A lot of the time it was Meat Loaf, if Kye was singing. But they pretty much do everything.”
Mateus’s laughter eased any worry I still had. I knew that I was going to get on well with these guys. The fact that hardly anyone knew I could play the piano, including Kye, would probably surprise the hell out of them. But if it meant I got to play with them for a while, it would make the day go quickly and take my mind off of Kye for a few hours. It would also introduce the twins to the kind of music that I loved. I had always been a “rock chick.” It was one of the reasons I had wanted Kye to take me out on his bike. I loved them, but in my line of work, I was always advised against riding one. There was too much chance of being in an accident and ruining my career.
It wasn’t long before we pulled up outside a hall quite close to Maria and Eduardo’s house. I noticed a beautiful church just up the road.
“Is that your local church?”
I saw Mateus look up to where I was pointing and smile. “Yes, it was where Sofia and I got married and Joaquim was christened.”
I sat there for a moment thinking how nice it would be to have the twins christened there. I knew Catholics would usually have a confirmation ceremony and be baptised when they were older, but the idea of having them christened there as well was one I couldn’t get out of my head.
“Do you think I could have the twins christened there? I’m not Catholic, and I know you usually prefer baptism when they are old enough to choose, but I would like the twins to know their heritage and to be brought up that way. I’d need some help.”
Mateus’s face lit up when I said that. It was as though I had just given him the world.
“That would make our parents so happy. But don’t feel you have to do something. I know how difficult this situation is going to be, even if you get back together with Kye, and before you say anything, don’t give up yet. But back to your question. I am sure we will be able to speak to Father Frederico. I don’t think it will be a problem, and we will all help you with everything you need.”
He gave my hand a squeeze and got out of the car, coming around to help me out. I wasn’t an invalid yet, but the twins were starting to make mobility a little uncomfortable, even at only four and a half months. We walked towards the hall, and the door was immediately opened by a tall, well-built, good-looking guy. If I hadn’t already been so in love with Kye, my legs surely would have turned to jelly as soon as I saw him. He walked up to me with the biggest smile on his face. Instinct was telling me that this must be Davi. He came straight up to me and engulfed me in a hug, smiling as he pulled away.
“You must be Abigail. Mateus said you were beautiful, but I thought he was exaggerating. But I can see he didn’t do you justice in his description. You are gorgeous and radiant. I’m Davi, by the way, if you hadn’t guessed.”
I heard Mateus snigger next to me. Davi’s introduction was quite overwhelming. I wasn’t sure if this was his usual manner or if he was just as nervous as I was and speaking a mile a minute because of it. I took a deep breath to try to calm my own nerves. My heart was racing and the butterflies had returned to my stomach.
“É um prazer conhecê-lo, Davi. Yes, I am Abigail, and thank you for the warm welcome.”
