The strong hand drew her back and made her face him. The both of them stared at each other for some few seconds before he let go of her hand.
"What are you trying to do? Kill yourself?" he asked, staring at her with his hawk like eyes that seems to be looking deep into her soul.
Zoey looked down, not able to look at the stranger. Well, he wouldn't understand no matter how she explains it to him. Her life is a total mess and nothing can bring back the life she once had.
"No matter what life brings to you, stay strong and fight it. It you accept defeat, you will only make the losers a winner. Do you think they would bother? They will move on with their life. You don't have to kill yourself over a man." Isaiah concluded which only pissed Zoey off.
If it was for Philip, then she would be the greatest fool. This has to do with her life. Isaiah kept staring at the strange girl, trying to suppress his anger.
If only he was there. If only he arrived there in time and stopped his mother like the way he stopped the stranger before him, his mother would still be alive. She would be there with him. She committed suicide and fell right at his feet from a twenty storey building.
"Did you think of the people who you will leave behind? Did you think about how they would feel if you leave?" he slightly raised his voice at her, annoyed at the whole thing going on.
Seeing Zoey trying to commit suicide brought back the memories he thought he has forgotten. How can he forget the day his mother died right in front of him?
"You don't know anything." Zoey swallowed hard and looked at him. "You don't have the right to stop me when you don't know anything. My mother died today and does around me walked away from my life. I am all alone now." She cried out, going to her knees.
"The world is filled with so many bad things in life, but who can we blame? You can only stand strong and show them how crazy you are too. You should get up, make some money and leave your life the best way you can. I also lost my mother but life never stopped. I lived as if I own the world. I know that is how my mother will want me to leave. People are meant to die. It is the law of nature. It's just that, theirs can early. You shouldn't kill yourself for that." he sighed deeply and placed his hands inside his pocket. "I will leave you to decided what you want. If you want to kill yourself again, I will be gone from here so you can do it. At least, I tried my best with you."
He said and left with turning back.
Zoe remained on the floor crying out her eyes. He is right, she shouldn't choose this way of ending her life. She will only remain a fool. Everyone would think of her as a fool for killing herself after a terrible breakup.
She brought her knees up and rested her head on it.
Isaiah went back to his ward and was met by Asher, who had a deep frown on his face. He had earlier disagree to getting the girl who could save him cause it has to do with her blood which he wasn't okay with.
"Isaiah, terrible news." he said.
Isaiah stopped walking and raised a brow. "What is wrong?"
"Your brother, Steve, is back. He is planning to take everything and this time, he isn't ready to give up. You are dying and that would give him the privilege to do what he want. And also," He brought out his phone and gave it him, "The real cause of your mom's death have being figured out."
Hearing that, Isaiah frowned deeply. His brother is his greatest enemy. He can't have him take everything away and that's why he is set to do anything for that not to happen. He collected the tablet and watched the recorded video sent to him.
"I won't die." Isaiah said, his voice filled with venom and hostility. "Find Zoey Hall immediately."
"Here is a photo of her." The doctor who had brought the suggested said, walking into the room. He showed Isaiah her picture and his eyes widened.
The same girl who he had saved from falling up from the roof. He couldn't believe his eyes. He quickly run out of the room, followed by Asher and the doctor who was wondering what was wrong with him.
He went to the rooftop but she wasn't there. "Shit!" he cursed, stomping his feet to the ground. "She is gone."
"Who?"
"Zoey Hall. I met her here." he faced them. "Make sure everyone is not resting until they find her. I want her before me immediately and no one should fail that." he commanded and left.
...
While in the taxi, Zoey was lost in thought, thinking about what have become of her life. She lost everything but according to the stranger, she shouldn't leave that way. He is right, her mother wouldn't be happy seeing her that way.
She remembered the words of her mother before she left last night.
"Zo, you shouldn't let anything bring you down. You are a special lady with specials gifts. You are a very talented beautiful lady. People would be jealous and would want to have what you have. You are strong and can go through all these trials, coming out stronger from it. Remember this, I always love you and wish the best for you my daughter. Leave your life, get a man who loves you, have beautiful kids and be happy. You deserve that happiness and nothing should take it away from you." she told her.
Zoey couldn't stop smiling that day. She was beaming with smiles. Her mother was always her best encourager. She loved her mother more than anything in life but death had to take her.
She covered her mouth and lowered her head as she cried silently. Her mother just had to die before she saw her do all these.
Her phone rang but she couldn't pick it up. It kept ringing and she had to pick up the call.
She sniffed and swiped the green icon. "Hello."
"Zoey where are you? You passed the test. This is a good news. You will be leaving for your dream country to go study photography. Isn't this amazing."
Zoey was shocked to hear the news but when she remembered her mother, the phone dropped from her hand. Her mother just had to die before that happened to her. She didn't wait to hear this good news of her leaving. She clutched her clothes as she cried harder. It was a terrible day for her.
...
A week later.
Zoey stood in front of her mother's grave, staring at the name engraved in it. "Mother, I will be leaving this country to go achieve my dream. Sorry I'll be leaving you alone but I need to do this to become stronger." she said and dropped the flowers she brought on it. " I will be back to change this flower very soon. Just hang in there. You wouldn't be bored for long."
Meanwhile, by the next grave beside her. Isaiah stood still, staring at his mother's grave. Ever since he got the news about her death, the smile on his face disappeared. He wasn't the cheerful Isaiah again.
He stared at his mother, speaking to her from his heart.
'Mother, I will avenge your death. I only need to find Zoey Hall.'
Three years later...Zoey Hall walked out of the airport, holding her bag firmly. She walked out with a smile and that bit smile brought attention to her.People who passed, admired her smile and beauty. She was a bright looking woman. Behind her was a young girl, running after her. They both went out and the young girl stood beside her. "Finally we are here. I can't wait to see how this country is. I hope it is fun and filled with cute and sexy celebrity. That way, my training under you wouldn't be useless."Zoey smile widened as she looked at the young girl. "Don't worry Carissa. We have a lot of photoshoot with top celebrities. You wouldn't regret following me here." The Uber she had called, pulled over in front of them. "Let go. I have an apartment waiting for us." They both entered the car.'Isaiah Alcatraz is one of the top powerful men, who has risen to the top of the world l's richest people in just a short period of time. X-zig, is the world's leading technology and would ta
Zoey walked into her apartment and the memories of her past filled her head. Her eyes got teary as she remembered the sweet memories her mother left with her in the house.She looked around the house and felt the emptiness in it. The emptiness without her mother. She swallowed the lumps in her throat as she walked into her mother's room.It was still the way she had left it. The scent, the bed, everything. She stood on her spot and bowed her head as tears flowed down her eyes. She promised herself not to cry but she couldn't help it. She pursed her lips and wiped her tears. It wasn't the best time to cry. She sniffed and looked at the empty bed. "Mom, I am back here. I know it won't be easy but I need strength to go on." she forced a smile and went out, locking the door."I love this place. Even though small, but comfy. Well, it would just need some little touches and it would be perfect." Carissa swirled around and fell on the couch, breathing deeply in relief."You can have that ro
Zoey stood still on her spot, with her eyes glued on him. Standing before her was a man so good looking. The aura around him speaks of wealth and power. She unknowingly moved back again and gulped down. How could one man be so good looking? She just couldn't get the thought of it off her mind. "I.....Isaiah Alcatraz?" Carissa called behind her, jerking her out of her thoughts. Zoey turned and lifted a brow. "What?""I am standing before Isaiah Alcatraz., the young CEO of X-ZIG." she squealed, trying so hard to contain her joy.Zoey couldn't believe her ears. If he is Isaiah then he is the one being talked about by millions of people. The youngest billionaire and CEO of X-ZIG. Why would he of all people be standing in front of her door?"Brother, I got the documents." Eddie said, standing beside him.Isaiah pocketed his hand and faced him. "Let's go. I am impressed with the house. We will start the renovation immediately."Immediately Zoey heard him, her head sparkled and she remembe
Martins raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Do you know him?" he questioned.She gazed at him for a while and shook her head. "I only know him on tv." She lowered her head and said nothing else.Why would he follow her to her office? Is he stalking her? Why would a wealthy man like Isaiah stalk her? First her house, now her workplace? She was getting pissed off already. The handsome devil is definitely after her life.Isaiah stood up after getting the paper works and so did Martins. "Thank you sir for giving us this opportunity. We promise to use it wisely." Martins said and shook his hand and Isaiah made for the door.Getting close to the door, he stopped right in front of Zoey whose head was still lowered. Knowing he was standing before her, she couldn't bring herself to look at him. She was suddenly feeling uncomfortable and wouldn't look up.Was she getting intimidated too?Isaiah cleared his throat and that was when she realized she was standing by the door, blocking his way ou
CHAPTER EIGHTZoey picked up a small trash can and threw it in their direction, distracting them. She ran out and didn't look back. The two men began to run after her. She was confused on where to go and just followed any path she saw. Even though she had stayed in that area all her life before she went on a journey, there were some places she hadn't been to and that was the place she ran into.She wished she had known that lane, it would have been easy to do away with the men behind her. Zoey came to a dead end and halted breathing heavily. There was no way to run and escape again. She heard their footsteps behind her and swallowed hard."Shit!" she cursed under her breath and turned to face the men."Do you have to run that way? What was the point when we were still going to get you?" one of them asked."What do you want from me? Who sent you?" she asked boldly, trying to hide her fears even though deep down, her heart was throbbing fast, threatening to burst her chest open. "You
Carissa smiled at the man before her. "Hello, can I help you?"He looked behind her. "Is Zoey in? How is she doing?''Carissa knitted her brows and looked at him from head to toe. He was surely a dazzling young man but who was he?"She is in, but not in the right state to meet you. Is your reason for meeting her important?"He sighed and put his hands in his pocket. "I am an old friend and I just got the news that she came back to Shutter-way. Don't worry, I will come back later. Tell her that Steve came by." he smiled at her and left.Carissa slowly closed the door and turned, coming face to face with Zoey. She jerked in fright."What is wrong? Who was that at the door?""Jeez.. You should let people know when you walk in or they might get a heart attack." Carissa complained and went to sit. "A man came to see you." she smiled. "He said his name is Steve. He is so good looking. How did you know him?" "Steve? Steve Niro was here?" Zoey rushed to the door and opened it, but he was lon
David adjusted his tie and stood up with a smile plastered on his face. He faced her and clicked his tongue."I guess you don't know. Since you are the only surviving member of the Hall family, you are most wanted now."Zoey's eyes were widened but she couldn't say anything. She just allowed him to continue his revelation to her."Many wealthy men want you. You are their source to living a long life and that's why they are after you." he sucked his teeth and crossed his arm beneath his chest. "I am being kind enough to bring this offer to you where you will earn a lot. But I tell you, they wouldn't give you this chance and take you with them forcefully."Zoey's throat went dry and her heartbeat increased. She was frightened to the bone. Goosebumps were all over her.Does that mean there were many people after her life? Was that the reason she was attacked by those men earlier? Those thoughts kept running through her head and that gave her the chills.David brought out his complementar
Everyone was taken aback when she said that. Zoey smirked at their reactions and knew it was time for her second plan.She dragged herself away from the bouncer's grip and rushed to Isaiah. She stared at him for a while and without a second thought, she hugged him."Oh my love. I'm so sorry I'm late. I wanted you to have more time with your mistress."Everyone gasped hearing that. Mistress? Isaiah was left shocked by what was happening but he tried his best not to show how shocked he was. Whatever Zoey was planning, he planned on seeing it till the end.He placed a hand on her waist and drew her closer. "Why should I meet a mistress when I have you sweetheart? You are the woman I love." he licked his lower lips and smirked. "Sweetheart, I see you are dressed to hide your cleavage again. Well, that's a good thing. I don't want anyone to see the beautiful body that's meant for my eyes only." he said it out loud.Zoey was taken aback by the sudden turn. She raised her brows. "What are yo
Immediately she walked into the room, and Isaiah's eyes fell on her face. He stared for a long time trying to observe her features.Her face was pale, her eyes a bit reddened and her lips lost a bit of their color.Zoey forced a smile and walked in fully, closing the door behind her. She was getting scared of the way he stared cause he might have noticed she was weak.She walked closer and stood beside his bed. "Are.....are you...... feeling better." Her voice came out croaky to which she cleared her throat but it didn't do much good."I am. What about you?" He questioned with his brows knitted together.She widened her fake smile and raised her two hands waving it in the air. "I am fine. See." An instant regret filled her mind as what she did made her dizzy again.She hissed silently and closed her eyes. Observing what was going on with her, Isaiah tapped on the bed."Hurry up and sit down."She managed to sit and rubbed her forehead. "Sorry about that.""You don't have to. Those men
After what seemed like forever, Zoey felt no pain or stab in her body. Or was she dead already?She heard a low groan so close to her. So close that it made her heart ache. Slowly opening her eyes her breath seized when she saw that it was what she was thinking.Isaiah was in front of her, holding her tightly and his face was covered with sweat and pain. She knew what had happened but didn't know how it happened.She should be the one stabbed but how was he quick enough to have switched position with her and blocked her from getting the hit?"Isaiah!" She called, with her voice low and her whole body shaken.She gently laid him down and made his head rest on her thigh. "Oh my goodness!" she gasped seeing the amount of blood gushing out of his body."No, no, no," she cried and attempted to apply pressure on his side where he was stabbed.Akin, seeing what he had done, took a few steps back in fright. He just stabbed one of the prominent men in the society. He was in big trouble and he
Silence reigned in the large room for what seemed like forever even though it was just for some minutes. Zoey took her gaze to Isaiah in fright of what he would do next because he'd been caught. Surprisingly to her, he was staring back at the men fearlessly and not moved that he was in danger."Well...... Seems like we have a guest." Akin's voice broke the silence. He lifted the corners of his lips and crossed his arms. "Unfortunately, we don't let go of our guests so you will have to stay here now."Mr Clinton, the client, snapped his fingers and drew closer to Akin. "This is Isaiah Alcatraz. I thought he looked familiar and now I remember." His voice was filled with wonder and his gaze was focused on Isaiah."Well then, an introduction has been made so let her go and end all these?" Isaiah's voice was distant and cold as he stared back at them."You are one of the richest people on the continent." Akin informed even though they all knew, and laughed, "How would I let go of this opp
"Hey, you!" It was Akin, the man who rescued her earlier. Zoey breathed in relief and swallowed the bile that had gathered in her throat.She thought her life was over for a few minutes but luckily for her, he was the one who came to rescue her."Let's get out of here before they come back." He looked behind him to see if any of his siblings were coming back but they were far gone.He stretched his hand to her and she took it immediately without thinking. He was her savior anyway.He helped her get up and together, they began to run with him tugging behind her quietly. After running for some distance, he stopped and bent a bit, resting his hand on his knees. "That's enough now. We are far away from them."Zoey stopped too, panting heavily. She looked behind her and noticed they had run some distance.She calmed down a bit and swallowed hard but her nervousness was still there cause she knew she was still in their territory even though she didn't know where they were at the moment.Ak
She breathed out and said the words, "I will not be your girlfriend. I can't stand your insults and accusations when my reputation is on the line," She paused and went on, "As I said, I will clarify everything that happened to the public. You don't have to take the blame for it. I will find a new place so give me two weeks to. I will leave your house," she said to him and waited for him to say something but he was silent, still back facing her.After what seemed like forever, she turned to leave but stopped when he responded. "Do as you wish but just know, there are consequences to this if I lose those properties." He rolled his fist into a ball. "Those properties are important to me." His voice was almost like a whisper and Zoey felt terrible, but, he insulted her and her reputation was important to her.She sighed and went back to her room.Immediately Isaiah locked his door, he punched it in annoyance. He needed to live and her leaving won't make it possible.He sacrificed his comf
Zoey was startled and lost her voice immediately. She wanted to tell him about the drugs that Archer prescribed, but he just had to tell her off by yelling.He pushed the door open and yelled out, "For the second time, what do............" He paused when he saw how she looked at him.For a moment, he couldn't talk cause he was overwhelmed by guilt.He looked away and cleared his throat, "Do you want something?" This time, he asked in a calm voice.Zoey shook her head and looked down. "You will need some painkillers for your head cut. I must have barged in at the wrong time and I apologize for that." She responded and walked away immediately.Does he have to yell without finding out why she was there?Isaiah grunted and walked out of the room. He went after Zoey and caught her halfway, holding her wrist firmly."Listen, I apologize for yelling at you. Got a lot going on before you walked in." He explained in a rush while she forced a smile and nodded."You don't have to apologize to me
Zoey stood by Isaiah's door, contemplating if to go in or not. She thought over what he said and had come to a decision but deep down, she knew that would mean danger to her.What if it backfires?Well, does she have a choice? She took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door. After waiting for a while with no one answering, she made to leave but the door was suddenly pushed open.Coming face to face with him, she flinched and placed her hand on her chest."What do you want?" He demanded, not bothered, that she was sacred a while ago.Zoey dropped her hand and faced him completely but that was a mistake of hers, as her gaze fell on his half naked self.He was shirtless, exposing his muscular, firm, hot self. Staring at him made her speechless. Her throat went dry and for a moment, her memories were wiped off."Hello? Are you gonna keep staring or tell me why you are here? I am about to take a shower and I don't need you delaying me."Realizing how long she had been staring, she lo
"What.....what are you talking about? What do you mean?" She questioned as her heart began to race abnormally. "I am bringing the deal to you this time. Let me be your boyfriend for ninety-nine days," he repeated. No strings attached. Just be dating in public and back to our normal lives on the inside.""Why.....why should..... should I be your...... girlfriend?"“There's a document that I need to get. It's in my late mother's name and if I don't get it, someone who doesn't deserve to even call her name, would and I can't let that happen. I can't let it get to the wrong hands," he tightened his fist as he spoke. "If it does, I will never forgive myself and everything my mother ever worked for will be in vain." He sighed deeply and went on."To get the document, I need to present my fiance," he smirked. "She played a smart one but painfully she never knew she would die early and this request will make it hard to get what she owns."Zoey smacked her lips and narrowed her eyes. "Why nin
Zoey swallowed the lump forming in her throat and looked down. If he calls the police then her life is over. Her career would be affected too.Never in her life did she ever think she would have a criminal record and now, she is about to get one.She quickly went to her knees with her palms joined together."It was a mistake. I never knew you were standing in the way. Besides, you touched my butt. That scared the shit out of me so I acted in self-defense," she spoke out quickly.He found how she explained funny, but he held back his laughter and took his gaze to Carissa instead."You can leave for work now Carissa. I would love to be alone with Zoey."Carissa nodded and glanced at Zoey who also nodded in approval for her to leave. She walked out, leaving the two of them."You should also blame yourself. Why would you touch my butt? I never knew you were a pervert either." She spoke out rather confidently.Isaiah was surprised at her sudden boldness, but he laughed shortly and sat down