Chapter Six – Avoiding Zion

Andrea’s POV

A sense of dread spread over my mind as I watched Mrs. Hamilton approach the door. No, I couldn’t face him. “Please deal with him, Kathy. Tell him I’m busy!” I dashed off towards Adrian’s room to avoid Zion at all costs. 

The therapist had completed his work and got up to leave. I could hear the main door close. So Zion had left! Granny Catherine was arranging Adrian’s duvet and cushions, so I followed the therapist out. “Call me if he faces any discomfort. Otherwise, I’ll come over after two days to check up on him.” 

“Thank you so much for coming over at such short notice.” He smiled and nodded at me.

“It’s my job.” As we walked out of the room towards the main door, I froze at the sight of Zion, sitting in the living room, maybe waiting for me. What was he doing here? Didn’t he know I was busy? 

The therapist took his leave while I walked over to Zion, glaring at him all the while. “What brings you here, Zion? There is nothing to discuss. I’m busy!” I continued to glare at him, but he looked least bothered by my insult. 

“I can see how busy you are. So you’ve started calling them home as well.” I gave him a confused look. What the heck was he talking? 

“Calling whom? If you can’t be specific, you can leave. I don’t have time to listen to your nonsense!” 

He got up, his face livid with rage and annoyance. “Calling your hook-ups home. You don’t need to act so innocent around me. I know you too well!” He marched out of my house while I stood there feeling shocked, insulted, and furious at his insolence. What did he think of himself? Did he really think the therapist was a hook-up of mine? 

Mrs. Hamilton came rushing into the room and gave me a look of concern. “What happened? Did he insult you, Andy? I tried to push him away, but he insisted on waiting for you inside.”

I came back to my senses and gave her a small smile. “Don’t fret over him, Kathy. He’s a pain in the ass. I’ll freshen up in a minute. Can you check where Zayden and Zane are hiding? I’m sure Angel will know. Ask her.” Angel was Knox’s daughter and Zane’s twin, the polar opposite of both of them. True to her name, I saw her leading Kathy towards Zayden’s hiding spot and a smile tugged at my lips. I went away to my room to change. My decision was made. 

I would avoid Zion at all costs. I wouldn’t let him get under my skin. He wasn’t worth my attention. I worked to earn for my children, to give them a good life. Surely, I would find a way out despite Zion’s efforts to drag me down. If everything failed, I would come back to my grandpa’s house rather than get back with Zion Concorde!

When I went downstairs, Adrian was awake and the two chipmunks, Zayden and Zane, were sitting beside him. The moment I went into the room, they hung their heads with guilt. I stopped in front of them. “I need to talk to both of you!” 

“Oh no, Mom’s mad at us!” muttered Zayden. 

“We’re sorry, Aunt Andy! It won’t happen again,” said Zane, looking guiltier than before. 

“Sorry, mom!” said Zayden, seeing me glare at him. “We thought Addie had recovered. He has rested for days already!” 

“Yes, he was getting bored in bed. He needed rescuing!” explained Zane while I glared with horror at the two of them.  

“No, he doesn’t need rescuing. Do you realize he is suffering from a hairline fracture? It will take him a month to get better.” The boys gaped at me as if I had uttered some gibberish. 

“What’s a hairline fracture? I haven’t hurt my head or hair, Mom!” protested Adrian while the other two rolled with laughter. 

“Aunt Andy needs to rest her brain!” laughed Zane. 

“Have you been overworking, mom?” asked Zayden. 

“Stop! I’m serious, boys! A hairline fracture doesn’t involve the head or hair despite the name. It’s a tiny crack in the bone, as thin as a strand of hair.” 

“Oh! It sounds scary, Aunt Andy. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Addie until he’s better!” said Angel, dragging her brothers out of the room. 

“Thank you, Angel. I trust you.” 

She flashed an angelic smile at me when Kathy entered with Adrian’s dinner. “I can’t eat on my own. I have a hairline fracture, Kathy!” he protested, giving me a helpless look. Of course, I could see through these stunts. It was only to compel me to take pity on him and feed him. 

“I don’t have the time to feed you, Addie!” protested Kathy. 

“Oh, you don’t need to. Mom’s here to feed me! Please Mom, I’m tired!” As if I wasn’t! Yet my motherly instincts took over and I sat down beside him to feed him. 

“Are the kids at the table?” I didn’t trust Zayden. He would forget his meals if no one forced him to sit at the table. When I was at the office, I had to ensure they had their lunch at the daycare center. It was just opposite my office, and I took time off from work to check up on them. 

I fed him while he talked about his boring day in bed. We discussed his homework which granny Catherine had already made him do. I felt thankful to her for her help. It had completely skipped my mind. “Mom, when can I go to school like Zayden?” 

“Maybe after two weeks when you can walk with crutches.” Adrian groaned, and I felt bad for him. I tucked him in after dinner and granny Catherine came in to tell him a bedtime story. The rest of the children too bundled in to listen. I slipped out to have my dinner. It had been a waste of a day today. With no work, and no marketing manager, I was in a soup. 

“Andy, you’re hardly eating!” said Kathy as she joined me to have her dinner. I smiled at her, forcing myself to eat. 

“I don’t feel like. My head is killing me. So is my body!” Kathy frowned with concern and touched my hand.

“You’re warm. Are you feeling feverish?” I nodded and got up to sleep it off. 

“A little. I’m sure I’ll be fine by tomorrow.” 

I trudged towards my bedroom and lay down to rest, but the day’s events had me tossing and turning all night. How could I see my dream company crumble? I had to do something, but what could I do? Tears of helplessness pricked at my eyes. Why did Zion have to come back when things were picking up? I didn’t disturb his happily married life! 

I felt terrible the next morning. After getting Zayden ready for school, I tended to Adrian and left for work. I had to reach the office at 9 o’clock to interview the new marketing guy, Dennis Webster. The future of my company depended on him. 

Ignoring my condition, I drove down to the office. Opening the laptop, I noticed Michael’s resignation in my mail inbox. It didn’t surprise me, since Roberta had already informed me. I would deal with it later. 

After twenty minutes, Dennis Webster arrived, and I hired him after a brief interview. The guy was capable and willing to work hard. He joined immediately and started working for us! 

My head was killing me and I knew I wouldn’t last long. After Dennis settled down, maybe I would take the rest of the day off and go home. However, work cropped up all the time the entire day. I couldn’t leave. By evening too,I was neck deep in a deal, trying my best to get it. All the employees left while I sat framing the deal. I wanted to offer more than the others so that we would get the project. 

The security guard came inside after a brief knock on my door. “Ma’am, there’s someone to see you.”

My heart filled up with dread since I knew who it could be.

It was none other than Zion Concorde, whom I had been avoiding since last night. He had called me thrice all day, but I had blocked him. Couldn’t he take the hint and leave me alone? 

“Tell him I was just leaving for the day. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” 

“He isn’t listening to me, ma’am.” Footsteps echoed and the door was pushed open wider. Zion marched in disregarding the poor guard. 

“Andrea, why have you blocked me? I’ve been calling you all day.” 

I didn’t even glance in his direction. Closing the laptop, I started dumping everything in my bag, gearing up to leave. The guard went away while Zion strode towards me in a fit of rage. 

“I’m talking to you, Andrea!” 

Yet I didn’t glance his way, picking up my bag and staggering towards the door. I had to get away before my body gave way. I felt violently sick, my body burning with temperature, ready to drop off anytime. 

He grabbed my arm to stop me, pulling me roughly towards him. The bag dropped to the floor. My head swooned, making me close my eyes as everything blacked out and I felt myself falling.