My throat suddenly felt dry at his request. I was still uncomfortable being here today, and he's talking about bringing me here for the second time for a dinner.
"Erm, that would be great," I said, masking my emotions. "But honestly, you already know how busy I am lately, and I use weekends for my home chores and spending time with my girl.""Oh, alright. It's not a problem at all," Jason replied, smiling as if nothing had happened.To be honest, this is one of the reasons I like him; he never tries to force things on me or persuade me to accept his requests. He would just say it's fine and pretend as if nothing happened.Unless it's business-related, he would then look for a proper time to make the request for the second time, which I would hardly decline."So what would you like to drink while we wait for the Zech Holdings representatives?" he aske"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," the first man remarked, stretching out his hand in request of a handshake with Jason, and he accepted."You're welcome, sir," Jason replied with a smile on his lips as they exchanged handshakes, and he turned to greet others, only to see me approaching."Oh, there she is, Zora Paulson. The mastermind behind our revolutionary project," he said proudly with excitement and a smile all over his face.I couldn't help but force out a smile to greet the men as they turned to see me. However, my smile froze for some seconds as I and Zayn locked eyes. He's the one opposite Jason, and he's facing me."Zora! Finally, I found you," he said with excitement. The happiness was evident on his face, just like someone who had found a hidden treasure.My legs trembled, and I nearly lost my balance. I never expected this to happen. To see Zayn again in the same room where he humiliated me together with his wife Paige."What is he doing here?" I found myself questioning
"I can see you're yet to forget the incident. Hence, you have refused to talk to me. Well, I bought it under your name as compensation for what I did.""Erm..." I was choked with words. I didn't even know what to say at this point because I hadn't expected to hear that from him."Please, can we just focus on the reason we're here?" I said, trying to look serene, but deep down inside me, I was seething. I was dying of embarrassment that I wish the ground could just swallow me whole.I knew Zayn is always full of surprises, but not to this extent. Doesn't he know what to do with his money any longer?Why purchase it with my name? What happened to Paige?"Please, I'm lost here. Could any of you tell me exactly what's going on?" Jason asked, confusion flickering across his face and eyes."Well, I really understand how you're feeling right now," said Zayn, completely disregarding Jason's existence, let alone answering his question."I will feel the same if I were in your shoes," he added,
Zayn flashed me a glare with a smile and then responded, "Calm down, dear. Don't be in such a haste, dear."He then turned to Mr. Luke, who had already started fretting. "You still couldn't remember her?" he asked with a wry smile on his lips."My apologies, sir. Pardon my short memory. I've started aging so bad that I hardly recall recent incidents, let alone old ones," he remarked with a pleading tone. He was already shaking.I couldn't believe my eyes. This man was full of dominance and fearfulness back then. How did he end up in such a condition, being a mere worker, a cook even in his own established company?Zayn sighed. "It's fine," he said and paused for a few seconds, staring at him with scrutiny. "Do you know why I bought this place?" he added.Mr. Luke shook his head in disapproval, and Zayn cleared his throat to continue. "Great. Do you remember that day when a reckless and useless digger brought a complaint to you?"At this point, I could tell Mr. Luke had realized who I
"You mentioned buying this place for me... Fine, what happened to your lovely wife, Paige? She doesn't deserve it."Zayn was astounded by the question. He literally didn't expect me to react this way. Even Jason was shocked to his bone marrow.At first, Jason's expression was laced with disappointment, although he was at a point glued to the incident. However, there's this betrayed look he usually snaps at me, which I couldn't fathom.By now, I thought he must have realized that the man in front of me was my ex-husband.After staring at me for some while with a doubtful facial expression, Zayn finally exhaled a deep sigh and sat back on his executive chair. "Alright then. Let's get back to business," he remarked.I sighed and gulped hard. I was really furious. I sat back on my chair and picked up my glass of wine in front of me and sipped from it just so I could calm my emotions. So I could refrain from saying all the things in my head I intended to lash at Zayn. However, I was still f
Zayn let out a wry smile. He was unfazed by my response."Well, you can say that. Time passes, and people change as well," he said, gritting his teeth without the wry smile fading.I was surprised because the more I tried to subdue him, the more he found new tactics to defend himself. Was he trying to tell me he had changed? How did he expect me to believe that? I swallowed hard, and a faint smile escaped through my lips. He was indeed very brave. "Anyways, let's not get distracted. Since you've refused to go through the project demo, I'll give you a brief explanation then." With this being said, I brought out the 10.1-inch screen tablet phone from my bag and turned it on.I went to the gallery and scrolled to our company's illustration image, then handed him the tablet."We decided to come up with a new advertising system that not only helps in improvements in model marketing but also makes it more ey
ZAYNI couldn't believe what just happened a few minutes ago. It's been my wish to set my eyes on her again, even if it's just a quick glance.I couldn't believe I messed up the opportunity I had been praying for—I ruined the beautiful moment I had—being with Zora.I had rehearsed multiple times and stood in front of the mirror to practice how to keep my facial expression while presenting my words. I chose my words correctly so they wouldn't trigger her to remember the past.Despite everything, as soon as I saw her walking out of the restroom, I forgot everything and started fretting as I noticed how much better she had become. I was scared she wouldn't even listen to me or would embarrass me in front of my subordinates, which just happened.Well, I should blame myself for how she reacted. I should have apologized to her straight without beating around the bush. I should have been more loving and used appealing words instead of acting as if I was trying to buy her love with my money,
ZAYN —Blake, you wouldn't believe what just happened today." A smug grin tugged at my lips as I spoke."Really? Tell me then," Blake replied, his tone dripping with curiosity.I breathed a sigh, and a wry smile crept onto my lips. "I saw her—I mean, I saw Zora.""For real? So how is she? I bet she couldn't recognize you," he said, obviously teasing.My brows creased, and a faint smile curled across the corner of my lips. "Of course she did. And she is doing fine, even. I wasn't surprised though, because I know what she's capable of.""I second that. Zora is such a vicious lady. You really fumbled," Blake retorted, mocking me for my action. Well, I won't get offended because I created the problem for myself."You're right, Blake. I fumbled, but that's why I called so you could be of help with my problem." I crossed my legs, massaging my temples. Beads of sweat were dripping on my forehead.There was a brief silence from his end for some seconds. "And how can I help? How sure are you th
ZAYN —I was still thinking about my crumbling world when I dozed off inside the car, only to be woken up about twenty minutes later by a knock on the window by one of the restaurant's attendants."Excuse me, sir. You've been inside here for too long without moving your car, so we decided to know if you are okay," the attendant stated with a creased forehead. His eyes were moving around inside the car, probably to know if I was doing something illegal in here."Oh, that's so kind of you. I'm actually fine. Nothing is wrong," I replied, forcing a warm smile to mask my emotions."Alright, sir. So can you leave now?" He requested, his gaze mean."Excuse me?" I snapped and glared at him with a stoic expression, but he doesn't seem to be moved."I'm sorry if I sounded rude, sir, but you're acquiring a slot where another customer would have parked his or her car. We kindly request you leave as you're done with refreshment," he went on."And if I don't?" I responded with a sneer on my face."
Jason —Two years laterI was in my penthouse in South Carolina, sipping my wine and admiring the beautiful city view when my fiancée Clara called my name from inside."Babe, your phone is ringing," she said, rushing over to hand it to me."Who's calling?" I asked curiously, not expecting any calls that day as I had decided to take a break from work."It's an unsaved number, but Truecaller says it's Zora," she replied, handing me the phone.I felt disappointed at the mention of that name. I thought I had blocked her, so how was she able to reach me?I hesitated to answer the call, but Clara had made the effort to bring me the phone, so I reluctantly accepted it to avoid devaluing her efforts or raising suspicions of infidelity."Speak," I said as soon as I accepted the call."Um, good morning, Jason. I'm really sorry for everything. I just hope you can find a place in your heart to forgive me, even though it may be difficult," a weak, feminine voice cried from the other end of the lin
ZORA—"Hello, Zayn," I said as soon as I answered the call. My voice was so cold that it was enough to let him know I was not happy with him."Hello, baby. What happened? Is there a problem?" He asked inquisitively, trying to soften my mood as he knew he had upset me."Are you pretending not to know what you did? Okay, setting that aside, why didn't you pick up my calls?"He gasped and asked, "When? Oh, that must have been when I was in a meeting with some of our collaborators.""I'm really sorry," he added, sighing."It's okay. Actually, I wanted to ask about your close friend Blake. Have you been in touch with him recently?""Of course, I just spoke with him this morning. Is there an issue? Is he okay?" His concerned tone indicated he was starting to worry."Well, Daisy and I have been unable to reach him. He's unreachable while Daisy is undergoing the artificial insemination procedure. We're concerned that something may have happened to him, but since you said you spoke with him th
ZORA—I was at the office when I lied to Daisy on the call, telling her that I was off to work. Thankfully, there was nothing else to do in the office, as the board of directors had canceled the meeting that was supposed to happen in a few minutes.I went home, picked up my daughter, and drove to the hospital where Daisy is doing the artificial insemination.Upon our arrival at the hospital, she was already in the operating room, so we had to sit in the waiting room and pray for her safe operation."Mommy, where is Aunty Daisy? I thought you told me we were coming here to see her?" Daisy asked with a worried look on her face."Of course, darling. We're here for her, and she's here. She's just inside the operating room, so we have to wait for her," I explained calmly, caressing her hair with a smile on my lips."But what happened to her? Is she sick? I don't want her to be sick because she promised me to give birth to a girl I could go to school with.""Absolutely. That's the main reas
DAISY—"Really? I can't believe Paige came to your house. But I thought she was in prison. How did she escape?" I asked Zora in astonishment after she told me about her recent encounter with Paige."Honestly, dear. I couldn't imagine what might have happened if I did not show up at home by that time. The fact that I saw her carrying Daisy and that she was sitting comfortably on her thighs makes me want to throw up, gosh." I could hear her voice as she sighed. She was traumatized by the experience."Calm down, Zora. The most important thing is that you were able to save your daughter from her, and I hope you have taught her not to embrace strangers at all unless you approved her to do so.""Of course I did a long time ago. That was why I was stunned. I think Paige was using a sort of voodoo on my household. First, it was Zayn, and now my daughter." She said this with a pathetic voice."Oh, dear, don't think those things. What matters now is that your daughter is fine, okay?" I said, tr
ZORA—"When you do, come back to drive this lady out of my house."Amanda's facial expression changed instantly. She gave me a worried look, but she dared not question my authority."Come on, Zora, why are you causing a scene? Your daughter Daisy likes me, and that's why she was comfortable with me. You should let her go up when she wants to," Paige said with a disdainful tone, rising to her feet to leave and avoid embarrassment."I'd rather punch a rock than leave my daughter with a demon like you," I remarked, hissing with irritation on my face.Thankfully, Daisy and Amanda were already halfway upstairs, so they couldn't hear us exchanging words. Nevertheless, I would still scold Daisy later for feeling too comfortable with someone she barely knows to the point of snubbing me when I called her to embrace me."Well, thanks to the universe, you saw with your own eyes that I did not force your daughter to be with me. She was enchanted by my beauty just like her father was.""Beauty att
ZORA —"Well, I don't have an answer for that right now," he replied, releasing me and turning away, heading to the room to avoid further questions, unwilling to reveal what he was keeping to himself.I let out a deep sigh, gazing at him for a few seconds, and I shook my head with a faint smile on my lips. "Now it all makes sense," I blurted out, but he only winced in response.After washing my face, I went to his kitchen to prepare a meal for both of us and one for him to keep in the refrigerator. Surprisingly, he kept checking on me in the kitchen, assisting with cutting vegetables and other tasks to speed up the food preparation, something he had never done before.Usually, when he was at home, he would either be reading or watching football.Once the meal was ready, we sat down to eat, and Zayn was delighted, expressing his wish for me to cook for him every day.After we finished eating, he offered to drive me home, which I accepted, as it would also give him a chance to see Daisy
ZORA —"Could you tell me why you mostly felt absent-minded yesterday?" Zayn asked, hugging me from behind and sniffing my neck as we lay on the bed.It was early morning, and we were already in his mansion, specifically in his bedroom, which I couldn't explain how we ended up there. His sweet words were always irresistible.I was scrolling through my contact list trying to call the lady I hired to babysit my daughter yesterday when he asked the question, so I couldn't answer.I needed space to think over the question so I wouldn't say something I'd regret later. Therefore, I pressed the call button, and fortunately, Clara answered on the first beep."Is there a problem with Daisy? I hope the babysitter can take proper care of her," Zayn said with a worried look."Yeah. Daisy is fine. I was just checking up on her," I said to him after speaking with Clara."Oh, you don't have to worry so much about her. After all, she has her phone and could dial any of our numbers if she faces troubl
ZORA—It was about six o'clock in the evening when Zayn and I met at a grand five-star hotel in Southampton City.During the afternoon, we discussed, and he pleaded for me to come alone with a promise not to initiate sex.I had told him about my plan of coming with Daisy because I've been troubled about sleeping with him when we're not yet legally together."You look elegantly beautiful, dear. This dress fits perfectly on you," he commented as he welcomed me to the hotel."Really? Thank you. I wore it to look good for you," I replied, smiling as we walked inside the building while holding hands like couples.Zayn went to the receptionist and collected a room key. Not going to lie, this instilled fear in me.The restaurant is somewhat a combination of a hotel and a restaurant because it has some potential rooms for booking and other necessities required in a hotel.I wanted to question the need for the key, but I maintained my composure, deciding to refuse or raise an alarm when he took
ZORA —"Zora, I don't like your sudden decision to go back to Zayn, but..." Daisy exhaled a sigh and continued, "Who am I to question your decision?" she added with a solemn expression.It happened that she was on furlough today, so I asked her to accompany me shopping. I wanted to buy some new dresses for the dinner tonight—I wanted to look unique and different to Zayn and not wear one of the outfits he's used to."No worries, Daisy, I'm being careful with him. After all, we haven't officially reunited because the divorce documents have to be disqualified," I replied, patting her shoulder with a chuckle."It's fine. I'm only looking out for your best interest," she shrugged off, sighing."Yes, dear. So tell me about the latest update. Are you going to proceed with the artificial insemination procedure we discussed?" I asked her, wanting to change the topic.She had told me earlier about the recent issues she had been having with her husband regarding their childlessness, which I sugg