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."
ZORA —"Uh, I'm really sorry for what happened in Southampton. I know I messed up the whole situation," Jason said, looking tired as we halted the car after driving off the restaurant's premises."Of course you did, Jason. Thankfully, you realized," I responded. This was what I was thinking of how to discuss with him, but I couldn't, so it doesn't seem like I'm berating him."I'm really sorry about that. Actually, I was just putting your interest in mind. Did you forget why we were there?""It doesn't matter, Jason. It doesn't matter," I replied, clutching my hands on my bosom as we were still inside the car.Jason sighed and gulped down the lump in his throat. "Listen, Zora. They say opportunity comes, but only once. I was trying to link you up with that man. Don't you know that once he notices your excellence, he can make you stand out in this country with just a recommendation
I had just returned from my daughter's school. When I reached there, she was already in the caretaker's sector because most of the kids had been picked up by their parents.Daisy and another boy, whose parent was said to have died in a road accident while coming to pick him up, were the only ones remaining there.It was said that the child would be handed over to the government because he has a single parent who had just died.Meanwhile, Jason was the one who drove us home and even gave Daisy a gift he bought for her before we proceeded to enter the building.As soon as we entered, Daisy rushed to the kitchen to get her food. I could see the desperation in her as she was eating. She had been hungry to the point where she couldn't even pray before eating.In all honesty, I felt really bad because the reason I starved my daughter wasn't valid. It was just because of that monster I
The following day, I drove straight to the office after dropping my daughter off at school.Upon arrival at the office, Tech Savvy Strategies, I was surprised to see Jason's car already in his private parking spot.Does it mean Jason has already come to work? I was surprised because it was too early for him to be at work when we don't have a major project we're working on.As I alighted from my Porsche Cayenne, the latest model, my PA rushed over to me and stretched out her hand to collect my handbag, but I waved at her in dismissal.I'm not the type who fancies a red carpet treatment, but due to Jason's persuasion, I accepted the service. However, since this lady started this job, I could count the number of times I accepted her red carpet treatment. And the couple times it happened was because it was done in the presence of Jason, so there was no way I'm going to resist that.I took my handbag and stormed off to my office. However, on my way to the elevator, I could hear my name scre
"Of course, dear. You're Daisy's real dad, and she even sees you as her biological dad."He smiled joyfully and responded, "Thank you."I smiled back and stood up, walked over to him, and touched his hand. "There's nothing to be thankful for. You deserve it. Daisy loves you too; no doubt about that. So you deserve to be her real father," I said, smiling.I could feel his heart melt through his facial expression. He slowly looked up at my face, directly into my eyes, and asked, "What about you? Do you love me too?"I smiled and gently massaged his wrist before replying. "Of course, dear. You know that. I've always loved you. I love you as my friend and also my boss."His countenance instantly changed, and he withdrew his hand from my touch as if my hand stung. "That's not what I mean, Zora. Of course you know what I mean. Okay, do you love me as a man? Let's put being your boss aside," he questioned, expecting an answer.I was startled. "As a man? Was I loving you as a woman all this w
It's been two days since I landed in Southampton City, and I must say everything is going fine.Today, I was dropped off at the Zech Holdings Ltd. office by cab, and before heading into the building, I realized I needed to call Jason to check on my daughter first.Since leaving Northville City, I hadn't spoken with Jason or Daisy, my daughter, due to exhaustion upon arrival. I immediately fell asleep in my apartment immediately I walked in.The next day, when I tried to reach Jason, he didn't answer, probably because he was out of the office without his phone.I was still lost in reverie of thought when he picked up the call."Hello, dear," he spoke from the other end."Hello, Jason, good morning. I've been worried since I called you yesterday and didn't hear back. What's wrong?" I asked, not giving him a chance to respond before asking about Daisy."How's Daisy, my daughter?" I added, anxiously awaiting his response."At least ask one question at a time. I know you must be worried,"
"Hey, are you Zora Paulson?" he asked me as he approached."Yes, I am. I am Zora Paulson," I replied, maintaining a blank expression."Oh, you're welcome. Come this way. The boss is already waiting for you," he responded, leading me to a different ward."I'm certain you were pissed off when you walked in here," he asked, looking concerned, but I shook my head in denial."It's fine. I wasn't," I said."Oh, glad you weren't. I apologize again. It's just that it's our campaign season, so it's crowded with our influencers and models," he explained, but I cut him off."Like I said, nothing was wrong. After all, it's your facilities, and you guys owe no one an explanation of how you do your work.""That's very thoughtful and smart of you, Mrs. Zora," he said with a cheerful smile, but his last phrase made me glare at him with suspicion.Who told him I am Mrs.?"Well, sorry that I forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name is Nicholas, but you can call me Nick. I'm the secretary in this orga
ZORA—"Not a problem at all," the lady commented and stood up to fetch her kids.She came back a few minutes later holding the kids in both hands."Good evening, Miss Paulson. Did you come with Daisy?" Liam asked excitedly as he saw me, scanning the environment in search of his friend.I bit my lips, swallowing hard. I couldn't answer the question."Kids, Daisy's mom is here alongside her friends. They came so you could help them in search of your friend, Daisy," their father uttered, sitting them down."Mommy, is she missing? What about her daddy?" Sophia, the female one, asked inquisitively."Did you in any way see Daisy today after the dismissal time in your school?" their mother asked them tenderly, holding their shoulders."Yes, Mommy," they chorused in unison."We sat at the usual place we do, waiting for you when her father came and picked her up. He said he's taking her to the ice cream store.""Yes, Mommy. He could have taken us along too, but he was worried about you not fin
ZORA —I was sitting on the pavement outside Daisy's friends — the albino twins' house, waiting for Daisy and her husband to pull up so we could storm in and get clear information about who was the man they told me Daisy left with at the school.While waiting for them, I took out my phone and began logging in to all my social media platforms, searching for blogs to find out if there had been news of a missing girl, but throughout the whole platform, none of the blogs had carried such news today.I let out an exasperated sigh, my gaze downcast with my hand on my jaw.I gazed at my wristwatch. It was already 5:45 P.M., and there was no sign of my daughter being found.I held my head in agony. Gosh, why didn't the person who kidnapped her kidnap me instead? What use will Daisy be to him except he's an organ harvester?"God forbid!" I exclaimed, rebuking that thought. "My daughter can't be harvested."Just then, I heard a honk, and I raised my gaze; behold, it was Blake's car. Finally, th
ZORA—"Are you certain about what you're saying, ma'am? Have you reached out to all your family members, including extended family, to see if anyone picked her up?" the police officer inquired, frustrating me.I had gone to the police station to file a report after searching the daycare premises with their security personnel but still couldn't locate her.I can't even begin to describe the turmoil I'm experiencing. How could I have lost my five-year-old daughter?My hair was disheveled, and I was barefoot, unable to recall where I left my shoes due to my mental state. I silently prayed not to lose my composure and go insane."Officer, I don't have any close relatives living with me here; in fact, I don't have any relatives at all. I am the only child of my deceased parents, and I live alone with my daughter in this city," I explained."Just a moment," he said before disappearing inside. Upon his return, he delivered the disappointing news, "Unfortunately, we can't take action until tw
ZORA—I passed my hand across my face, feeling caught. Why the hell is he asking me that? I couldn't talk but clenched my lips."Your silence means that it's true. You still like him," Jason concluded, his tone a mix of anger and disappointment.The world around me seemed to be shattered at those words, and my body trembled with shock. Is someone giving him info about me?It seems he had realized what went on between me and Zayn at Southampton City. Maybe Blake had told him that I visited Zayn at his mansion.I couldn't shake off the fear that was catching me. Even if my relationship with him should end, it shouldn't be like this because Jason doesn't deserve to be hurt."I'm not consenting to anything, Jason. You're just being overly suspicious. I don't have anything to do with Zayn anymore since my project with his organization has ended. Are you convinced now?" I said, faking a victim expression.Jason sighed deeply, shaking his head in regret with a mix of deadpan smile on his lip
ZORA —"Are you saying that Daisy isn't my baby?""Ah. No, I didn't mean to say that," I said, realizing my mistake—I had insinuated that Jason is just being foolish by taking care of a child that doesn't belong to him unknowingly."You are the only father Daisy has. I'm sorry for being mouthy. Trust me, I didn't mean that," I went on apologizing."It's fine. So let's go together since you insisted on picking her up. Maybe you're scared of Daisy transferring all the parental love to me."A smug grin tugged on my lips as I found that statement amusing."Let's go then," I said. I picked the car key from the table and led the way while he followed.We sauntered to the parking lot. I was heading to my car when Jason objected. "Are you planning on driving me?""Of course. Anything wrong with that?" I asked him, looking worried."Not at all. But I want us to go with my car. I should drive you with my car," he stated, heading to his car.I had no option but to follow him. Jason always likes
ZORA —I was in my office sorting out works that I intended to embark on once I'm back from break. Suddenly, the door was opened, and I turned with tension.No one opens the door of my office and walks in without my messenger informing me beforehand, seeking permission first from me, so I was scared of being in danger.However, the moment I saw Jason entering, I exhaled a deep sigh of relief. "You literally freaked me out," I commented, pouting my lips as I faked a cry, doing that baby girl look, and as expected, he walked closer to me and began petting me."I'm sorry, baby. Pardon my misconduct," he said, hugging me and using his cheeks to brush mine.Nonetheless, I noticed one of his hands was hidden behind his back. "What's in your right hand?" I asked him."Do you want to know?" He responded with a question, leaving me curious while adjourning the hand down to his butt area as I tried to find out."Calm down. It was even meant for you. But you have to close your eyes first so I ca
ZAYN—I swallowed hard, my eyes rolling as I tried to quench the urge to sound harsh to him and tell him openly how he offended me."Nothing, Blake. I don't feel like going," I said, my gaze still on the kids.Blake sighed with frustration. "I think you're confused, Zayn. You don't know exactly what you want, and anyone helping you is just wasting their time on you. Do you know what it takes to organize a party? Making everyone leave their daily activities to join this party, which was organized solely because of you.""I'm not interested in any damn party, man! Call it off. What's the big deal there?" I barked at him, my tone venomous.He then let out a bitter chuckle. "I've helped you succeed with your mission, and now you're trying to kick me out of your life, thinking I'm of no use to you anymore?""You didn't help me with anything, Blake," I cut him short before he could finish his speech."How could you help me and be useful to me but only be backstabbing me? Hiding sensitive in
ZAYN —"No!" I roared, standing up from the couch and beginning to pace around the room.No way I'm going to let another man take away my child from me.Impossible!I reached for my phone and scrolled through the contact list; I wanted to call my pilot because I wanted to embark on a mission.I stared at my wrist, checking if I could make it on this mission that I'm about to embark on.As soon as the call was answered, I proceeded to deliver my message. "Hello, get the plane ready. I will be heading to Northville City. Expect me in the field in a short time," I remarked and quickly hung up the call without letting him say anything."Impossible!" I screamed again, dropping the glass cup of wine nonchalantly on the table and standing up, not minding the content pouring away."Another man can't claim my child on a platter of gold while I'm still alive," I grumbled, hurriedly dashing into my restroom to take a shower.About five minutes later, I was done with bathing, and I left for my ro
ZAYN—"Hello, Mr. Zayn. Always at your service. What's the deal this time?" He asked as soon as he answered the call.I took a deep breath before making my request. "I want you to investigate Zora for me. Heard she has a child, so I need you to confirm the maternity of the girl and the hospital she was birthed in in Northville City," I requested."Alright, but could you tell me the year of birth?" he requested, his fingers already typing on his keyboard as he began working on the request."Ummm..." I checked the girl's image on my computer to estimate her age and birth year."From her height, I would say she was born in 2019. But you should verify that as well. I will send you the girl's image so you can continue your investigation," I stated, forwarding the picture to Michael's email address."Got it, sir. I will give you feedback shortly," he said, and the call ended."Great," I muttered, clasping my fingers as I awaited Michael's response.Michael is a renowned detective who works