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 —"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
ZORA —"Can you please attend the meeting Lisa told you about? We need to have a brief meeting with the directors," I requested, my eyelids raised as I expected his response."Well, that's actually the main reason I called you. Unfortunately, I can't attend the meeting because it's a waste of time for me and the directors," he said.However, he wasn't harsh to me. I thought he would scold me and asked me not to set foot in his company, but he didn't. Instead, he was cold with his responses."How? By the time you arrive, everyone would be done with what they're doing," I blurted out, trying to convince him to show up, but he was not ready to relent from his decision."No, Zora. I've already made up my mind, and that's it. I hope you respect that.""Um, how about Daisy? Won't you like to see her? Are you also mad at her?" I asked immediately before he could end the call.There was a moment of silence from Jason's end. Deep down, he doesn't want to have anything to do with me anymore, bu
ZORA—"Ah! Jason? He didn't tell you? He has stopped working here," said Lisa with a creased forehead, making me stare at her moronically because it hit me hard. Is she trying to pull my leg or what? If Jason doesn't work here anymore, where could he be working? I hope he's not considering suicidal thoughts."But he's the owner of this place? Did he officially announce his resignation, or did you conclude it after not seeing him for long?" I asked her, tucking my hair behind my ear as I concentrated on her reply. Inside of me, I was already praying hard for it not to be what I'm thinking."I'm not saying based on assumption, Zora; I'm stating a fact. I even heard that he has got a buyer, and they're negotiating the price.""Buyer?" I asked with my jaw dropped. What is really going on? Could it be that Zayn went ahead with his plan of purchasing Tech Savvy Strategies, and Jason accepted? I shrugged off the thoughts because Jason, as far as I know, is not desperate for money to do that
ZORA—"Mommy, wake up; it's morning already," I heard my daughter's voice as she barged into my room, causing me to sigh exasperatedly because I hadn't wanted to wake up by this time.I rolled myself to face her and stared at her for a few seconds before sighing. "Honey, it's not yet school time, okay? By the way, your schoolteacher just called yesterday and informed me of the postponement of your school's resuming date.""Huh, why would they do that?" She said with a frown."Are you not happy that you have more days to enjoy?" I asked with a surprised look. I thought she'd like to spend more days at home playing video games."I hate it. I'm missing my friends, especially Sophia and Liam. I want to see them." She responded with a decisive tone, making me chuckle. I thought she was missing studies, but she was after her friends."No worries, you'll see them soon, okay?" I said, and she nodded in affirmation and turned to leave.I sighed and was about to continue sleeping when she stopp
DAISY —I had been worried since last night because of Blake's absence in the house. He had never acted this way before since we got married."Could it be that he got kidnapped on his way back, or did his car develop a technical issue, and he decided to park and spend the night at a hotel?" I asked myself, trying to figure out what might have gone wrong."At least he should have answered my calls if he's in a good state," I doubted, sighing in frustration, tears welling up in my eyes as I tried to stay strong."Gosh, God, don't let this befall me. I'm too young to be a widow. I don't even have a child," I cried, felt so emotional that the tears I had been controlling began streaming down my cheeks without my notice until a drop touched my lips.I quickly wiped my eyes and took my phone. I went online and searched for my husband to know the last time he was online.{Active five minutes ago}"Really? He was active a few minutes ago and didn't bother to call me back. Could it be that he
Blake —I felt completely weakened and confused. "Are you trying to blackmail me, Danielle?" I asked, trying so hard not to make my fretting obvious to her.She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, tucked the few strands of hair cascading down her cheeks behind her back, and turned to me with a mean expression."I'm not here to debate, Mr. Blake. I've already fulfilled my mission, so you should do what's necessary; otherwise, your wife will find out...""No, no, no. It's fine. Let's settle it here, please," I said with tension, reaching into my wallet and taking out a few bundles of dollars. "I hope you'll leave me alone now. You have to delete those videos in my presence so everything will be sorted out," I said, expecting her to comply."Alright," she said, unlocking her phone and deleting the videos as I requested."Good. I hope you can now stay away from me and never disclose what happened here to my wife. I hope the money is enough for you," I said, my voice a mix of ser
Blake —My hand landed on something soft, and my subconscious guided them to form a gentle circle, as if cradling a delicate object. The sensation brought me a strange sense of satisfaction, and I pinched them.The softness made me wake up to see what it really was, and then I saw her—a lady lying close to me.“Ah…” I gasped in shock, taken aback as I noticed it was her breasts that I was touching all this while. Apparently, she was naked because she only covered her body with the duvet, but some parts of her cleavage were showing.I was startled upon realizing that I was in a hotel room with a naked lady.I slowly raised the duvet to observe myself, to confirm if my instincts were right, but unfortunately, it is what it is—I was naked as well."What is going on here? How did I get here?" I asked, shaking her and waking her up from sleep.I could only remember going to the bar to drink in order to forget my problems, especially the issue of childlessness in my marriage, but finding my
ZAYN—"Babe, what about your friend Daisy? I haven't seen you talking to her or mentioning her lately. Are you still in touch with her?" He asked, running his fingers through my hair as I rested my head on his chest, feeling the softness of his beard.We both were lying on the bed, taking advantage of that prime time of the early hours of the morning. Unlike usual, we didn't have sex today because we had enough last night—in fact, almost throughout yesterday was sex that we accomplished."Of course I do. But you stole my attention throughout this period that I couldn't even think of calling her," she replied, sighing and giving me an unserious deadpan look.I chuckled and responded, "As it should be. I deserve all the attention.""While I don't deserve yours, right?" She asked with a tone of jealousy, leaving me curious. Hadn't I been giving her my attention since our reunion?"What is that supposed to mean? Had I not been here with you throughout this week, I didn't even visited my o
DAISY —"So, doctor, what is the result?" Blake asked as soon as he barged into the doctor's office upon the doctor's summons.However, when he saw the solemn look on my face, his body weakened instantly."Um, calm down, Mr. Blake. Please have a seat," the doctor remarked, bringing out the test results. Before she could even stretch out her hand to give them to Blake, he snatched them from her and began scanning through them."Fuck!" He exclaimed, kicking the air with his hand as he saw what was written there.He exhaled a deep sigh of frustration before swallowing the lump that formed in his throat."Calm down, Mr. Blake. None of you are to be blamed for this unfortunate situation, but..."Blake did not even wait for the doctor to finish speaking, and he rose to his feet, flinging the test result to me and heading out of the office with his gaze upcast. He wasn't happy at all.At that moment, with the expression on his face, if a fly mistakenly perched on his face, it was surely goin