"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 org
"Hello Zayn. Nice to meet you," I managed to say, a bit stammering. One of the directors introduced me to the men; they told me their names and their positions in the field excluding Zayn as Nick has already introduced him earlier as their boss on our way here.Aside that, he intentionally didn't want to introduce himself. Perhaps, he thought I had already found out.Nonetheless, I noticed there is a certain tension in the office. It was as if these men couldn't handle the information Zayn had told them—that I and Zayn were once a couple.I did my best to make my appearance here sound professional, and we maintain a professional approach, but Zayn wasn't having it. He always makes a point of always touching the personal matters between me and him as if we were in a family meeting or in a private sector.For instance, at a point, he went as far as interrupting the film director just to compliment my dress, saying, "You really look beautiful in this dress. Blue outfits surely do fit you
"It's okay. I didn't complain after all," I remarked, wanting to end the topic.The man slightly bowed in appreciation before leaving, while Zayn stared at him disdainfully as he walked to his seat.Meanwhile, the rest of the crew couldn't stop staring at us—at me and Zayn—out of the scene we acted here a few minutes ago."We can proceed to our destination, Mr. Elvis," I said to the film director, and he nodded in affirmation and led the way while I followed him, including Zayn, who has turned my handbag.With the concluded incident—the fall I had—Zayn must have found a reason to walk after me. As he already told his subordinates, my safety is their priority, so he wouldn't want anything to happen to me or his staff's carelessness cause me any harm.Zayn was with me throughout the whole day, sending chills down my spine whenever he brushed past me or when his woody breath penetrated through my nostrils.Not gonna lie, he was being nice, acting just the way he was doing towards me when
As I arrived at my apartment that evening, I slumped on the cushion as I was so exhausted, only to wake up when everywhere was already dark.I fret because I had promised to speak with my daughter today through video call. I told her this in the morning through Jason, and I know she'll really be delighted about this, so not keeping to my promise would hurt her.I checked the time on my phone and was relieved, as it hasn't gotten to the time she used to go to bed.Quickly, I dialed Jason's number, and it didn't ring for a while, and it was picked up. This shows they're already together and have been waiting for this call."Hello Jason. Good evening," I greeted, feeling excited."Good evening, Zora. How are you? How was work today? I hope no one stressed you at the office." Jason asked."I'm fine, dear. Everything really went well. I think I'm enjoying my work here," I said, lying to him.I felt there's no need to tell him my horrible experience with Zayn and how he's been pestering me
Zayn: Hello, dear. Which of these do you like? I just purchased them to ease your stress of taking cabs to the office.A wry smile crept across my lips. Zayn really knows how to play this game. I thought of ignoring him, but my instincts went against that. Since it was for business purposes, there's nothing wrong with that. I think I should accept it, but not as mine.I texted him back, telling him I'm okay with any color as long as it serves its purpose, which is taking me to work and bringing me home.I boarded a cab and left for the office.Upon arrival, I was somewhat happy that Zayn hadn't arrived yet. His car wasn't at its special parking lot.I headed straight to my office, but on my way, I encountered Nicholas, the firm's secretary."Hey, good morning, Mrs... Um, Miss Zora," he said, choking on his words as he realized his mistake."How are you doing?" He added, forcing a smile.I gulped down the lump in my throat and sighed. "I'm fine, Mr. Nick. How about you?" I said, forcin
"Or should I go into detail about how much I miss you?" He sighed, regret evident on his face."I miss how you used to wake up early in the morning to prepare my breakfast. How you would iron my clothes before finally waking me up for work.""I miss your words of encouragement and prayers for my protection. I miss your delicious meals." He gulped hard, his words choking him."You miss me?" I said, a smirk forming at the corner of my lips.I was satisfied that he missed me. They say you don't value what you have until you lose it; I guess Zayn is the perfect example of that."Well, you don't miss me. You're just missing your home robot and not me because you made it clear that you never loved me," I told him confidently.Of course, Zayn never missed me because all he mentioned here was my virtuous qualities. I had devoted myself to that marriage; even his friends would praise him in front of me for having a good wife.His cousins and his grandmother adored me, saying that Zayn made a p
That evening, I had finished packing and was now waiting for Jason to arrive with his car, along with our daughter—yes, with our daughter—to pick me up for Northville.While waiting for them, I turned on the television to keep myself busy with my favorite news channel. Not long, I saw an image of Zayn attached at the upper right corner, and I paid closer attention to it to know why Zayn appeared in the news.As usual, he always appears in the news, but this doesn't seem pleasing.News Broadcaster: "Popular billionaire business mogul auctions his multimillion-dollar company as he faces bankruptcy."I exhaled deeply after the news broadcaster narrated the news.I couldn't help but chuckle because I knew the reason for his action.He's trying to sell off his properties so he won't have anything to share with Paige when they officially divorce."Well, that's his problem. He created it for himself, so let him face it," I sighed, picking up my phone to call Jason to find out why he hadn't a
I exhaled a deep sigh and gazed at his face for a few seconds before swallowing the lump in my throat."I don't know who gave you the advice that you could win me back by adding pressure despite my threats.""If this gift is solely for business reasons to make my work easier, I have no problem with it, and I would appreciate it greatly. However, if it has to do with my past marriage with you, I'm sorry, I don't need a car. Thank you for reminding me of my miserable marriage with you. Hope you're satisfied now."I hissed and turned to leave, but Zayn grabbed me by my wrists."How are you going to embarrass me in the presence of my workers? At least save me some shame, Zora," he whispered into my ear.I chuckled wryly, and a smirk replaced it."Of course, that's what you wanted. For you to gather them here, you want them to witness everything that will happen, don't you?" I said, and he creased his forehead in astonishment."I should have yelled this so they could hear it, but like you s
The next day, being Friday, I woke up earlier than usual to prepare for work and also get my luggage ready as I would be traveling back to Northville City today because it was already the weekend—the long-awaited day has finally approached.After taking a bath, I was about to get dressed and leave to board a cab to the office when I noticed my phone ringing.I rushed to the sitting room where I had left it at night after having the conversation with Daisy. I was so drowsy that I couldn't even think of my phone but managed to go to my room to sleep.However, upon getting to the sitting room, I was disappointed to see that Zayn was the one calling me.I ignored him and left to continue dressing up.After a few minutes, I was done dressing and left for the office.However, upon arrival, I noticed the company was kind of scanty."What happened? Where are the rest of the staff of this place?" I wondered, gazing around to see at least one person, but everywhere was empty.Does it mean that
"But I'm curious, Zora. How sure are you that Jason hasn't been doing all this just to hit? I don't trust him. He seems to be a player," Blake raised a topic."Don't say that, Blake. Jason is such a good guy. If his intention towards me wasn't genuine, he would have stopped being kind towards me and my child long ago, especially the moment I declined his proposal at first," I remarked, defending Jason.Daisy immediately nudged him with her elbow. "It seems you and Zayn are birds of the same feather. Don't be surprised if Zora kicks you off from this call," she warned him, but Blake ended up laughing, infuriating me.Witnessing this, Daisy burst into laughter. "That serves him right. It's good he's revealing his true colors so we know how we dish out some certain information about you to him," she said, standing up from her seat to change position."Absolutely. He's working for Zayn," I added."He better not get himself involved in Zayn's deep shit. Unless he doesn't like the way I sti
ZORA —"Don't tell me he has found out, Blake. Did he? How did he find out?" I asked incessantly, worried about the news as Blake told me what he had discussed with Zayn while on a video call with him and his wife, Daisy, in the evening."Calm down, Zora. It's nothing to worry about. After all, he's yet to know the child is his, so nothing happened," Blake said, trying to comfort me."How? Who would he think the child belongs to then if not him?" I asked him, running my hand through my hair as I felt my long-held secret had been exposed."From what Blake told me, Zayn thought Jason was the baby daddy. Relax, Zora. He hasn't found out," Daisy chipped in.I exhaled a deep sigh, bent my head, and fixed my gaze on the floor. "But why would you let him know about that? How could you let that slip out of your mouth?" I asked, feeling betrayed.It was only the three of us that knew I was pregnant for Zayn before leaving Southampton City. Unless recently, I made it known to Jason that Zayn is
"If that were the case, Blake, I think it would be better," I said, ruffling my hair as I felt my world crumbling apart."Can you calm down, Zayn? Calm down and tell me what the problem is," Blake said, trying to help my situation."Blake, is there any other problem I have aside from getting Zora back? Why do you sound like a novice? For goodness' sake, I've lost her, Blake. It's all lost," I screamed in anger, heading to the parking lot so I could hide in my car and cry out my frustration where none of my staff would see me."What do you mean by that statement, Zayn? You lost who?" He asked, feeling surprised."Tell me you're joking, Zayn, because it hasn't even been long since I spoke with her, and I could tell you that there was progress. You just need to keep seducing her and adding pressure.""I did everything...""So what went wrong? What did you do this time to warrant this sudden reaction from her?" He asked with a reprimanded tone."That's what I can't answer for now, Zayn. I
ZAYN —"Calm down, Zora," I took a deep breath, fixing my gaze directly into her charming eyes."Why are you here? What do you want from me, Zayn? I thought I told you something in my office earlier today."I sighed, taking a few steps back as I sensed her fear. "What if you believed me, Zora? What if you believed that I had changed? Would you accept me back? What would it take to make you believe me?" I asked her softly.I could feel her cool breath on my face, her alluring scent enveloping me, making it hard to concentrate. Her blue eyes kept drawing me closer to her.Suddenly, she regained her composure and let out a sigh. "Well, I also wish it could be possible, at least for the sake of your replica, but it's too late.""Late? How? And what do you mean by my replica? Since when did I have a replica?" I asked, furrowing my brow."Yes, it's already late, Zayn. I'm already dating," she stated, causing my expression to darken instantly."And about the replica, don't dwell on it too muc
"Absolutely, Zora. Honestly, I feel for Zayn because he's about to lose his long-term acquired wealth to that lady. He really got himself into some deep trouble," he said, leaving me with a lot of thoughts swirling in my head.Not gonna lie, even though I want Zayn to suffer for his decision, I feel for him because of the horrible situation he's about to find himself in. He doesn't deserve to lose everything to that woman."How could he make such a decision? I thought he was smart," I said, condemning Zayn's decision to agree to such terms in their marriage."Honestly, it was as if the lady cast a spell on him because I doubt he did all that with a clear mind, despite the fact that he had already purchased a lot of property when they were still flirting and mingling.""Well, whether he was under a spell or not, he is the one to blame for this. After all, a spell doesn't work on someone who is innocent," I responded, sighing."Yeah, he did, but I don't think it's the right time to blam
As soon as Zayn walked out of my office, I let out a smile of satisfaction, as I had just fulfilled my long-term wish for Zayn since our separation.It was as if a burden had been lifted from me. I had waited for a day like this when I'd make him feel exactly the way he made me feel five years ago.Albeit I wasn't harsh enough towards him, it's really satisfying seeing him feel the same way he made me feel on our divorce day.I went to the window to gaze through the city of Southampton. It was amazing to know the powerful and fearful business tycoon who's dreaded in this city almost cried in front of me."Amazing!"I went back to my chair, and thoughts started consuming my head. "Has he really changed? Is it worth telling him I've forgiven him? What will happen to my relationship with Jason?"I sighed and picked up my phone. I wanted to call Blake so I could get some vital information from him.The phone rang for a while, and he picked it up. "Wow, I can't believe I just received a ca