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
"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
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
"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
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
"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
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
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
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