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
ZAYN —"Yes, there's a problem with that. There's absolutely a problem with what you both were doing," I replied back to that idiot.How I wish he knew how much I despise him; he wouldn't have dared question me for interrupting them."I'm yet to figure out how Zora got fooled by you. You won't know there's something wrong in what you both were doing because you were badly raised, you miserable bastard," I added, gritting my teeth as I awaited him to respond so I could fire him more insults."Enough!" Zora yelled. "Enough of this, Zayn. I might tolerate your harassment towards me, but standing in front of me to harass my man is the last thing I would condone," Zora reverberated, pissing me off.I thought I had seen it all, but seeing Zora defend this worthless man compared to my status screams that Zora might not get back to me.I've come to realize that I'm just wasting my time trying to get her from the way she had just defended this man as if her life depended on him.Jason sighed a
ZAYN —I was disappointed to notice it was Nicholas, my secretary, so I just hissed and left him without uttering a word.It really hurts seeing how deeply in love Zora is with that man. From initiating a kiss in front of me to fighting for him, daring not to tolerate it from me if I harass him again."Mr. Zayn. I really do understand how you're feeling. You want her back, but does she want you?" Nicholas stated as he walked over to me, frightening me because I never expected him to follow me up because of the topic."If you eventually win her back with materialistic things, do you think the union will last? I think she has lost her feelings for you, and the best thing to do is to move on," he added."I just feel like strangling that man to death for being an obstacle to me, Nick. I don't mind hiring a hit squad for him, and I'm serious," I remarked gruffly, my voice dripping with disdain, and it was barely audible while gritting my teeth and clenching my fists into tight balls."But
ZORA —I watched from the rearview mirror as Zayn's car halted, and I exhaled a sigh of relief. That man doesn't seem to be forgetting about me anytime soon despite my stern warnings.From the way Zayn reacted at the Charme restaurant, I noticed he was deeply shaken. I couldn't stop gazing through the rearview mirror to make sure he was not still following us because he's full of wonders.He might drive halfway and change his mind, deciding to drive to find me in Northville.Although I did a horrible thing to get Zayn deeply hurt, I never knew he'd react that way. I never knew he'd react in such an aggressive manner.I just desperately wanted him to stay off me because he represents a great danger to my control. This was because I'm damn scared of giving in to his pleas and his request of accepting a second chance, so I did everything I could."Is anything the matter? Do you recognize someone here?" Jason asked me with a tender touch as he noticed my action.I sighed and looked at him
As the weekend was over, I went back to Southampton City to continue with my work. I noticed there was a change.Since yesterday, being Monday, Zayn hadn't come to my office as he used to. He hadn't even called me on the phone. Apparently, he had stopped disturbing me.When I inquired about him from Mr. Nicholas, I was told he had stopped showing up at the office after the day he got into a fight with Jason at the restaurant.According to what Zayn told him, he had returned to his main company.I was so happy to hear this although I felt for him. He must really be going through a lot for him to abandon Zech Holdings Ltd. after the incident at the restaurant.Nonetheless, I was happier with the way the staff treated me. None of them tried reminding me of the past incident by questioning me about my relationship with Zayn. Instead, they were all focused on work and treated me nicely.This continues until my work here was about to come to an end—I had finished the advertisement and filmi
It was hard for me to accept it—to accept that this was Zayn in front of me, addressing me as Ms. Paulson.Since I came to this city, even on the first day we set eyes on each other after so many years, which common sense should tell him I would still be angry with him, he never did call me this.Zayn hasn't looked at me with such indifference as he's doing now, as if I'm just a mere co-worker who is inferior to him.As much as I wanted Zayn to leave, I never expected it in such a brutal way. It made me nearly cry, but I can't stoop so low as to embarrass myself in the presence of the directors.I swallowed hard, trying to remain strong. I was feeling all bad. This wasn't what I expected. I didn't want to feel that indifference from him.I want those sparkle-eye gestures he did give me, with emotion and love.His attitude today only reminds me of the years I was married to him. This was exactly how he treated me most of the time those days.He treated me so coldly."This just proved t
I was so mad at him that I wished I could just rush to him and squeeze him in two pieces with my bare hands."Well, I appreciate your criticism, Mr. Zayn," I said, pausing for a moment."However, if you had paid close attention to the video advert, you would have noticed that it wasn't just one video but a collection of different sets of ads," I replied in a calm but mean manner.Zayn's countenance changed in an instant. "Are you insinuating that I didn't pay attention to the video, Ms. Paulson?" He reverberated."That I left what I was doing in my office to come here only to pay zero attention to what was happening here?" Zayn barked, his voice going higher as he spoke."Are you aware I can destroy you and your work, right? Just a single negative review from me would send you and your organization to shambles."Not gonna lie, hearing this sent cold shivers down my spine. Receiving a negative critique from a common man gives me sleepless nights, let alone from Zayn, who has influence
"So you did this intentionally? You intentionally chose to humiliate me before the directors simply because of the issue between the two of us?" I didn't even know when the question came out of my mouth.Zayn let out a smirk, clutching his hands together. He sipped from his bottled water before proceeding to respond to me."Of course. Do I have to tell you that before you know what to do?" he remarked, smiling with satisfaction."You're yet to change, Zayn. You still remain that Zayn from six years ago," I said, clenching my fists. I was angry about his response. The fact he's bragging about it infuriates me."Change? You expect me to change when you boldly kissed a man in front of me. Tell me how you think I'll change after doing that to me," he reacted, standing up from his seat.I don't know if I should laugh or not over his statement. I never knew he was pained by that scene to keep the grudge till now—for a complete week."He's not just a man, Zayn, but my boyfriend. Wasn't that
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