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
I couldn't believe what Zayn had just asked me to do. Did he really expect me to kiss him in order to approve the project? Goodness, Zayn must have lost his mind.He was essentially proposing a quid pro quo arrangement. He should have been straightforward instead of beating around the bush. If he wanted to sleep with me to approve the project, he should have just said so.I let out a deep sigh and gave him a cold, unforgiving look. "Have you completely lost your mind?" I asked, gesturing with my hand towards my head as I approached him."What kind of ridiculous request is that? Have I ever indicated that I'm desperate for project approval, Zayn?"Zayn chuckled briefly and walked over to the window to look out at the city."A kiss is just a kiss. I didn't ask for much. Or would you prefer to keep redoing the project indefinitely until it's approved?" he declared, letting out a wicked laugh.My face scrunched up in a frown. I couldn't believe he was still insisting on his request even af
"I've told you countless times that you're wasting your time. I'm not interested in any of this...""Fuck it! I said, "Fuck!" He yelled, cutting me off and springing up from the floor.""I've said it before: you never change. You're still the Zayn I know."At this point, we were already yelling at each other as I was unable to hold back any longer.He paused, gritting his teeth as he thought for a moment. "So what are you going to do? Are you going to deny my proposal?" He asked, a bit scared."Of course. Have I been blabbing all this time? I'm not one of those who go back to their vomit," I said firmly, a smug grin tugging at my lips as I walked out of the office, heading to mine.To my surprise, as I walked out of Zayn's office, I met the management staff in the corridor next to his office, waiting for me to provide them with feedback."It didn't work," I said to them, sighing weakly.Their expressions darkened. "So what do we do now?" A lady among them asked, her tone laced with tir
ZAYN —We were in the middle of enjoying ourselves when we heard a truck honk at the gate."Are you expecting anyone?" I asked Zora, who looked stunned as she tried to figure out who it could be."Not really. Except for the delivery package that I requested yesterday, but I doubt it's the delivery guy since it was a truck horn we heard instead of a motorbike," said Zora, running her hand through her hair."Let's go find out who it is then," I said, standing up.I led the way, with Zora following. Meanwhile, Daisy had already gone to her room after finishing her meal. Zora convinced her to leave the room at my request so I could go ahead and put on a show for her as promised.As we walked out of the building towards the exit gate, I took out my phone to verify something so I wouldn't embarrass myself in front of Zora."Who's that?" Zora asked the security guard."He said he came to deliver a surprise package, Ma," said the security personnel with an honest look.Zora was about to walk
ZAYN —I woke up after the intense bedroom workout between Zora and me. It was so intense that we both fell asleep after the activity.I searched for my phone but couldn't find it as everywhere was dark. It was early morning, probably around 3:00 a.m. or 4:00 a.m.I stretched my hand to the bed frame and switched on the light. It was somehow easy because I had already seen the switch there during the activity.Meanwhile, Zora was still asleep.I reached for my phone but saw hers beside mine. Immediately, an idea came to my mind, and I picked up her phone instead of mine, which I initially wanted to.Fortunately, I had seen her unlock the phone multiple times without a biometric method, so unlocking it wasn't a hassle for me.I went to her contact list and searched for the name "Jason" and proceeded with my plan.Zayn: I don't care what you did for Zora, but stay away from her. This is Zayn texting you with Zora's phone, and that should tell you that we're still together. Just because
ZORA —"Is that my baby's voice I'm hearing in the background?" Zayn asked excitedly. "Please let me speak with her," he demanded, and I handed the phone to Daisy."Hello, Daddy," she said, excited to speak with her father."Hello, my beautiful angel!" I could hear Zayn's voice. He was happy to hear from Daisy again after last night."How are you, my princess?""I'm fine, Daddy. When are you coming to visit us here?" She asked as if she was here when I and Zayn discussed his visit.They spoke for a few minutes before Daisy handed the phone back to me. Their conversation flowed effortlessly."Daisy sounded so sleepy when we were talking.""Yeah. She's sleepy. She'll sleep now once she has her lunch," I said."Amazing. Can't wait to see you both. I'm really missing you. The crazy stroke you...""Shhh. She's still around," I shunned Zayn, not wanting Daisy to hear the voguish topic he was trying to start."Alright. I will call you back after a while then," he stated and hung up the call,
ZORA—Everyone had left after the meeting at my place, so it was just my daughter and me remaining.They're on a short holiday, as so is our organization, so I have a few days to take care of myself and rest."Mommy, why was everyone shouting at each other when Uncle Jason and your two friends were here?" Daisy asked, coming out of her room after noticing that everyone had gone.The once buzzing room was now as quiet as a graveyard."Nothing really, dear. There was something important we were discussing.""Is it about my dad? When are we going to visit him again? And mommy, who really is Uncle Jason, since my daddy is the man who picked me up from daycare the other day?" Daisy was curious. She gazed directly into my eyes, waiting for an answer."Hello... Yes... Okay, I'll do it right away." I faked a call, stood up, and left the room.As I walked into my room, I exhaled a deep sigh of relief. "Lord, don't let this girl expose me," I blurted, holding my chest.Unexpectedly, my phone be
ZORA — "God, Jason, this accusation is too much for me. Why are you acting so insecure? How could something happen between me and Zayn when Daisy was present?" I continued lying. I was determined not to give up even though there were glaring pieces of evidence. Daisy was already suspicious of me from the way she was giving me a suspicious stare, but she didn't make it obvious to Jason. "What's happening here, guys? I thought this should be a call for celebration, so what's all the fuss about?" Blake questioned as he emerged from Daisy's room. "What happened? Daisy was worried as the voices were getting louder. And why were you cursing my friend Zayn?" Blake added, walking over to where his wife was sitting and joining her. I felt like burying myself in the ground. I concluded that I was already caught since Daisy, my daughter, noticed the commotion from her room. I thought she was coming out with Blake. She might even tell Jason that Zayn is her real dad since she saw us togethe
ZORA —"Are you serious? Daisy was with that monster called Zayn yesterday?" Jason was terrified when he heard the news.I and my daughter returned here this morning, and Blake and his wife decided to pay us a visit, perhaps to know if we really come back in good health."I'm really shocked that Zayn would do that," Daisy, my friend, chipped in."Yes, dear. I didn't know how it happened, but he kidnapped her. I think he found out that Daisy is his daughter," I commented, feigning anger as he is."Fuck!" Jason cursed, kicking the air as he vented his anger. "That man is challenging me. After all these years, he's just realizing that Daisy is his daughter. What a disgrace!""But Jason, think about it. Zayn wouldn't stay forever without knowing that Daisy is his daughter. It would only be a matter of time before he finds out, and I think it has happened.""What nonsense!" Jason roared, obviously irritated by my response."Are you taking sides with that asshole? You want him to find out th
Daisy —I woke up from sleep to use the restroom. I had been purging throughout the night due to the unhealthy water I drank last night.After the long search for Zora's daughter, Daisy, we decided to stay at a hotel and spend the night there instead of risking our lives by driving home.I had taken anti-purge medicine, but it only helped to alleviate the purge. It hasn't been long since I took it.About five minutes later, I returned to the room after using the restroom. I looked a bit frustrated and angry."Babe, why did you choose to stay here among all the hotels in this city?" I asked Blake, my husband, while he was still sleeping, nudging him to wake up.He didn't consume anything from the hotel yesterday, which is why he was unaffected by the issue that affected me."I'm really sorry, babe. I thought you had already taken medicine the first time we woke up. Isn't it working?" He asked, sitting up in bed, his face filled with worry and pity.I frowned as I sat closer to him. "I'm
Already knowing what he was thinking, I didn't give it much thought, and my lips reached for his. We had a crazy, mad kiss. It was as if we had been starved of that for a lifetime.I didn't want anything more than to fall for the same mistake I made months ago in his mansion with him, even though I know it could cause terrible consequences in the future.**The next morning, I woke up before Zayn, and the first thing that came to my mind was the incident that happened last night. I felt ashamed remembering how I was forcing my way even though Zayn was retracting at some point, knowing that I might wake up the next day and feel bad about what happened.I stared at him for some seconds and ended up caressing his face. He was so cute while sleeping.The touch woke him up. "Good morning," he greeted softly, with a smile creeping on his lips.The smile indicated he recalled what happened during the night and was happy about it. It was a smile of satisfaction."Good morning. I can see you ha
ZORA —"Zayn, can we talk this out in the daytime? I'm already sleepy and need to rest," I said, interrupting his plans.I finished the wine in my glass and prepared to leave.Zayn stood up, looking frustrated, but I was more concerned about getting some sleep"Use the other bathroom if you want to shower. That one is Daisy's only," Zayn said as he saw me walking into the bathroom where I bathed Daisy. He was following me.I gulped, smiling slightly as I felt that wasn't necessary.He just said that so he could follow me to the restroom and continue his silly talk. This was my conclusion.I went to the restroom and showered. It had really been a stressful day.I was relieved when we walked halfway, and Zayn pointed at the door right by the corner, saying, "That's the restroom," and then he left.I entered and began bathing without scanning the restroom. It was after I was done that I reached for the shelf where I hung my dress to get it when two packages of nylon fell down. I picked th