It was already ten o'clock by the time Zara slipped on a pair of flat shoes and grabbed her bag. She was going to work particularly late today. Having stayed up late to binge-watch cartoons with Jayden since it was Friday night, she slept in and only woke up about thirty minutes ago.Zara still had some tasks to do at work, and also a few errands to run. After saying goodbye to her grandmother and checking on her dozing son, she went to the company. There were a few employees present now; most of which were handling pressing projects.She said hi to the workers and walked into her office. After opening the blinds, she was just about to sit at her desk when she noticed something on the edge of her desk. It was a rectangular box wrapped tightly in a transparent plastic bag like it was some fragile item.Picking it up, she realized there was no card. She picked up the office phone and pressed it to her ear. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door."Come in!" she said, dialing a number.Bri
Zara knew he wasn't fibbing when he told her three weeks ago that he was going to be back. However, she had expected him to return a few days after that incident. And when he didn't, she began to think he had already taken the hint. She rushed to him and yanked the pictures from his hand. "You do have a lot of nerve coming here after that last episode. I could get you arrested for trespassing. Don't you know that?" "Trespassing?" Scott smacked his lips and shook his head. "I came here to see you. I did not trespass!" "How else do you explain coming into my office uninvited then?" Zara asked, folding her arms as she stared at him squarely. Scott chuckled. "I came here to discuss something very important. You should at least listen to me before having my head on a stake." A glint of remorse flashed in Zara's eyes. Her tensed arms loosened a little. She moved over to the other side of her desk. "Fine! To what do I owe this unpleasant visit?" "Before we get into that, when were you g
Dread filled Zara's heart when she heard the man's words. On the other hand, Scott remained as calm as ever. He gripped the phone tighter and asked, "What do you want? Money, protection? Just name it. I will give it to you."A laugh came from the phone. "Did you just say protection? I'm afraid you can't give me that. You haven't even been able to protect yourself lately. How can you protect someone else?"It took Scott a while to realize what the caller was driving it. "You are the one who sent me that gory package?""Nah, nah! Don't get started with the accusations. I didn't do anything like that. It was someone else. I don't have a beef with you, Scott Brown. My hands are completely clean regarding your current predicament. In fact, I'd love to know who did that. It might be connected to what happened fifteen years ago.""What!" Scott exclaimed."You heard me right. I'm aware that there has been some kind of threat to your life in recent times. It's one of the reasons why I decided t
A bloodcurdling scream pierced the brief silence that ensued after the hit. It was followed by other screams. Several tables tumbled and dishes shattered to the ground as the diners ran helter-skelter in horror.Zara had already fallen to the floor. And Scott was now crouching over her body. Meters away, the strange man lay on his side with his eyes wide open as if someone had stuck glue on his eyelids. His hat had been knocked off. Now, blood seeped out of the hole in his head. Soon, there was a red streak over his forehead."Somebody call 911!" a lady who was under a table shouted. No one moved an inch. Those close to the door rushed out of the restaurant on all fours. A stampede soon ensued by the door. Babies, women, and men were screaming.Zara lay on the floor, petrified. The noise soon became distant as she stared at the strange man's face. He seemed to be staring back at her, but his eyes had no life in them. At that moment, Zara felt her stomach tighten into several knots.Su
Jordan and Zara looked at each other and then turned to the side with their glasses in hand. Not too far away stood Scott and Cora. Cora was dressed like a princess. The red dress she had on was adorned with tiny shiny diamonds and her hair was curled up and styled. The necklace on her neck shimmered under the bright light: one look at it and you could tell that it cost a fortune.Similarly, Scott had cleaned up nice. Most of his black hair was sleek back. His suit looked new and well-ironed. He had one hand in his pocket.It had only been a week since Zara last saw him. But it felt like it had been a few months as she stared at him now. Cora locked arms with him and pulled him forward. She had on the fakest of smiles Zara had ever seen."Hey, Zara, Jordan. I didn't think I'd meet you two here," she lied partially. The truth was that she had actually gotten someone to look at the guest list and nominees for the party. After finding out that Jordan was one of the nominees and Scott
Everyone in the hall went silent. Even the music stopped. The couples on the dancefloor stared at the trio intently.Zara was shell-shocked. Her jaw went slack. She blinked as if to make sure she wasn't dreaming. What did Scott just say? Did he say that he loved her? Was he drunk? Ha, this has got to be a joke!At the thought of this, she covered her mouth and chuckled, "You have got to be kidding me, Scott! Stop making such expensive jokes. You are going to give people the wrong idea."Scott inched closer. "I'm not kidding, Zee. I truly love you. It might sound unbelievable, but my heart calls your name. I still want you."The onlookers gasped at this. Zara looked around, only to find that all eyes were on her now. Her heart suddenly began to thump. She looked at Scott who had been staring at her with his eyes glistening strangely.Zara was tongue-tied now. Thankfully, Jordan came to her rescue. He put his arm around her shoulder and broke Scott's hold on her wrist. He then said, "Le
Zara froze on the spot. The reporters continued to press their microphones close to her mouth even though she was yet to say anything. Cameras continued to flash and roll. She pressed her temple with her eyes shut.When she opened her eyes again, there was a ferocious blaze in them. She looked at them and frowned. "Do you know I could have you all arrested for trespassing?"The reporters looked at themselves with hesitation. But one of them said in a husky voice, "We are just doing our jobs. Can you just tell us what's between you and Scott? Are you guys back together?"Zara flared up. "Didn't I make myself clear in the statement released over the weekend?"In case you can not read, I clearly stated that all questions should be directed to Scott. He was the one who created a scene and spewed rubbish. I have no comments to make aside from that. My personal life is none of y'all's business."All the reporters were shocked by her outburst. Little did they know that there was more to come
Zara paused for a while and swallowed hard. "It's no secret that Scott Brown and I got divorced more than five years ago. We each went our separate ways. I'd like to state here and now that there's nothing romantic going on between me and Scott."Contrary to the rumors and the insinuation Cora recently made, I didn't drive a wedge between them nor did I take Scott away from their son. I have moved on with my life. The only reason why Scott and I sometimes meet is that we are both business people. It's inevitable that we bump into each other. Also, I'm a major shareholder at Brown and Co."With a shake of the head, Zara laughed and continued, "I think it's funny that somehow I'm to blame for the whole thing when Scott was the one who professed his love to me in public. I didn't force him to do that, whether by words or actions as many of you have insinuated. I do not want him. Recently, I discovered the sweetest gentleman I have ever met. Why would I overlook him for someone who treate