Chapter 5

Zayde

“What on earth do you want from me? My life?” I screamed within me as I stared at my phone.

The loud and continuous buzz of my phone’s notifications got on my nerves as I went through the mountain of files cluttered around my desk.

It was freaking me out and pissing me off. The worst part? The numbers of files to go through was very demotivating even though I was staring at the profit numbers that my company has made in the past two weeks.

It was all supposed to be fulfilling but instead, I didn't feel that way. I felt a deep hollow in my heart that could not get filled up.

Something was definitely wrong with me but, what could that be?

I leaned back in my chair, staring outside my office window.

All I could see in front of me was a city out before me. A city that was nothing but a jungle that bustled with life and numerous life changing opportunities.

It might amaze you that so many people's destinies were tied up there.

As I stared out, with countless thoughts running through my mind. I looked back at everything I owned.

My empire and my legacy. Yet none of it mattered.

Not today.

My engagement to Isabella was supposed to bring me peace. At least, that was what I thought.

But if I was honest with myself, it brought nothing close to that. It was all just noise.

Suddenly, my thoughts were tripped off as I heard the buzz of my office telephone and I quickly answered it, hoping to close another business deal.

“Mr. Kincaid,” my assistant called me and I sighed. She wasn't the one I was expecting.

“Yes, young lady?” I asked, totally uninterested in what she had to say.

“I'm sorry to disturb you sir but your presence is needed at the boardroom. It's very urgent.”

“Now?” I asked but the line already went dead.

“What the hell was wrong with this lady? She always does this everytime!” I muttered, pushing myself out of the chair.

My tie felt suffocating as I walked towards the door and I loosened it with one hand.

When I entered the boardroom, my assistant stood near the massive screen at the head of the table, moving nervously.

Her face looked pale and her fingers gripped onto the remote of the screen.

“Sir…than…” she started but I waved her off. I wasn't here for all these.

“Spit it out,” I said bluntly , cutting her short and MH harsh tone made her

flinch.

Instead of answering, she clicked the remote, and the screen came to life.

The moment the video started, it was as if the ground was opening up to swallow me.

There was a stage with so many spotlights. What I was watching was an unmistakable buzz of a high-profile event.

“What event is…,” I opened my mouth to ask but then I saw her and it caused my mouth to go sit immediately.

Ariana! Holy heavens!

What was she doing there? It has to be her lookalike, I guess.

My eyes widened as I saw her walking onto the stage with so much confidence that made the crowd give her a round of applause.

The elegant black gown she wore clung to her perfectly and I could swear that the screen didn’t do her justice.

Look at their goddamn poise!

This was the same face I had spent years trying to forget.

My breath stopped immediately and my chest tightened as her name slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

"Ariana," I said, barely aware I had spoken aloud.

The camera zoomed in on her face, capturing the curve of her lips as she smiled and my stomach rumbled within.

How? How was this possible?

“She is alive,” I muttered. “Ariana is alive! Is this some kind of joke?”

“She’s the owner of the new brand, sir,” my assistant said, interrupting my funny thoughts. “Vicious Beauty is the brand's name. They launched tonight, and the event is… trending globally.”

I could barely hear her.

My focus was on Ariana and my eyes remained glued to the screen as Ariana delivered her speech.

Her words were so smooth as she talked. She was not just back, she was doing some well.

“What do you want us to do, Mr. Kincaid?” my assistant asked, snapping me back to the present.

“Nothing,” I snapped back at her. “Just leave.”

“I’m sorry sir but, should I really leave?” she asked again to clarify if she heard me well and I shot her an angry glare.

She didn’t argue and she retreated quickly, leaving me alone in the boardroom.

My pulse thundered in my ears as I pulled out my phone. I quickly searched the web and saved the video so that I could replay it anytime I wanted to.

That video had just shattered my reality but I could not take my mind off it.

She had changed but above all, I could still see the woman I had loved. The woman I had betrayed.

The memories were still there, they were not dead yet. I could still remember the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her big dreams.

The day I handed her those divorce papers, watching the bright in her eyes flicker and die.

The door creaked open behind me. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

“Zayde,” Isabella’s voice called out and after that, all I could hear was the click of her heels against the floor.

“You look tense, what's the matter?” she asked and I shoved my phone into my pocket.

“What do you want?” I inquired.

She moved closer to me and her perfectly manicured hand brushed my stiff shoulder.

“I heard about the launch. Vicious Beauty, right? Don’t worry, darling. I have already instructed some people to dig into it. We will crush them before they….”

“Drop it,” I said, cutting her off.

She froze and her hand hung in the midair.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” I said and my voice was colder now. “Forget it. Leave them alone.”

“Are you serious? Is this about her? I hope not because I won't be able to stand this joke! ”

“Enough,” I snapped, stepping past her.

She turned to follow me and her heels kept clicking angrily against the floor.

“I can’t believe this,” she continued and hissed. “After everything I have done for you, you are going to let her…”

“Get out, Isabella,” I ordered as I turned to face her. I didn't have much patience to do this with her.