Chapter 49

NADIA'S POV

I just couldn't stop thinking about what Max had told me earlier in the restaurant. I remembered those statements as it kept echoing in my head.

"You can’t seriously expect me to agree to that, Max!" I hissed, slamming my hand down on the table.

My voice came out louder than I intended, earning a few curious glances from nearby diners. But I didn’t care. I was too furious to keep my composure.

Max leaned back in his chair, his smug smile making my blood boil. "Why not? It’s a fair deal, Nadia. You want something from me, and I’m simply stating my terms. Take it or leave it."

I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to reach across the table and wipe that arrogant grin off his face. "Fair? You call this fair? You’re blackmailing me, Max!"

He shrugged as if my outburst was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "Call it what you want, sweetheart. I prefer to think of it as... strategic negotiations."

I remembered how I had wished to stand up from the chair that I was seated in but I couldn't and so I had to watch Max make all the decisions because the power was in his hands.

"You’re a piece of work, Max. Don’t think for one second that I’m going to let you control me." I thought to myself.

Max smirked, picking up his red wine as if he had already won. He then walked away after telling me that he would go check up on Mr Kenneth the next day at the hospital.

"We’ll see, Nadia. You know where to find me when you change your mind."

Without another word, I grabbed my purse and stormed out of the restaurant. The cool evening air hit my face, but it did nothing to calm the fire raging inside me.

My heels clicked against the pavement as I marched to my car, my mind spinning with anger and frustration.

How dare he? I thought, gripping my keys tightly as I unlocked the car. Who does Max think he is, laying down conditions like I’m some pawn in his twisted game?

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I slammed the door shut and took a deep breath. But it wasn’t enough. My hands trembled as I gripped the steering wheel, replaying our conversation over and over.

“Strategic negotiations.” His words echoed in my mind, taunting me. He was pushing me into a corner, daring me to fight back. And fight back, I would.

Starting the car, I pulled out of the parking lot, the hum of the engine barely registering over the chaos in my mind. My jaw clenched as I thought about Richard and Tammie.

Their perfect little relationship, their picture-perfect smiles…they made me sick.

Why should they get to be happy while I’m stuck dealing with Max and his ridiculous games?

I tightened my grip on the wheel, my knuckles turning white. But as much as I wanted to destroy their happiness, I knew one thing for sure, I couldn’t use myself to do it. No, that would give them too much power over me.

I need someone else, I thought, a plan slowly beginning to form in my mind. Someone who can get close to them, someone they won’t suspect.

My thoughts flickered to the video Max had posted online…a video meant to humiliate me, to remind me that he held the upper hand. I could still feel the sting of embarrassment, the rage bubbling beneath the surface.

Fine, Max, I thought bitterly. If you want to play chess, then let’s play. But don’t think for a second that I’m going to let you win.

I glanced at my phone sitting on the passenger seat. My mind raced with possibilities, weighing my options carefully.

No more playing nice. It’s time to make my move.

Reaching for the phone, I unlocked it with swift fingers and dialed a number I hadn’t used in months. The line rang twice before a familiar female voice answered.

"Nadia? What a surprise. What do you want?"

I smirked, the corners of my lips curling upward despite the anger still simmering inside me. "I need to see you. Tomorrow. At our old spot."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a chuckle. "Interesting. Alright, I’ll be there. Same time as usual?"

"Yes," I replied, my tone firm. "Don’t be late."

"Wouldn’t dream of it," she said, her voice dripping with amusement before the line went dead.

I ended the call and immediately dialed another number. This time, a deep, casual male voice answered.

"Nadia. Long time no hear. What’s the occasion?"

"Meet me at the usual place," I said curtly, my fingers tapping against the steering wheel. "Tomorrow."

He hesitated for a moment. "Sounds serious. You okay?"

"Just be there," I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

"Alright, alright. I’ll see you then," he said before hanging up.

I let out a slow breath, tossing the phone onto the passenger seat. A sense of satisfaction began to replace the anger that had been consuming me.

"Richard, Tammie, Max..." I murmured to myself, a cold smile spreading across my face. "Let the chess game begin."

The words hung in the air as I drove into the night, the headlights slicing through the darkness. My mind was alive with possibilities, each one more twisted than the last.

Max think that he can outsmart me? I thought, my smile widening. They have no idea who they’re dealing with.

This wasn’t just a game to me. It was a battle. And I was determined to win.

"Why did you even invite me if you were going to act like this?" I yelled, slamming the door of the cab shut behind me.

My heart was beating so fast as I replayed the events from earlier. The humiliation. The stares. I had never felt so angry in my entire life.

The driver close to my car turned to give me a curious glance, but I shot him a glare.