6| The nation’s husband returns!

“Zia? I’m not leaving this spot until you come out! I swear!”

Kate shouted frustratedly as she slid down the bedroom door until her jean-clad bottom settled in a comfortable position on the bare floor. 

The ground was cold but the anger she felt within was hot enough to withstand it. 

And all that pent-up anger was directed at her best friend, for a justified reason!

It's been two days since Zia’s discharge from the hospital. Unable to return to the Martinelli mansion, Zia had opted for a hotel till she got an apartment but Kate was having none of that. She had a spare room and was more than willing to share.

Kate had been excited at the idea of living together with her best friend again, but she had no idea things would be this difficult. 

Who knew Zia would take advantage of the room she had offered to build a miserable cage for herself? 

At this thought, Kate's anger intensified. If not for the sound of running water from time to time signifying Zia’s existence, she might as well have concluded that something bad had happened.

Turning around, she banged hard on the door until her palms were red and swollen. 

Realizing she was about to spend another day in an endless unanswered circle, Kate sprang to her feet and warned in a louder voice. “You know what? You are not the only fucking person who gets to be stubborn okay? Don’t say I did not fucking warn you!” She threatened and stormed off.

Inside the room which was so unbearably dark, it was hard to differentiate between night and day.

Zia released a long sigh. Her 5’9” length was stretched out on the bed and hollow eyes stared at the blank ceiling above. 

Unconsciously, her fingers trailed to the flat flesh below her navel. 

Of all people, Zia felt the most apologetic to her innocent baby who was not granted the privilege of being born. 

A strange buzzing sound outside the door brought Zia’s thoughts to a halt. The noise increased and Zia’s eyebrows raised as she slowly got off the bed. 

As her feet drew closer to the door, the low buzz gradually got clearer, transforming into a loud, high-pitched rasping sound. 

Recalling Kate’s latest bluff, Zia’s eyes widened with suspicion.

Was she really going to?… No way!

“Hey!” Zia shouted as she fumbled with the door’s lock.  

Throwing the door open, she jumped backward, just in time to avoid being split in half by her crazy best friend’s chainsaw. “Are you crazy, Kate?!”

“Yes, I am. You are driving me crazy!” Kate screamed above the saw’s loud noise. 

She turned off the saw and Zia’s thumping heart slowly returned to normal. Her wide eyes remained glued to Kate’s furious ones.

“So you were just going to break the door down in what? Half?”

“Why not? You don't care if I scream the whole day or worry about you that I can't even concentrate on work.” Kate shouted as she pushed past Zia to remove the keys from the door. 

Her only regret was forgetting to remove a spare key from the bunch of keys before Zia moved in. 

Kate’s gaze fell on the bird nest made out of Zia’s unkempt hair and her body shook with anger as scolded. “What has come over you, Zia Hidalgo?”

“Don't tell me you’ve decided to ruin yourself because of Damien?! I know you are doing this to yourself because of him!”

“Kate—”

“No! Let me finish.” Kate cut in with a raise of her hand. 

“I’ve had enough of your nonsense. You won't tell me anything besides the fact that you are getting a divorce I saw the announcement last night. That son of a bitch is engaged and it's only been less than a week since your divorce.”

“Where's the bad bitch, clear-headed, no-nonsense Zia that I used to know?”

“You’ve loved that undeserving idiot for more than three good years of your life… maybe you still do.” Kate paused, her voice softening with an underlayer of frustration. “But let it be just that okay? He doesn't deserve a second more of your time!”

“Your job right now is to make him regret toying with your heart, not wallow in self misery…”

“I’m over him, babe. I don't care if he’s engaged or getting married again.” Zia sighed.  She walked to the living room and Kate followed.

Zia grabbed the remote control and turned on the TV.

Then she slumped into a couch, drowning out Kate’s scolding voice, she continued to switch through the channels until she found a reality show featuring animals.

“Animals? Really?” Kate scoffed. Retrieving the remote control, she switched the channel. 

“I fixed breakfast and see,” she dangled the bunch of keys in Zia’s face. “You aren't getting even one second alone again, you hear me?”

Giving up, Zia nodded. Her ears finally got a rest when Kate stomped off to the Kitchen.

The delicious aroma of mac and cheese made Zia’s stomach grumble, reminding her that she had eaten nothing in days. 

As she waited for food, she tried to distract her thoughts from wandering off again by staring intently at the screen which turned out to be displaying entertainment news.

Recalling Damien’s engagement announcement on a similar channel, Zia frowned and picked up the remote. 

However, she suddenly jumped when a loud shrill erupted from behind her.

“Oh my God! I can't believe this!”

Holding up two plates of mac and cheese, Kate looked funny as she pointed excitedly at the TV screen where live news was displaying a bold and clear headline.

ETHAN HAWKINS: THE NATION’S HUSBAND RETURNS!

Zia scrunched up her nose at the weird report and stood up to save her meal from Kate, digging into it hungrily. 

“Ethan Hawkins? What’s the big deal about him?” Zia asked curiously as she ate. 

Her gaze returned to the TV screen showing a reporter giving a briefing as they ran towards the entrance of a big building. 

Kate settled on a couch. Her dreamy eyes were still glued to the screen, but her mouth twisted at Zia’s funny question.

“Are you kidding me? Did that bastard also make you quit social media? Ethan is the king of Entertainment in Allora and beyond. He’s an eye candy but most importantly…” 

Kate’s dreamy eyes returned to the screen. “He is Tyler Martin’s best friend. If Ethan is back in town, then Tyler must be too.”

Looking at her best friend who was obviously more interested in Tyler, whoever he was, Zia shook her head. “You are a lost cause.”

At that exact moment, a loud commotion from the screen captured the women’s attention. Cameras rushed toward a tall figure flanked on both sides by stern looking bodyguards. 

He was wearing a custom-made shirt black shirt and had thick black shades on, which he removed. 

When cameras fixated on his face, Zia frowned. 

Without the shade, he had familiar, blue eyes with  tousled, black raven hair that fell in short strands against his forehead.  

“Is that… Ethan?” Zia asked thoughtfully.

“Yep. That's him.”

Zia leaned forward, watching him say something as he smiled briefly at the camera. 

Her brows lifted, wondering where she had seen him before. But he seemed like a popular figure. So she would surely know if she’d ever met him.

“You are finally back in town after five years abroad, Mr. Hawkins.” A male reporter’s voice in the background pointed out curiously. “What brings you back to Allora? Are you here for business? Or for the ladies?”

A wave of laughter erupted in the background at the reporter’s humor. 

 Ethan chuckled slightly as he grinned. “Sorry ladies, but business first.”

“As you all know, Elite’s corporation has been working hard over the years, strengthening relationships and bringing all its substitutions under one big umbrella.”

“I hereby officially announce the takeover of Elite Entertainment as my next big project. I will personally assume the office of the CEO this coming week.” 

“Elite entertainment?” Simultaneously, Zia and Kate exchanged a surprised look.

“That’s your ex-husband’s company, isn't it?”

Still shocked. Zia nodded absentmindedly as the true meaning of Ethan’s words slowly sank in.

Damien, her ex-husband, was the acting CEO of Elite Entertainment, the biggest entertainment agency in Allora. He had assumed the role three years ago before their marriage, but the company originally is the property of the Hawkins family which was one of the most influential families in the city.

Kate’s hand flew over her mouth, her doe eyes turning wide as saucers.

“So Ethan is now your ex-husband’s boss!”  

“Holy cow!”

Zia didn't respond, instead, she stared at the screen where Ethan was still being interviewed with a smile on his face. 

Ethan. Damien’s boss.

A fluttery feeling rose in her chest at the connection. Her head cocked to the side.

The more Zia stared at the man on the screen, the more her eyes widened and glowed.  

Zia knew her thoughts were wrong and crazy, but she couldn't contain the cunning smile that formed on her lips.

Feeling ultra-awaken and rejuvenated by adrenaline. Zia knew exactly what she had to do.

So she suddenly announced,

“Kate? I’m returning to the modeling industry.”