Chapter Nine – Pressure From All Sides

Andrea’s POV 

I waited outside Zion’s condominium for Grandpa Vincent’s car. I was glad I could get away from Zion. It was true he had helped me recover, but I couldn’t breathe in his presence. I didn’t want to go down memory lane and relive the moments I spent with him. What was the use? He didn’t love me the way I did. 

It was best to stay away from one another. His gesture couldn’t undo the hurt he had inflicted on me. He had broken me five years ago. Even now, his harsh, judgemental words shattered me, more than a fatal wound could. How could he have such a low opinion of me without proof? No, he was too toxic for me. 

It was better I avoided him at all costs. Thankfully, I had found my mobile phone lying on the bed beside me. I had dropped it somewhere when I fell unconscious. Seeing it suddenly near me gave me the idea of escaping. Maybe Zion had left it accidentally on my bed. I sneaked out with it while he was busy in the kitchen. After everything he did to me, did he really expect I would stay? How could he think I would get back with him?

Grandpa’s white Cadillac pulled up in front of me and his trusted chauffeur, Fred Martin, emerged to help me. Even Grandpa alighted from the back seat to help me. “Andrea? Why didn’t you call me before?” They almost carried me to the car, and I closed my eyes with relief. Now I knew I would be safe with my family, away from Zion Concorde!

“I lost my phone, grandpa.” He frowned at the gigantic condominium behind us but didn’t ask questions, thankfully. 

“You’re safe now. Let’s go home, Fred.” I rested my aching head on Grandpa’s shoulder like I used to when younger. I just wished I could go back in time to those days. They were so much better! 

“Did you take any medication? You shouldn’t neglect your health so much, Andy.” I closed my eyes and listened to him fret over me. 

“It’s just flu, Grandpa. I’ll be fine in a couple of days.” 

“You’ll rest at home until you’re better.” I sighed since there was no way he would agree with me. Obviously, I couldn’t stay at home when they needed me there at the office. 

“I can’t, Grandpa and you know it.” I was too weak to argue and sat upright, waiting to reach the sanctity of my room. Trying to make them understand was a mammoth task, indeed. I knew when Knox returned, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He would make me quit everything and live here at home until I was better. 

“No, I don’t know. What’s the need to work so hard? Why are you killing yourself? Don’t you care about your children, Andy? The whole day they pine for you. Why do you need to work relentlessly when we have more than we need? Can’t you take a break even one day? I’m sure we have enough to feed a battalion forever.” 

I felt guilty since he was right. Why did I work so tirelessly? Maybe they wouldn’t understand my need to need to work to keep my inner demons at bay. Keeping myself busy made me feel confident, important, and productive. It helped me make my mark, but mostly it helped me forget Zion. 

Did I really forget Zion, even after struggling for five years? 

I couldn’t argue with Grandpa anymore. It was true. My mad career race was affecting the twins. They were just four, yet I hardly had time to spend with them. I never took them out! What a pathetic parent had I become!

We reached home, and with Grandpa and Fred’s help, I staggered towards my room. “Who does this, Andy? Shouldn’t you have dropped everything and come home if you were so sick? Where were you all this while?” scolded Kathy, as she helped me to the washroom. 

“I fell unconscious at the office, Kathy. I would have come home, but Zion came over and took me to his penthouse. The moment I gained consciousness, I escaped.” 

“Zion Concorde? Is he back in your life?” 

I groaned since I would never allow him back. “No, he doesn’t deserve a second chance.” I closed the door and freshened up, changing into my pajamas to sleep. Thankfully, Kathy had left by the time I emerged and I was saved from answering her questions. 

I lay down to sleep finally, on my bed, in my home. I wondered how Zion would react once he found out I had escaped. The very thought of him angered me. Did he think he could continue to insult me and I would forgive him and willingly sleep with him? 

The next morning, despite the fever, I felt much better. “Where are you off to, Andy?” asked Grandpa. 

“I’m feeling better, Grandpa. I have to go to the office for at least a couple of hours.” 

“No, you won’t go anywhere today. Just rest!” I sighed, having never seen Grandpa this rigid. Even granny Catherine supported him this time. 

“He’s right, dear. One day won’t make much of a difference.” 

“Yay, Mom will be at home with us!” sang Zayden. I gave up fighting and followed Kathy to Adrian’s room. The poor child had called me so many times last night. He was sick too and needed me while I couldn’t be there for him. How could Zion doubt me with him? 

The moment I went into his room, his face brightened up. “Mom? When did you come home? I was so worried about you.” 

My heart filled up, and I sat beside him to give him a hug. “I came home last night. How are you now?” He wriggled out of my embrace at the sight of the others entering the room. 

“I’m fine, see!” I smiled at him, appreciating his positivity. 

“Good, because the therapist will come over from today to help you walk,” said granny Catherine, coming into the room. 

“Oh, I don’t want to get well. Then Mom will take us back to the apartment. I love to stay here,” pouted Adrian. 

“No one’s going anywhere. Even when you’re well, I won’t let your mom take you away,” said Grandpa, glaring at me as he walked into the room. 

“Please don’t give them false hopes, Grandpa. You know I won’t stay here.”

“Why not? This is your childhood home. It’s so huge, you can occupy a wing if you want privacy. Knox can occupy another.” I groaned, not wanting to go into that argument again. 

“I’m not going back,” said Zayden, looking determined as ever. 

“Neither am I,” supported Adrian while I looked at the two of them helplessly. I needed my freedom. I couldn’t dump my children’s responsibilities on them. They had warned me against Zion, yet I went to Athens. I was at fault for what I’m facing right now. Why would they bear the consequences of my actions? 

“We’ll see about that when the time comes.” Kathy served Adrian his food while I got up to take some medicine. The fever was returning, and I wanted to lie down and forget everything. 

“No, mom. We’ll come back here even if you take us to your apartment.”

“Stop being so difficult, Andrea. You will stay here and let us take care of the three of you. Knox is returning tomorrow, and I am sure he would want the same. You can’t fight him!” said Kathy, and I sighed in defeat. 

A phone call from the office got me busy. I walked out of the room and went to my room, accepting the call from Roberta. “Andrea, I’m sorry to inform you Dennis has refused to continue with us. He wants to end the contract he signed with us.” 

I sat down in shock, feeling as if the rug had been pulled out from underneath me. “How could he leave when he had just joined us?” 

“He cited personal reasons. We have to release him or he would sue us for forcing him to sign a deed, Andrea. He’s bringing a lawyer with him tomorrow.” 

“No need. I’m unwell right now. When I come down, I’ll release him. In the meantime, ask him to email me his resignation. Has he brought in a single project yet? I would have to work out the incentives.” 

“No, Andrea. Nothing. Oh, there’s one more thing! The building janitor just handed me an eviction notice on behalf of the owner. We need to vacate immediately!” 

“Why? We’ve always paid the rent on time.” 

“I don’t know, Marina. I’ll send it to you through the security guard.”

I disconnected the call and sat with my head in my hands. What would I do now? Would I give up on my dreams? 

My phone buzzed with an incoming call from Zion. Despite being away from him, I hadn’t erased his number from my phone. It was the same as before but what did he want now?