Zoey walked into her apartment and the memories of her past filled her head. Her eyes got teary as she remembered the sweet memories her mother left with her in the house.
She looked around the house and felt the emptiness in it. The emptiness without her mother. She swallowed the lumps in her throat as she walked into her mother's room.
It was still the way she had left it. The scent, the bed, everything. She stood on her spot and bowed her head as tears flowed down her eyes. She promised herself not to cry but she couldn't help it.
She pursed her lips and wiped her tears. It wasn't the best time to cry. She sniffed and looked at the empty bed. "Mom, I am back here. I know it won't be easy but I need strength to go on." she forced a smile and went out, locking the door.
"I love this place. Even though small, but comfy. Well, it would just need some little touches and it would be perfect." Carissa swirled around and fell on the couch, breathing deeply in relief.
"You can have that room there." Zoey said, pointing to a room. "I will be taking that." She looked at her mom's room but looked away immediately.
"I don't have a problem with that."
A knock came on the door causing the two girls to look towards it.
"Are we expecting anyone?"
Zoey shook her head and went to open the door. Seeing who was standing by the door, her eyes widened. "Ms. Julie?" she called and looked around. "Why.....why are you here?"
Ms. Julie snorted and crossed her arms below her breast. "I see you are back. Anyway, this house would be under renovation and the man in charge would be inspecting the house in five minutes."
"What?" Zoey looked back and saw Carissa dancing to the song playing on her phone. She came out and locked the door behind her.
"Ms Julie, what are you talking about? What renovation?"
"It happened suddenly. I sent you a message last week that I wanted to sell this house. I needed some money for my son's tuition fee. After giving up on finding a buyer, someone suddenly called thirty minutes ago and said he would be coming to inspect the house." she smiled and breathed in relief. "This is great news for me."
"But.....but it shouldn't be done this way. Do you mean I will have to leave this house? This house has a lot of memories for me. I can't leave now."
"I never said you will. He is only coming here to inspect for now. You know what to do. I don't want him to lose any interest." she said and left without waiting for Zoey to oppose it.
"This is a disaster." she said and went back to her apartment. Carissa was busy with her phone so she paid no attention to what was happening. Zoey was glad about that. She went into her kitchen and took a bottle of water.
Just the first day back in Shutter-way, her landlady gave her a notice about someone else taking over her house. It was a disaster.
She gulped down the bottle of water and sat on the kitchen chair.
"Is there something wrong?" Carissa asked when she noticed how worried she looked.
Zoey smirked and took another bottle of water. "Someone would be coming to inspect this house."
"Someone?"
Immediately she said that, a knock came on the door. Zoey dropped the bottle of water and went over to open the door. It was Ms. Julie and a man wearing a nose mask behind her and another man standing beside him. From the look on the face of Ms Julie, she could tell it was the man coming for the inspection.
"Mr Alcatraz is here to inspect."
"I wasn't given a head up early so do not take the untidiness of the house as something unimaginable." she moved away for them to go in.
Ms. Julie was about to go in but was stopped when the man who wasn't wearing a mask spoke. "You don't have to go in. You should leave. I will handle the rest from here."
Ms. Julie was taken aback by that. They were going in for an inspection so she should be there.
"But I have to go in with you. I am the landlady."
"I am buying it." Isaiah, the man with the mask, said to the shock of everyone. He looked around and shook his head. "Eddie, go sign the documents. I need to inspect the house."
"Are you sure about that?" Eddie whispered into his ear but he only nodded. Not having what to say, he went ahead with the landlady leaving Isaiah and Zoey alone.
"You can go ahead and inspect the house. There is nothing I can do." she said and turned to leave but came back and faced him again. "Do you know what you just did was being inconsiderate? You just called to say you are buying this house and you would be coming for an inspection in just a few minutes and the next thing you will say is that you are buying it. Did you think about the tenants leaving here? What amount of time would they get to evacuate this building?" she said in one breath.
Isaiah was taken aback because he wasn't expecting the sudden come back. It was his business so why was it a bother to her?
"I bought the house from the landlady and not you. If you have any complaints, you can relate it to my brother. This is a business and the seller isn't bothered about it."
"That is because she needs the money. Of course she can make any decision at any time. You should be considerate of others."
He smirked and shook his head. It wasn't just the landlady who was desperate but him also. He didn't just buy the house cause he wanted it. He has a lot of apartments, houses and to name more. He decided to pick that house because of one person,"Zoey Hall."
He was able to find out where she was leaving immediately he was told she was back in town. Even though he was receiving treatment, he left to come see the woman who would save his life.
Zoey knitted her brows wondering why he was staring at her so much. She wondered if he was a perverted man and felt irked.
"You shouldn't be looking at me that way." she half yelled and moved back.
"This isn't the first time we've met. You should be able to recognize me. Besides, I am here for you." he said.
"What are you talking about?"
He smirked
again and slowly pulled off his mask, revealing his face. "We will meet again!"
Zoey stood still on her spot, with her eyes glued on him. Standing before her was a man so good looking. The aura around him speaks of wealth and power. She unknowingly moved back again and gulped down. How could one man be so good looking? She just couldn't get the thought of it off her mind. "I.....Isaiah Alcatraz?" Carissa called behind her, jerking her out of her thoughts. Zoey turned and lifted a brow. "What?""I am standing before Isaiah Alcatraz., the young CEO of X-ZIG." she squealed, trying so hard to contain her joy.Zoey couldn't believe her ears. If he is Isaiah then he is the one being talked about by millions of people. The youngest billionaire and CEO of X-ZIG. Why would he of all people be standing in front of her door?"Brother, I got the documents." Eddie said, standing beside him.Isaiah pocketed his hand and faced him. "Let's go. I am impressed with the house. We will start the renovation immediately."Immediately Zoey heard him, her head sparkled and she remembe
Martins raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Do you know him?" he questioned.She gazed at him for a while and shook her head. "I only know him on tv." She lowered her head and said nothing else.Why would he follow her to her office? Is he stalking her? Why would a wealthy man like Isaiah stalk her? First her house, now her workplace? She was getting pissed off already. The handsome devil is definitely after her life.Isaiah stood up after getting the paper works and so did Martins. "Thank you sir for giving us this opportunity. We promise to use it wisely." Martins said and shook his hand and Isaiah made for the door.Getting close to the door, he stopped right in front of Zoey whose head was still lowered. Knowing he was standing before her, she couldn't bring herself to look at him. She was suddenly feeling uncomfortable and wouldn't look up.Was she getting intimidated too?Isaiah cleared his throat and that was when she realized she was standing by the door, blocking his way ou
CHAPTER EIGHTZoey picked up a small trash can and threw it in their direction, distracting them. She ran out and didn't look back. The two men began to run after her. She was confused on where to go and just followed any path she saw. Even though she had stayed in that area all her life before she went on a journey, there were some places she hadn't been to and that was the place she ran into.She wished she had known that lane, it would have been easy to do away with the men behind her. Zoey came to a dead end and halted breathing heavily. There was no way to run and escape again. She heard their footsteps behind her and swallowed hard."Shit!" she cursed under her breath and turned to face the men."Do you have to run that way? What was the point when we were still going to get you?" one of them asked."What do you want from me? Who sent you?" she asked boldly, trying to hide her fears even though deep down, her heart was throbbing fast, threatening to burst her chest open. "You
Carissa smiled at the man before her. "Hello, can I help you?"He looked behind her. "Is Zoey in? How is she doing?''Carissa knitted her brows and looked at him from head to toe. He was surely a dazzling young man but who was he?"She is in, but not in the right state to meet you. Is your reason for meeting her important?"He sighed and put his hands in his pocket. "I am an old friend and I just got the news that she came back to Shutter-way. Don't worry, I will come back later. Tell her that Steve came by." he smiled at her and left.Carissa slowly closed the door and turned, coming face to face with Zoey. She jerked in fright."What is wrong? Who was that at the door?""Jeez.. You should let people know when you walk in or they might get a heart attack." Carissa complained and went to sit. "A man came to see you." she smiled. "He said his name is Steve. He is so good looking. How did you know him?" "Steve? Steve Niro was here?" Zoey rushed to the door and opened it, but he was lon
David adjusted his tie and stood up with a smile plastered on his face. He faced her and clicked his tongue."I guess you don't know. Since you are the only surviving member of the Hall family, you are most wanted now."Zoey's eyes were widened but she couldn't say anything. She just allowed him to continue his revelation to her."Many wealthy men want you. You are their source to living a long life and that's why they are after you." he sucked his teeth and crossed his arm beneath his chest. "I am being kind enough to bring this offer to you where you will earn a lot. But I tell you, they wouldn't give you this chance and take you with them forcefully."Zoey's throat went dry and her heartbeat increased. She was frightened to the bone. Goosebumps were all over her.Does that mean there were many people after her life? Was that the reason she was attacked by those men earlier? Those thoughts kept running through her head and that gave her the chills.David brought out his complementar
Everyone was taken aback when she said that. Zoey smirked at their reactions and knew it was time for her second plan.She dragged herself away from the bouncer's grip and rushed to Isaiah. She stared at him for a while and without a second thought, she hugged him."Oh my love. I'm so sorry I'm late. I wanted you to have more time with your mistress."Everyone gasped hearing that. Mistress? Isaiah was left shocked by what was happening but he tried his best not to show how shocked he was. Whatever Zoey was planning, he planned on seeing it till the end.He placed a hand on her waist and drew her closer. "Why should I meet a mistress when I have you sweetheart? You are the woman I love." he licked his lower lips and smirked. "Sweetheart, I see you are dressed to hide your cleavage again. Well, that's a good thing. I don't want anyone to see the beautiful body that's meant for my eyes only." he said it out loud.Zoey was taken aback by the sudden turn. She raised her brows. "What are yo
"Please don't kill me!" she cried out loud with her eyes shut. She waited for pain in the spot she was shot but felt nothing. Or was she in the land of the dead so quickly?She slowly opened her eyes and her gaze fell on Isaiah who was seated at the same spot he sat when they walked in. He had a look of amusement on his face and that was when Zoey realized what was going on.She quickly put down her leg and sat down properly. She cleared her throat and looked away.It was all her imagination. Isaiah crossed his arms and relaxed on the chair. "Are you done showing your talent? I was enjoying it."Zoey couldn't say anything. She was too embarrassed to look at him. "What drink do you want? You can order anything expensive, I am willing to buy you whatever you want." he said and pressed a button on a small remote.The door opened and the staff standing outside walked in. He bowed his head a little. "What should I bring for you sir?""Get me more whiskey and get my guest whatever she wa
Steve smiled and broadened as he walked closer. He stood some steps before Zoey and brought his hand forward for a handshake."It's been a while, hasn't it?"Zoey took his handshake, still maintaining a shocked look on her face. Never did she think she would get to see Steve after so many years."I heard you call Isaiah Alcatraz. Are you acquainted with him?"Seeing Zoey was still lost in thought, Carissa stepped up to reply. "Haven't you seen the internet? It is buzzing with Isaiah and Zoey's story.""Really?" He brought out his phone from his pocket and logged in. Just as Carissa said, the first news he saw was that of Isaiah and Zoey.He smirked. "Wow, this is crazy. You are dating Isaiah?""That's not it," Carissa said. "Something happened and it amounted to that." "So what are you going to do?""Whatever solution is on ground." Zoey replied this time. She sighed and looked down. "But this is going to cause a big loop in my job. I work with celebrities and many well known personn