Chapter 005

ZACHARY 👔

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of my office, staring down at the vibrant city lights glittering below , a glass of scotch in my hand.

On any other night, I might have taken a moment to admire the restless city beneath but today was far from normal.

I rubbed a hand over my chest but it did nothing to soothe the ache that was pressing down my chest ever since I said 'I do'.

" I need to do this, for Anna," I muttered the mantra to my self.

A sharp image of Valerie laughing at the wedding flashed through my mind and my hold on the glass tightened.

In a blinding fit of rage, I hurled the glass against the wall.

The glass shattered, and its contents trickled down the wall. A shard of glass spun off and grazed my wrist, leaving a thin red line. I barely flinched. The sting was nothing compared to the fire raging inside me.

How dare she laugh after everything she's done.

Anna wouldn't have died if not for her and she dared to laugh.

"Laugh all you want, Valerie,” I muttered, voice low and bitter.

“Let’s see if you’re still smiling when I’m done with you.”

The door creaked open and Ian stepped in, sporting a stupid smile on his face.

" Who the hell spend their wedding night mulling over at the office?

I ignored him and his smile dropped. He fell quiet for a while when he noticed my melancholic state.

" What happened? He asked as his eyes went to the shattered mess.

" Nothing". I brushed him off and walked over to my desk .

I will rather be alone now but Ian didn't seem to get the message.

" “Did you find anything?” I turned to him.

“Or are you just here to bother me?”

“Whoa, slow down.” That stupid smile was back on his face.

“I just came to congratulate my friend on his wedding,” he said, grinning like a damn Cheshire cat.

“Bullshit.” I slid into my chair. “You’re here to mock me.”

“Why would I dare?”

“You think so little of me, Wellington.” He placed a hand on his chest in mock offense, like my words hurt him but I knew better.

He was here to remind me of the bet.

" Since you have nothing to say to me, you can find your way out." I muttered picking up a folder from my desk.

He was quiet for a while and I almost thought he left until his annoying voice cut through the silence.

“What’s got your pants in a twist? Or rather… who?”. He wriggled his eyebrows suggestively and I groaned in frustration.

I leaned back into my chair and exhaled slowly. He was really testing my patience.

"Careful, Ian," I said, my voice frighteningly low.

“You’re not nearly as funny as you think you are… and I’m in no mood for your nonsense tonight."

He pouted like a little kid. " Too bad, here I am, thinking I get to keep you company."

" I guess I'm no longer needed." He shrugged, letting out a sigh.

Ignoring him, I flipped through the papers on my desk.

"Found anything suspicious on Valerie's father? I asked.

" Changing the topic, I see."

I gave him a death glare, daring him to say something stupid .

Rolling his eyes,he huffed and continued. " I couldn't find anything on him."

I slammed the folder shut and tugged at my hair in frustration.

Who the hell was helping him clean his tracks that even Ian couldn't find anything on him.

Valerie's father was a crook of a businessman and how he managed to amass great wealth was no wonder. I need to find his connection with my grandfather but there wasn't any lead.

I had to blackmail Valerie into marriage because I knew she wasn't going to marry me to help me get my inheritance.

She hates my gut and I wonder what she would do when she finds out I need her help more than she knows.

" Wondering what Valerie would do when she finds out that the documents you blackmailed her into marrying you are all fake?"

I froze.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze from the desk.

Ian stood in front of me, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on his face.

“I should fire you,” I muttered.

“You should,” he said casually, slumping into the couch at the corner like he owned the place. “But then who else is going to keep your dirty little secrets?”

“They’re not fake,” I said tightly.

Ian raised a brow. “Aren’t they?”

I didn’t answer.

Because yes...technically, they were forged. Fabricated. But I had to do what I did to get what I wanted.

“She doesn’t need to know,” I said finally.

Ian tilted his head. “For now. But she’s not stupid, Zach. You think you’ve got her under control, but Valerie Hampton isn’t a woman you can cage.”

“I’m not trying to cage her,” I snapped.

He let out a low whistle. " Wow, talking about the Hamptons always put you in a foul mood."

" I should do this more often," he said , throwing his legs over the couch. " It's fun."

I glared at his dirty shoes on my couch but as always, Ian wasn't a bit bothered.

" Lucky you, I have something that will cheer you up."

My ears pecked up at that. Finally, something to salvage this ruined evening.

He tossed a wrapped present at me and I caught it right before it hit my face.

" What's this? I asked, staring at it suspiciously.

" Open it." He urged, grinning.

Hiding the slight tremor in my hands, I took a pen and tore the wrapper open.

A groan escaped me when I saw what the present was.

"You're really knocking at death's door ."

" What the hell do I need this for? I asked holding up the box of condoms but the idiot was doubling over in laughter.

"You’re a married man now, Zach,” he said between gasps of laughter. “Gotta be prepared!”

" For what? I deadpanned. " To strangle her with it."

He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and winked.

I threw the box at him and he erupted in another fit of laughter.

Just then, my phone buzzed. I swiped to answer and pressed it to my ear.

" Speak! I ordered curtly.

" I followed her as you requested, sir." Came the voice at the other end.

" Good." I shot Ian a warning look when I noticed him trying to sneak out.

" Anything else?

" Sir...." The voice hesitated.

" Go on."

" She received an envelope right after you left but I couldn't see what was inside."

My brows furrowed. “An envelope?”

“Yes, sir. A little boy...couldn’t be more than five...delivered it.”

My jaw tightened. “Someone surely sent him. Did you find out who?”

“I questioned the kid. He said someone paid him to deliver it but didn’t know who.”

I glanced at Ian. His eyes were already locked on me, serious now.

“Alright. Stay close and keep me updated on any suspicious activity.”

“Yes, sir. And… there’s more. I noticed someone loitering nearby, a hooded figure. Definitely watching her.”

I shot to my feet, startling Ian.

“What?” My voice was sharp. “And you’re telling me this now?”

“I thought I could handle it.”

“Can you hear yourself?” I dragged a hand through my hair, keeping my anger at bay. “Just stay close. I’m on my way.”

“Yes, sir.”

I ended the call and stood still for a moment.

"Ian! I bellowed and he sprang on his feet.

" I need you to find someone for me."