Chapter six

Sara’s POV

“Really? Why didn’t you introduce her to me as your girlfriend earlier?” Zack’s grandfather said, his eyes filled with warmth and curiosity as he looked at me.

“You look very beautiful,” he added, his tone genuine as he complimented me.

“Thank you so much, sir,” I replied with gratitude, feeling a bit flustered by the unexpected attention.

“Oh please, there’s no need to be too formal,” he said playfully, breaking the tension with his easygoing manner.

His playful demeanor put me at ease, and I couldn't help but smile in response, though I couldn't shake the uncertainty of what this encounter meant for Zack and me.

As I glanced at Zack, unsure whether to address him as my boyfriend or something else, I caught a fleeting glimpse of emotion in his eyes—a mixture of apprehension and something I couldn't quite decipher.

Before Zack's grandfather could continue, a young man in a black suit approached him and whispered something in his ear.

“Alright, tell him we are on our way,” Zack’s grandfather said briskly, dismissing the young man with a wave of his hand.

Turning back to me, Zack’s grandfather spoke with a hint of regret in his voice, “Sara, Zack and I have to meet an important business partner right now. I really hope to see you soon, so we can chat and get to know each other very well.”

“No problem, sir, I understand,” I replied, hiding my disappointment behind a polite smile.

“Please do enjoy the rest of your evening,” he said warmly, his eyes twinkling with kindness.

“You too, sir,” I replied, returning his smile with genuine warmth.

“Zack?” Zack’s grandfather called out, breaking the momentary silence.

Glancing at Zack, I caught him staring at me, his expression unreadable. Before I could respond, he quickly looked away, leaving me feeling a mixture of confusion and longing.

“See you later?” Zack’s tentative question hung in the air, laden with unspoken meaning.

I simply nodded, my heart racing with anticipation and uncertainty.

After their departure, the urge to retreat to my room and call it a night was strong, but a nagging feeling compelled me to stay and salvage what was left of the evening.

Feeling somewhat excluded, I decided to excuse myself and head to the restroom, using the excuse of needing to touch up my lipstick.

“Isn't that Nora Roberts?” a woman's voice caught my attention, momentarily pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see a group of women, their focus clearly on Nora, who had introduced herself to me earlier.

“Yes, that's her. The ex-girlfriend of the hottest bachelor in New York, Zack Samuels. I mean, every woman's dream. The same one who spread that ridiculous lie about Zack being gay,” one of the women remarked, prompting laughter from the group.

I gasped, my hand flying to cover my mouth in shock. The airport incident flashed through my mind, and suddenly everything clicked into place. So that's why people were so quick to snap photos and record videos.

“Oh Sara, what did you do?” I berated myself silently, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. My actions had inadvertently fueled the rumors about Zack's sexuality.

Feeling utterly embarrassed and unsure of how to face Zack now, I found myself longing to escape the uncomfortable situation. Hastily, I made my way to the restroom, eager to put some distance between myself and the gossiping women.

Arriving at the restroom, I quickly composed a text to Zack, informing him that I wasn't feeling well and would be heading home. I assured him not to worry about my transportation, as I planned to hail a cab.

Minutes passed without a response from him, further confirming my belief that he no longer cared about me after the embarrassment I caused him at the airport.

With a heavy heart, I left the venue and hailed the first cab I could find. As the city lights blurred past outside the window, the memory of the airport scene replayed in my mind, filling me with a sense of regret.

Upon reaching home, I shed my clothes, reveling in the freedom and privacy of living alone. However, the fleeting moment of joy was soon replaced by a sense of loneliness.

Determined to distract myself, I grabbed my laptop and logged into my neglected social media accounts. Typing 'ZACK SAMUELS' into the search bar, I braced myself for what I would find.

“Zack Samuels is a testament to the adage that success is earned, not inherited. Despite hailing from a wealthy family, Zack refused to rest on his laurels and instead forged his own path to success through hard work, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.

From a young age, Zack displayed an innate knack for technology and innovation. While his peers were content with the status quo, Zack harbored dreams of revolutionizing the tech industry with groundbreaking inventions and cutting-edge software.

Fuelled by ambition and a relentless drive to succeed, Zack set out to turn his visions into reality. Armed with a keen intellect and unwavering determination, he tirelessly pursued his goals, immersing himself in the world of technology and honing his skills as a budding entrepreneur.

With unwavering determination and a keen eye for opportunity, Zack embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, founding his own tech startup from the ground up. Through sheer grit and perseverance, he transformed his fledgling company into a formidable force in the tech industry, garnering accolades and acclaim along the way.

Yet, amidst his meteoric rise to stardom, Zack remained grounded and humble, never forgetting his roots or the values instilled in him by his upbringing. Despite his success, he remained approachable and down-to-earth, earning him admiration and respect from colleagues and peers alike.

In his personal life, Zack found love and companionship in the arms of Nora Roberts, a glamorous and sophisticated woman who captivated his heart from the moment they met. Their relationship was the envy of all who knew them, a union of two kindred spirits bound by love and shared aspirations.

Together, Zack and Nora seemed destined for greatness, their love story the stuff of fairytales and dreams. Yet, beneath the surface, cracks began to appear, threatening to shatter the illusion of perfection they had carefully crafted.

As rumors of Zack's alleged homosexuality began to circulate, Nora's insecurities and doubts began to fester, leading to a rift between them. Despite Zack's protests and assurances of his fidelity, Nora's jealousy and paranoia reached a breaking point, culminating in a bitter and acrimonious breakup.

Heartbroken and disillusioned, Zack found himself at a crossroads, grappling with the fallout of his shattered relationship and the betrayal of trust. Yet, even in the midst of his pain, he refused to be defined by the actions of others, vowing to rise above the turmoil and forge a new path forward, guided by resilience and inner strength”, I read everything out loud.

Why am I just seeing this? I asked myself.

That’s because you deactivated all your social media accounts you dummy! My inner mind answered me.

Scrolling down, I saw beautiful pictures of him. He is indeed hot and handsome. I also pictures of him and Nora, it looked like they were so in love.

Soon, nature called me and I yawned. Thanking heavens that the next day was on Sunday, I retired to bed and sleep engulfed me.