Chapter 3

[ZARA]

A little lie hurts no one, right?

Since a very young age, I’ve struggled to contain my ever-growing temper. I still do. I don’t know.

Maybe something is wrong with me. Maybe the nerves shooting emotions into the brain are shorter and faster in my case. Or maybe folks are just plain stupid. Could be anything, really.

Like every other person in the world, I have my limitations. I don’t like myself, don’t think anyone does. Not with the temper that I always bristle with. After all, people stay away from those who make a scene. And the experience I have in that department, it’s impossible to break that record.

But causing a scene and drawing unwanted attention to yourself doesn’t happen out of a hobby. No one enjoys the look of ‘what a weirdo’ people define them with. No one. Trust me.

But sometimes, you just don’t have a choice. Or control, in my case. Although this time, there is a legitimate reason to support my actions.

For the last few years, the men from R & R Developers have been trying to persuade my mom to sell her property to them. There have been multiple offers, and some of them really got us thinking. But the answer to all their efforts always remained a resounding no.

Why?

Because there is no place like home. That’s why. Not every structure made of bricks and stones can make you feel like you belong. Not every house welcomes you with the warmth that makes you feel protected. For mom and me, this home is all we have. And all we’d ever need.

So, yeah, we have had several offers to sell our property. And every time, we turned them down. However, the company’s approach has become far more aggressive in recent months.

It began with vague threats that none of us took seriously. Mom and I had dealt with enough bullies in our lives, including my father and his new family, so acts of intimidation never worked on us. We slept soundly. But we should have known it was just the beginning of what they had in store for us.

It happened in my absence, and I had a strong feeling it was probably deliberate. The company sent a couple of dangerous-looking men to our house a few days ago—tall, broad, and armed, though none of them used weapons. I doubt they intended to either. But the sheer sight of them impacted my mother, and she signed the documents right away.

I have been livid ever since.

All of this occurred four days ago. In reality, it’s only been two days since I attempted to contact the CEO of R & R Developers. My flight to New York was delayed due to technicalities, and by the time I arrived at the company’s tower, Maddox Richmond had already left.

I found his home address through sheer luck and G****e, but he wasn’t there either. The older man who opened the door was kind enough to make a phone call on my behalf. While I waited outside in the garden, appreciating the vast green view, the old man returned and advised me to look for the owner at the office rather than at home.

So, here I was today, back at the office.

“Why don’t we take this to my office and hear what you have to say?” When he said those words, warmth and anticipation coursed through my veins.

Maddox Richmond was not some fifty-year-old with short height, a bald head, and nonexistent eyebrows—something I had imagined him to be for some reason I don’t even know.

No, he was nothing like that.

In fact, he was everything I never thought could exist in one person. He was tall, possibly six feet or more, and broad enough to block the full view of the corridor behind him. He possessed an attractive angular face and captivating dark green eyes. His presence carried an air of authority that made you hesitate before opening your mouth, and confidence crackled all around him.

The worst part was that he seemed to be aware of his impact on others, evident in the way he proudly wore that haughty sneer on his face.

“Fine,” I said, following him down the corridor.

When we arrived at his cabin, he motioned for me to have a seat and offered me a glass of water. After all the yelling, my throat had become raw and dry. So, without much thought, I reached for the glass of water and downed it.

“So,” taking a seat across the nearly empty office desk, he leaned forward with his elbows on the tabletop. “What brings you to wreak this havoc in my office?” he asked, a dark amusement unmistakable in his eyes.

I almost choked at his allegation. Was that how it looked? Like I was wreaking havoc?

“None of us would have had to deal with this havoc, Mr. Richmond, if you hadn’t stuck your nose where it didn’t belong.”

His eyebrows shot up, and he gave his head a small shake. “I must apologize, Ms…”

“Zara. Zara Fisher.”

“Ms. Fisher,” he said, his deliberate tone sending a shiver down my spine and warming my entire being.

I clenched my fingers tightly around the empty glass, trying to quell the rising heat in my neck.

“What are you trying to imply?”

Something about his apparent obliviousness to what his company had done to us irked me deeply. How could he be so thoughtless? So indifferent? How could he ruin someone’s life and not feel an ounce of guilt? How? I refused to believe a man like him didn’t know what was happening in his own company. He seemed like the type to keep everyone on their toes, much like the woman outside who tried to deter me from seeing him. The one who called me crazy.

I’ll show them what’s crazy.

“Look, Mr. Richmond,” I said, placing the glass back on the table and leaning forward with my arms crossed. “I’m not one to beat around the bush.”

“Good to hear.”

“I’m going to come straight to the point.”

“Of course, can’t wait.”

“You have something of mine. It’s time you gave it back.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Doesn’t ring a bell.”

“You took my home, Mr. Richmond. I want my home back!” I snapped.

Silence filled the room. My legs trembled under the table. Frustration burned through my chest, turning all rationality into smoke. I tried to breathe through my mouth, something Mom always told me to do when anger clouded my mind.

I had imagined this conversation a million times in my head. I was supposed to be polite, act nicely, and persuade him that returning the home he had acquired unfairly would prevent further trouble. If he agreed to do the right thing, well and good — a handshake and all. But if he didn’t, then we’d see him in court. That’s how this conversation was supposed to go — like two mature people coming to terms.

Maddox fixed me with a sharp gaze before leaning back in his chair. His expression turned thoughtful, his head tilting slightly with a hint of curiosity. However, what he said next shocked me to the core.

“Get out!” he snapped, his chin flicking dismissively.

“What? Wait—I—no!”

“I said, get out, Ms. Fisher.”

“Is that it? That’s how you intend to handle this situation? By avoiding it entirely?”

“I’m not avoiding the issue, Ms. Fisher. I’m simply postponing it until you learn how to behave appropriately.”

“Are you implying that I don’t know how to behave?”

“I’m not implying anything, Ms. Fisher. That is exactly what I’m saying.”

“God, I can’t believe you.”

“Please leave your God and your beliefs outside of this office, Ms. Fisher. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a very busy man. I don’t have time to deal with your nonsense.”

“Are you serious?” By this point, I was fuming, my blood pumping loudly in my ears.

“I’ll just call security then,” he said, rolling his eyes as he reached for the intercom.

Before he could say another word, I swiftly hit the disconnect button and stood up.

His glares turned murderous. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Who needs lessons on good behavior now?” I scoffed, throwing his lack of decorum back at him.

He shot up from his chair and rounded the desk so fast that I instinctively leaned back against the chair, trying to create some space between us.

He grabbed my upper arm and pulled me toward him. Our faces were mere inches apart. His grip felt like a ring of fire, heat seeping through the sleeve of my blouse and into my skin. It burned.

“I’ve been doing my best to control myself, Ms. Fisher. You have no idea who you’re up against. And before I forget, you are a lady, as frail as hell. Please leave my office. Right away!” He shoved me toward the door.

Tears stung my eyes, blurring my vision. Everything went silent in my head except for a constant rumble of embarrassment. It ripped through my body, making me feel scorching hot. My chest swelled with agitation, ready to burst through my throat.

For a moment, I hesitated, preparing to leave. I couldn’t bear to face him again. I felt insignificant, powerless, and worthless, as if my dignity held no value—a can of outdated product one could discard without sorrow.

But when my mom’s scared face flashed before my eyes, the frustration simmering beneath my skin turned to molten lava. She had been terrified after those men visited and threatened her to sign the documents. Maddox Richmond had no right to lecture people on etiquette and conduct. His own behavior was unlawful, cruel, and disrespectful.

He was the epitome of an asshole.

What did he think of himself?

Sure, he was wealthy and could afford almost anything he desired. But what part of ‘not everything is for sale’ didn’t he understand?

Anger boiled in my blood, darkening the corners of my vision to the deepest shade of red. I breathed through my mouth, clenching my fist into a ball. Once. Twice. Fuck it.

I closed the gap between us by turning on my heels. Maddox Richmond had already moved on to his next task, typing on his phone. I snatched the phone and yanked it away from his grip.

His jaw clenched. Instead of asking or saying anything, he simply fixed me with his intense gaze, as if that should have been enough for my pitiful self to figure out what he wanted me to do.

Return the damn phone.

I didn’t.

My indifference in complying with his demands must have dawned on him. He made an awkward attempt to reach for the phone, but I moved my hand further away. His throat emitted a growl.

I steeled my gaze.

“You have five seconds to return the phone.”

“That should be enough.”

“Say what—”

The temperature in the room seemed to rise tenfold as my hand met his cheek. The sound reverberated off the walls of the empty office. My heart pounded ridiculously hard beneath my ribs, almost as if it might burst.

His glare burned into my face as I forced the phone back into his hand. He said nothing, just continued to glare. I didn’t feel triumphant either.

But there was still one thing that needed to be addressed.

“Let’s try this again, Mr. Richmond. Shall we?” I said as I took a step back. “Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day for mutual understanding.”

With those final words, I turned and saw myself out.