13!Staying In Your Way!

MATTHEW

“Hey, Zara,” I said with a smile on my lips. I watched her stare at me from head to toe. Like she was trying to think of her next move.

“No,” she said, and dropped the documents on the table close to her. “I won't work with him.”

Gabriel places his hands on her shoulder, and something in me stirred. He might be old, and not her type. But I don't like the idea of him holding her, or anyone for that matter.

I walked towards her, but she he stepped back like I was poison.

I should’ve expected it.

“No,” she said, voice sharp, hands clenched. “I won’t work with him.”

My jaw tightened. I knew this wouldn’t be easy. She wasn’t the same girl I once knew. She was harder now. Sharper. And I was part of the reason why.

Gabriel gently placed his hand on her shoulder. The way her body stiffened, I knew she didn’t like it, but she didn’t push him away either. Something twisted inside me.

He spoke calmly, “I understand why you’d say that. But if you want our shares, and want your voice to count in the firm, without having to marry him, you need to at least work with him.”

She shook her head. “He can’t be trusted. He’s in a relationship with her.”

Her. Monica.

“That’s right,” I said, and her eyes snapped to me. I kept mine down. “I was in a relationship with her. Because I needed her help… I wanted her to remove the clause from my father’s will.”

Her voice was cold when she replied. “And you thought sleeping with her was the way to do it?”

I looked up at her, slowly. “I’m ashamed of that choice. I won’t lie. But everything changed when I found out the truth.”

Her gaze shifted, sharp and uncertain. “What truth?”

I took a breath and stepped forward. She moved back, but I didn’t stop.

“The truth about your father’s death.”

She froze.

Then she shook her head. “No. That’s not possible. My father died of a heart attack. That’s what everyone said.”

I nodded. “That’s what they wanted everyone to believe.”

I pulled the envelope from my jacket and set it gently on the table.

“This came in the mail about a month ago. No name. No return address. Just that note, and a USB with documents and audio clips. At first, I thought it was some cruel joke. But after listening to what was on it… I knew.”

She opened it slowly. I watched her lips move as she read the note.

“They killed him because he was about to expose them.”

Her eyes lifted to mine, wide and lost. “Who’s ‘they’?”

“Howard DeWitt,” I said. “Monica’s father. And someone else inside the firm. Someone close to your father. We’re still digging to find out who.”

She didn’t speak.

I saw her lips tremble, saw her try to blink back the pain. But it was too big. Too real.

“No…” she whispered. “My father was strong. He would’ve fought back. He….he wouldn’t just let someone kill him.”

“He didn’t let them,” I said, voice low. “They were smart. Clean. No one suspected a thing.”

Gabriel stepped forward, his voice quiet. “Your father was planning to go public. He had evidence. He wanted to shut everything down. But Howard found out. They got to him first.”

Zara closed her eyes. A tear rolled down her cheek. She didn’t wipe it.

“Why now?” she asked, opening her eyes to me. “Why tell me this now?”

“Because I lost my family to Howard schemes. He was collateral damage. He had him killed because he thought your father shared the information with him,” I said to her. But that was not the real reason I was doing this.

Besides, I owe you,” I said, honestly. “For what I did years ago. For not fighting for your forgiveness, and importantly for disappearing.”

She crossed her arms. “And now you are looking for redemption?”

“No,” I said, stepping closer. “I want to make it right. Even if it’s just a piece of what I destroyed.”

She stared at me. I didn’t expect forgiveness. But I saw something shift in her eyes, conflict.

“You betrayed me, Matthew,” she whispered. “You broke every bit of trust I had in you.”

“I know.”

Gabriel stepped in then. “Zara, if you want to bring them down, you need someone on the inside. Someone Monica won’t suspect. Matthew is that person.”

She looked at me again. I didn’t move.

“This doesn’t mean I forgive you,” she said.

I nodded. “I wouldn’t expect you to. But let me help. Let me be your weapon this time, not theirs.”

There was silence.

Then, finally, she spoke. “I will work with him, as long as he stays out of my way,” she said, and everyone nodded.

“We can agree to that, can't you Matthew?” Gabriel asked me, and I nodded. 

Staying in your way is the only thing that is going to give me pleasure Zara. And I plan on you feeling that pleasure as well.

After signing over the shares to Zara everyone left, leaving us alone.

“So, do you want to make plans, strategies?” I asked.

“No,” she said abruptly. “I have to get home,” her face had a worried look.

“Of course, I will let…” she didn't let me finish before walking out of the restaurant.

I followed her quickly but she was steps ahead of me, she got into her car, and drove off. 

I ran straight for my car, and drove off after her. Following her. 

I drove fast, keeping my eyes on her car. Zara sped through two turns, took a backstreet, then looped through a roundabout. She was trying to lose me. I gripped the wheel tighter but didn’t back off.

She hit another sharp turn, then disappeared behind a long row of hedges.

Gone.

I cursed under my breath, slowing down. But I knew her well, better than she thought. A minute later, I found her car parked outside a small brick house at the edge of the city.

I pulled up two houses away and waited.

The front door swung open.

A little girl, maybe five or six, ran out barefoot and squealed, “Mommy!”

Zara dropped to her knees and hugged her tight. Her laughter was soft but real. She pressed kisses to the girl's cheeks like she'd been holding her breath all day.

I didn’t move.

I just stared.

Then I reached into my dash and pulled out the ultrasound picture I’d kept all these years.

Mine.

I looked at the photo. Then at the girl.

My heart stopped.

Zara hadn’t just left.

She’d taken our child with her.

And now I know the truth, I have a daughter.