Chapter 1 - The Reunion

“Why are you acting like this?!” Zaria, who was at the corner of the room, shouted in anger and confusion. The man in front of her breaks everything in the room before throwing a glass towards her, shattering against the wall. Her husband, whom she married only a year ago, is acting wildly. 

“Is that why you wanted to come to the associate party? Ha!” He grabbed a handful of his hair before looking at his afraid wife. 

“What–” Zaria tried to talk. 

“You cannot fool me,” he growled in anger while walking towards her. She held her breath as he got closer. He wrapped her hand around her neck and tilted his head. “You’re scaring me, Clyde…” she whispered in a slow and soft tone. 

“Cronous Fauler,” he answered while leaning against her ear. 

“Why are you mentioning–” 

He let go of her neck and stepped away. He composed himself, fixed his suit and tie, and walked to the door. “Finish getting ready. We’ll be late,” he said in a calm tone before walking out of the room. Only this time, Zaria was finally able to breathe. 

With shaking hands, she picked up her earrings from the floor and tried putting them on but couldn’t. She took deep breaths before hearing Clyde calling for her on the first floor. She put her earrings in her purse and rushed downstairs. 

On the way to the associate party where the wealthy and socialites were gathering, both of them were quiet. Once they arrived, she realized why he was so angry. Zaria almost felt as if the world was shrinking around her when she saw him again. 

“Cronous Fauler!” The men shouted enthusiastically and gathered around him like a flock of birds. Zaria took a sharp breath while staring at him as Clyde’s arm wrapped around her waist.

Cronous, who was chuckling, suddenly turned and stared at her. His jaw tightened and she looked away. “Ah, so this is Mrs. Akurst,” an older gentleman said and shook her hand. 

“My wife begged to party, who am I to say no?” Clyde said with a chuckle and she only smiled. 

“Hello Clyde, and… Zaria.” They all turned to the one who spoke and she looked down on the floor. Clyde’s grip on her tightened as he saw the man looking at Zaria. 

“Ah, you three know each other. How delightful Mr. Fauler!” the old man said with a smile and Cronous smirked. 

“Let’s say… we go way back,” he answered while raising an eyebrow at Clyde whose face showed all his disdain. 

“May I ask how you know them?” the man pried, curious as to how two of the wealthy go way back. Zaria glanced up at Cronous who was staring her down. 

“She was my fiancée,” he answered casually before his eyes darted to Clyde. An icy silence ensued. 

“I think we’re done here. My wife here is starving, why don’t we eat?” Clyde said as he turned to her who nodded lightly. 

“Ah… okay,” she answered as they walked away from the awkward conversation. 

Cronous’ eyes followed her movements until she reached their table. “She’s not wearing earrings,” he said casually before drinking his champagne. 

While the husband and wife were eating in silence, Zaria couldn’t help but keep checking his face for any expressions that show he is angry. She is already being cautious since he was already acting like a mad man before the party. 

“I really didn’t kno–” she tried to explain. 

“I don’t want to hear it,” he answered, shutting her down. 

Not long after, Clyde needed to leave her to attend a small gathering on the other side of the venue. She was just sitting there for an hour, another hour, until she felt the need to get up and do something with her time. 

While looking around, she found the garden at the back of the resort. It was quiet compared to the loud and chaotic environment inside. She sat down at a bench, staring at the water fountain in front of her. 

‘Why is he here? He doesn’t usually attend these types of things,’ she thought to herself with a sigh. Seeing Cronous again made her feel all sorts of confusing emotions. It’s been an entire year since she last saw him, now his gaze cold and indifferent. 

“You seem well.” She looked to her left and saw Cronous standing there in his black suit and tie, dashing as always. 

“You shouldn’t be here,” she answered before looking away. His footsteps got closer and he sat down next to her. There was a long silence between them. 

“A year… Do you regret it?” Cronous suddenly asked and her eyes shifted towards him. She bit her lips but decided not to answer. “You can regret it,” he said casually with a scoff. 

“You know I had no choice, it’s my parents–” she argued. 

“Yeah, whatever.” He sighed before leaning back but turned his gaze on her. 

“But do you regret marrying him?” he asked in a slow tone, her eyes faltering as he uttered those words. Her eyes were swelling up with tears as she tried to answer his question. 

“Give me your earrings,” he said after seeing her struggle to answer his question. 

“Why?” she asked and he only showed his empty hands in response. 

She hesitantly handed them to him. “Why?” she asked and he did not answer. Instead, he leaned closer and put one on her right ear. 

“Tell me if you don’t want this anymore,” he whispered to her ear and her brows furrowed in confusion. His face, now closer to hers. “What do you mean?” she whispered her question as he put the earring on her right ear, she can feel his breathing up close. 

“Your marriage,” he whispered back in a low, dangerous tone. Zaria inhaled sharply and pushed him away. 

“You cannot joke about something like this. You’re so cruel,” she retaliated before standing up and walking away. Cronous watched as she walked further away as he followed behind her.  

“Zaria, wait.” He tried to call her but she kept walking. As he got closer to her, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug. He can feel her heartbeat racing against his chest. 

“It's too late, Cronous. Let go,” she said calmly as she tried pushing him away. 

“Nothing is too late. I would go to every length for you so just tell me, Zaria. Fucking tell me what to do,” he pleaded in desperation, looking down on her icy blue eyes. 

Before she could say anything, she was pulled back from him. Before she knew it, a cold hard punch was thrown at Cronous’ face. She squealed in shock after seeing Clyde strike the man. 

“Do not fucking touch my wife!” His scream echoed in the garden. 

Cronous adjusted his clothes and raised an eyebrow. “It's merely old friends exchanging a greeting,” he answered coldly. 

Clyde lunges forward and grabs him by the collar. His face fuming with anger as he can see the lust in the man's face. “You will never lay a finger on her,” he spat out in anger. 

Cronous, amused by his statement, chuckled. Both Zaria and Clyde were confused by his sudden change in emotion. He leaned forward and whispered, “I know what you've been doing in the Azine hotel.” 

Clyde's grip loosened from his collar. Before they knew it, people went outside to see what was going on. “What in the world?!” It's not usual when you see two elites fighting. 

He let go of Cronous and walked to his wife who was filled with worry. “We should leave,” he uttered before grabbing her arm and pulling her away from the growing crowd. She looked back at Cronous who had a blank, emotionless stare towards them. He mouthed something she couldn't understand. 

She didn’t know how to react with what just happened. “Will we get in trouble for this?” she asked. 

“This is really bad. Why did you have to hit him!” she said in a panic while he was still dragging her away. They stopped right outside his car and he let go of her. 

“He’s not just going to let this slide… Clyde…” she muttered in a very quiet tone as if she was scared to be heard. He breathed heavily before slamming his hand on the car roof, startling her. 

“I don’t want to hear anything from you. Shut up and get in the damn car,” he commanded with annoyance. He opened his car door and went inside while Zaria hesitantly entered the car.