Seventeen

Chapter 17

Livia’s POV

I watched as Zachary left, and his shadow disappeared into the air.

I decided to take my leave so I can get home quickly and meet with Hayden. He must have been waiting for me.

As I was jogging back home, my phone started ringing, and I stopped to pick it up only to find out it was Zachary calling.

“Why is he calling me again? He just left, and he's calling? For what exactly?” I asked myself as I stared at the phone in my hand.

I ignored it, but it started ringing again, and I decided to pick it up so that he won't keep on disturbing me.

My jaw tightened.

“Zachary, what the hell…” I muttered under my breath.

“You think I don’t see it? The way you look at me and then run back to him? Don’t insult me like that.” The voice came in harshly.

“Insult you?” I scoffed aloud. “You are the one sending drunk voice notes from unknown numbers, and I have warned you never to call my number again,” I said angrily.

His tone grew harsher.

“I’m not mistaken. I’m not some rebound,  I’m better than him, better than any of them, but you let me run to him.” 

“That’s enough,” I snapped, pulling the phone away from my ear as I was getting fed up already.

But his voice kept spilling venom.

“I won’t be compared to weak men. You hear me? Don’t ever…”

I stopped it as my thumb hit the screen hard.

“Unbelievable,” I hissed. “What could be wrong with him? Is he losing it already?”

My heart was racing, not from fear this time but from irritation. “Drunk idiot,” I muttered.

He sounded intoxicated, bitter, possessive, and loud.

“No. I’m not feeding this madness.”

Still, one question burned hotter than the rest.

“How the hell did he get my number?” I thought to myself, because I never remembered giving him my number since we crossed paths again.

Without thinking further, I dialed Perry as I suspected him to be the one who gave my number to him.

He picked up after the third ring.

“Liv?” he sounded tired. “It’s late.”

“Did you give Zachary my number?” I demanded that he picked up.

“What?” he sounded genuinely confused. “No. Why would I do that?” he asked.

“Because he’s sending me drunk threats from a private line and also disturbing me with calls!” I snapped.

“Threats?” Perry’s tone sharpened. “What are you talking about?”

“He just sent me a voice note saying I shouldn’t compare him to losers and all sorts of nonsense,” I said, my voice trembling with anger. “So tell me the truth, did you give him my number?” I asked calmly.

“Livia, I have been buried in work for days,” Perry replied firmly. “I would never hand out your number without asking you.” 

“Then how did he get it?” I pressed.

There was a brief silence, then Perry sighed.

“Wait… the event night.”

“What about it?” I asked impatiently.

“You remember after the fundraiser? When things got chaotic?” Perry asked.

“Yes.” I replied.

“Zach spoke to some guys in tech,” Perry said slowly. “He asked them to track someone’s number.”

My breath caught.

“Track someone?” I repeated.

“Yeah. I thought it was one of those corrupt sponsors who tried to bribe him earlier that week. I didn’t think much of it.” Perry explained.

“And now?” I asked quietly.

“And now it sounds like ‘someone’ was you.” he added.

My stomach dropped.

“You are saying he hacked my number?” I whispered.

“I’m saying he has connections,” Perry replied carefully. “And when Zach gets fixated on something, he goes all in.”

“That’s insane,” I breathed.

“Liv, he’s not dangerous,” Perry said quickly. “He’s just… twisted.”

“Twisted?” I echoed bitterly.

“He hasn’t been the same since his brother died,” Perry continued softly. “He carries a lot of anger and a lot of guilt.”

“I don’t care about his trauma, Perry,” I cut in sharply. “That doesn’t give him the right to harass me.”

“I’m not excusing him,” Perry said. “I’m explaining him.”

“I don’t need you to explain him to me.” I said angrily.

There was a pause. “Zach’s a good guy at heart,” Perry insisted. “He just doesn’t know how to handle loss or emotions.”

“Well, I’m not his therapist,” I replied coldly.

“You don’t have to be,” Perry said. “But don’t push him too far either,” he advised.

I let out a hollow laugh.

“Push him too far? He tracked my number, Perry.”

He exhaled. “I will talk to him.”

“No,” I said quickly. “Don’t.”

“Why?” he asked, confused.

“Because that will only confirm that I’m bothered,” I replied. “And I refuse to give him that satisfaction.”

“Liv…” Perry called gently.

“I’m sorry I accused you,” I cut in, my tone softening slightly. “I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s fine,” Perry said gently. “You are stressed.”

“Yeah,” I whispered. “That’s one word for it.”

“Go home,” he advised. “And don’t let him get under your skin.”

“He already is,” I admitted before I could stop myself.

There was a brief silence.

“Be careful, Liv,” Perry said quietly.

“You too,” I replied, and ended the call.

The night suddenly felt heavier as I walked through the road.

The streetlight above flickered faintly as I wrapped my arms around myself.

“Calm down,” I murmured. “You are fine,” I said, trying to console myself, but then.

A faint shuffle, behind me and my body stiffened instantly.

“Not again,” I muttered to myself, looking around the quiet street.

My mind flew back to that alley, the drunkard, and the grip on my wrist. The smell of alcohol.

My breathing quickened. “Who’s there?” I called out, my voice sharper than I intended, but there was no response.

Another faint sound, closer, and my heart began hammering violently against my ribs.

“I swear if this is another drunk lunatic…” I muttered, turning slowly.

The shadows near the trees shifted. “Show yourself!” I demanded, my pulse thundering in my ears.

I was afraid, but I was trying just to hold myself as I looked around to see if anyone was watching me.

After standing for a while and with no one coming out, I decided to continue jogging as I headed home.

I know Hayden might have been waiting for me, and I don't want his call to come in again before I get to the house.