CHAPTER 2: THE FIXER

    Zara Langford

Monday arrived faster than usual, or maybe it was just me. Either way, I wasn't looking forward to walking back into Voss Enterprises. Not even a little.

Sudden flashes of Declan's cold face screaming that he knew I would back down sent a shiver down my spine.

Fucking asshole.

I ain't backing down. I love challenges, especially from people like Declan.

My phone rang from across the room, right on the study table. I glanced at the wall clock and it read five o'clock. in the morning.

I dragged myself up from the bed, groaning while moving to the study table, knowing fully well who the caller was. 

" There'd better be an emergency," I said inwardly, tapping on the receiver.

"Zara!" Mum's sharp voice cut through the phone. "What has come over you? Tell me it's not true, tell me you didn't apply at the Voss Enterprises? And why didn't you come over during the weekend?" Mum's voice boomed from the other end. Asking so many questions at once. 

A tired sigh audible enough for her to hear passed through my lips.

"Good morning to you too Mrs. Langford. I'm fine and my night was great, thank you very much for asking" I replied deliberately ignoring her questions. 

"Zara!" My mother warned.

She only used my name like that when the lecture was loading 

"Mum, you asked four questions at once, pick one. Which do I answer?" 

Silence. And then that dangerous exhale I know too well.

And it clicked to me I'm resuming work today. Not just any work. It's the Voss Enterprises, The Most-feared company in the whole country after Dad's.

I moved quickly to my closest, wedging the phone between my left ear and shoulder. I yanked open the closet. Shirt, skirt, blazers stared right back at me like they were trying to judge my life choices.

"Start somewhere young lady, my temper is running thin" she said "And don't you dare leave anything out"

I ran my hand through the white plain shirts. "Nothing came over me mum, and it's true" I paused, "I applied. I got the job. I start work today—why are you stressed out about me working there? Is there something you aren't telling me?"

The line went so quiet I thought she'd hang up.

Dad and Mum have always told me to avoid the Voss company. No stated reason. Just warnings. But warnings aren't enough.

"Zara" Mum's voice came softly. "You are the heir to your father's company. So you would rather work for your father's rival than help your father's dying company that will eventually be yours"

I froze, my hand on a charcoal blazer. The memories of Dad promising Matthew the company hit me hard. 

"Cut me some slacks here." My hand curled into a fist on the blazer. "What happened to the precious son of dad, where is Matthew? Shouldn't he be the one to answer this question?"

That's what my father sees me as. The fixer. One that fixes all his mess. While his precious son does nothing but wait to be made CEO like father once said. Now he wants the Fixer.

I'm not fixing this particular mess. He created this mess and he should find a way out.

"But you are the one with the brain, Matthew isn't that smart...Zara, the company is going down day by day. We need you, your father needs you, the company needs you"

Right. They need me whenever there is a mess. But this particular mess, I refuse to be the solver of it. I don't even know how.

"I'm gonna be late for work, see ya later and no I'll not be coming over after work" I said replying to her unasked question.

Silence followed. I wasn't worried about that right now.

"Bye Mrs. Langford, I love you so much" I quickly hung up before she said anything 

I threw the phone back on the bed. and my eyes came in contact with the wall clock and they almost bugged out... 

Great. I'll definitely be late.

Sudden Flashes of Declan yelling at me for being late on the first day, made me sprint to the bathroom.

Not ready to be bitten by the Lion yet.

★★★★

    Declan Voss

I enter the elevator on the thirty-eighth floor. The doors close gradually. Suddenly, I hear hurried footsteps behind me. I turned. Someone enters hastily. The collision causes me to stumble forward with the person's hand circling around my neck. At that moment, the elevator doors closed with a click.

The familiar, addictive smell, of that clean perfume filled my nostrils. My eyes went down to the hand on my neck. 

My brain registered one name instantly. Zara. The urge to shove her away flashed through my mind, but I brushed it aside.

I cleared my throat. "Get your fu*king hands off me" it came out colder than I intended.

I can't be seen in the position with her. What will people think? 

No, what will be written in tomorrow’s news headline. 

*‘Declan Voss caught smooching the Langford daughter.’*

*’ Voss's secret elevator romance with Zara Langford.’*

*’38 years old billionaire CEO, Declan Voss decided to give love a chance with a younger woman.’*

Those ridiculous headlines will surely not be forgotten easily.

"I'm ...I'm... sorry" she stammered, trying to balance the stack of files my secretary had handed her with her hand still glued on my neck.

" I was running late" Her hand finally left my neck. She lifted her head. Her eyes meet mine and I swear, I saw a flash of shock spread across them and disappear almost immediately.

"M...Mr. Voss" She staggered backward, her heels gave way and I quickly grabbed her waist pulling her back against my chest. The files slipped from her hand and scattered across the elevator floor.

She bent down, hurriedly picking up the scattered documents all over. 

The elevator door opened with a soft click and I stepped out without sparing her another glance. 

I could feel her eyes on me. A cold smile formed on my lips.

It really is going to be a long day. Yes, long day tormenting my tough rival's daughter. 

She was late. I'll start from there. 

Let's see how long you can keep up, Zara.