CHAPTER 6: Cease being a Langford.

Declan Voss

“No Zara… I don't need an escort. Be… my date”

The office fell silent.

She turned to the left, to the right, and then to the back. Her eyes returned to me.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

My heart wouldn't stop beating against my chest. My folded palms became sweaty.

“I... sh… should be your date?” she stammered.

“Yes,” I said, turning to the folder piled up on my desk. I picked up a file and pretended to read it. “For three days,” I added

If there is one thing that doesn't go down well with me, it is being told no for an answer. And with the look in her eyes, I'm going to be told a No.

“Are you going to say something or have you suddenly gone dumb?” I asked. My eyes searched hers.

“That wasn't part of the contract I signed” she said flatly— with a look in her eyes that says ‘this is ridiculous’

She is right. This wasn't written in the contract that the HR emailed her.

“I will pay you, Zara,” I said, dropping the file. Locking my eyes with hers, I said, “You can just say no, and we will pretend we never had this conversation.” I rose to my feet, ignoring her hot gaze on me.

★★★

Zara Langford

What the hell!

Declan Voss wants me to be his date for three days!

This is a lifetime opportunity, a lot of girls out there would kill to be in my position.

And the asshole was even going to pay.

“You are going to pay?” I asked again to be sure I heard right.

He picked up his phone and turned to me. “Yes, half of what you earn in a month”

Wow! What a nice deal. There is no way in hell I would be saying no to this kind of offer.

Would I be paid half of my monthly salary for being just a three-day date?

Fuck yes! I'm in.

“Deal,” I half smiled, trying to conceal my excitement from appearing on my face.

Declan rounded the table. Came to where I stood and whispered in my ears. “Make sure you dress like a date…” he pulled back ”I’ll email the details of the deal to you” He said and walked out of the office leaving me to my pounding heart.

For one, I know being his date for three days would be traumatizing, but who am I to say no to a cash deal?

Mum would definitely have my head if she heard about this.

★★★★

I exhaled deeply as I walked into the restaurant.

A dinner night with my family. I can already feel that this date won't turn out well and I have a flight to catch tomorrow morning.

I'm here because of mum, and nothing else.

Hopefully.

My eyes scanned around the tables, and I caught a glimpse of Mum's blonde hair held in a ponytail. There they are!

God, help me to keep my emotions in check tonight.

I walked towards their table, praying silently as my eyes met with Dad's.

I grinned, walking over to mum, with my chin held high.

Sorry, but I'm not gonna be giving in to your wish tonight. I could feel the drama loading.

“Hi, Mom,” I pecked her cheek as I sat beside her, ignoring Matthew who was opposite me.

“My baby!” She said excitement dripped from her voice. pushing a plate to me. “You made it, Victor… I told you she would make it”

Yeah, right. I made it because I'm here to tell this bastard that I will be going on a business trip with the person he hates the most.

Dad picked a glass of water ignoring Mum's excitement. I could still feel his eyes on me as I dished rice into my plate.

He has a lot to say, but doesn't know how. Sorry man… I laughed inwardly.

I scooped rice into my mouth, turning to Matthew. “How is life as the board chairman of the Langford City dude?” I said with a side smile.

I didn't fail to notice how his grip tightened on his fork. And dad's gaze became more piercing by the second.

If looks could kill, I'd definitely be six feet beneath.

“Mind… your… damn… fucking business, Zara” he said through clenched teeth. “You walked away when it mattered. Don't pretend you're still one of us”

A laugh bubbled out of me, and everyone in the restaurant turned to our table.

He sounds pained…. Oof! I feel for him.

I dropped my spoon, avoiding mum's eyes. I looked at Dad, then at Matthew, and back at Dad.

“I'm no longer a part of Langford City?” I asked with a raised brow. My elbows on the table. “ Then why am I here?”

Mum pinched me from below the table. I turned to her pleading eyes.

“Zara, not now” she pointed at the food “After dinner, no business talk over dinner”

Not like I would be discussing business with these two suckers anyway.

I picked up my spoon. held dad’s eyes in a more intimidating way.

His silence was beginning to bore me. I want him to say something, anything.

Dad dropped his spoon, took a sip of his water, and folded his palms on the table.

“Zara, we need to… talk” Dad cleared his throat “Please,” He added, his eyes lowering to his plate.

Screw me! He said please! He fucking said the word ‘please’.

“Go on sir, what do we need to talk about?” I asked.

Dad looked up at Matthew, Mom, and then his eyes returned to mine and my smirk deepened even more.

He shook his head, “In private… Let's talk outside”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Tilted my head to the side. “Why outside and not here?” I gestured to the table.

“Zara!” Matthew hit his fist on the table drawing more attention to our table.

Some people started whispering, but they dared not say it out loud.

“Is that the Langfords? “

“What is going on over there?”

“Victor seemed stressed out, what could be going on”

I leaned towards Matthew. My voice is low but sharp.

“Shut the fuck up! Don't you ever in your miserable life call my name with such disrespect!” I pointed my index finger at him.

“Zara, can you both stop this… right now!” Mom said, wiping invisible beads of sweat away from her face.

I exhaled deeply…my eyes shooting daggers at Matthew. I wanted nothing more than to show this asshole how to have manners.

He really lacks them.

“Fine.. but you should also warn this brat over here” I said with an eye roll.

I turned to Dad. My voice lowered into a whisper.” Say whatever you have to say to here and now, Sir Langford”

I lowered my eyes to my wrist watch “I don't have all day, I have a flight to catch at six tomorrow morning” I said without looking at any of their faces. Took a hand wipe and wiped my face with it.

I don't need to look at their faces to know what expression they had on them.

“What did you just say?” Dad asked in a voice coming colder than I'd imagined.

Yes! Just the reaction I was expecting from him.

“I have a flight to catch tomorrow with my boss” I held his gaze and said, “You got a problem with that, sir?” I asked my brow, arching upward.

He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out and he closed it right back.

“No, Zara, No!” Mom exclaimed “Going on a business trip with Declan and your father has a contract to sign in two days?”

I scoffed” Do I look like I fucking care, Mum… I mean, what do you have Matthew for? He is the next CEO, remember?” I said, giving Dad a knowing look.

You haven't seen anything. I turned to Matthew. His hands were clenched up in a tight fist. But he knew better than to make a sound.

“Zara, please… help the company, just this once” Dad tried reaching for my hands but I moved them before he touched them.

“Zara honey” Mom held my hands and in that moment I regretted sitting close to her. “Cancel the flight. Resign and come back to Langford City” She squeezed my hand.

Mum knows how to get to my weak point. But her tactics definitely won't be working tonight.

Don't even think about trying that now, Mum. I refuse to be manipulated.

I released my hands from her grip. And chuckled softly. I looked at the man I called my father and his son and laughter bubbled out of me.

This is ridiculous!

How in hell do I cancel a flight that comes with a cherry on top? Absolutely no way.

“Hold up!” I held up a finger “You want me to resign?” I asked. Mum and Dad nodded.

“For what reasons exactly?”

“Zara, I am your father… You working for Declan was already a blow to my face… and now you are going on a business trip with him when my company has a deal to sign in two days!” Dad exploded, his eyes darkened.

My eyes rolled on their own accord. Like I care if you have a deal.

To think I'm here because Mum made me stay this long.

“You are cancelling that trip and not only that, you are resigning as well, else…” he said looking right into my eyes.

“Else what?” I replied. Leaning closer.

His voice dropped to a whisper, colder this time. “You will cease being a Langford…”