NINE YEARS AGOZerah"Zerah Mikealson," the receptionist called.I blinked fast, startled out of my thoughts. I had been zoning out for a while, holding onto the resume in my lap like it was something sacred. I stood up quickly, nearly dropping my phone, and muttered a small thank you as I walked past the desk and went into the main office.The room was cold. The air conditioner was humming from the corner, and I had goosebumps all over my arms. The walls were plain gray with one cheap-looking painting of a city skyline, there was a small desk in the middle, papers stacked everywhere and a chipped mug filled with pens, and an older man with tired eyes looking straight at me."Have a seat," he said as he was already flipping through what I assumed was my file.I sat down, trying to sit straight and also trying not to fidget. I crossed my legs, then I uncrossed them, my palms were sweaty, but I rubbed them against my skirt and tried to calm down."So you’re here for the reporter spot?"
ZerahI didn’t wait to celebrate anything, as soon as I said what I came to say, I left the party without looking back, hailing a taxi.The second I stepped into the car, I leaned back and closed my eyes, my head felt full, like there were voices talking over each other in my mind. Everything about tonight. It was supposed to help, supposed to change something, and maybe it would. Maybe what I said would work.But my head wouldn’t shut up.What if it didn't? What if it backfired? What if everything I said ends up not working in his favour instead?I pressed my hand to my chest, frowning, why did that even matter? Why did I care so much if he still looked bad in the end? I kept telling myself that it was for my kids, I didn't want them getting caught up in a scandal relating to Ryker. I even told myself that it was more for Elena and less for Ryker but that was a lie, there I was, thinking about Ryker.Once, I'd spent a whole year of my life giving my best, trying to be the kind of wi
Zerah I faintly heard a scoff beside me before the irritating presence looming over me finally left. Kane took his place returning to the spot beside me. My jaw clenched as I looked at him, the words from before still racing in my mind. “You already know that James Robinson’s been funding some of the media.” I leaned in and spoke. Not a question, but a fact.“It's an open secret. Like I said though, I don't want anything to do with his money, so long as I can get the truth of his dealings.” he said. Ready to look away when I held him by his forearm.“What if I told you I had that kind of information?” I whispered. Immediately he tensed, freezing like a deer caught in the headlights. I released him and waited. After a brief moment Kane looked around, checking to confirm that nobody was listening, before he lowered his head, leaning in closer. “What are you getting at?” he asked, his voice lowered yet mixed with suspicion and urgency.“Can I trust you?” I asked in return.Inwardly I
Zerah“If looks could kill, that man would be a goner,” a voice said from behind me.I turned slowly. I was already annoyed and the unknown voice rife with smug arrogance irritated me further. I turned and found the man who it belonged to walking towards me and sure enough he held that look in his face.Great.I could see through his intentions clearly. It was one of THOSE kinds of people. The ones who flirted with every woman assuming that they somehow came to these events to get picked up. I didn't say anything as he came closer. He didn't look bad at all, clearly average in looks with a dressing that made him look like he belonged in this party. But none of that could faze me.“You’ve been staring at Mr. Robinson for a while now,” he said, smirking like he’d caught me in some illicit act. It only made my irritation grow. I folded my arms. “Why do you care who I’m watching?” I bit back,“I don't know. Just wondered why a beautiful lady like you would be staring at him like that. S
Zerah “There’s something I want to show you,” I said quietly. Before I could continue however, he seemed to notice something from the distance and stepped back. He turned to me with raised eyebrows. “Hold on a second,” he said, “There’s someone I need to talk to really quickly. I’ll be right back.” He turned away and walked off as though he'd found a jackpot. For a moment I stood frozen, glass in hand. My head was spinning, but there was no doubt. Was this really happening? I had met someone in less time than I expected that would help me. In a shorter time than I'd expected, I was getting somewhere. Time passed as I waited and I counted the minutes. The soft music and the laughter and chatter of the others roamed around me. more distant at the same time. Thankfully nobody came to approach me but I only felt myself grow more antsy. My legs were starting to ache from just standing in one spot, and my nerves were on edge. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, feeling
Zerah What the hell? Like a reflex, a wave of revulsion wracked me from the inside out. What was James Robinson doing here? I blinked, hard and frantic, hoping that I'd misheard. When I looked up at the stage again however , my belly churned. He came forward with a horrid proud smile on his rotund face. The way he shook hands with the announcer and grabbed the mic like he owned the whole damn room… It was really him. A scream built up in my throat. I wished I could let it out. More than that, I wanted to walk up that stage, snatch the mic from him and reveal his nature as a hypocrite and abuser in front of everyone. But I couldn't. I had to hold on, no matter how disgusted I felt. As the woman left, he was left alone on the podium. “Good evening, everyone.” He spoke, “First off, I want to say what an honor it is to be standing here. I didn’t expect to be invited, let alone as a special guest. I mean, it is truly an honour.” He laughed into the mic, and som