Chapter 5

Ryker

No. That had to be a mistake. I didn't even know her until five years ago. How could she be in my memory, much more the one of me drowning?

A mistake. That was all it was.

I had just been thinking too much. Seeing her again after so long was messing with my mind.

Looking at the time on my phone, I saw that it was already time to prepare for work. I dragged myself out of the bed, determination filling me.

She didn't affect me. This was just a fluke.

I couldn't care less about Zerah.

….

3 WEEKS LATER

I was SEETHING.

Bringing Nathan and Geronimo Cooperation back to the main branch was a good thing and a strategic decision, one that I had absolutely stood by.

Now, I wanted to punch the wall.

It was all HER fault.

Ever since they arrived I would constantly come into the office and witness Zerah and Nathan together. Laughing and joking together in his office and even in the open. It was too familiar beyond the boundaries of boss and secretary.

Worst of all, I could see Nathan's obvious interest in her. He was barely hiding it and I couldn't tell if she was just oblivious or egging him on.

When it came to me, it was a complete contrast. She kept looking past me like I didn't exist and had never said a word to me. It was exactly what I wished for. Professional and distant.

I was SICK of it.

Anger rose in me anytime I saw them together. Yes, perhaps I had gone to the Geronimo branch more times than necessary to help them adjust to the move, but it irked me.

It's not jealousy, I reminded myself, it's concern.

Yes. The reason I was feeling this way was anger and concern towards Nathan. He was oblivious and she was seducing him for her ulterior motives.

No matter how much I repeated that it was hard to process when I arrived in the building to see her entering his office.

My fists clenched. It was evening, near closing. What was she going there for this time?

Suddenly the door banged open. Alarmed I found her rushing out of the office with her bag, she didn't seem to notice me as she moved past, running.

What the hell?

After entering Nathan's office, I didn't hesitate to ask.

“What happened to her?”

“She said she had to leave early. Family issues.” Nathan sighed, looking worried. My gut clenched at the thought. I didn't know she had family, then again I barely tried to know her.

After talking to Nathan I stepped out of his office when someone bumped into me.

What is going on?” I asked, recognizing the purse that belonged to Zerah.

“Miss Grayson forgot her purse. I was going to tell Mr Hail since he's close to her,” he murmured looking at her bag.

How careless.

My jaw clenched. It shouldn't matter. It didn't.

And yet…

I had no idea what possessed me to move on impulse as I grabbed the purse.

“I'll take it to her.” I said to the sputtering employee, “Get me her address.”

“I…Y-yes Mr Davidson.” the employee stuttered, looking bewildered at my words. It only served to irk me more.

As he dissapeared from my sight, I shut my eyes tightly, taking a deep breath. Whatever strange feelings I was having was going to end. And soon.

As for this moment of impulse, I would count it as doing a good feed for the day.

I arrived at her address by sundown, wondering what was wrong with me. I had no idea why I wanted to see her again. As I knocked on her door I composed myself just in time for it to open.

Her expression fell into surprise as she saw me and I couldn't help but look over at her. She looked so different with her hair down, free from her work clothes. She looked…

Scared?

“What are you doing here?” She asked, her voice an octave higher than normal. I could see the alarm on her face.

“You forgot this in the office.” I passed her the purse. I saw the realization come onto her face as she snatched it before glaring at me.

“Thank you, now leave.” she snapped and irritation swelled in me.

“Zerah-”

“Don't call me that! Leave now!”

“What the hell is wrong with-”

“Mom?”

I could have sworn her breath hitched right before footsteps came. From the open corner of the door two figures emerged and my world stopped.

Standing at the corner of the room were two little boys.

And they looked EXACTLY like ME.