Chapter 6: His Game

Kanya's POV 

The room erupted into polite applause. The sound felt like a physical weight pressing against my eardrums. I stood perfectly still, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. Zane didn't break eye contact as he pulled away from Sydney’s lips. He looked satisfied. 

"To celebrate," Zane said, his voice booming over the lobby, "lunch is on me today. There is a full spread being set up in the breakroom. Please, help yourselves." 

The crowd began to move. I stayed rooted to the spot. The whispers started almost immediately. I didn't need to hear my name to know they were talking about me. 

"Can you believe it?" one woman from marketing whispered to her friend. "Engaged already. And a baby on the way." 

"She is so lucky," the other replied. "I guess when you know, you know. It’s funny, though. He was with the other one for three years and never even gave her a ring. I guess he just didn't want to marry her." 

The words felt like physical blows. Taylor appeared at my side, her face pale with anger. "Don't listen to them," she hissed, her voice low but sharp. "They’re just jealous. Half the women in this room spent three years wishing they were in your shoes. They were envious of you then, and they're even more bitter now." 

I looked at the crowd, seeing the sharp glints in their eyes. They weren't just gossiping; they were enjoying the fall. 

"They've always wanted to see you fail," Taylor added, grabbing my arm. "Come on. You need a minute." 

She dragged me into the restroom and locked the door. I leaned against the sink, staring at the woman in the mirror. 

"He is doing this on purpose," Taylor said. "He is trying to break you so you'll quit. Don't let him see you cry." 

"I'm not crying," I said. My voice was flat. "I'm just... I'm tired." 

My pocket buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. I pulled out my phone, praying for a distraction, only to see Nana’s name on a FaceTime call. Of all the people to call me right now, it had to be her. 

"I can't answer this," I whispered. 

"You have to," Taylor reasoned. "If you don't, she'll know something is wrong." 

I took a deep breath, rubbed my cheeks to bring some color back, and hit accept. Nana’s face filled the screen. She was sitting on her porch back home. "Kanya, honey! I was just thinking about you. How is my favorite granddaughter?" 

"I'm good, Nana," I lied. "Just busy at work." 

"Is Zane there? Give that handsome man a hug for me. I was just telling the neighbors how lucky you are to have a man who looks after the whole family." 

"He's in a meeting, Nana." 

"Well, tell him thank you for the delivery," she said, beaming. "The new reclining chair arrived this morning. And he sent over those premium vitamins I like. He’s such a provider, Kanya. You hold onto that one." 

My heart stopped. "Zane sent you a chair? Today?" 

"And he sent Jayden a big box yesterday," Nana continued, oblivious. "Jayden! Come tell your sister what Zane sent!" 

My sixteen-year-old brother, Jayden Alexander Klopper, popped into the frame. He was wearing a new pair of expensive headphones around his neck. "Hey, Sis. Tell Zane thanks for the school fees top-up. He moved the money into my school account this morning. He told me to keep focused on my grades and not to worry about the rest." 

I felt dizzy. "He talked to you this morning, Jay?" 

"Yeah, he texted me early. Said he might be busy for a while but that I should call him if I need anything for soccer camp. He’s the best, man." 

"I am happy for you, Jay. Make sure you work hard so that money does not go to waste. I actually have a meeting starting this very second and I cannot be late. I love you both so much and I will call you tonight to hear more." 

Nana leaned her head back into the frame over Jayden’s shoulder. "Give Zane a kiss for me, Kanya!" 

I hung up. The phone felt hot in my hand. I looked at Taylor. "He’s still bankrolling Jayden’s life. He’s still talking to them like nothing changed." 

"He’s keeping them on his side so you look like the bad guy if you leave," Taylor pointed out, her voice tight. 

I stood there for a beat, the realization chilling me to the bone. Without saying a word, I turned and walked straight back to Zane’s office. 

Sydney was there. She was sitting in the chair I usually used when I took notes. She was looking at a magazine, her legs crossed elegantly. When she saw me, she smiled. It wasn't a mean smile. It was kind. 

"Oh, hello again," Sydney said. "I am so sorry I didn't get a chance to greet you earlier. Things were just so hectic with the announcement. Kanya, right? Zane said you're the best secretary he’s ever had. I hope we can be friends. I'm going to be around the office a lot more now." 

I looked at her and felt a sickening wave of conflict. I wanted to hate her. I wanted to see a villain in those soft eyes, but all I saw was a woman who looked genuinely happy. She was glowing with the kind of peace that only comes from thinking you are loved. She didn't know she was the other woman. She didn't know she was the wrecking ball that had just leveled my entire life. 

"Hello, Sydney," I said. My throat felt like it was full of glass. "I need a moment with Mr. Knight." 

"Of course. I will let you two get back to work," she said. She stood up, patted her small stomach, and walked out. 

Zane didn’t look up from his desk. He kept signing papers, ignoring me completely. 

"Why did you send Jayden money this morning? Why the gift for Nana?" I demanded. 

Zane didn't look up immediately. He finished his signature with a sharp flourish before meeting my eyes. "I don't recall asking for your permission to be generous, Kanya. I like your brother. I respect your grandmother. My issues with you don't involve them." 

"It involves everything! You can't fire me and then act like a big brother to him. You can't keep my family in the dark while you're standing in the lobby telling the world you're marrying someone else!" 

Zane stood up slowly, walking around the desk until he was inches from me. "Then tell them," he said quietly. "If you’re so worried about what I’m doing for your family, tell them the truth. Tell them I cheated. Tell them I’m a monster. Go ahead." 

"You know how much Nana loves you," I whispered. "This would break her." 

"Then let me handle it," he said. "I am taking care of them. That should be enough for you." 

He walked back to his desk. "The Paris trip is in three days. Sydney is coming. I need you to finalize the hotel suite and the dinner meetings. You need to be there to manage the schedule." 

"I'm not going," I said. "I can't watch you two for a week in a different country." 

"You had a chance to quit yesterday and you refused," Zane said. "Now, if you want to keep this job, you will get on that plane. You will sit at the meetings. You will handle the arrangements for my fiancée. If you can’t do that, then walk out that door right now and never come back." 

He was testing me. He wanted to see how much I could take before I snapped. 

"Is that what you want?" I asked. "To see me break?" 

"I want a secretary who does her work," he said. "Are you going to Paris, or are you quitting?"