A Bet

“What's going on here?” Zavier’s sharp voice shattered the moment.

Zara jerked out of Ace’s hold, anger flooding her veins as she turned to face her brother.

Ace’s smirk widened, and without another word, he strode out of the room, his confidence maddening.

Even his back looked like him. But anyone with a broad back and shiny brown hair could pull that off—

“Zara, I…”

“Explain yourself, Zavier!” She snapped, turning her attention and anger to Zavier whose eyes were already darting around the room nervously.

“Zara… I-I messed up. Big time.”

Zavier’s voice was low, as he quickly moved to the window, yanking the blinds shut and paced around anxiously while Zara followed him with her gaze, anxiously waiting to hear just how much he messed up.

He stopped, resting both hands on the desk, his shoulders hunched as if he were carrying the whole world on his back. “Last year, Dad suddenly had to retire…” His words were clipped, hesitant, “I had a huge project at ByteHive and couldn’t focus on managing this place, so I hired an external manager to handle things.”

Zara leaned forward, her sharp gaze narrowing. “And?”

“It had to be him? Are you out of your goddammit mind?” Zara questioned, her voice rising.

“I didn’t know it was him, Zara!” Zavier shot back, his voice tinged with desperation. “That snake didn’t even use his real name. He went through a freelancing company. How was I supposed to know?”

“How could you not dig deeper?” Zara snapped, her voice laced with frustration.

“I know!” he shouted, slamming his fist against the desk. “Do you think I don’t know how badly I screwed up? That’s why I approved Ethan’s contract with ByteHive. I needed you back here. I couldn’t handle this alone.”

Zara’s lips parted, but no words came. The confession was just too heavy for her to handle.

Zavier let out a bitter laugh, running his hand through his hair. “ByteHive has been the Carter Realty Group's IT team for years. I didn't think he'd still want to steal something from us.” Zavier mumbled.

Before Archie’s accident.

Before the Quinns and Carters became enemies.

He was once Zara’s childhood best friend.

The same boy who used to pedal under the rain to sneak her to her ballet practice, who used to get into trouble with her.

Now just a ruthless 3rd generation CEO of the biggest Real Estate group in New York City.

Carter Realty.

And now he had his eyes set on their company.

“Why don’t you just fire him?” Zara questioned.

Zavier scratched his head and turned away, “We're binded by a contract. Paying for the breach of contract isn't the main problem, but the fact that he won the shareholders votes is.”

“Ever since he came, the company has been doing well financially and the shareholders think it's better to have him here until his contract is over. But now that you are here…you just have to prove to them you're capable of leading the company…”

“Why didn't you tell me earlier?” Zara interrupted.

Zavier grabbed her hands and made her face him up close, “I was worried you'd freak out and quit.”

“See? You did well today and the directors seem quite impressed. You just have to put in the work…and impress the shareholder by the end of his contract.” he explained.

Her hands curled into fists, “I can't let him stay here any longer,” she muttered, more to herself than to Zavier. Her voice was low but steady, as she affirmed. “I’ll chase him out of our company.”

“Zavier,” She called out, “Get someone to move my desk to his office.”

Zavier raised a brow, “What? Why? I already prepared a nice office for you.”

A sly smile danced on Zara's lips as she sat on the end of the table, “If I am going to beat him, I will need to see exactly how he works…up close.”

Zavier pressed his lip into a thin line, even though he doesn't exactly like her plans, he just nodded, “Fine. I will have that arranged.”

***

Zara sat on her new desk, scrolling through her laptop as she tried to catch up on news about Ace Carter.

Most of the articles were about his career achievements, but one caught her eyes.

An engagement article with Gina Bennet.

The name echoed in her mind like an unwanted melody.

Gina Bennett. Of course, it had to be her. The only person that came out of nowhere and ruined what was supposed to be the best part of her high school and social life.

Zara bit her lip, forcing a smile, “At least he didn't screw this one up.”

“What’s going on here?” Ace asked in disbelief as he walked into the office.

Zara forced a bright, unapologetic smile as she hurriedly slammed her laptop shut.

“Moved in, obviously.” She motioned for the handyman to leave. “Zavier didn’t tell you we’d be sharing an office?”

Ace leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his gaze cool and assessing. “What? Why?”

Zara’s grin widened as she settled into her seat. “You should take it up with my brother. I don’t report to you.”

Ace let out a soft chuckle, his lips curving into a smirk. “Suit yourself.”

Zara rolled her eyes as she opened her laptop, pretending to focus on her screen. But her eyes kept darting toward Ace, who had already returned to his work, completely unfazed by her presence.

The silence grew unbearable.

Eventually, she let out an expirated sigh as she rose to her feet and walked up to him.

“Umm…about the Fernandez Project. Is the budget ready?” Zara faked a cough, hoping to catch his attention.

Ace didn’t flinch, his focus glued to his laptop.

“Ace!” she snapped, slamming her hand on the desk.

Ace’s pen paused mid-stroke, and for a brief second, his lips curved into the faintest smirk. He raised his gaze slowly, his sharp brown eyes locking onto hers. “Oh, me? I thought you were talking to Zavier. You know, the one you report to?”

Zara’s jaw tightened as her nails dug into her palms. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet, here we are.” Ace gestured at the office they now shared, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Zara exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Look, can you just answer?”

Ace leaned back, his lips twitching with amusement. “Ask nicely, and maybe I’ll answer.”

Zara closed her eyes for a moment, biting back a sharp retort. “Fine. Mr. Carter, is the budget ready?”

Ace rocked his chair lazily, letting the silence drag before answering. “No.”

“No?” she repeated, her voice rising.

“The pitch is just in a week and the design team isn’t even halfway done,” Ace replied with maddening calmness. “Worry about your department before poking your nose into mine.”

Zara’s eyes widened. “You didn’t think to tell me the project deadline is in two days?”

Ace smirked. “I just did.”

“Unbelievable!”

Zara glared at him, her frustration bubbling over.

But Ace couldn't care less.

Zara sighed, leaning back as she pressed a number on the landline.

“Transfer every document on the Fernandez Project design with you to me now.” she ordered before slamming the phone down, her eyes never leaving Ace.

Ace leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips, “You keep staring, can't get enough?”

Zara forced a loud, jarring laugh at his ridiculous statement, holding her stomach.

“Oh, God, you’re so funny…” her smile slowly disappeared as she added, “...I can't wait to send you out of my company,”

Ace wasn't furious. Instead, he tried to cover his face and sneak a laugh.

Zara caught him, and she frowned, “You must think I’m a joke?”

Ace shook his head, “No, I just think you are a big talker.”

“You—”

“I can make it easier for you.” He interrupted.

Zara raised a brow, not sure what he meant.

Ace stood up, a hand tucked in his pocket as he slowly walked towards her desk, “Let's have a bet.”

Zara's eyes widened, confusion etched in her brows.

Ace placed his hands on the desk, leaning closer until she could feel his breath on her face.

Zara's face turned pale, her breath quickening, until she couldn't tell it it was his pulse racing…or hers.

“A bet?” She swallowed, her voice came out softer than she wanted, almost a whisper. “What bet?”