LOGINThe words landed like a slap on Zara's cheeks, sharp and stinging.A ringing noise filled her ears, drowning out everything else. Her breath caught, her fingers tightening around the file so hard her knuckles turned white.Hot tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.Ethan was there. She remembered it so clearly—the hospital, the exhaustion, the moment the nurse had placed the papers in his hands.“He told me he signed them.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “He was right there. He told me he did it.”They were still very in love back then. Ethan wouldn't betray her like that, right? “In his defence, he was going to sign it. I stopped him.” Zara bit her lower lip hard, as she tried to hide her tears. He was capable enough to play two women at the same time. And yet the one time she desperately needed him to protect her, he failed.Her hate for Ethan deepened, but she didn't let that tears fall. Not for them. “So, are you ready to strike a deal?”
Zara managed to drive herself home that afternoon, visibly shaken and rattled. But the moment she reached the house, she forced herself to mask every trace of fear. Fortunately, when she returned home, they were all fast asleep, taking a nap. She freshened up, laid flat on her bed and tried to sleep but it was impossible. That amount of wealth…she’d only ever heard of it. Even if her family was worth that much, she had actually seen it. Knowing that kind of money can't be legal made her fear even more. She wanted to talk to someone. Zavier perhaps. But she didn't know how to even say it. She needed to sleep. But every time she closed her eyes, she saw the gold. Row after row. Not shining… choking her. Kaka’s face flashed in her mind, smiling, calm, hiding everything. When she couldn't handle it, she popped a sleeping pill, drifting away, hoping by the time she woke up, everything would just be a funny dream. *** FIVE HOURS LATER Zara's eyes fluttered open to
Zara swallowed hard, beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead as her eyes fixed on the gun. “I—I promise I’m not trespassing…” She stuttered, hands trembling, “M–my grandma owned this place and I—I inherited it…” she said carefully, hoping her confession didn't anger the man..Silence followed. The kind that made Zara wish she hadn't come here in the first place. Then the man slowly withdrew his gun, a big smile breaking across his lips. “Eloise, you’re all grown.” He said, moving closer in an attempt to hug her, but Zara instinctively took a step back. One minute he was after her life and the next he was acting all friendly? Not a chance! “I…you know me?” She stuttered. Wrong question because he obviously called her by her middle the way Kaka used to fondly call her. “It's me. Amos. Kaka’s driver.” “Ah…okay,” Zara faked a gasp even though he could barely remember him. She vaguely remembered Kaka had a younger driver but that was decades ago and she could barely put a face
Zara lifted her arms into first position, knees bending softly into a slow plié.Early morning yoga and ballet practice has become her daily go to ever since she visited Damien's studio the next day after their coffee date. From her first practice with him, she realized she'd forgotten a lot, but the one thing her body never forgot was standing on a foot. But this morning, her mind wasn’t in the movements. Her mind was occupied by Zavier's. “Hidden somewhere in the house?” she mumbled, breaking the pose mid-motion.“What on earth could be hidden in the house." she whispered under her breath, lowering herself onto her yoga mat. She rubbed at her calves, frustration weighing down her shoulders.“How am I supposed to deal with family secrets when I can’t even hold a plié?”The silence in the room answered her with more pressure. She took a breath and stared at the ceiling.“Why did I have to be your favourite grandchild, Kaka?” she wondered.A soft beep broke her thoughts.Her phone.
Zavier chuckled nervously, “It's probably nothing. I don't know.” He lied. But Zara didn't buy it, “I’m family too, okay! Why do they have to be a secret that I don't know about? First it was about the shady business within the company and now this?” “Am I even part of this family at all?” Zara lamented, hoping to guilt trip Zavier into telling the truth.For a moment it looked like it worked as Zavier sat deep on thought. “You're right.” He started serious, and Zara quickly leaned in curiously, “You're not part of this family. We found you in the trash can.” He burst out laughing, watching Zara's curiosity slowly melt into anger. “I hate you, Zavier.” she yelled at the top of her voice, yanking her phone from his hand.Zavier laughed even harder, “But I love you, my trash can sister.” Zara boiled with anger, grabbing her bag and stomping towards the door. Zavier swiftly picked up his phone and car key, rushing after her, “Wait up, I’m also going to the parking lot.” But Zara
Ethan's face fumed with fury, his hand trembling with anger as he reached to pull the panties off his face. “W–what are you doing here?” Zara stuttered, not sure what to say. Ethan scoffed, “I work here, remember?” “Uh…I'm sorry. I’m so sorry.” She apologised, grabbing the panties from his hand and hiding it behind her back. Ethan walked in fully, his brows still creased with anger, but this time, it was no longer because of the accident. “And why are you here? To mock me right?” Zara raised a brow, confused, “What are you…” “First you make your brother bring me here for a contract. Then you make him refuse to accept any of my proposals, and now you act clueless?” He interrupted sharply. “I have no idea what you are talking about,” Zara shook her head, attempting to walk back to her seat, but Ethan grabbed her arm, furiously pulling her back. “It's good you are here,” He spat between his teeth, “Now you are going to make sure he approves my proposal and funds my project as pl







