CHAPTER FIVE

ZALE POV

I raised my head when I heard a knock on the door. "Come in," I groaned, returning my gaze back to the laptop.

"Hello sir, I came to inform you that I'll be clocking out now," Evan, my secretary, announced.

"Why?" I hissed. Why would he clock out when it's not yet close of business?

I didn't get a response, so I looked at him, furrowing a brow.

"I.. I don't understand, sir," he murmured.

Why am I surrounded by dumb people lately? "What's the time Evan?"

I watched him check his wristwatch. "It's past 11 p.m" he said.

Wait, how? I've only done a small portion of my work. Turning on my phone, it was indeed twenty minutes past eleven.

"You can go," I grumbled, and he rushed out like I was about to hurt him or something.

I didn't know it was this late. After I returned from my parents’ house, I came directly to the office as I didn't see the need to drop by at home.

Shortly after I got to New York, mom blew up my phone with tons of calls and messages, so I had to switch it off.

I guess she wanted to scold me for leaving without her beloved daughter-in-law. Truth be told, I can't stand her.

Suddenly, it reoccurred to me that there would be an intruder in my house. I've always protected my peace. Now I feel it’s been snatched away from me.

I held my head groaning when a terrible migraine hit me. If I could have it my way, I'd pass the night here in my office, but my medications are at home, so yeah, I have to go back.

Soon, I drove into my garage and opened the main door. The living room was dimly lit, dead ass quiet. Typical of my house.

Deep down, I hoped she changed her mind and went somewhere else.

I loosened the knot of my tie and dumped my briefcase on the sofa. It has really been a long day. Walking into my wine cellar, I picked out the bottle of Chateau Margaux 1787 and a wine glass.

I sipped on my drink and walked back to the living room, when I heard a faint sound. That wasn't an animal sound. 

There's no way Nina is still around. The lamp suddenly turned on. Missing a step, I staggered backward that I almost fell on my butt. The glass slipped, shattering on the floor.

"Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," her annoying voice boomed.

I gritted my teeth. My knuckles cracked because of how tight I clenched my hands. I was trying to control myself.

"What the actual fuck is wrong with you?" I seethed.

Who would have known she was on the couch all this time? She knew when I entered, but didn't bother to stand up. Sneaky witch.

"I.. I am so sorry," she stood up, fixing her dress. "I dozed off waiting for you," she added, looking at me with those eyes that I hate.

"Did I ask you to stay up for me?" I stared at her, amused by her acting skills.

"No, but I just felt it wouldn't be nice going to bed without you being at home," she explained.

I nodded. Sitting down, I crossed my legs, folded my arms and bored holes into her eyes. She shifted uncomfortably, fidgeting with her hands.

That's right. If I'm not comfortable in my house, she won't know peace, either.

I cleared my throat, "you are not welcome here, but since you're already here, just stay out of my way. Stay away from me, as far away as possible. That will do us a lot of good."

"Since you don't know when to stop, I also don't know when to stop when I'm angry. So, to peaceful cohabitation, I'll give you my rules, which you must abide by," I growled, and she gulped.

My lips stretched into a sly smirk. "Do not touch anything. Enter any other room except where you are authorized to be, and that is the last room at the end of the hallway. Do not poke your nose into my business and lastly, feel free to date other men if you want. Just don't expect anything from me."

Her eyes popped out, and her jaw dropped. "Are... are you saying this is an open marriage?" She asked, dumbfounded.

I shrugged, "yes, I did"

She stared at me like I had gone crazy. Maybe that's right. Her presence suffocates.

Picking up my briefcase, I left her rooted. I guess her brain is taking a longer time to process my words.

Good thing I sent her far away from my room. But still I wasn't pleased. She's only been here for a few hours, yet her scent is already all over the place.

Such a nuisance.

I locked my door the minute I walked in and headed to the bathroom for a cold shower. After I was done, I got dressed and took my drugs.

I buried my face in my palms and screamed into it, before spinning my chair around as I closed my eyes, with my thoughts spiraling off.

"...can you believe the nerve of that boy?" she hissed.

"You mean Zale?" Another asked.

"Of course. You know his parents have been against our relationship because they feel like I'm not fit for their son, so I've been trying to get pregnant to lock him in," she said.

"Yeah. We know that"

"We've had sex countless times without protection when I'm ovulating. I've been calculative but nothing was happening. I thought I was the problem, but guess what?" She chuckled.

"The precious heir to the Rhode's wealth is the problem," she clapped her hand, laughing.

"Huh? Make us understand, girl," another with cracked voice chipped in.

She smirked, "Zale Rhode is impotent" and her minions gasped.

"He... can't impregnate a woman," she added, her voice laced with mockery.

.....

My eyes snapped open as I panted heavily, beads of sweat rolling down my face.

A reminder that women are cruel. Love doesn't exist.