Chapter 6

Zaria

The look of hatred in Tristan King’s face is so potent that it feels like it’s burning me from inside out. I try to take in a deep breath, but it’s impossible. I force my body not to tremble in front of him even though I’m terrified by his words. Revenge. 

 Tristan King is back and he wants revenge. And I’m his main target. 

I stare at him in silence. His face is as hard as stone, dark hair styled and slicked in a way that makes it look magnetic. His grey eyes burn with anger and hatred for me, chiseled jaw clenched so tight I wonder if he won’t snap it into two.

I remember when I last laid eyes on him. That afternoon at the cafeteria before everything had gone up in flames. Even then I couldn’t deny how good looking he was. Then, he was younger and more like a normal guy but now… he looks menacing and way too good looking. 

He’s so tall that I have to raise my head up to meet his stare. Or glare, really. Maybe he expects me to cower because of his fearful gaze, but I’ll be damned if I do. What can he do to me that he hasn’t done already? Because of him, my father is in a critical condition and is about to lose his company. His legacy. My eyelids burn with unshed tears and I blink multiple times to stop the tears from falling. I’d rather die than let him think he has won. 

 An exasperated sigh escapes me. I’m tired of this… tense silence between us. 

 “I understand if you want to get back at me for…insulting you those years ago. But what did my family ever do to you for you to come after them? These are people’s livelihoods you’re destroying. You can’t be that cruel because of a silly fight that happened years ago?” 

 Tristan’s grey eyes blazes as he watches me silently for a moment before a small chuckle leaves him. He places his hands in his pockets and takes two steps forward. Now he’s so close that his scent threatens to drown my senses. 

My heart cuts in my throat. I try to stand my ground but it’s hard because of how huge and intimidating this man is. Was he this muscular and tall those years ago? I don’t think so. He seems to take up the whole room and it feels too suffocating.

 I eventually take a step back to give myself some space. His dark red lips tilt up in a smile and I can tell he’s pleased to know that he’s intimidating me. The bastard.

Wait, why the hell are you even noticing his red and dark lips, Zaria?

I shake my head vigorously to clear the wayward thoughts about this man that I absolutely loathe. He stops in front of me and leers down at me. 

 “Isn’t it ironic, the way you’re acting like an innocent little lamb now? You really thought your insolent attitude wouldn’t come back to bite you in the ass?” 

The way he says the last word makes me gulp and I look down, unable to maintain eye contact with him. I can’t believe that he’s this petty and cruel. 

“Look… I was only twenty one! I was young and carefree and I admit I went overboard. I shouldn’t have spoken to you the way I did, but that was all I did. It doesn’t warrant you harassing me and my family like this.” 

Tristan chuckles and leans down until his face is leveled with mine. I can see all the lines and creases on his handsome face. 

No. He’s not handsome, he’s just…okay. Get it together, Z.

“Is that all you did though?” He asks quietly, his eyes burning holes into me.

“What do you mean? Of course that’s all. Do you think I care about you? I totally forgot all about your existence after that day! I had no idea that you were waiting around in the corner like some obsessive ex, waiting to pounce on innocent people.” The moment the words slip past my lips, I silently wince, wishing I could take it back. I seriously need to work on controlling my anger and curbing my sharp tongue. 

Grandma always playfully told me she hoped it wouldn’t get me in trouble one day.

Tristan looks at me like he can’t believe I actually said all that to him. “Obsessive ex?” He repeats and throws his head back in a fit of laughter. “You really think the world revolves around you, don’t you? You’re nothing but a self centered, pathetic bitch and I will—“

He doesn’t get to finish because before I can stop myself from reacting, my left hand rises up to deliver a hot slap across his face. His head whips sideways from the force of my hit. 

A gasp escapes me. Oh my God. Did I just…slap Tristan King on the face? What the hell is wrong with me?! The silence that stretches between us is almost unbearable. My breath comes out in short pants as I take a step back. 

 “I…I shouldn't have—What” In a swift move, Tristan grabs ahold of my neck in a tight grip and slams me into the wall behind me. I gasp in shock and try to pull his hand off my neck. He’s squeezing so hard like he means to kill me. 

 “Tristan! Let…me…go!” I gasp, thrashing against him. But he doesn’t let me go. Instead, he leans into me until his frame touches mine. A shudder rips through my body as I feel every bit of his muscles against my skin.

His chest scrapes my breasts, making my nipple tighten into hard peaks, one of his legs is placed in between my trembling thighs and there’s absolutely no single breath of space between us. It’s like I don’t know where he ends and I begin. His nose is almost touching mine and I can feel every harsh breath from him as it fans my face. My stomach drops with a foreign sensation that I refuse to understand. 

His grip on my neck doesn’t loosen a fraction but instead of feeling terrified, I’m transfixed by him as I stare up at him, looking into his blazing eyes. 

What’s happening?

 I try to open my mouth to say something but I suddenly can’t form a word. My mouth is dry, I can’t breathe. And it’s not because of the animal that is choking the fuck out of me, it’s the proximity to him. The way his scent drifts into my nose is distracting and troubling. We stare into each other’s eyes like we’re hypnotized. A shiver works its way through me when he leans further in till I feel the brush of his lips on the shell of my ear.

“I’m going to let you off just this one time.” Tristan’s deep voice vibrates through my body and lands straight in my core, The hidden spot between my legs. 

No! No no no this can’t be happening! I can’t be attracted to this inhumane bastard! I place my hands on his chest and try to push him away, but he doesn’t budge. He just keeps me trapped in between him and the wall. Oh God, what do I do?

 “Stop fucking struggling and look at me!” He snaps, tightening his hold on my neck. I go still as I have no choice but to look up at him. 

“The next time you try to hit me, I will have you put behind bars and you will never see the light of the day until you die. Got it?” 

Oh God. He’s really threatening to imprison me. The tears I’ve been fighting so hard to keep at bay finally wins the fight as a single one drops on the left side of my face, followed by another on the right. 

Tristan grins as he takes in my state. His hand finally leaves my neck but only so that he can wipe the tears off my face. 

“That’s it. These tears belong to me. Your fear and sadness belong to me. Your body and soul belong to me. From now on, I’m the only one allowed to make you miserable. Do you understand?” 

“You…you’re a sadist…” I whisper shakily.

A small smile lifts his lips. “Oh, you have no idea. You fell into my trap four years ago and now I have you where I want you. At my mercy.” 

As more tears stream down my face, Tristan wipes at it and the next thing he does leaves me shocked and breathless. He swipes at my tears with his thumb, and then takes it to his mouth and licks my tears clean off his thumb. 

Oh my God. 

“Mine.” He repeats, emphasizing the word. 

“Yo, Trist. I have some information about—” We both sharply pull away at the sound of someone’s voice that interrupts the moment. Thank God for that. 

Judging by the surprised look on the man’s face as he looks between me and Tristan, I can tell that he caught us in a compromising position and my face heats up in embarrassment. He regards me for a moment before smiling and waving his hand at me. 

“Hello, Miss Zaria Buckley. I’m Shane McCall, Tristan’s friend and business associate.” 

 “H–Hi, Mr McCall. Nice to meet you. I–I was just leaving. Thank you for your time, Mr King.” I stutter and avoid looking at any of them as I hurry out of the office. 

 As soon as I stop out of the company building, my chest opens up and it suddenly feels like I can breathe again. I tap at my chest to reduce the racing in my heart. 

 God. What just happened? I shouldn’t have gone to see Tristan king like that. I only ended up making things worse. What will I tell Anita and Sam? And my dad? Oh fuck, this is messed up.

As soon as my uber arrives, I dive in and tell him to take me to the hospital. All the while, my mind is stuck on the moment with Tristan, just before his friend interrupted. If he hadn’t walked in then, what would have happened? Why did I suddenly lose my senses the moment he was near? Why did I freeze? 

“We’re here, ma’am.” The driver’s voice jolts me out of my thoughts. I quickly pay him and step out of the car before rushing into the hospital. As soon as I reach dad’s floor, I pause when I spot Sam standing by the door, hands on her hips. 

 “Sam?” I call her out. Her head whips towards me and she hurries towards me. Is something wrong? My heart cuts.

“What’s wrong? Is dad okay?” 

“Dad just woke up not too long.” 

“Oh, Thank God.” I heave a sigh of relief. I was scared for a moment.

“But he’s very upset right now,” Sam winces, looking at me. “And he’s asked to see you at once, Z.” 

Oh shit. I’m definitely in trouble. 

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