Chapter 7

Zaria 

“What…what did he say he wanted to see me for?” 

Sam fixes with a deadpanned look. "Take a guess, smart ass. What do you think? He knows about what happened four years ago. Mum told him the second he opened his eyes."

My eyes narrow at her. Is she really going to let our parents think that this is all my fault? that I

somehow caused this to happen because they already see me as a problematic person? 

“And what did you tell him?” I ask quietly.

“That you’ll fix all of this, of course. I also told him note to be too hard on you"

For a few moments, I just stay silent, watching my sister and shaking my head slowly in disbelief.

 Ever since we were younger, Sam had no problem with making me take all the blame if we did something bad together. Sometimes, she'd even have me lie on her behalf if she did something bad. I never saw it as a problem those times because we were kids and Sam has always been my best friend and sister. 

But we're grown up now. It's no longer the same. I love Samantha to death but it's time I admitted to myself that my sister could be selfish and inconsiderate sometimes, and I need to stand up for myself.

 Sam watches me warily as if she can tell what is going on in my head. 

"You…you won't tell daddy I'm lying, will you?" she asks in that tiny, coercive voice of hers that I usually can’t refuse. 

“I’ll just find a way to explain to him that it’s neither our fault.” 

Sam squeals excitedly and pulls me in a tight hug. I roll my eyes even as I feel my lips involuntarily pull up in a smile. 

“Okay, you get in there girl.” I take a deep breath and step forward when she stops me. “Oh, and… is there something wrong between you and Joe? He’s called me a dozen times and asked for you. I told him you’d call him back though.” 

That fucking bastard. He still has the guts to call my sister after I caught him cheating on me?? I release a frustrated breath, trying to control my anger. 

 “Don’t pick up his calls anymore, and block his number.” I tell Sam, my voice hard. 

“What? Why? Did you two have a fight?” 

 "I broke up with him. I'll tell you all about it later, Sam. Let me talk to dad first."

"What? break up? Why? Zaria I've told you to be patient with your man. He loves you very much and I wouldn't want you to lose such a good man like—" 

"I caught him cheating on me!" I exclaim, interrupting her. Sam stares at me in shock, her mouthing forming an O.

 "I caught him red handed, you know? And the lady he was with insulted and humiliated me for being there for him. So no, this isn't about patience like you always say. Joe is a rotten, lying and cheap betrayer and he's old news."

Sam stays silent for a moment as she watches me with an expression that I can only describe as pity. I hate being pitied.

"I understand you're hurt, Z. But don't you love him? Maybe you guys will find a way to work things out? Please, I love you both as a couple. Maybe you should hear him out just once, babe. I don't want you to regret not giving him a slight chance to explain himself." 

Is she serious right now? I can't believe she's still defending my ex after all I just told her. 

"I really don't want to talk about this anymore. lets just..."

"Zaria! Did Sam not tell you that your father requested your presence at once? Why are you still out there?" I turn to see my step-mom standing outside the door to dad’s room, giving me a disapproving look. 

"I'm sorry, I was just telling Sam something really important. I'm coming now." I look at my sister as I silently tell her; we're done with this conversation. 

She gives me a look in return that says: No, we're not' 

I sigh and make my way to dad's room with Sam following behind and whispering, ‘you got this, girl’

The moment I step in, my stomach drops when I spot my father sitting on the bed and glaring vehemently at me. Fuck, he looks extremely furious. My hands feel clammy as I walk forward, plastering a fake and nervous smile on my face.

"Hi dad, I'm so glad you're awake! How do you feel?" Dad snorts and shakes his head. 

"How do you think I feel? After learning that the man you so foolishly insulted years ago is back for revenge and has taken nearly everything from me, all because of you. How do you think I feel?!" His voice booms so loud in the room that I flinch. His face is red with rage and his eyes are bloodshot and he looks extremely furious right now. 

"Dave, darling. Remember your blood pressure, please don't raise your voice too much. " Anita says softly, patting her husband's chest as she tries to calm him down, but my father doesn't budge. 

"How can I be calm? Don't you see we are destroyed? The company was my only insured asset! Everything else is tied to the income we derive from the company. If I lose it, I lose everything! That means no money, no shopping allowance for you and your daughter too!” 

The way Anita and Samantha’s terrified gasps immediately fill up the room makes me almost roll my eyes. They’re so dramatic. 

“Well, Zaria will not let that happen. She’s going to fix this mess she created. Won’t you Zaria?” Anita raises her eyebrow at me, challenging me. I open my mouth to answer but Sam beats me to it. 

“We’ll both fix it mum, I’ll try to talk to Tristan since he is my ex. I’m certain he still has a soft spot for me like he did those years ago.” 

We all look at her in silence before dad clears his throat. “Getting married or having a child for him would’ve been the best way to secure our company, but how do you know he still wants to talk to you? A man that destroys another man’s legacy does not care about feelings or second chances. I can’t depend on you to fix this for us, my dear Samantha.”

My chest tightens as I see the way my father’s eyes soften when he talks to my sister. I wish he’d look at me like that one day. 

If only. 

That softness in his gaze evaporates when he whips his head to me. He fixes me with a cold stare but at least he doesn’t look furious anymore. I release a breath I don’t know I was holding in. 

“So…” Dad continues, still looking at me. “That leaves us with another option.” he says, watching me carefully. “Zaria, you have to find a way to get the support of the major shareholders. If they agree to sell me their shares, we might have a chance to fight back against that tyrant.”

My stomach drops. “But dad, there’s no way they’ll just agree to share their shares with no profit in it for them. How am I supposed to make that happen?”

Dad’s gaze turns dark with fury in an instant. “I don’t care how you do it! You will find a way, you hear me?! Ugh, this is why I should have had a son. You keep saying you want to take after my legacy, but all you’ve done is ruin it!” 

Tears burn the back of my eyes as his harsh words bite my skin. I look down in shame and defeat, unable to say anything anymore. It hurts whenever my father fails to appreciate my efforts and instead, crucifies me for my mistakes. 

Will he ever appreciate me and be proud of me? 

“Oh come on, Dave. Don’t be too hard on your daughter. You know she regrets her actions and is trying her best for you.” Anita’s gentle voice breaks through the awkward silence. I smile at her gratefully for at least defending me. 

“Besides, I have an idea of how Zaria can make this work.” Anita smiles at me. 

Wait…what idea could she have?

 As if reading the question on my face, she answers. “I was thinking… Zaria could marry one of the investors. Mr Williams once expressed interest in her is it not? If she marries him, we’ll have one of the biggest investors on our side.” 

I completely freeze. No. No. She cannot be serious. She’s definitely joking right now. The way she stares at me shows she’s actually serious. I blink repeatedly, hoping this is just some weird dream, but it’s not. 

 “Hmm…yes…this is a good idea my dear,” My father replies, shaking his head. “Zaria will marry Rupert Williams and…”

 “You both can’t be serious about this! I will not marry a fifty-three year old man that—”

“SHUT UP THIS INSTANT!!” My father roars in my face. I can’t hold the tears in anymore. One slips out, followed by another, then another. 

“You will marry him and that’s final. Better hope that he’s willing to take you. If you don’t make this happen, consider yourself disowned, you hear me?” 

My pulse roars as I open my mouth to answer, already feeling defeated. But before I can answer, the sound of the door being opened stops me.

“You’re a really stupid man if you think I’ll let you pawn off your daughter to the highest bidder for power, David Buckley.”

If I wasn’t sitting down, I would have definitely collapsed after hearing the deep rumble of Tristan King’s unmistakable voice. 

Sam jumps up, gasping as she gazes at him. But he’s not looking at her, he’s looking at me. 

And the look on his face promises destruction. And I’m at the forefront of it.

Oh God.