Chapter 04

ZARA was about to enter the passcode when the door sprung open, causing her head to bump against it. She swore loudly, rubbing her forehead with a small wince. She glanced up, feeling annoyed. She was expecting to see Kestrel but was surprised to see a woman instead.

    “Oh, sorry,” the woman said, smiling with saccharine sweetness. “I didn’t know there was someone on the other side when I opened the door.”

    Confusion crossed her features. “I…” For a moment, she wondered if she got the wrong unit. Then she heard a familiar voice.

    “Why are you just standing there? Are you still not going to leave?”

    It was Kestrel.

    “Well, there’s no need to rush, honey,” the woman replied, her intense gaze fixed on her. She then eyed her up and down. Her lips twisted into a wry smile. “You must be the new maid?” Her tone was belittling.

    Zara raised an eyebrow instead and said nothing.

    The woman shook her head with a soft chuckle. “I’ll take my leave now.” She flipped her long black hair behind her shoulder as she walked past her.

    Her eyes followed the woman until she turned around a corner and completely disappeared from her sight. She opened the door and went inside.

    “I thought I got the wrong unit,” she started. “That woman… is she your girlfriend?”

    Kestrel narrowed his eyes and glowered at her. “I think that’s none of your business,” he replied coldly. “Just do what you’re supposed to do and stop prying.” He picked up the newspaper on the center table and settled into the couch.

    She glared at him, both hands on her hips. “I’m not a nosy person,” she retorted. She was… she was just curious.

    He glanced up and stared at her with cold eyes. She searched his features, wondering if there was anything at all behind that impassive face.

    “I don’t think I’m paying you just to stand there.”

    She forced a smile. “Yes, Sir. I’ll start working then,” she said through clenched teeth.

    Why did it seem that every word that came out of that man’s mouth sounded like an insult to her? It’s not as if she wanted to work here. She had a degree in business administration but because she just got out of prison, employers were hesitating to accept her. She had no choice. She didn’t want to be a burden anymore to her Aunt Livvie.

    She gave him a quick sidelong glance. He looked composed as he sat there on the couch, reading the newspaper he was holding. She turned away with a snort. She wondered if Elise did also have a hard time working with this jerk.

ZARA LET out a long agonized sigh. She was on her way home now and was too exhausted. If only she could teleport straight to her house, she’d do it. Doing chores wasn’t taxing but it was actually how to deal with her boss. She couldn’t focus the whole day as she could feel his gaze following her every move. If she asked him if there was something he needed, he’d say nothing. It was frustrating. 

    And from time to time, she’d see him frowning at her as if she had made a mistake. Well, did she? As if she’d make a mistake in simply doing chores. Heck, she could even clean his house with her eyes closed.

    “Well, at least I could only see him twice in a week,” she mumbled. And she was truly grateful for that.

    “Oh, is that you, Zara?”

    She stopped; a frown crossed her brow. It was Janice, her neighbor. Her house was just a few blocks away from hers. But somehow Janice just came out of Reynold’s house and she seemed a bit flustered.

    “Hello,” she greeted indifferently. 

    “Are you going home?”

    Zara almost rolled her eyes. Isn’t that obvious, she thought. It was already evening. Where was she supposed to go at this hour?

    “Are you still looking for a job?”

    “How did you…” she trailed off as she noticed Janice’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

    She pursed her lips and her face darkened. Janice was, if she was right, was of the same age as her Aunt Livvie. If not, probably a few years younger. But she didn’t like her. Janice loved gossip. She liked to pry into the private affairs of others.

    “I heard it from your aunt,” Janice continued when she didn’t speak. “I didn’t know that you were already out of the prison not until I saw you the other day.”

    A smile plastered across her face. How long do I need to listen to this bullshit, she thought to herself.

    “It must be hard, eh?”

    Her hypocrisy was making her sick.

    “I mean, honestly, even I would have a doubt accepting someone who was once convicted. What had gotten into your head that night, Zara? Never would I have—”

    “Look,” she said, cutting her off. She already had enough. “If you have nothing good to say, I think it’ll be better to shut your mouth.”

    Janice stared at her, mouth agape. She looked slightly taken aback. Janice was probably not expecting that she would talk back like that to her. As if she’d let this woman talk shit about her.

    “Wow, you seriously have a horrible attitude,” Janice replied with a sneer.

    Zara shrugged her shoulders. “My attitude is based on how you treat me,” she countered. “Your words reek of hypocrisy that it makes me sick.”

    Janice’s eyes flared then narrowed. “You’re a murderer,” she hissed.

    A smug smile curled around her lips. “Then you should know well not to tick me off. Not unless—” She leaned into her ear and whispered—“You want the others to see your lifeless body lying around.”

    Janice looked at her, with the color draining from her face, and said, “I-I better go. I remember I still have something I need to do.”

    Zara couldn’t help but to laugh as she watched Janice leave in a hurry that the woman didn’t even dare to look back.

    Her breath escaped in an unexpected sigh. She couldn’t care less what others think of her. After all, her image was already tainted.