A pawn in his dirty game

Chapter 021

*ZACHARY*

Sunlight streaked in through the blinds and I groaned, lifting a hand to shield my eyes from the rays.

"Wakey, wakey," An annoying voice cut through the air and it didn't take me a second to know who it belonged to. Ian. What was he doing in my room?

My head felt like it had been split into two and i rolled onto my bed or so I thought. I landed on the cold floor. The impact jolted me awake and I forced my eyes open.

I looked around and realized that I fell from the couch in my office. A dull ache throbbed in my neck. I must have fallen asleep here.

I rubbed my eyes and slowly sat , my body stiff from the awkward position I'd slept in last night.

In my peripheral vision, I noticed a shadow.

I lifted my head and squinted at the doorway.

I recognized the familiar silhouette. Ian was leaning against the door frame, mirth dancing in his eyes.

"How long have you been standing there?” I asked, my voice raspy.

"Long enough to see you fall off," he replied.

"And please don't talk, your breath stink."

He squeezed his face in disgust.

I breathe into my hand and sniffed, instantly regretting it. The foul stench of alcohol hit my nose. Did I really got drunk yesterday?

That would explain the splitting headache and my head feeling heavier than my body.

"Does it feel like your head is being split open with a sledgehammer?" He asked and folded his arm, amused.

I shot him a glare but it only worsened the throbbing in my head and I groaned.

He chuckled as he made his way to my desk.

He picked up a bottle of water and a packet of pills and walked towards me.

"Here," He said, holding them out .

I collected the pills from him wordlessly and popped them in my mouth before downing them with water.

I returned the bottled water to him and he placed it on my desk.

He watched silently as I stood up and walked towards my desk. I sank into my swivel chair and I reached for the files on my desk, flipping through them.

He scoffed loudly but I ignored him.

"Really? No thanks for taking Valerie home?"

" I'll take it that she got home safely," I said without lifting my head from the sea of files.

" Well, I did what you couldn't do so I at least deserve a thank you."

My hand froze and I shot him a look which he held defiantly.

I returned my attention to the paperwork, ignoring him.

I felt his presence in front of me and he snatched the file I was working on.

"Hey!" I snapped, feeling the throbbing ache in my neck again.

But he just merely grinned, waving the document in front of me.

"Looks like I finally got your attention."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaustion building up in my bones.

"I'm busy, Ian. I have no time for your games."

"Then do you have time for my questions since you have time to work?"

The crease in my forehead deepened.

" What questions?"

He leaned in, his expression hard and the playful glint in his eyes was gone.

"What happened last night?" He asked, quietly.

" Nothing happened," I replied, lowering my gaze.

" Nothing happened?"

His tone was sharp.

"But why was she shaking violently last night? Wait," His eyes widened. "Don't tell me you hurt her."

"I didn't!" My voice rose.

I could feel the veins in my neck bulging out and I forced myself to take a deep breath , trying to steady the storm brewing inside me.

"Look, Ian. I didn't hurt her," I said, calmly this time.

"It's just..the tremors, they've returned," I mumbled, sinking into my chair.

Ian's expression shifted instantly. "What? How?" he asked, stepping closer. "I thought they stopped." His brows pulled together in confusion and concern, searching my face for answers.

"I don't know. I almost got us killed last night."

I raked a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Ian's voice rose sharply. "Are you crazy? What were you thinking?"

I looked away, guilt gnawing at my insides. "I wasn’t thinking. That’s the problem."

He let out a harsh breath, pacing the room like he needed to burn off the anger. "You can’t afford to lose control like that, Zach. Not now. Not with everything going on."

"I know," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "But it’s like... it just took over. One second I was fine, and the next—"

I clenched my fists. "I couldn't breathe. I couldn’t even see straight."

Ian stopped pacing and stared at me, fire blazing in his eyes. "You need help. Real help."

I shook my head.

"No, it's risky. I’ll just take the pills."

Ian suddenly banged his hand on the desk with so much strength that the pen holder shook.

"Don't you get it?" he snapped, his voice thunderous. "The pills aren't working. You're losing control, Zachary. What if you hurt her?"

I clenched my jaw, meeting his furious gaze.

"I won't hurt her. I’ll make sure of it."

"And what if you can't?" he shot back, eyes burning. "Did you see how terrified she was?

I looked away, shame creeping up my spine.

He stepped in front of me , his expression softened as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You need to see a therapist."

I shook my head vehemently.

"I can't, what if words get out? I would lose everything."

He scoffed loudly. He let his hand drop from my shoulder and stepped back with a shake of head.

"You're so selfish."

My eyes narrowed.

"Since when did you start caring so much about Valerie, huh? Have you forgotten what she did?"

The anger flared in my chest, and before I could stop myself, I sprang up to my feet shoved him hard.

"I lost Anna because of her!"

Ian didn’t stumble. He just stared at me,

"But she didn't kill Anna. She only bullied her in highschool, which is wrong" He said calmly.

"We all have demons that we try to hide and Valerie is not exempted."

His voice softened.

"You aren't the only one hurting, Wellington."

I chuckled bitterly, staggering a bit.

" Whatever she's getting now, she deserved everyone of them and more."

I stepped closer to Ian, staring at him dead in the eyes.

"I would never hurt her but I will make sure she lose everything starting with her precious gallery."

He sighed deeply.

"She's already hurting—"

I didn't let him finish.

"Are you in love with her?" I asked coldly.

His brows furrowed.

"What? Why would you even think so?"

He answered, chuckling nervously.

" Because that would explain your concern for her," I answered.

His jaw tightened and his expression hardened.

" Wait, you think my concern stemmed out of love for her?"

I kept my eyes fixed on him.

"You didn't answer my question, Ian."

He exhaled sharply, taking a step back.

"No, but I don't hate her either."

My eyes narrowed at him.

"What—"

I paused when I heard shuffling at the door.

The door pushed open and it revealed a red head.