Chapter 018
1519 Words
*VALERIE*
Of all the stupid things I have done, this topped the list. What was I thinking, throwing myself in between testesterone controlled men.
What if a punch had landed on my face and I ended up with a broken nose or worse , a black eye
As we walked towards Zachary's sleek Rolls Royce, I had a rethink.
I just declared support for Zachary publicly by stepping in front of him. Oh God.
I mentally groaned. That move definitely earned me tons of enemies I didn't plan on collecting, when all I wanted was to avoid the family drama. The board members were already against my marriage with Zachary and I just made it worse. I should have just sat through the meeting quietly.
I couldn't play both sides which meant I have to stick to a side. But why the hell did I choose Zachary? What if he ended up losing?
I shook my head. I have to find a way to get out of this situation. I have no plans in involving myself in their family politics and they were cousins? Strange, they could pass off as twins.
I sighed, watching Zachary slide behind the wheel like nothing had happened. Meanwhile, my brain was spiraling.
He has to win. I can't lose all I've worked for.
"Get in." His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I nodded and slid in stiffly.
I snapped the seat belt in place and leaned my head back against the seat ,closing my eyes. The interior of his car smelled like him.
Mixture of something woodsy and expensive.
I tried not to breathe too deeply but it clung to the leather seats. It was annoyingly distracting.
I opened my eyes when I heard ruffling sound.
Zachary reached over and opened the glove box, pulling out a small first aid kit.
I watched him take out an antiseptic and cotton wool.
He poured a little amount of antiseptic on the wool and tilted his chin, as he applied it on his jaw.
I watched him tend to his bruise and wondered why on earth I made such a reckless move. Because he reminded me of a baby bird and he was hiding so much behind his cold eyes. That was such a stupid reason.
He returned the antiseptic into the kit and returned the kit to the glove box, before snapping it shut.
"Don't do that again," He finally said, not meeting my gaze. His voice was firm. "That was stupid."
I scoffed. "You're welcome."
He ignored me as the car purred to life and slowly backed out of the driveway before pulling onto the main road.
Cars veered past as he stepped on the accelerator.
As I watched the sun set, something dropped to my mind. Why did Zachary react that way earlier?
"Zachary..." I started carefully, watching the muscles in his forearm flexing as he shifted gears. "What happened back there? Your hands. They trembled a lot and you panted like you couldn't breathe."
His jaw tensed, eyes fixed on the road ahead and for a moment, I thought he wasn't going to answer.
"Why? Desperately in need of something to use against me?" He asked coldly and his words stung more than I care to admit.
"No, I didn't — "
The words died in my throat when I noticed the look on his face. There it was again. His eyes glazed over, unfocused. Just like earlier in the boardroom. His face was a mask of anger and pain.
His knuckles tightened around the steering wheel almost turning white.
He overtook the car in front of us with a sharp swerve and I gripped the door handle instinctively.
I watched with fear as the speedometer crept past the speed limit.
"Zachary, slow down."
A truck came up suddenly in front of us and Zachary took a sharp turn.
"You're going to get us killed," I half yelled, my heart racing.
With Panic rising in my chest, I pushed the door handle but it didn't budge. It was locked.
I turned to Zachary and his eyes were still unfocused.
Oh my God. I'm going to die. Why did I open my big mouth?
"Zachary, I'm begging you. Slow down."
My finger clutched to the seat belt, heart hammering against my rib cage but he didn't respond.
A sharp pain shot through my head.
"Mummy, slow down." A little girl cried , trembling. Her tiny frame strapped into the backseat, her little fingers holding on the seatbelt.
"I'm trying , baby. I can't," The woman panicked, slamming her foot repeatedly on the brake pedal but it wasn't working.
Horns blared in a distance. Tires screeched.
Windscreens shattered. The little girl screamed.
My body jolted and I gasped for air. The space in the car suddenly felt too small. I felt bile climbing up my throat.
"Zachary," I shouted this time, throwing myself against the door. " Stop the car!"
That did it.
He slammed the brakes. The car screeched to a stop and the doors unlocked.
Without waiting for a second longer, I pushed the door open and stumbled out. Not minding that we were on the highway.
I barely made it a few steps before I bent over an open grass and threw up all my stomach contents until there was nothing left.
My body shook and my hair clung to my face.
My knees gave way and I sank to the ground.
I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to steady my breathing, but it came out in shaky gasps.
Behind me, I heard the car door shut and footsteps approaching.
But I didn't turn around.
"Valerie." His voice sounded distant.
I felt the warmth of his hand on my shoulder, the other gently cupping the back of my head.
"Hey, hey… you're okay. Just breathe."
I wanted to scream at him. Call him an asshole. But my lips quivered and I could only let out a weak mutter.
"Let go of me."
"I can't . I need to take you home." He took off his suit jacket and draped it over me but I shook it off.
"I'm not coming with you."
"Please. I promise that won't happen again," He said softly but I scooted away from him.
He exhaled loudly when I was reluctant to follow him.
He fished out his phone and dialed a number.
"I need you . Now."
That was all he said.
Few minutes later, a car pulled up in the dark and a man got out.
He was the same height as Zachary but with broader shoulders. His cropped hair shone under the darkness.
His eyes narrowed as he threw questioning glance our way.
He walked towards us and stopped in front of Zachary.
"Take her home," Zachary ordered and he nodded .
He stooped lower and pulled me up to my feet.
I should have protested that I wasn't going anywhere with this unfamiliar man. But I'll rather be with a stranger than be anywhere close to Zachary.
He picked up Zachary's jacket from the ground and draped it over me. This time, I didn't protest. Instead, I pulled the jacket tighter around me.
The man offered me a smile -a sharp contrast to his hard features - which I didn't return.
He led me slowly to his car, guiding my path.
Without a word, he pulled open the passenger door and I slid in, still shaken.
He shut the door , then walked around and got in behind the wheel.
The engine revved to life and he gave a nod in Zachary's direction before driving off.
I watched Zachary through the rearview mirror, his posture rigid until he disappeared from sight, swallowed by darkness.
The car pulled up at Zachary's Mansion and the man jumped out to open the door for me.
"Thank you," I muttered, my voice hoarse as I stepped out.
He gave a slight nod, then returned to the driver's seat and drove off, his car disappearing into the darkness.
The main door of the mansion swung open and Rosa came running in my direction.
Zachary might have informed her.
"Valerie!" she exclaimed, eyes scanning me from head to toe. "Are you alright? What happened?"
I ignored her questions and pitiful glance.
For now, my head throbbed and I needed rest.
My legs were stiff so I accepted her help as she reached for my arm and led me inside.
Later that night, I couldn't sleep and Zachary didn't return.
His room was opposite mine and I did not hear his door close that night.
I tossed and turned beneath the sheets.
I tried to close my eyes but I kept seeing flashbacks of that car crash.
Was that a memory about my mother?
I was told she died in a car accident but no one told me I was with her that night.
And what was that sharp pain? Was it because it was a painful memory?
Questions kept on swirling in my head and I know the best person to answer them.
My father.
- Writer
