A pawn in his dirty game

Chapter 014

*VALERIE*

"Miss me?"

My head automatically lifted at the familiar voice from the doorway.

"Brenda!" I shrieked, excitement bubbling in my chest as my eyes landed on my best friend, standing right in front me.

I did a little run toward her and pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing her as if she might disappear if I let go. I closed my eyes, inhaling the comforting, familiar scent of her perfume — vanilla and something citrusy that always reminded me of home.

I felt her little laugh on my hair .

"You really missed me that much, huh?"

"I did". I nodded in agreement, letting her go before I squeeze life out of her.

"Are you busy?" She asked,tilting her head.

"No!" I blocked her view from the pile of paperwork on my desk. I have been busy with them since I clocked in. Now, it's time to take a break.

She eyes me suspiciously and I smiled sheepishly.

"Great,that means I have you all to myself," She said, rubbing her hands against each other.

I chuckled at her antics.

" You are glowing." I took a good look at her and she really was. Her skin has gotten tanned and her hair now has golden flecks.

"Right?" she beamed. "You too. I would’ve said marriage looks good on you, but unfortunately, I hate Zachary." She rolled her eyes dramatically.

" You hate Zachary? Since when?" I asked, half-laughing.

" Of course I do. Ever since he called you Ursula, a sea witch on a live show." she scoffed, hands on her hips.

I burst out laughing. "You’re still on that?"

"I might have forgiven him,” she said, lifting a brow with mock thoughtfulness, “if Ursula was beautiful. But she wasn’t." She continued.

"Then he went ahead and blackmailed you to marry him. He's not getting my forgiveness anytime soon," She added.

And just like that, my smile dropped

The air between us grew heavy. I looked away, suddenly too aware of the weight pressing on my chest. Brenda noticed immediately.

"Val…" she said gently, placing a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

"No, it’s okay," I interrupted, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

"You’re right. It’s just… everything’s a mess. And sometimes, I don’t even know how I got here."

She squeezed my arm reassuringly. "You’re here because you’ve always done what you had to, even when it wasn’t fair. And maybe Zachary forced your hand, but that doesn’t mean he gets to break you."

" Before he get to do that, I will cut off his balls," She threatened.

I laughed until I could feel tears at the corners of my eyes.

"You’re insane," I choked out, wiping the corners of my eyes.

She grinned, completely unbothered. "Insane? No. Just loyal. There’s a difference."

I shook my head, still smiling."God, I missed you."

Brenda’s expression softened. “I missed you too, V. I was scared leaving you behind after -you know, But now I’m back and I’m not going anywhere.”

The comfort of her words settled around me like a blanket. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe.

"Now," she clapped her hands suddenly, “tell me everything. And don’t you dare skip the juicy parts."

" But before then, I need to eat. I'm starving," She whined and her stomach growled, as if on cue.

I gave her a pointed look and She just casually shrugged, completely unapologetic.

"What? I came rushing down here from the airport to see you, without eating."

I chuckled."My apologies, Madamé. I'll buy you lunch to make up for it."

I gave her a mock bow and she grinned like she'd just won a prize.

"Accepted. I will never reject free food."

" There's a new restaurant downtown,want to check it out?" I asked.

"Are you kidding? Of course!" she beamed, looping her arm through mine.

"I just need to let Clara know I’ll be out."

"Oh, sure." She released my arm with a little bounce.

I walked over and pressed the intercom. Clara answered on the second ring.

"Clara?"

"Yes, ma'am," came her calm voice.

"Clear out my schedule. I'll be out for the day."

"Of course, ma'am," Clara replied promptly. "Should I inform the Chairman as well?"

My jaw tightened at the mention of my father. "No," I said a little too quickly. "That won’t be necessary."

There was a slight pause before Clara answered, "Very well."

I ended the call and turned back to Brenda, who was watching me with raised brows.

"So?" she asked, clearly amused.

I grabbed my purse. "Let's go"

She fist bumped the air. "Yes!"

I laughed as we headed out. Just the distraction I needed. Today, I would forget.

At least for a few hours.

__________

I didn't forget. Thoughts of Zachary swirled in my mind as I watched Brenda gobble down the food in front her, completely oblivious.

I managed to eat only a spoonful before losing my appetite. The food tasted like ash and my stomach couldn't keep anything down.

"Moyei lyubovnitse," I muttered under my breath. These words kept coming back to me, no matter how hard I try to shake it off.

Brenda paused and squinted at me.

"What?" She asked. I almost shook my head to brush it off but then it clicked. Brenda took linguistics as a major in college so she might know what that word mean.

" So, quick question." I shifted in my seat.

She bobbed her head for me to continue as she chewed her food.

" There's this acquaintance of mine who is married. She discovered a painting of a woman in her husband's house with the inscription; Moyei lyubovnitse, Anna."

She began munching slowly, her eyes studied me.

"Do you know what that means?" I asked, shifting uncomfortably.

She stopped staring and took a huge gulp from her glass of water before setting it down.

"By any chance, is that acquaintance of yours married to man with ocean blue eyes, standing at six feet, named Zachary wellington?"

"N... No, I didn't." I spluttered.

"When you lie, you avoid eye contact." She said as a matter of fact.

"Oh."

" Does Zachary has a secret lover?" She asked, her expression hard.

" I don't know, why?" I asked, my eyebrows raised.

"That phrase is Russian and it's used for a female lover," She explained.

My breath hitched. Just as I suspected, Zachary was in love with that woman. But why did I feel a slight dip in my chest.

Zachary means nothing to me at all.

If he was in love with that woman, why did he blackmail me to marry him.

"So, Anna is her name?"

I nodded in response.

"Why did he blackmail you to marry him?"She asked.

" I don't know," I muttered, feeling stupid as those words left my lips.

" You didn't find out?"

I shook my head, "I didn't."

She exhaled out loud and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"What will I do with you, Valerie?"

My eyes welled up with tears. How could I be so foolish?

" You know what? I have a contact of a private investigator. We need to find out who this Anna is and whether she's still in his life."

I nodded, barely able to speak and she fished out her phone from purse.

" Thank you, Brenda. I owe you."

She reached across the table and clasped my hand with her free one.

"There’s no debt between us," she said firmly. "Never."

" Valerie, it's so nice to see you."

Our moment was broken.

The voice was laced with sweetness that I was almost fooled.

We both looked up and there she was.

Blondie. A fake smile was plastered on her face.

"I wish I could say the same, Madison." I spat, my voice laced with venom.