BETA's LOVER

Chapter- Two

1 Week Ago:

MACKENZIE

My lips quivered with pain as I sank deeper into the freezing water of the bathtub, desperately searching for any kind of relief from the agony that seemed to consume every part of me. I wasn't pregnant, so there was no way I was in labor. So, what was happening to me?

I could hear Aunt arguing with someone downstairs, but the pain was too overwhelming for me to even focus on it. A soft whimper escaped my lips as another wave of searing pain crashed into my core, forcing me to shut my eyes as the tears continued to streak down my face.

"Oh God," I gasped, as a sickening crack echoed through the air, followed by a sharp, shooting pain that tore through my body. Before the agony hit, I saw something that defied belief.

A scream tore from my throat, and then everything went black.

**********

1 Year Earlier :

Sighing, I leaned back in my chair, resting my head against the headset. My neck muscles were so tense they felt like wood.

Designing something unique and captivating that will truly intrigue people is a tough job. It takes hours of brainstorming and idea-gathering. I picked up my phone and opened the camera to take a look at myself, too lazy to walk to the bathroom. Cringing, I saw that I looked like a raccoon, with dark circles under my tired eyes. I rolled my eyes in exasperation. I hadn't slept for two whole days!

Making a face at my reflection, I set my phone down, not quite ready to face how I looked. I'm very particular about my appearance—neat and presentable is how I like to look. Looking down at my wrinkled clothes, I cringed again. I was a long way from neat and presentable today.

Whatever. I didn't care.

I put my head down on my arm and closed my eyes for a while, hoping to catch a few minutes of sleep before any client showed up. I must have fallen into a deep sleep because I didn't even hear my phone ring. When I woke up, I saw a missed call from Quinn—my best friend.

Rubbing my eyes to clear away the sleep, I remembered I still had eyeliner on.

"s**t!" I cursed, rushing to the bathroom, where I was met with exactly what I expected—half of my eyeliner was smudged, and the other half was still clinging to my eyelids. Sighing, I turned on the tap, letting the cool water wash over my hands, enjoying the refreshing feeling. After splashing my face with cold water, I quickly redid my makeup. I fixed my bangs, which framed my face, and took a moment to check my look. Short black hair in a neat bob with bangs, my blue eyes accentuated by eyeliner, and a light red lipstick staining my thin lips. I smoothed my wrinkled dress and walked out of the bathroom. As I sat back down at my desk, my hand instinctively reached for the nose pin on my right nostril and rotated it a few times, a habit I had developed over the years.

A message from Quinn popped up on my phone.

Hey, what's the plan for today? You better reply to me right now.

Chuckling at her message, I typed back that I was free today before returning to my work.

Thankfully, my client liked my work and transferred the money to my bank account, which made me sigh in relief. Being independent and living on my own felt great. I no longer felt like a burden to my family—though some people had different opinions about that.

I was a certified home interior designer. After graduation, I had been offered a job at a big décor firm. Gaining knowledge, experience, and money, I eventually opened my own studio. I had two teams: one worked closely with architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and construction workers to determine how interior spaces would function, look, and be furnished. The second team focused on layout, materials, lighting, furniture, wall finishes, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and the timeline and cost of the project. They also placed orders for materials and oversaw the installation of the design elements.

It was getting harder to manage everything on my own, so I began looking for partners. Then, I was offered a chance to join forces with another firm. Luckily, I hit the jackpot. The other firm was run by Jack, a senior from college. We merged our firms, though not our studios, and created a new name- Crafty Decor. We ran our studios under the same firm but kept them separate. We were both heads of the firm—Jack led the first team, and I managed the second team and the design/layout work.

Before I knew it, it was past 6 PM. I had to hurry if I didn't want Quinn to eat my head off. My team said their goodbyes and left, while I finished up my work and locked up the studio. My apartment was nearby, so I usually walked home. As I descended the stairs, I couldn't help but think about Quinn's words regarding the "double date" tonight.

He likes simple women who listen to him and don't talk rubbish. What a load of garbage! Who does he think he is?

I thought about where Quinn finds guys like that.

Don't talk rubbish? Stupid.

A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about meeting this person tonight. I already felt disconnected from him without even meeting him. I couldn't imagine what the conversation would be like. Either he'd run off with a flustered face, or I'd end up fuming. Let's see how it goes.

Shaking off my stupid thoughts, I glanced both ways before crossing the road. I smiled warmly at my neighbors, who waved at me, and then entered the lift. Punching in the number 5, I leaned back against the mirror-covered wall. Taking my phone out of my jacket pocket, I checked the time. It was 5 PM. Quinn told me to be ready by 7.

Ah, plenty of time.

Fighting back a yawn, I dragged myself to my apartment. I patted my bag and heard the rattle of my keys. Opening it up, I rummaged through the contents until I felt the cold metal of my keys. Sighing, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. I dropped my bag on the table near the door and kicked off my shoes, placing them on the rack below. I had designed this little entryway myself—on the left was a medium-sized full-length mirror, and on the right was a table with a shoe rack beneath it. I had decorated it with some antique items. The shoe rack held sneakers, joggers, and clean slippers for guests.

I kept my sneakers and joggers there until I cleaned them so that they wouldn't make my apartment dirty. I was strict about cleanliness. The only thing I couldn't control was the dust, which always seemed to find its way through the small gaps in my windows.

I sat down in the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water, chugging it down in one go, I was thirsty. My phone chimed with a message. I glanced down at the screen to see Quinn's message.

What are you wearing? Show me!

I sighed. She seemed excited about this date. I hoped it worked out for her this time. I typed back...

Let me breathe. I just got home, girl.

Whatever. Hurry up.

I smiled at her message, then set my phone on the bed and began hunting for something to wear. After a while, I finally picked out my outfit for the evening: white high-waisted wide-leg pants, a black halter neck top, a brown jacket, black Chelsea boots, and a matching handbag.

I quickly sent Quinn a picture of my outfit before heading to the bathroom. First things first, I emptied my bowel. Hey, it's the most important thing to do—if you don't poop, you die.

Don't believe me? Go search it on Google.

After taking a hot shower, I felt all the tiredness melt away. I wrapped my hair in a towel and started my makeup. Quinn and I always argued about this, Should a lady do her makeup first or put on her clothes first? I always do my makeup first, then wear my clothes, but she does it the opposite way.

What's the point of wearing clothes first? They'll get wrinkled or ruined if makeup smudges on them. To avoid that, I do my makeup first. And yes, it's a struggle to put on clothes without smudging it. I apply lipstick last, once my clothes are on. Smart, right?

I can only do my makeup with music in the background. It's a habit I've had since my teenage years. Habits die hard.

Bobbing my head to my favorite song, I glanced at the clock. It was 6:40. Like always, I was ready ahead of time. One thing I was proud of, I was always punctual, both professionally and personally. I decided to call Quinn as soon as the clock struck 7. I hung up after two rings—my way of signaling that I was ready and she needed to hurry.

She called me back immediately. I put the call on speaker and glanced at myself in the mirror. My black hair shone under the yellow light, my bangs were perfectly styled, and my red lipstick had been applied expertly.

"I'm ready, girl. On my way to yours," Quinn said, her voice laced with excitement. I heard faint car noises in the background.

"Wow. That's new," I chuckled, grabbing my jacket and phone.

She scoffed and hung up, probably annoyed with me, which only made me chuckle more.

I locked the door behind me and stepped into the elevator, scrolling through my schedule for the upcoming week. I had only one week to rest before diving into a new project. We were launching wedding planning as part of our business, and everything from the ideas to the decorations was ready. The only thing left was to secure a deal with a well-known businessman or political figure to introduce it to the public. The new store for the project was conveniently located near our building.

As the elevator descended, my eyes stayed glued to the document my secretary, Laura, had sent me. I looked up and realized I had arrived at the building's entrance. Leaning against the wall, I replied to Laura's message before slipping my phone into my bag.

A loud honk startled me, and I turned to see Quinn's car, which instantly made my teeth grind. I recognized her cheeky grin as she waved from behind the wheel. Rolling my eyes, I opened the door and got in.

"Haha, I go—"

"Yes, yes, you got me. Now, let's go," I interrupted, tapping the car's stereo to play a song.

She stuck her tongue out at me, then started the engine. I intertwined my hands over my thighs and looked out the window, but my mind was elsewhere.

"What's on your mind? Everything okay at work?" Quinn asked, glancing over at me.

I stretched my neck to release some tension. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about today's blind date. I wonder if it'll be another disaster or if I'll meet someone decent."

Quinn let out a deep sigh. "Hey, don't jump to conclusions. Let's see how it goes first."

"Let's see," I muttered, watching the passing scenery blur outside.

We arrived at our destination not long after. The sign above the restaurant read- Jardin Restaurant.

Fancy name.

I glanced at my reflection in the side mirror before getting out. Quinn, in her usual frantic rush, was spraying mouth freshener.

"Didn't you brush your teeth?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I did, but you never know what could happen next. Things lead to other things," she said with an eager grin. Her wavy hair blew slightly in the breeze as she checked herself out in the mirror, nodding in approval.

I rolled my eyes, checking my emails as I waited for her to finish. "Hurry up, you are all dolled up. Let's go."

With a sigh, I clicked my heels on the ground and made my way toward the restaurant. I heard Quinn gasp behind me, realizing we were already ten minutes late. Punctuality mattered to me, so I didn't want to make a bad impression.

"Good evening, ma'am. Do you have a reservation?" the host asked when I approached the counter.

"Yes, under the name Quinn Thomson," I replied. The waiter checked the list and gave us a polite nod.

The restaurant was spacious, with a lovely blend of colors and furniture that complemented each other. Nodding my head in admiration as my eyes taken in the decor as I waited.

"You look impressed," Quinn commented, nudging me.

"Yeah, the colors, the curtains, the decor—it all works together," I said, my gaze still lingering on the walls.

"Right this way, ma'am," the waiter said, smiling warmly, and led us to our table.

After thanking him, I placed my bag to the side, following the table etiquette of keeping personal items out of sight. I only left my phone on the table.

Quinn poured water into a glass and passed it to me, her thoughtful gesture earning a grateful smile from me.

"They are here," Quinn whispered, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked at her. Her composed face made me chuckle—she was clearly faking it.

"Shut up," she muttered, barely containing a smile.

I couldn't help but laugh at how she always played the part of the excited, eager friend. While I remained in my normal composure- Calm and collected.

The two men who entered the restaurant came into view. One looked normal enough—average height, friendly smile, easygoing demeanor. The other was more stylish, tall, with a lean figure and an unreadable expression.

"Hello, ladies. Hope we didn't keep you waiting," the first man said politely, giving us a respectful nod.

"Oh, no problem. We just got here as well," Quinn said softly, sending me a quick glance. I raised an eyebrow—liar, we've been here for at least fifteen minutes. But I kept my mouth shut and nodded politely.

The taller man took a seat next to me, and the other sat beside Quinn.

"I'm Ribuio," the man beside Quinn said, glancing at both of us.

"Quinn," she replied, she smiled shyly.

I noticed her body language—she was already interested in him. It was so obvious, but I wasn't one to point it out. I shook my head inwardly. She needed to learn that appearances weren't always what they seemed.

"Hello, I'm Elier," came the gruff voice from beside me.

I turned to face him and met his intense, black eyes.

"Mackenzie," I said with a brief nod.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shin—nothing painful, but enough to get my attention. I glanced at Quinn, who had her eyes narrowed at me. I simply raised an eyebrow, and she rolled her eyes in response. I knew what she meant. I should try to be more friendly with my date, but I wasn't one to fake it. I was reserve person knowing my ambivert personality. If the conversation went well, I might open up, but I wasn't going to force it.

Elier nodded and folded his arms across his chest, a silent acknowledgment of my quiet demeanor.

"Let's order!" Ribuio said, already calling over the waiter. Quinn nodding her head beside him.

While Quinn and Ribuio exchanged lighthearted conversation, I took a sip of my water and noticed Elier's gaze on me. He wasn't being overly forward, but his quiet intensity intrigued me.

"I heard you're an interior designer," he said, his deep voice drawing me out of my thoughts.

I met his eyes and nodded. "Yes, I am."

"What about you?" I asked, shifting in my seat to face him. His kindness had piqued my interest.

"I run a few pharmaceutical companies," he replied, casually gesturing with his hand.

"Nice," I said, feeling stupid for not having anything more to add but i kept silent. He chuckled, clearly amused by my awkwardness.

I cleared my throat, turning my attention to Quinn and Ribuio, who were in deep conversation. Quinn was laughing too much—she was definitely overdoing it.

"So, what do you do in your spare time?" Elier asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

I pushed my bangs out of my face and responded, "I like to travel."

"Alone or with a group of friends?" He asked, his gaze fixed on me as though this topic sparked his interest.

"Mostly alone. Sometimes a few friends join me," I said with a shrug, my finger absently tracing the edge of my glass.

He seemed intrigued. "That sounds nice. I'm not much of a traveler anymore. I've done so much of it that now I prefer to just relax."

"That's a shame," I replied flatly, taking another sip of water.

He let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah."

I realized I might have sounded rude, so I quickly added, "It's not a big deal. You can take a break for now and travel when you're ready. It's all about finding the right company, or just going solo." It was the longest conversation I'd had with a stranger in a while.

He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine, but they held no emotion—no spark.

A message chimed on his phone, and he excused himself to take the call, leaving me alone with Quinn and Ribuio. Their giggling was enough to make me feel even more out of place.

Elier's vibe was too distant—he wasn't interested in me and neither was I. We didn't connect, and I wasn't feeling any chemistry.

I sighed mentally. Another fail.

My eyes followed the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee sitting on the floor beside me. It was a peaceful night. No sounds of babies crying in the building, no birds tapping on my window. Just me and a sky full of stars. Tightening my grip on the woolen blanket, I rested my chin on my knees and gazed at the surroundings.

No thoughts, no worries. Just blank.

That's where my mind was at—completely empty.

It felt good being in my own element, yet, at the same time, there was an undercurrent of loneliness. I have been feeling strange ever since I came back from that weird date. It wasn't that Elier was a terrible person. No, we simply didn't click and decided it was better to stay acquaintance.

After returning home alone, I suddenly had an overwhelming urge for coffee, so I headed straight for the kitchen. I slipped into my room, peeled off my clothes, and stood there, naked, holding my night clothes in one hand as I stared out the window at the sky. My heart felt heavy, and a sigh escaped me before I even realized it.

I had everything I could want— a stable job, financial security, friends, and even a sense of happiness.

But something was still missing: my family and a partner. My father, who had never been there for me, before or after I was born, and my mother, who was still alive but lost in her own sorrow, drowning in alcohol.

I don't know much about my mother's past, despite begging both her and Aunt Susan to tell me. All I ever got was, "You're too young to understand. When you're older, Aunt Susan will tell you." I still remember Aunt Susan, holding me in her warm, delicate arms, looking at me with a mixture of sorrow and love.

"My pretty baby, you just need to understand how much your mother cares about you. She wants you in her life. She doesn't hate you; she's just going through a rough patch."

I sighed, feeling my heart sink deeper. I missed Aunt Susan.

Where are you, mom? Are you okay? Are you happy?

Sometimes, I used to call Aunt Susan "mom." She was like a second mother to me, teaching me how to be confident, considerate, and caring.

With another deep sigh, I pulled myself to my feet, wrapping the blanket around my shoulders. The soft thump of my bare feet on the floor was the only sound that broke the silence as I tossed the blanket over the couch and crawled under the covers, pushing away the werewolf novel that i was reading a few days ago.

The next morning, I followed my usual routine—bathroom business, breakfast, news while eating, then brushing my teeth and changing into fresh clothes. A simple, reliable routine.

I walked into my studio, nodding in acknowledgment as my employees greeted me. At the door to my office, my assistant, Laura, was waiting. As soon as she heard my footsteps, she hurriedly opened the door and nodded, looking a little too eager. Giving her a sharp nod, I entered my office, and she began briefing me on my schedule for the day. As she spoke, I stood facing the mirror wall, allowing the warm rays of the sun to bathe me.

"And that's everything for today," she said with a sigh.

"Quite a lot," I chuckled, glancing back at her. She pouted in response, clearly not thrilled to be working late today. Guess who wasn't leaving early today- me.

I had two VIP clients to meet. I'd spent the past week preparing for this moment, working hard to win them over as my new clients. We were now seated in the meeting room with Ivy, presenting our plans, while I observed their reactions closely. The presentation concluded with applause, and I stood tall, exchanging a relieved glance with Laura.

"I am impressed, Miss Mackenzie," the chairman said, extending his hand. "I had like you to design our new housing society."

"Thank you, Mr. Roman," I replied, shaking his hand. "You won't be disappointed."

He nodded, his face full of trust, and after signing the contract, the VIPs left, and the studio erupted in excitement. The clapping, hooting, and happy shouts filled every corner of the building. A smile crept across my face as I looked around at my employees' joyful faces. I took a sip of beer and ran my thumb along the smooth glass, my mind wandering elsewhere.

I wish Aunt Susan could see how successful I have become.

I excused myself and went back to my office. Setting the beer down on my desk, I picked up my phone. My finger hovered over the screen showing my mom's number.

How would she react to the news?

She wont. She doesn't care about you. My mind reminded me of the painful reality.

Knowing the answer, I stilled dialed her number. Pacing in my office, one hand on my waist, I waited, but after the beep, my heart sank. Another voicemail.

With a deep sigh, I walked toward the mirror wall and stood there, staring outside, unsure for how long. Then, I heard my phone ringing. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be mom?

I rushed to the phone, flipping it open to find it was Quinn.

My heart sank. That's how easily I was broken.

"Hey! Did you get the deal?" Her voice came through with excitement.

"Yeah, I did. Sorry I forgot to call. Got caught up with everything..." I started to explain, but she interrupted me with a loud cheer.

"Yohoo! Congratulations! I can't sit still. Mack, we need to celebrate!" Her excitement filled the air, bringing my happiness back.

"Thank you! Of course! Let's meet at Hersham's. How does that sound?" I asked, glancing at my schedule

.

"Perfect!" I could almost hear her mind racing as she decided what to wear.

"Okay, let's meet at 7 then. Bye, girl," I said, playing with my nose ring as I finalized the details.

"Okay, bye, babe!" Her cheerful voice made me smile. She was like a sister to me that i never had.

I quickly sent out an invitation for today's celebration to my friends, employees, and Jack—my business partner. He must have heard about the deal by now. I was curious to see how things were going on his end. Before I could hear the phone ring, it vibrated in my hand.

It was Jack. Wow. What a connection.

I rolled my eyes at myself for the lame joke and picked up the phone.

"Hello, Jack."

"Hey Mackenzie! Congratulations on closing the deal with Mr. Roman." His voice was thick with enthusiasm, and I could hear the smile in his words.

"Thanks, Jack. But now, we have got to work harder than ever," I said with a chuckle, knowing exactly how he had respond to that.

"Yes, Madam," he replied sarcastically, making me smile.

I wasn't one to open up to just anyone—only my two closest friends, Quinn and Jack, really knew me.

"See you at 7. Don't be late," I said, ending the call after hearing his excited response.

After finishing up my work, I practically sprinted home. It was already 6 p.m., and I had just one hour to get ready. Normally, I could manage in thirty minutes, but the issue tonight was what to wear. Once I got inside, I tossed my bag on the bed and rushed to the wardrobe. Finally, after a solid five minutes of indecision, I chose the dress for the evening. A quick shower, makeup, getting dressed, and a light curl to my bob hair took only 20 minutes. I adjusted my nose pin, slipped on a few rings and matching earrings, and just as I was putting on my heels, my phone rang.

"I'm here. Come down," Quinn's voice crackled before the call ended abruptly.

I turned off all the lights except for one in the kitchen, so I wouldn't trip when I returned to a dark house.

The elevator ride felt strange. I could sense the eyes of people on me, not because I liked attention, but because I knew I looked good. Still, it was uncomfortable. I adjusted the coat I had draped over my arm, pulling it over my front to the ankle to shield me from the cold night air. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I stepped outside and spotted Quinn's car, parked right beside a "No Parking" sign. I couldn't help but chuckle, tapping my fingers on the car window just as I had intended. Quinn jumped in shock, her wide eyes meeting my mischievous grin.

I opened the car door, and before I could say anything, she muttered under her breath, "My heart. You scared the hell out of me."

I cracked up at her overly dramatic reaction. Quinn was the most easily startled person I knew, and I loved every moment of scaring her.

Yes, I was evil like that.

We arrived at the club just in time, and I was relieved to see my guests arriving. As everyone gathered, Jack and I shared a toast to celebrate landing the deal with a world-renowned housing society. This was a major milestone for us, and if it went well, our business could skyrocket. Just the thought of it made my skin tingle with excitement.

One by one, my guests congratulated me, but not everyone shared the same enthusiasm. Some were genuinely happy for me, their joy written all over their faces. But others, who were merely acquaintances, they were green-eyed and couldn't hide their jealousy. It was obvious.

I didn't let it bother me. I had learned long ago to ignore what others thought, at least on the surface. It was too exhausting to care about people who couldn't be happy for you. Still, I couldn't help but wonder why so many of us had become so caught up in our own egos that we forgot about the feelings of others. It was as though we were so obsessed with ourselves that we forgot how much our words and actions could hurt someone else.

Even though I noticed the bitterness, I treated everyone the same. Tonight, I was going to make sure everyone had a good time.

I settled on a sofa tucked into a corner of the club, a quiet spot where I could observe everything without being too involved. The soft lighting created a peaceful ambiance while I sipped my beer. Quinn, on the other hand, had already found her tequila and was headed for the dance floor with few friends, surrounded by people grinding to the music. I couldn't help but cringe and look away. That was the downside of clubbing for me.

"I knew I had find you here," Jack's voice reached my ears, cutting through the loud chatter and music.

I looked up at his easygoing smile, shrugging while I took another sip of my drink. He sat down beside me, sipping his beer in comfortable silence.

"Well, I don't see you hanging out with any girls here," I teased, a playful smirk tugging at my lips.

Teasing him was my way of being comfortable around him. We had that kind of friendship.

"I have got my eye on someone, but..." His grey eyes met mine, and for a moment, he hesitated before casting his gaze downward with a sigh.

"But?" I asked, placing my glass down and focusing on Jack, sensing something was off.

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