CHAPTER 5
1133 Words
Axcel stayed quiet. He did everything she said.
That night, he barely slept. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall, wondering what he had just walked into.
The next morning, Zeph checked the time.
10:00 a.m.
“Get ready,” she said. “We’re going out.”
Axcel nodded quickly. He didn’t ask where.
They went to a mall in the city. The place felt unreal to him—bright lights, cool air, people dressed nicely. Zeph walked ahead with purpose, while Axcel followed, feeling small and out of place.
She took him into a clothing store....
“Change,” she ordered, handing him a set of clothes.
When he came out, she studied him from head to toe. “Not bad,” she said. “We’ll do better.”
She chose a fitted shirt, dark pants, proper shoes. Then she brought him to a salon.Axcel sat stiffly as strangers washed his hair, trimmed it, fixed his face, cleaned the wounds as best they could.
When it was done, he barely recognized the person in the mirror.
He looked… normal. Clean. Almost like the man he used to be.
“That’ll do,” she said.
They went home again as the sun began to set.
Zeph changed into a dark, elegant outfit. She handed Axcel a jacket.
“Wear this,” she said. “And don’t speak unless I tell you to.”
Night fell.
They drove through the city until neon lights and loud music filled the streets. Zeph parked near a familiar place—a bar known for powerful businessmen and private deals.
Axcel felt his stomach twist.
“This is where Mr. Devera usually goes,” Zeph said calmly. “Remember stay close to me.”
Axcel suddenly stopped walking. The noise from the bar felt too loud, too heavy. He looked at Zeph, his eyes wide with fear. His body started shaking.
He knew.
He shook his head again and again. “No… no…” he whispered, stepping back.
“You’re not going to give me to Mr. Devera, right?” Axcel asked, his voice breaking. “Please… tell me you’re not.”
Zeph stopped and turned to face him. Her expression was cold, unreadable.
“You don’t get to say no,” she said firmly.
Axcel’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want to go in there,” he said. “Please… I can’t.”
Zeph stepped closer to him. “Listen to me,” she said in a low voice. “If you want to stay near me, if you want any chance to be with me, you will do exactly what I say.”
Axcel shook his head. “This isn’t right…”
Zeph’s eyes hardened. “Right?” she repeated. “You lost the right to talk about what’s right and wrong.”
She leaned closer and said sharply, “You have a sin to pay for. And you will pay for it for the rest of your life.”
Axcel cried silently, his shoulders shaking. He felt trapped. Tired. Broken.
“I didn’t do it…” he whispered weakly.
“That doesn’t matter anymore,” Zeph said. “What matters is this—”
She pointed toward the bar entrance.
“You walk in with me,” she said. “Or you lose everything.”
Axcel looked at the bright lights of the bar, then back at Zeph. His hands trembled. Slowly, painfully, he nodded.
And followed her inside.
They walked inside the bar.
The music was loud. Colored lights flashed everywhere. People were laughing, drinking, talking. To Axcel, everything felt unreal, like he was walking in a bad dream.
Zeph walked ahead with confidence, like she belonged there. Axcel stayed close behind her, his head down, his hands shaking inside his jacket.
She looked around the room, her eyes scanning the crowd.
“There,” she said quietly.
Axcel followed her gaze.
At a table near the back, sitting comfortably with a drink in his hand, was Mr. Devera. He was laughing with a few men, looking relaxed and pleased with himself.
Axcel’s heart started beating fast. His mouth went dry. His feet felt heavy, like they wouldn’t move anymore.
“I can’t,” Axcel whispered. “Please…”
Zeph didn’t look back. “You can,” she said calmly. “And you will.”
They walked closer. With every step, Axcel felt more scared. His breathing became uneven, and his eyes filled with tears, but he forced himself to keep walking.
Mr. Devera noticed them.
His smile slowly widened when his eyes landed on Axcel. He leaned back in his chair, clearly interested.
“Well,” Devera said, standing up. “I didn’t expect this tonight.”
Zeph stopped in front of him. “Good evening, Mr. Devera,” she said politely.
Devera’s eyes never left Axcel.
Axcel stood there, frozen, feeling small and helpless, knowing there was no way to run now.
“Well,” Devera said calmly, “this is an interesting surprise.”
Axcel felt his knees weaken. He stayed silent, his hands clenched, his body stiff with fear.
Zeph spoke first. “You said you wanted assurance before signing the contract,” she said in a controlled voice. “We’re here to talk.”
Devera chuckled and gestured to the empty chair beside him. “Sit,” he said, looking at Axcel.
Axcel didn’t move.
Zeph glanced at him sharply. “Sit,” she repeated in a low voice.
Slowly, Axcel obeyed. He sat down, his head lowered
Devera leaned forward. “Relax,” he said lightly. “No need to be so tense.”
Axcel’s hands started shaking. His eyes filled with tears, but he forced them back. He didn’t want to cry in front of them.
Zeph stood there, watching everything.
“This meeting stays professional,” she said firmly. “Once the contract is signed, we’re done.”
Devera smiled, clearly enjoying the situation. “Of course,” he replied. “Let’s talk business first.”
Axcel sat frozen between them, feeling like an object instead of a person.
Devera laughed softly and leaned back in his chair.
“So you really brought your husband here—the one who killed your mother,” he said, amused, his eyes on Axcel.
Zeph’s face hardened. “I’m here to talk about business,” she said firmly. “No personal questions.”
Devera raised both hands in mock surrender. “Alright. Business.”
They talked about numbers, projects, and timelines. Axcel sat there quietly, saying nothing, his body tense the whole time. After a while, Devera stood up and straightened his jacket.
“I’ll be honest,” he said calmly. “If I’m pleased tonight, I’ll sign the contract tomorrow.”
- Writer
