LOVE IN CONTRACT

Chapter five

Zariah

.

.

The banging on the door snapped me back to reality. I didn’t hesitate, I slammed my heel into Mr. Greg’s leg. He yelped and let me go, but not before landing a dirty slap across my face.

Big mistake.

I kneed him, hard, right between his legs. He dropped to the floor, writhing in pain, clutching his balls. His face turned an ugly shade of red.

The door burst open.

Caden stood there, his expression unreadable, eyes shifting from me to the pathetic mess of a man on the floor.

“I’m not investing in your damn company, Mr. Knight! The deal’s off!” Mr. Greg spat out, still groaning in pain.

Caden didn’t say a word. He simply turned to Jasper. “Clean up the mess,” he ordered coldly before grabbing my wrist and dragging me out of the bathroom.

All the way to the car.

He shoved me into the back seat and slammed the door shut, the sound echoing in my ears. The tension was suffocating as I sat stiffly, unsure what to say.

“Sir… I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I didn’t mean to make you lose the contract—”

His hand shot up, shutting me down instantly. Again. What was it with this man and always cutting me off?

Whatever. I wasn’t the one at fault.

When we got to the office, he didn’t slow down. He dragged me through the lobby with his grip still tight around my wrist. People stared, whispering, probably assuming the worst. If he didn’t care, I definitely did.

“Let go,” I hissed, trying to yank free.

But his grip only tightened.

The second we got to his office, he let me go like I’d burned him. He pulled out his handkerchief, wiped his hand, and threw it into the trash.

I stood frozen. Furious. Embarrassed. Confused.

He said nothing at first, just stared at me with those cold, unreadable eyes.

“Sir…” I began.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was sharp and accusing.

“Tell you what?” I blinked, not understanding.

“That Greg was touching you inappropriately. Or did you like it?” His words were laced with venom.

My heart stopped.

“What?” I gasped, stepping back. “If you’re trying to call me a slut, then spell it out fully, sir. And I’m not.”

“Did I say you were?” he snapped, one brow raised like he was the offended one.

The air between us felt heavy. I wanted to scream.

I clenched my fists, trying to hold back tears. “You didn’t even ask if I was okay,” I muttered.

Caden tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. “You think this is about your feelings?”

My breath hitched. “That man assaulted me—”

“And you kicked him in the balls in a million-dollar deal.” He interrupted.

“I defended myself!” I snapped. “What was I supposed to do? Offer myself to him like a sacrificial sheep ?!”

“Silence”.

Caden’s jaw clenched, his hands shoved deep in his pockets as he paced a little. “I didn't say you did the wrong thing by defending yourself. You were reckless and now the board’s gonna be breathing down my neck.”

“Well maybe if your precious client knew how to keep his hands to himself—”

“Enough!” His voice cracked through the room like thunder.

I flinched, but I didn’t back down.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “You can go back to work now.”

I didn’t move.

“I said leave, Zariah.”

Fine. Screw him.

I turned and walked out, head high, heart pounding. The second I stepped out of his office, a single tear escaped my eyes.

Why was I always unlucky, bad luck always lurked around me.

I locked myself in the bathroom inside my office, sank onto the toilet seat, and let the tears fall. I cried until my chest ached and my head pounded, the silence only made it worse. I didn’t even try to stop myself, I was already shattered.

By the time I looked in the mirror, my eyes were red and swollen, I barely recognized myself. With shaky hands, I splashed cold water on my face, hoping to wash away the evidence of my breakdown.

But it didn’t work. The pain was still there.

I took a deep breath and forced myself back to my desk. Work wouldn’t finish itself.

When I realized I wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon, I called Dad to let him know I’d be staying late at work. I kept my voice steady, he didn’t need to worry. Then I called Rina, needing a little piece of comfort, a little piece of assurance. She didn’t ask questions, just said she’d be right there.

With her help, I was able to work through the night. We worked side by side, her cracking jokes to make me smile, me pretending everything was fine.

By the time the sun began to rise, we had finally wrapped up the mountain of documents. Exhausted, we curled up on the small couch in my office. I leaned into Rina’s shoulder, and we both drifted off, I was grateful to her for her warmth, and her, being my silent anchor in the storm.

I woke up with a strong headache, sunlight filtering through the blinds. Rina was still asleep beside me, I rubbed her eyes and reached for my tablet and froze.

A sticky note was stuck to the screen, in neat, unfamiliar handwriting:

“Watch your back, sister.”

My heart dropped. Sister?, I didn’t have any sibling.

I quickly folded the note and tucked it into my pocket before Rina could notice.

I went into the toilet and called my dad. “Dad… did I ever have a sibling?”

“No. You’re my only child.” I could hear the confusion in his voice

But the doubt lingered like a shadow. And the note in her pocket felt heavier than ever.