love beyond the realms

chapter 4

Zee ordered burgers, juice, and cake for dessert. He remembered that Val liked cake very much.

When the food arrived, Val's eyes lit up. She grabbed a burger and took a big bite. Then another. Then she reached for the cake.

She ate so much. The cake was soft and sweet. She could not stop.

"Don't eat too much of that cake," Zee said. "You will get diabetes if you eat too much of it."

Val stopped with her fork in the air. "What is diabetes?"

"It is an illness," Zee replied. "You will get it if you continue to eat too much sugar. Then the doctor will have to come every day and give you medicine all the time."

Val dropped the fork immediately. The fork hit the plate with a clink. She did not want any doctor to come every day. She already hated the medicine she had to take.

"Good girl," Zee said. "Now stop eating and read."

Val picked up the book. But a thought came to her mind. "Can too much reading also cause any sickness?"

Zee looked at her. "No. Reading only gives you knowledge and success."

"But reading is boring," Val whispered under her breath.

"What did you say?" Zee asked.

"Nothing," Val said quickly. She buried her face in the book.

Zee stared at her for a moment. Then he went back to his own work.

---

The day finally ended. Val had never been so tired in her whole life. Being a human was exhausting.

They drove back home. When they walked into the house, the twins were watching television. Leo and Liam sat cross-legged on the floor, their eyes wide.

"Everyone come here!" Liam shouted. "You need to see this!"

"Now!" Leo added.

Helen and Mark walked into the living room. Zee followed. Val came last, dragging her feet.

"What is it?" Helen asked.

The twins pointed at the TV. On the screen was a picture of Val and Zee walking into the company building. Someone had taken the photo without them knowing.

The news anchor spoke in a excited voice. "Rumors are spreading about the mysterious beauty that billionaire Zee Johnson brought to work today. People are wondering who she is. Is she his girlfriend? His secret lover?"

Val stared at the TV. Her mouth fell open. "That's me," she said.

"The paparazzi is crazy nowadays," Zee said. He shook his head.

Helen and the twins started to giggle. Leo and Liam looked at Val with big grins.

"What do you think about this, Val?" Helen asked, turning to look at her.

But Val was fast asleep on the couch. Her head had fallen to the side. Her mouth was slightly open. The poor girl was completely exhausted.

Helen smiled softly. "Poor girl. I think Zee went too hard on her today."

"She needs to learn, Mom," Zee said. "She's so slow."

"Please help me take her to her room," Helen said.

Zee looked at Val sleeping on the couch. For a moment, his cold face softened. Then he bent down and lifted her into his arms. She was light. Almost weightless.

He carried her up the stairs and laid her on her bed. He pulled the blanket over her.

Val did not wake up. She just sighed in her sleep and turned to her side.

Zee stood at the door for a moment. He watched her sleep. Then he closed the door quietly and walked away.

---

The next day, Val went to the company with Zee again. She sat at the desk, reading the boring documents. Her head hurt. Her eyes felt dry.

Then the door opened.

A young man walked in. He was very handsome. He had blonde hair that fell across his forehead. His eyes were bright blue, like the sky.

He walked straight to Zee and hugged him. "Dylan!" Zee said. "What brings you here?"

"I just came to see you, man," Dylan said. He had a warm smile. "How are you doing?"

"Fine," Zee said.

Then Dylan turned. He saw Val sitting at the desk. She was wearing a blue dress with beautiful flowery designs. Her hair fell over her shoulders. She was reading so hard, trying to pass Zee's quizzes.

Dylan froze.

He could not move. He could not speak. He just stared at her.

Val did not notice. She kept reading.

Dylan stood there for almost an hour. He did not say a word. He just watched her. Every time she turned a page, his heart jumped.

Zee noticed. He saw his friend staring at Val. His jaw tightened.

"Val," Zee said. "Please tell my secretary to get us some coffee."

Val put down her book. She stood up. The blue dress fit her beautifully. Dylan's eyes followed her every move as she walked to the door.

When she left, Dylan let out a long breath. "Wow."

Zee crossed his arms. "Hey, Dylan. What brings you here?"

Dylan finally sat down. But he kept looking at the door where Val had left. "I just came to see you, man. How are you doing?"

"Fine," Zee said again. His voice was colder now.

Dylan leaned forward. "Who is that stunning girl? Is she your girlfriend or something?"

"No," Zee said quickly. Too quickly. "She is just a girl staying with us for a while. She had an accident. She lost her memory. We can't find her family anywhere. So she is staying with us until she recovers."

Dylan's eyes went wide. "Wow, man. She looks great. I think I am in love."

Zee felt something heavy in his heart. It was a strange feeling. Like a stone sinking in his chest. But he kept his face calm.

"Leave the poor girl alone," Zee said. "She is confused as it is. Don't confuse her more."

Dylan waved his hand. "Come on, man. I know you have not been interested in girls for the past twenty years now. But if you are not interested in this one, can I make my move on her? Please?"

Zee's fingers tightened on his chair. "Of course. I don't have any feelings for her." The words tasted bitter in his mouth. "But she needs to recover first."

"Please, man," Dylan said. "I just want to talk to her. Just talk. Nothing more."

Zee wanted to say no. Every part of him wanted to say no. But he was a gentleman. And Dylan was his friend.

"Fine," Zee said through gritted teeth.

At that moment, Val walked back in. She carried a tray with three cups of coffee.

Dylan stood up. He took the tray from her hands. His fingers brushed against hers. He looked deep into her eyes.

Val looked confused. She did not understand why this handsome man was staring at her like that. His eyes reminded her of someone. The ghost prince. The way he had looked at her in the market. Hungry. Wanting.

Dylan pulled out a chair for Val. "Please, sit."

Val smiled. It was a small, warm smile. Zee saw it and glared at her. Val saw his glare. Her smile disappeared immediately.

"Hello," Dylan said. "I am Dylan. Zee's friend."

"I'm Val," she answered.

"Val," Dylan repeated, like he was tasting the name. "What a nice name. Can I take you out for lunch?"

Zee's head shot up. Anger burned inside him. But he did not show it on his face. Outside, he looked normal. But inside, he was furious.

Val thought for a moment. Dylan was much nicer than Zee. He did not shout. He did not glare. He pulled out chairs and smiled.

And best of all, he was going to take her away from this boring reading.

"Yes," Val said. "I would like that."

Zee's hand squeezed his coffee cup so hard his knuckles turned white.

Dylan grinned. "Great. I will pick you up at noon tomorrow."

Val smiled back. She did not see the storm brewing in Zee's eyes.

---

End of Chapter 4