One Lucky Night

Chapter 3

"Zach." She called for him again, her voice trembling.

She did not care anymore about the interview, the real purpose of why she was here. All that mattered now was to talk to him. This was her chance, perhaps her only chance, and she would not let it slip away.

"Zach." This time, she was walking towards him, her steps slow but determined. She wanted to hug him, to close the space between them, to feel the warmth she had missed for so long. In that moment, she realized how badly she had missed Zach.

"Don't." Zach’s voice came out stern and sharp.

Scylla stopped immediately.

She had never seen him this angry before. She had known him as patient, calm, collected, even in the worst moments of his internship years. But this man standing before her was different. He looked hardened, his eyes distant, as if she were a stranger. Of course, she would not know everything he had been through, but one thing was certain: she was the reason for his anger. She stayed rooted in place, her feet unable to move forward even a little.

She remembered how she had worked for him as his secretary. Her love for him had been her secret inspiration. She had been dedicated, hardworking, and endlessly supportive of him. To her, Zach had been the only man in the building. She had been good at keeping her feelings hidden, content simply being near him. But love cannot be contained forever when it is overflowing. When Zach confessed his love for her, she had not denied her true feelings. That had been the start of their happy days together.

Until the time came when she had to leave. Her sick mother, the passing of his father, and all the other things that had torn her apart inside had driven her away. She had wanted to stay but life had dragged her elsewhere, forcing her to let go of the man she loved most.

"Hey, Stella."

The sound of his voice cut through her thoughts like a blade.

Zach was talking to a woman over the phone. Her heart squeezed painfully as she heard the name. Stella. Who was Stella? His girlfriend? His wife? Her imagination immediately conjured the possibilities and each one pierced her like a thousand needles.

"Please take your seat, Ms. Grace. My visitor will join in a few minutes." His tone was casual, almost dismissive.

Just visitor.

The word echoed in her mind. She knew she had no right to feel bitter, but she could not control the emotion rising within her. She sat down slowly, her thoughts spiraling.

The moment she sank into the leather seat, the glass door slid open.

A stunningly beautiful woman entered the room. Her dress was tight, hugging every curve of her body, the kind of beauty that could make any woman envious—including Scylla. She could not stop herself from staring at the woman from head to toe.

How could Zach not fall for someone like her? Scylla asked herself silently, feeling smaller by the second.

"Zach, baby, why won’t you come to our dinner with your dad?" the woman said, not even noticing Scylla at first.

The words baby and dad made Scylla’s heart ache. Of course Zach’s father would approve of someone like her. She was the perfect match for his son. But why had Zach referred to her as just a visitor?

"Stella." Zach’s lips were drawn into a thin line. His tone was restrained but clearly displeased.

"Oh, who is this woman? Am I interrupting something?" Stella finally noticed Scylla. She eyed her shamelessly from head to toe, trying to hide a smirk behind her controlled expression.

Scylla kept her face composed even though she felt Stella’s judgment. She could guess what the woman was thinking—that she was here for some kind of business. Zach was quick to answer on her behalf.

"She is here for an interview, Stella."

Scylla was intrigued by his behavior. He sounded almost rude. Was he embarrassed? Trying to hide something?

"Come on, in this very hour? Who interviews at night?" Stella raised her hands in the air.

Scylla nodded internally. The woman had a point. Most interviews happened during the day.

"Me. Now, why are you here? You are disturbing my interview," he said.

"If I know, you just don’t want to join the dinner!" Stella snapped, throwing a tantrum.

"Exactly, and I’m very vocal about it," Zach replied, his irritation seeping into his voice.

"You can’t do this forever!" Stella’s voice rose as she became visibly fuming.

Scylla wanted to leave the room. They seemed to have forgotten she was even there, listening to their fight.

"Just stay there, Scylla," Zach said firmly, stopping her as she tried to stand up.

"Will you get a hold of yourself, Stella?" he added, trying to calm the woman down.

"You are unfair! How long will you be like this? It’s been five years. Will I wait until ten years?" Stella’s words shocked Scylla, freezing her in her seat.

She looked between the two of them, her heart pounding. What did Stella mean by that?

"Stella, don’t forget that there is someone in this room!" Zach’s voice thundered, his face red with anger.

"Why, because you can’t move on from that woman who left you like trash? Oh, come on, Zach, you are pathetic!" Stella’s voice was venomous, dripping with cruelty.

Scylla felt as if she had been doused in both ice and boiling water at once. She never thought of him as trash. She had left because she had no choice, not because she wanted to hurt him.

Zach shook his head from side to side, his expression livid.

"Leave," Zach said.

It was a simple word, but one no one could ignore. Stella stepped out of the room without another word, leaving Scylla alone with Zach. She sat there, shaken, holding a piece of information she was not sure she could handle.

"I think it’s best for me to leave," she whispered, standing up from her seat.

She felt like a coward again. She did not know what to say to him. The broken man in front of her was because of her. If what Stella said was true, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. The guilt was crushing her. She had been too selfish to even think of hugging him. She had no right to touch him or to be near him at all.

"Is leaving your habit now?" His voice stopped her in her tracks.

He spat the words with pure hate. She wished with all her heart that this night had never happened, that she had never stepped foot in this city again.

Knowing that someone you love hates you is like giving yourself a slow, tortured death.