Chapter 3: Unseen Chains And New Encounters
1214 Words
Zara sighed as she walked through the crowded campus, adjusting the strap of her heavy backpack. It was almost the end of the semester, and she had barely had time to think about her upcoming birthday. Not that it really mattered—her dad would probably make her train even harder that day, as if turning 21 meant she’d suddenly need to fend off a pack of wild animals.
She had never understood his obsession with training. From the moment she could walk, he had drilled her in self-defense, combat, and endurance. By the time she was ten, she could outrun most kids her age, and by sixteen, she could knock down a full-grown man with one well-placed strike. It wasn’t until she moved to the university dorms that she realized how over-the-top it all was.
“I just want you to be safe,” her father had always said. “There are bad men out there.”
And she had believed him.
Most girls her age worried about creepy men following them home from parties or strangers lurking in dark alleys. Zara, on the other hand, had grown up knowing how to disarm a man twice her size in three moves. So, as strange as it was, she had just accepted that her dad was a little paranoid—if anything, it had given her an edge.
She was in the middle of texting her best friend, Riley, when she bumped into someone.
“Hey, watch it—” she started but stopped when she looked up.
It was Professor Hendricks, one of the top researchers in the university’s biotech department. The older man smiled at her warmly. “Zara, always in a hurry.”
She let out a nervous laugh. “Sorry, Professor. Just trying to get to class.”
“I understand. But if you have a moment, I wanted to remind you—have you given any more thought to the internship offer at the research lab?”
Zara bit her lip. She loved science, especially biology, but between training, studying, and her father’s rules, she hadn’t exactly had time to consider extra commitments.
“I’m still thinking about it,” she admitted.
“Well, think fast. We’d love to have you,” Hendricks said, nodding before walking away.
She exhaled and made her way to class, not noticing the way his eyes lingered on her just a little too long.
Later that day, Zara found herself in the university’s state-of-the-art research lab, where students were gathering for a special introduction. A high-profile investor was visiting, someone who had donated a significant sum to the school’s biotech research.
She didn’t care much for rich businessmen throwing money at universities for tax benefits, but an internship in the lab would look great on her resume.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Hendricks said, addressing the room. “Please welcome Richard Williams.”
Zara barely glanced up from her notes—until she heard the whispers around her.
“That’s him?” one girl whispered.
“Damn, he’s hotter than I expected,” another murmured.
With a sigh, Zara finally looked up.
Richard Williams stood near the entrance, speaking with one of the senior researchers. He was tall, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, and carried himself with effortless confidence. His dark hair was styled to perfection, and when he turned slightly, she caught a glimpse of sharp blue eyes that seemed to take in everything around him.
Great. Another rich guy who probably thinks he owns the world.
Still, she had to admit—he had a presence.
Hendricks motioned for her to come forward. “Zara, just the person I wanted you to meet.”
She hesitated for a moment before stepping up.
“This is Zara Chasa, one of our brightest students,” Hendricks said. “Zara, this is Richard Williams, the benefactor of our new biotech project.”
Richard turned his attention to her, and for a moment, Zara felt like he was studying her. Not in the way most guys did, but as if he were trying to figure something out.
“Zara,” he said smoothly, extending a hand. “A pleasure.”
She shook it briefly. “Likewise.”
“Professor Hendricks speaks highly of you,” Richard continued. “Says you have an impressive understanding of molecular biology.”
She shrugged. “I just like figuring things out.”
Richard smirked slightly. “A scientist at heart.”
Hendricks chuckled. “She’s being modest. She has one of the highest scores in the program. I think she’d be an excellent candidate for the internship we discussed.”
Zara blinked. “Internship?”
Richard nodded. “Yes. We’re working on
research involving genetic enhancements. If you’re interested, I’d love to have you on the team.”
Zara’s stomach twisted slightly. Genetic enhancements?
She had spent her whole life training for something she didn’t understand. And now, a billionaire scientist was talking about unlocking human potential? It felt too coincidental.
Still, she kept her expression neutral. “Sounds interesting.”
Richard tilted his head slightly. “Good. I’d love to discuss it further.”
Something in his gaze unsettled her, but she wasn’t sure why.
For now, she decided to play along.
“Alright,” she said. “I’m listening.”
That night, Zara sat on the floor of her father’s private training room, stretching out her sore muscles. Suka stood nearby, watching her with his usual calculating gaze.
“You’re getting sloppy,” he said.
Zara groaned. “Dad, I’ve been at this for hours.”
“An enemy won’t care if you’re tired,” he replied, tossing her a wooden staff.
She caught it with ease but scowled. “An enemy? Are we still talking about perverts, or are you convinced I’ll be fighting crime in New York now?”
Suka’s expression darkened, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he attacked.
Zara barely had time to react. She swung her staff up, blocking his strike, then twisted away, her body moving on pure instinct. They exchanged blows—quick, sharp movements that echoed through the room.
Then, suddenly, he stopped.
Zara frowned. “What?”
“You hesitate,” he said. “You’re holding back.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, because I don’t actually want to hurt you?”
His gaze was unreadable. “You should never hold back.”
She sighed, lowering her staff. “Dad, I get it. You wanted to make sure I could protect myself. But I’m not a kid anymore. I’m turning twenty-one next week. Can we finally stop with all this?”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he turned away, taking a deep breath.
Zara sighed, frustrated. “You’ve always been overprotective, but I thought maybe when I got older, it would stop.”
Suka finally faced her. His voice was softer now, almost sad. “I wish I could stop, Zara.”
Something in his tone made her pause, but before she could press further, he grabbed his towel and left the room.
She sat there, gripping the wooden staff tightly.
For the first time in her life, she wondered—was her father hiding something?
And what did Richard Williams really want?
- Writer
