Chapter five: Undeniable
1144 Words
Zion leaned against the granite counter, eyes fixed on the untouched cup of coffee in front of him. It had gone cold long ago, but he hadn’t moved. His jaw ticked as he replayed the look on Alzira’s face from earlier — distant, withdrawn, her words clipped and cold.
He never imagined she would act that fierce. That unpredictable. It made him want her more. He shouldn't, but he did.
"f**k!" He stomped his hands on the counter.
All because of *her*.
The woman — Carmen — had stopped by unannounced, as she always did. An old flame-turned-business-acquaintance, Carmen never knew how to keep her visits strictly professional. Zion hadn’t thought much of it — until he saw Alzira’s expression shift the moment Carmen leaned a little too close, laughed a little too loud, and left a kiss on his cheek.
That single kiss had ruined the fragile calm he’d managed to build with Alzira in the past few days.
He didn’t blame her for the wall she’d built instantly after that. Hell, he *liked* that she was jealous. It stirred something in him, something he had no business feeling again — not after everything they’d been through. Not after what *he* had done.
But she wouldn’t talk to him. Wouldn’t even look at him.
She’d cooked dinner that night without saying a word. Left it on the table. And locked herself in the guest room as if her silence could punish him.
Zion let out a bitter sigh and stood. Enough.
He walked down the hallway, pausing outside her door. Knuckles raised, but he didn’t knock. Instead, he spoke, his voice low.
“Alzira. Open the door.”
Nothing.
He rested his forehead against the wood for a second, cursing himself. Then, without another word, he walked away.
**
The next morning, she was already in the kitchen, quietly making tea. She wore one of his hoodies again — too big, hanging off her shoulder — and that did something to him. It *always* did.
“I told you not to touch my clothes,” he muttered, moving past her to grab a glass.
She didn’t reply.
“Alzira,” he said more firmly, turning to face her. “Are you really gonna give me the silent treatment over Carmen?”
She flinched at the name.
Zion cursed under his breath. “She’s just an acquaintance. Nothing more. That kiss? Uninvited.”
Still no reply. She stirred her tea slowly, her face blank.
“Damn it, Zira,” he said, voice rising. " Say something".
" And who the f**k said I'm giving you a silent treatment over that b***h? " She said expressionless, string her tea still.
" Oh really I saw your damn face yesterday.......". He smirked
She turned then. And the fire in her eyes shocked him.
" I don't give a f**k about you, Zion". She said staring him in the eye. "I just don't need a b***h calling me " another" pet, like I'm one of those bitches you hang around yourself. "
“You don’t get to act confused,” she hissed. “You don’t get to act like you didn’t break me once, and now you’re out here letting other women touch you in *my* face!”
Zion’s breath caught.
“I didn’t ask to be here,” she snapped. “I didn’t come to you for love or attention. I came to escape hell. And you — you’re just another version of it.”
She moved to walk away, but he caught her wrist.
The tension snapped like a live wire between them.
“Don’t,” he said, voice shaking. “Don’t say it like that,zira. I'm trying so f*****g hard to not let s**t happen again between us."
Her eyes softened, but only for a second. “Get your f*****g hands off me'.
They stood there, breathing hard. His hand still on her wrist, hers still trembling.
He let go slowly.
“I didn’t invite Carmen over,” he said quietly. “And I sure as hell didn’t want her touch.”
Alzira’s lips parted — just slightly — but whatever she was about to say was cut off by a *loud knock* on the door.
Zion’s head snapped up. Alzira froze.
Three hard knocks. Then a voice.
“Open the damn door, Zion!”
Zion's face darkened.
“Davis?” Alzira whispered, pale.
She stepped back instinctively, panic flashing across her face. “He tracked my phone. I didn’t think he—”
Zion didn’t wait. He strode to the door, heart hammering.
Davis stood there, fury on his face, fists clenched. “Where is she?”
“Not your damn business and who the f**k are you?,” Zion replied coldly.
“She’s my daughter!”
Zion’s jaw clenched. " What? .”
Davis laughed angrily." Oh boy, you didn't know? She didn't f*****g tell you?".
He turned to stare at alzira and she stared back at him, her breath fast and her eyes teary.
" No Zion, I don't want anything to do with him. He's f*****g bad news,I swear".
Davis shoved him. “You think hiding her here makes you a hero? Her mother needs her and she f*****g needs to get back home."
Zion didn’t flinch. “She doesn't *want* to be found. She's a grown woman and she can decide if she wanna be with you or not!".
“She’s mine!” Davis roared as he extended his hands over Zion's shoulders and grazed alzira.
Zion stepped forward, eyes dangerous. “Touch her again, and I will bury you myself.”
Davis hesitated. Alzira went back standing behind the stair railing, trembling, but defiant.
“You really staying with him?” Davis spat. “After what he *did* to you? You think I don't know. Your mama fuckin told me, Alzira.".
That hit Zion harder than any punch ever could.
Alzira stepped forward. “You don’t get to speak for me. Not anymore. And You're never going to speak to him like that ever again. I am going to expose you,to mama, to the whole world. you are a sorry excuse of a father."
Zion felt his chest rise with something raw and unfamiliar. He felt proud. Of her confidence. Of her bravery.
Davis’s eyes narrowed. “You’re making a mistake.”
“I made my biggest mistake staying with you this long. Go to hell ,Davis. And pray mama forgives you when the truth is finally out!". Alzira said as tears streamed down her face.
Zion shoved him back and slammed the door shut.
Silence followed.
Alzira stood in the hallway, still shaking, her arms wrapped around herself.
Zion turned slowly, meeting her eyes.
And for the first time… no words were needed.
He just opened his arms.
And she stepped in. Quietly. Hesitantly.
But willingly.
**
- Writer
